Suzuki launches 2 more exotic bikes in India.. both of which are as different from each other as chalk and cheese
GSX-R 1000
Price: 12.75 ex-Showroom Delhi
Engine: 999 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Max Power: 185 Bhp @ 12000 rpm
Max Torque: 118 Nm @ 10000 rpm
(Need to be confirmed)
Kerb Weight: 205 Kgs
Wheelbase: 1405 mm
Seat Height: 810 mm
Colors: Glass Splash White & Solid Black
Bandit 1250S
Price: 8.5 ex-Showroom Delhi
Engine: 1255 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Max Power: 98 Bhp @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque: 108 Nm @ 3700 rpm
Kerb Weight: 250 Kgs
Wheelbase: 1485 mm
Seat Height: 810/830 (adjustable) mm
Colors: Metallic Gleam Gray & Pearl Nebular Black
Suzuki Motorcycle India: Link
The 2004 bollywood flick Dhoom, was the first in India to use exotic imported bikes (all the bikes used in the movie were Suzuki bikes) as a backdrop. The movie is credited to having captured the imagination of the youth of India for big powerful motorcycles.
But looking in retrospect, the movie would actually make any informed biker cringe with embarrassment. Aditya Chopra rode a yellow colored "Bandit" in it and amusingly enough, the Bandit was shown dragging and chasing bikes like the Hayabusa and GSX-R 600.
How different are the GSX-R 1000 and the Bandit 1250S from each other?
The GSX-R 1000 is the first "Superbike" (also called as Super Sports) from Suzuki for India. Ok, the Hayabusa has been on sale in India, but the big and bulky Hayabusa is actually a "Hyper Sports" bike. In any case both the "Super Sports" and "Hyper Sport" bikes are very high revving and are made for achieving high speeds.
The natural terrain of the GSX-R 1000 is actually a race track and to keep pace with other Super Sports bikes like the Yamaha R1 and the Honda CBR1000RR (both of them are available in India as well). This does not mean that the Super Sports bikes can't be ridden on city roads and highways, just that it will start to punish your wrists after just 30 mins of being on the bike.
There is no denying that the GSX-R 1000 oozes of sex appeal, but in our cities one can usually never utilize even "half" of the potential of the high revving engine. And our big country is blessed with just 2 race tracks open to the public and that too in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu.
The Bandit 1250S on the other is categorized by Suzuki as a "Street Bike", but according to me, the Bandit 1250S is a bit too bulky and at 250 kgs kerb weight a bit heavy as well to pass as a city friendly bike in India. What makes the engine of the Bandit different from the high strung GSX-R 1000 and the Hayabusa is its very relaxed state of tune.
The Bandit would be best at home out on long trips on open highways. With its tall handlebars, fixed half fairing and the maximum torque of 108 Nm coming in at an very low 3700 rpm, the Bandit would feel like a big Karizma with 6-7 times with more grunt.
The is currently no direct competitor in India to the Bandit 1250S in terms of the character and usability. The Bandit 1250S actually is a very practical bike. The relaxed state of engine tune of the Bandit 1250S would make riding on our roads an effortless affair. Plus the wind screen would prove to be handy in keeping off windblasts on the highway.
Also at 8.5 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, the Bandit currently becomes the cheapest 1000 plus cc motorcycle available in India. For those who can afford these bikes, its nice to know that one has various options to choose from in India now.
As for me, I don't have an ounce of interest in these expensive bikes as I know very well that someone like me just cannot afford them. I am posting the above news just to chronicle the entry of the GSX-R 1000 and the Bandit 1250S in India.
Part of the Suzuki Motorcycle India press release:
GSX-R1000 – popularly known as Gixxer in India
It all started in 1985, when Suzuki developed the first ever GSX-R750. The goal was to build a large displacement bike that delivered the excitement of race-winning performance to riders worldwide. With this, the “race replica” category was born. For the first time we were able to offer a pure sportsbike, born on the circuit and bred to dominate the championships - in our showrooms. The GSX-R was built to be the ultimate in engineering, handling, cornering and braking technology. It started in the racing circuit where it demonstrates its full potential and brought the same high adrenaline and full throttle excitement to the street level. Uncompromising, undiluted performance – this is true for every GSX-R that has ever been made in the past 25 years of Supersports know-how. A perfect blend of track engineering and road ready design, it develops a feeling of raw, hi octane power that comes with every twist of the throttle. The latest GSX-R1000 nails it once again.
The all-new chassis with a shorter wheelbase allows you to maintain speed while taking on corners, while a longer swingarm delivers greater traction when powering out of them. A slipper clutch provides an even smoother downshift and greater stability when approaching trickier bends. Ride quality is improved thanks to big piston forks, the first 1000cc production bike to be fitted with them. Three separate performance settings provide instant control over the power delivery to suit the specific road types and conditions, while monoblock front brake calipers increase overall stopping power. In one word, ‘Legendary’!
The GSX – R1000 is available in two colours – White / Blue & Black /Silver and is priced at Rs. 12,75,000.00 (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
GSF1250S – better known as Bandit1250S
The “real” motorcycle lives on. All the iconic character and attitude of the original Bandit is fitted into this bike along with a 1255cc high-tech liquid cooled engine that produces even more torque from lower down, achieving massive performance figures, but from a bike that loves going for many miles.
A state of the art liquid cooled engine sits at the heart of this serious machine providing smooth power and acceleration. In fact, with torque figures that are comparable to the GSX-R1000, but at a third of the engine speed, it produces phenomenal "roll on" performance. An adjustable seat height maximizes rider comfort.
The GSF1250S has a fuel injected double overhead camshaft (DOHC) power-plant with 1255cc of torque at your service. Delivering a wide spread of power, starting low down in the rev range, the six gear ratios takes full advantage of this torque resulting in extra smooth acceleration and inspiring power delivery, perfect for long distance rides.
A sports tourer made for turning any spot on the map into a precious memory!
The BANDIT 1250S is available in two colours - Metallic Gleam Gray & Pearl Nebular Black and is priced at Rs. 8, 50,000.00 (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
The bikes have been launched today in 11 cities – Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Bhubaneshwar, Raipur and Cochin.
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Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
8 Comments:
It seems like suzuki doesnt have proper team in india to give good mass products.They are only focusing to bring their international line-up in india.And they will not be successfull in india until they will launch good products for and from india like yamaha and honda.
aah GIXXER, the worthy competitor to the R1 and the CBR1000RR!!!
Agree with Hemant. It's such a shame. We saw pics of the shabby Sli****** a few days back. Now we see these. Sure, they look good bikes, but where are the 200cc, 250cc, 400cc or 500cc bikes? These guys don't realize a bit. They want to milk the Indian market but without investing to bring Indians to the next level of motorcycling.
As far as I remember the K7 was 185bhp, the bike that's being launched in India is the 2009 version with K9 engine which is 161bhp!!
Thanks for updating Sajal bro..
Suzuki has a peculiar habit of not posting the power/torque figures of its models for its international models (even on its international sites).
I checked a few sites at it seems the "claimed" max power figure for the 2010 Gixxer is around 191 bhp.
Hope the auto magazines would provide us with the company claimed power figures.
rode the Bandit. Its fuck heavy. It would happily topple on a bend even going relatively fast. The Gixxer was more maneuverable.
rode the Bandit. Its fuck heavy. It would happily topple on a bend even going relatively fast. The Gixxer was more maneuverable.
The bikes which were utilized in Dhoom movie it was Suzuki's bike I thought it was Yamaha's bike. Really all bikes were so good. Thanks for sharing the pics of the bikes the images of bikes delight by heart and feel like riding as well.
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