VOL. 54 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 12, 2017 P79
the GSX-S1000F—a bike with a
touch of sporting prowess but
with all-day comfort, even for
taller riders.
The braking power of the
little GSX's twin piston Nissin
caliper is excellent, as is the
feel at the lever. It doesn't have
a huge mass to haul up in the
GSX but this is, in my opinion,
one of the standout features of
the bike—another factor new
riders are going to love.
The Suzuki has many factors
going for it—great looks, good
brakes and once you get it in
its groove in slow- to medium-
speed canyons, great fun—but
it is let down by an engine that
just isn't up to class spec. Had
this bike come out four years
ago, it'd be one of the best ma-
chines in its class, but the rest
of the junior sport bikes have
stepped up their game substan-
tially in that time.
Where the GSX will excel is
with brand new riders that are
just dipping their toes in the
sport-bike waters. Suzuki wants
these riders to hang onto their
GSX250Rs for a long time and
not have to upgrade them right
away, but for this to happen, I feel
the motor needs another 100cc
to keep them interested. CN
2018 SUZUKI GSX250R ($4499)
ENGINE: ............ 4-stroke, liquid-cooled,
SOHC, parallel-twin
DISPLACEMENT: ...........................248cc
BORE X STROKE: ......... 53.5 x 55.2mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: .................. 11.5:1
CLUTCH: ........................ Wet multi-plate
TRANSMISSION: ....................... 6-speed
CHASSIS: ..... Cast aluminum twin spar
FRONT SUSPENSION: ..Telescopic fork,
non-adjustable
REAR SUSPENSION: .........Single shock
adjustable for spring preload
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ............... 4.5 in.
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................. 4.9 in.
FRONT BRAKE: ........ Single disc, Nissin
2-piston caliper
REAR BRAKE: .......... Single-disc, Nissin
single-piston caliper
FRONT TIRE: ...........110/80-17M/C 57H
REAR TIRE: .............140/55-17M/C 66H
WHEELBASE: .............................. 56.2 in.
SEAT HEIGHT: ..............................31.1 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: ........................ 4.0 gal.
WEIGHT: ...... 392 lbs. (curb, claimed).
COLOR: ......................................... White
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
