Suzuki GS150R

After the initial failure, Suzuki has re-launched their only 150cc bike in India known as GS150R. The bike gets minor up gradations to take on the rising competitors in its segment. Can Suzuki succeed this time?

Suzuki GS150R Design and Style

Suzuki GS150R gets minor cosmetic changes as it carries its original design and style. It now features revised cowl and visor with new graphics. The cowl helps this bike to look aggressive with its headlight. It has air-intakes on both sides around its headlight which makes it look aerodynamic. The cowl now sports noticeable cuts and lines which enhance the appearance of this bike. It has a wide headlight with twin pilot lamps which can grab your attention easily with its tinted visor which is one of its kinds. The partly black colored front fender has also been revised and looks edgy with its stylish five-spoke alloy wheels. Its side panel, engine, alloy wheels and muffler are given black finish. Suzuki GS150R’s up-swept silencer along with chrome heat shield looks extremely sporty. It has an upraised fuel tank which also features new graphics and looks classy with stepped up seat and tall positioned rear cowl. Its rear cowl features integrated clear lens indicators and LED tail light. It has a twin layered tail light which looks sparkling with silver finished compact grab rail. Its sharp rear fender covers its rear tyre and carries a number plate and reflector light.

Suzuki GS150R Instrument Console

Suzuki GS150R has a combined analogue digital meter console. It has a circular dial for its analogue tachometer which is surrounded by a silver ring. It also houses a digital gear shift indicator. There is a big orange colored LCD for its digital speedometer, trip meter, odometer and fuel gauge. This speedometer comes in dual mode. Other essential indicators are placed around LCD.

Suzuki GS150R Engine and Gearbox

There are no changes in this department. Suzuki GS150R is still powered by a 4-stroke 150cc engine. This SOHC engine generates a peak power of 13.8 Bhp at 8500 rpm. The maximum torque production of this air-cooled engine is of 13.4 Nm which is accessible at 6000 rpm. GS150R was the first 150cc bike in India to features a six-speed manual gearbox. It has one gear down and five gears up-shift pattern.

Suzuki GS150R Acceleration and Performance

You will have to rev this bike hard to get the best of this engine and it gets clears from the very first move. The six-speed gearbox helps you to keep moving fast and quick. The torque and power arrives a bit late in this bike in comparison to its rivals but Suzuki has done it deliberately. There is not much power and torque to play so Suzuki has kept its gear ratios short so that it never runs out of power. The throttle response just keeps on improving as you proceed. It does 0-60km/hr in less than 6 seconds despite having a poor power to weight ratio. This engine is extremely refined and there are no signs of vibration till 6000rpm. The bike can cross the speed mark of 120km/hr thanks to its additional sixth gear. Overtaking is very easy with this bike on highways but it may irritate you a bit in city traffic. It takes time to settle on this bike as you will have to learn how to be in the right gear to move it as per your need. Otherwise you will have to suffer frequent gear shifts which are quite disturbing in city traffic.

Suzuki GS150R Mileage

Frequent gear shifts and heavy weight results into a fuel economy of around 50km/ltr in city conditions. These figures may increase by 3-5km/ltr on highways.

Suzuki GS150R Comfort while Driving

Its foot pegs are placed in the middle which surely doesn’t give you a sporty riding posture. It’s more commuters friendly as its handle bar is also placed a bit upwards. The seating of Suzuki GS150R is very comfortable and improves with a perfect knee grip around its fuel tank. The handle bar offers vibration less firm palm grip and features good quality of plastic buttons along with an engine kill switch on it.

Storage Space and Safety Features

There is almost no storage space in GS150R but it has safety features like rear saree guard, front leg guard and powerful headlight.

Suzuki GS150R Suspension and Brakes

The front telescopic forks of GS150R are oil damped while it features oil and gas damped shock absorbers with swing arm type coil spring at the back. It comes equipped with a standard front disc brake of 240mm and rear drum brake of 130mm.

Ride and Handling

Suzuki GS150R is a heavy bike and that’s quite evident in its handling especially in city traffic. The bike is not much quick and nimble and it takes time to steer this bike. However its high speed stability is impressive thanks to its wheelbase of 1335mm. It has a ground clearance of 160mm which suits our Indian conditions and enables it to cross most of the obstructions easily. The gas filled rear suspension gives you a comfortable ride and there are very less bumps which manages to bother you. You may not feel confident around sharp corners as it lacks stability while turning. We expected a wider rear tyre from Suzuki as the bike still lacks firm road grip. However, it seems to settle well on highways thanks to its heavyweight and effective suspension system.

Suzuki GS150R Colours

Suzuki GS150R is available in four colours: Pearl nebular black, Pearl White, Candy max orange and Candy dark greenish blue.

Verdict

Yes, at INR 64.5K (ex-showroom, Delhi (approx., may vary)) this bike is cheaper than most of its competitors but we will still not say it’s a complete value for money bike. First of all, it lacks credibility in the market which means you will have to suffer its poor resale value and high maintenance. Secondly, there is nothing extraordinary in this bike (apart from a sixth gear) which makes it better than other rivals. We don’t think with these minor cosmetic changes Suzuki will be able to beat established players like Hero X-treme and Bajaj Pulsar in our Indian market.

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