EICMA 2016: Suzuki GSX250R

For avid Suzuki fans the release of the 2017 Suzuki GSX250R at the EICMA show this week is welcome news.

Suzuki has had nothing to challenge the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 300, the Honda CBR300R or the Yamaha YZF-R3 in the baby sports bike market. And those buyers, especially new or learner riders, aspiring to bigger Suzuki sports bikes from the GSX-R range were left with no starting point or path to follow.

So we welcome the Suzuki GSX250R.

Whilst it might be 50cc short of the engine capacity of the rest of the pack, and based on the well proven but fairly sedate Inazuma (or GW250 as it’s known in some markets), it is a Suzuki and it is a learner approved sports bike.

Suzuki has gone to great lengths to improve the performance of the 248cc parallel-twin engine that has been the heart of the Inazuma since its release. That engine has developed a reputation, not necessarily for its outright power, but for the way it delivers it – smooth and predictable.

For the new GSX250R the engineers have maximised low-to-mid range torque and altered the camshaft profile to deliver maximum acceleration performance at riding speeds between 20km/h to 90km/h, where these bikes spend most of their time. The new cam profile also suppresses noise generation to deliver a smoother, more pleasant ride.

The engine now produces 18kW and 23Nm, slightly less than the competition.

With a full fairing, styling taken from the GSX-R range, and new 10 spoke lightweight alloy wheels, the baby Suzuki sports bike certainly looks the part.

Newly designed surface-emitting LEDs are used in the position (parking) lights at the front of the bike and for the tail light, and a lightweight two into one exhaust system completes the picture.

ABS with large petal type disc rotors is also part of the standard equipment.

The bike has a multi-function LCD instrument panel with a segmented-bar tachometer across the top, digital speedometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge and fuel consumption meters and a programmable shift light.

Suzuki says that despite the GSX250R’s sporty and aggressive looks, it has a comfortable riding position, well-cushioned seat and slim design that make riding in town or touring for long distances equally pleasing.

The all-new GSX250R is expected to arrive in Australia during the second quarter of 2017, and will be available in Pearl Black or Metallic Triton Blue. Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.