Suzuki Gixxer SF250 vs. the competition

The Suzuki Gixxer SF250 is a great motorcycle for the Philippine market. 

It is positioned in such a way that it can accommodate larger sport bike buyers who do not want the upright riding stance and more off-road-oriented feature of the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX. For some, it can likewise fit in as an intermediate ride when switching between sub-400 cc rides to actual big bikes. And with its starting price of P192,000, it also won’t break the wallet. 

The Gixxer SF250, however, does have several notable competitors in the Philippine market. So, what are its alternatives, and what are they offering to prospective buyers? Let’s find out here. 

Before going over its rivals, however, let’s have an overview of the Suzuki-made middleweight ride.

Suzuki Gixxer SF250 

The Suzuki Gixxer SF250 is a fully-faired sportbike sitting in the middleweight category. It comes with aggressive styling cues filled with deep-cup lines, a prominent fuel tank, and sleek-looking seats. 

From the rear, the Gixxer SF250 sports a twin exhaust system and a swing-arm-type suspension system. Its front end, on the other hand, utilizes a telescopic fork. On both sides, the motorcycle has oil-dampened coil springs. 

Braking power for the motorcycle is handled by front and rear discs. It also features LED front and rear lighting elements, an inverted color digital instrument panel, as well as anti-lock braking. 

Propelling the sporty Suzuki nameplate is a 249 cc four-stroke, oil-cooled one-cylinder engine. It uses an electric starter, an injected fuel system, a transistorized electronic ignition system, and a six-speed constant-mush transmission. 

At maximum, the said engine can generate up to 26 horsepower (hp) and 22.6 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

Here’s a table summarizing the specs of the Suzuki Gixxer SF250: 

Model	Suzuki Gixxer SF250
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	2,010x740x1,035
Wheelbase (mm)	1,345
Seat height (mm)	800
Wheel size (in inches)	17
Lighting system	LED
Amenities/Technologies	Oil cooling Transistorized ignition system Electric starter Injected fuel system Dual exhaust
Instrument cluster	Digital
Seating Capacity	Two
Engine	249 cc
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed, constant mesh
Horsepower	26
Torque (in Nm)	22.6
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Pricing	P192,900

Yamaha YZF-R15M

One big rival the Suzuki Gixxer SF250 faces in the Philippine market is the Yamaha YZF-R15M. 

With its starting price of P164,000, it is a fair bit cheaper compared to the Suzuki model, but it does have a smaller 155-cc engine.

At maximum, the YZF-R15M’s liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine can put out 19 hp and 14.7 Nm of torque. It also uses a six-speed constant-mesh transmission, an electric starter, and a fuel injection system. 

Other notable features of the Yamaha sport bike include front and rear LED lighting, front and rear disc brakes, a digital meter panel, anti-lock braking, traction control, and a quick shifter. Ride quality for the model is ensured by a front telescopic fork and a rear swingarm.

Similar to its Suzuki competitor, the Yamaha model is a fully cowled sport-bike style ride with an aggressive riding stance and sharp styling features. 

Here is a table detailing the specifications of the Yamaha YZF-R15M: 

Model	Yamaha YZF-R15M
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	1,990x725x1,135
Wheelbase (mm)	1,325
Seat height (mm)	815
Wheel size (in inches)	17
Lighting system	LED
Amenities/Technologies	Liquid cooling Transistorized ignition system Electric starter Injected fuel system
Instrument cluster	Digital
Seating Capacity	Two
Engine	155 cc
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed, constant mesh
Horsepower	19
Torque (in Nm)	14.7 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Pricing	P164,000

KTM RC 200

One notable European rival to the Japanese Suzuki Gixxer SF250 is the KTM RC 200. 

Style-wise, it comes with full sport bike cowls, providing the ride with a sleek, teardrop shape. Like its competitors, it also adopts an aggressive riding stance and plenty of angular styling details. 

For handling and ride quality, the RC 200 depends on front and rear WP Apex suspension systems. The KTM model also uses a pair of 17-inch lightweight wheels, clip-on handlebars, front and rear disc brakes, a two-channel anti-lock braking system, and a digital liquid crystal display. 

Propelling the KTM-made middleweight sportbike is a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 200-cc engine. At the most, it can generate up to 25 hp and 19.5 Nm of torque. For its transmission, a six-speed manual with wet-type multi-disc clutch. Stopping power, meanwhile, is provided by front and rear discs. 

Locally, the KTM RC 200 is priced at P162,000. Here is a table listing down its specifications: 

Model	KTM RC 200
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	1,978x688x1,098
Wheelbase (mm)	1,340
Seat height (mm)	820
Wheel size (in inches)	17
Lighting system	LED
Amenities/Technologies	Liquid cooling Bosch EMS Electric starter Bosch EFI
Instrument cluster	Digital
Seating Capacity	Two
Engine	200 cc
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed
Horsepower	25
Torque (in Nm)	19.5 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Pricing	P162,000

 

Honda CBR 150R

Yet another Japanese alternative to the Suzuki Gixxer SF250 is the Honda CBR 150R. 

Similar to the Yamaha option, the middleweight sportbike from Honda sports a smaller engine compared to the Suzuki. It is, however, priced at P183,900, which is slightly lower compared to its Gixxer rival. 

Nestled in the center of the Honda model’s frame is a 150 cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder mill capable of generating up to 16 hp and 13.7 Nm of torque. Cooling for the said bike is done by a liquid-based system. It also utilizes a six-speed constant mesh transmission, as well as front and rear disc brakes. 

For its lighting, the Honda nameplate has LEDs for its front and rear. Ride quality and handling, on the other hand, is provided by an inverted front fork and a swing arm rear suspension. 

Other notable features present on the CBR 150R include the following: 

• Bank angle sensor
• Digital meter panel
• Assist/slipper clutch
• 17-inch wheels
• Anti-lock braking
• Full transistorized ignition
• Injected fuel system

Here is a table showing the specifications of the Honda CBR 150R: 

Model	Honda CBR 150R
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	1,938x700x1,090
Wheelbase (mm)	1,310
Seat height (mm)	788
Wheel size (in inches)	17
Lighting system	LED
Amenities/Technologies	Liquid cooling Assist/slipper clutch Bank angle sensor Transistorized ignition Injected fuel system
Instrument cluster	Digital
Seating Capacity	Two
Engine	150 cc
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed
Horsepower	16
Torque (in Nm)	13.7
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Pricing	P183,900

 

Final thoughts

There you have it folks, the three most notable alternatives to the Suzuki Gixxer SF250. As we always say, all have their key strengths, but all fit into the middleweight sportbike niche. 

Granted, there are distinctive differences between the rides. Particularly noticeable are the smaller displacement engines on the Honda CBR 150R and the Yamaha YZF-15M. All rides listed above, however, do come with full fairings and a very aggressive riding stance. 

For folks in the market for a no-so-large sportbike, do take your time to give each possible model a test ride. Sure, reading off specs from the internet is a good start, but having real-world seat time with the ride you want and its competitors will help you a lot in making a well-informed buying decision. 

Also read: 

Suzuki Avenis vs. rivals: listing down similarly-priced competitors

Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX: pros and cons

Here are some of the best motorcycles to use for ‘quick’ date nights