New 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 & 600 arrive!

There is a lot of weight loss that has taken place behind the fancy fairings of the new 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 and the GSX-R600. Resulting in overall improved motorcycles that are lighter, quicker and faster!

Suzuki has unveiled the 2011 models of the iconic GSX-R750 super-sports model and its middleweight offering, the GSX-R600. Both the models promise to be serious track scorchers like its predecessors. Both models have undergone severe weight loss and are now almost 10kg lighter than previous year’s models. More importantly, there have been significant internal changes to the engines to allow for more performance without having to increase the component weight or have a very peaky powerband.

To begin with, the four pistons and connecting rods have a precise stress load which has hugely helped in dropping over 12% of weight from the pistons and about 10% from the connecting rods. Lighter engine components like the pistons and connecting rods means a free-revving engine equating to more horsepower too. Lesser reciprocating mass and drop in frictional losses also means better power flow throughout the rev-range. The entire engine block including the transmission setup has dropped almost 2.3kg from the previous year’s motor.

Apart from getting lighter, the new Gixxers also get the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) with two riding modes to choose from – A-mode and B-mode. The modes allow the rider to choose from two different engine maps which regulate the power delivery and total power output for variable riding conditions like dry or wet weather riding. Map A provides full power and acceleration while the B mode setting produced more gradual and moderate acceleration for newbie riders or riding under tricky conditions. Another highlight on the new Suzukis is the new 310mm fully-floating front brakes discs and radial-mounted four-piston Brembo calipers.

The new generation models have been through a strict weight loss program to reduce good 10kg over the previous models. Lighter in weight means the new 2011 GSX-R750 & the GSX-R600 are faster, nimbler and reviver than ever before.

2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 & 600

2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 & 600

There is a lot of weight loss that has taken place behind the fancy fairings of the new 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 and the GSX-R600. Resulting in overall improved motorcycles that are lighter, quicker and faster!

New Suzuki M800 latest model

Suzuki softly launched the smaller Intruder M800 in the country last month, in a bid to capture the burgeoning entry-level CBU segment. The M800 looks nearly identical to the M1800, baring a few changes which will be visible only to those with a keen eye. The presence of this smaller Intruder is the same though, and the M800 is sure to turn heads, just like the M1800.

With its low-slung styling, an overall length of nearly 2.5 metres and loads of chrome, the M800 is all about making its presence felt, and will appeal to those looking for a true-blue cruiser. But start the engine and you know the Intruder is not from Yankee land. The M800 is powered by an 805cc, liquid-cooled, 45 degree V-twin engine that produces 53PS at 6000rpm and 68.38Nm at 4000rpm, and sounds rather muted. While power output feels just about adequate, power delivery is good enough to propel this 269kg beast to 100kmph in 8 seconds flat.

Suspension set-up is taut, which is a bother on bad roads, but the same helps the M800 cruise seamlessly on an open road. Arrow straight roads are the Intruder’s forte, and as we discovered, mile munching is this Suzuki’s favourite activity. IRC rubber at both ends could have offered some more grip, and wheels tend to lock up a bit sooner than expected under hard braking.

The M800 will have to fight the likes of the Harley-Davidson SuperLow and Iron 883 in the Indian market, both of which proudly sport the Harley badge, apart from the Hyosung ST7, all of which are considerably cheaper than the Intruder which retails at Rs 8.8 lakh, ex-showroom, Mumbai.

 

Suzuki launches 112cc Hayate motorcycle in India

Suzuki Motorcycle India Limited (SMIL) has launched its new 110cc commuter motorcycle, the Hayate in India. The Hayate, the name is derived from the Japanese word meaning ‘Fresh Breeze’, gets an 112cc 4-stroke air-cooled engine which makes 8.4PS of power and 8.8Nm torque. Power is put down to the road via a 4-speed transmission.  Suzuki has priced the Hayate at Rs 40,162 for the kick start variant and Rs 42,162 for the electric start one, ex-showroom Pune.

