We all know and adore the fabulous MotoGP circus and the stunning and striking motorcycles involved. But which one is the best looking or, more importantly, the most recognisable? Obviously we’ll all probably disagree here, depending on your specific brand loyalty, but this is my article so I’m going to choose! For me it has to be the Suzuki with its resplendent blue livery and huge lettering stamped down the sides.
Now before you throw your helmet around the kitchen in disagreement let’s go through the options. Honda is painted in a petrol station colour, Yamaha is a phone company, Ducati is just red and…don’t really care about the rest. So, in my mind, I’ll take the Suzuki paint above all the rest thank you. 
Suzuki certainly agree because their latest 1000, 750 and 600 sports bikes all have a replica paintjob, if you want it that is. Now there’re two new bikes for riders who don’t have lots of cash which have also been sprayed in their GP colours. The new GSX 250R and the very cute GSX 150F; are they both good looking or what? Yes is the answer in case you’re struggling. But are they just ‘toys’ or do they deserve MotoGP clothing?
Well, before I get into the bikes, yes they certainly do. Whichever bike I was on people loved them primarily due to the paint, especially the new 250 that looks much bigger and better than the capacity would first suggest. Talking of capacity let’s get into the smallest first, the GSX 150F. Now before you scoff because you only ride ‘big bikes’ let me tell you the head/boss of Suzuki motorcycles SA rides one daily to work and back, honest! Stuart (head/boss) revels in its predictably frugal fuel consumption (tight git syndrome) and high fun factor. To be honest for R31,500 nothing available in South Africa comes close and it is a genuine Suzuki, made in their factory in India.
This charming little machine has a single-cylinder, 155cc, SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled engine spitting out a claimed 15hp@ 8,000rpm and 14Nm@ 6,000rpm; enough to get it over 130km/h, not bad at all from this 139kg Copy Cat. But it’s the build quality and finish I enjoyed the most. The upright riding position is a nice place to be for such a lightweight as you observe the fully digital clocks normally found on more expensive motorbikes. Apparently Suzuki says this bike was tested in the same wind tunnel as their MotoGP bike as well and the new GSX-R1000 and old Hayabusa. A great bragging conversation piece in anyone’s book, maybe?
Other ‘interesting’ things to tell people are the Suzuki Jet cooling system (not sure what that is), secondary air-injector (that either) and the piston has a skirt with an inverted triangle shape, which sounds a bit on the perverted side. All stuff that no new buyer will really care about but I thought I’d pass it on to you anyway.
What I’m trying to say is that the 150F isn’t just a cheap ‘throwaway’ motorbike by any means and will suit any young male/female/old rider searching for a commuter that will caress the wallet rather than attack it. In fact, for the price of one new 2018 GSX-R1000 you can have seven, yes seven, of these! How much fun would you have when six mates come over for a spot of immature Moto3 ‘road racing’? 
Anyway, on to the gorgeous 2018 GSX 250R; the first Suzuki 250 sports bike in 20 years. Hard to believe but true because the last one was their RGV250 two-stroke. Obviously this new four-stroke is nowhere near as quick but will certainly go much further on its 15-litre tank of fuel and the engine will last longer. Suzuki say the GSX 250R is for any rider of any age who wants reliable transport with modern sports bike styling and I agree.
The liquid-cooled, 248cc, parallel twin engine is derived from the old Inazuma 250 (stupid name), but with many changes. A few of which are new cylinders and pistons for less friction, roller bearings on the rocker-arms, new throttle bodies and injectors for more rpm. This engine also has tappet adjustment for the valves and Suzuki would like to enforce the ease of servicing this bike at home, which is a great idea to keep running costs down. Even a one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged monkey with nothing more than its mother’s best cutlery set could service this 250 I’m sure.
However, I can hear what you’re all shouting though. Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda all have 300s. Good point and they’re all a bit quicker and faster; all four models are all within a few thousand Rand of each other as well. But the Suzuki is the best to look at and in this class that’s just as important as performance. This bike is also so well built (in some areas better than the 1000) that many viewers thought it was a 600/750 due to its size and finish. It also has top class digital cocks that are virtually identical to the 1000 and LED lighting front and rear, just like the bigger models.
It does look big for 250 though but when you’re aboard it’s tiny, light, handles great and the engine has a sweet linear, smooth and creamy feel to it. There’s no vibration anywhere and the build quality reflects how it is to ride. One thing I would most definitely change though is the gearing or front sprocket up by one tooth to be more precise. It’s geared for the European restricted environment and not so good for our open road riding. I could even pull off in third, so the R100 sprocket will improve that side of the bike easily and should perhaps be done at the dealer if you buy one straightaway, just a thought?
I actually fell in love with this R69,000 GSX 250R for a few reasons; it’s a bike that makes you proud to be on and show off with its show-winning MotoGP paint. It’s quick enough to beat general traffic around town and ride on the highway. It’s cheap to run and maintain and did I mention I like the way it looks – many times.
So, Copy Cats these may be but they’re so worthy of their factory colours on all counts.
Go to www.suzukimotorcycles.co.za to locate your closest dealer today.