The Hayate comes with an 8-litre fuel tank and Suzuki say that the bike will deliver ‘amazing’ mileage for its class. For retardation duties, the bike gets drums at both ends.  The Hayate is available in five colour options – Pearl Mirage White, Metallic Lush Green, Pearl Mica Red, GL Sparkle Black and Metallic Flint Grey. The Hayate is on sale at all Suzuki motorcycle showrooms and the company hopes to sell 10,000 units of this motorcycle every month. Suzuki has also got a new brand ambassador in the form of Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan. He will endorse every Suzuki motorcycle in India from now on.

Anand Thakur, head of national sales (SMIL) said, “Maharashtra is an important market for Suzuki motorcycles. We see the Hayate securing a significant and distinct space for itself in the Indian motorcycle market by serving the needs of the first time motorcycle owner and people with regular commuting needs. The Hayate is a great option for customers looking for both uncompromising technology and value for money. We believe that Suzuki and Salman together will make an emotional  connect with all sections of customers that Suzuki’s range of two-wheelers reaches out to.”

As is evident from the table below, Suzuki have priced the Hayate competitively, with the Honda CB Twister still being one of the priciest motorcycles in its segment and the Bajaj Boxer BM150 being one value for money 150cc motorcycle competing at a price point of the 100-110cc.

Here are the prices of the motorcycles that the Hayate will be up against

Motorcycles	Variants	Ex-showroom, Delhi
Suzuki Hayate	KS	Rs 38,212
Suzuki Hayate	ES	Rs 40,212
Bajaj Boxer BM150	STD	Rs 42,000
Bajaj Platina	125	Rs 40,100
Hero CD Deluxe	STD	Rs 39,450
Hero Splendor	NXG (Cast-Self)	Rs 42,720
Honda CB Twister	Kick-drum	Rs 43,900
TVS Jive	STD	Rs 41,730
TVS Star City	Mag ES	Rs 39,480
TVS Star City	Mag KS	Rs 36,420
Yamaha YBR 110	STD	Rs 41,980

Suzuki Swish first ride

Suzuki’s strong CBU line-up in the country today is among the best and caters to practically every kind of rider in that market. But the same isn’t true of its smaller, Indian-made products. Its domestic products have been of high quality, excellent build and finish but sadly for the enthusiast, the blend of performance and styling has always been conservative, mature and practical, seriously at odds with the excitement and performance of its bigger international bikes.
The Access is a successful scooter with long wait times and it has targeted the mature buyer rather well. Just like Honda did with the Dio, now Suzuki is deploying the Swish to take care of the enthusiastic, younger buyer who may have loved the Access’ explosive power – no, really it’s quite the firecracker amongst automatic scooters – but wanted it married to a, er, swisher styling package.
What totally stumps me is why Suzuki waited four years to launch the Swish since under the plastic body is effectively the rather effective Access, in engine and chassis. The plastic body saves 5kg which will mean a little more performance but the real reason is simpler. It is hard to manufacture metal panels with sculpting, edges, planes and so forth. It’s exactly the same reason why bikes like the Yamaha FZ use plastic tank covers. As usual, fit-finish quality is top notch, and the quality of plastics is impressive. The Swish also looks a lot more compact than the Access, giving the perception of being a smaller scooter. However that isn’t the case. Its 125cc engine is the quickest in the market, and is butter smooth and responsive.
The Swish feels a lot more comfortable than the Access, with a lower handlebar that allows you to keep your arms relaxed. The suspension set-up is good even on bumpy roads and along with the wide, comfortable seats makes for a plush ride. The Swish gets drum brakes which have enough bite, but Suzuki is still not offering a front disc brake even as option which we believe is a miss. All manufacturers, in our eyes, should be moving to disc brakes.
The Swish is on sale now at Rs 49,831 ex-showroom, Mumbai. It promises a little more performance and (surprisingly) comfort for the younger, more design-oriented buyer. No doubt it should do well. However, as Suzuki told us at the Auto Expo, they’re still going to play it safe. Until the 2014 Auto Expo, that’s the time the company finally opens its arms to the Indian motorcycle enthusiast.