Suzuki launched the Gixxer SF and the Gixxer SF 250 full faired motorcycles this week. Starting from Rs. 1.09 lakh and 1.70 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi), they mark the new leg of Suzuki’s ride in India. Continuing on the same note of bringing in mid-range performance and premium motorcycles, a report by ZigWheels suggests that the manufacturer is planning to launch a more powerful Intruder cruiser to challenge the Royal Enfield Thunderbird series in India. It will employ a 250 cc motor and will most probably be launched at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo.
The company also confirmed the launch of a 250 cc version of the Gixxer naked bike, which means that the company will use this new 250 cc platform for several bikes in India. According to another report, Suzuki has decided to move away from the commuter motorcycle game and focus more on more premium bikes above the Rs. 1 lakh mark. A 250 cc Intruder then makes perfect sense as the company will want to have a cruiser in its lineup to rival the likes of the Royal Enfield Thunderbird among others in the segment.
Talking about the Intruder 250, it is expected to have a new design instead of carrying the same Intruder 150 cc design. The Intruder 250 will possibly take hints from its bigger brother and be designed more like a conventional cruiser bike. Most of the cycle parts, engine, and other components will be carried over from the Gixxer SF 250 but will be altered according to the cruiser nature of the bike. What this means is that the swingarm could be made longer, cruiser style handlebars with forward set footpegs in order to provide a comfortable riding position.
Powering the bike would be the same 250 cc, single cylinder four stroke engine that produces 26 Bhp of peak power and 22.9 Nm of peak torque. However, the engine could be tweaked and the response made more in line according to cruiser bikes. The telescopic front forks, monoshock rear suspension, alloy wheels, tubeless tyres, a fully digital LCD instrument cluster, Full LED headlamps and tail lamps along with front and rear disc brakes with dual channel ABS will be carried over.
When launched next year, the Intruder 250 will be priced around Rs. 1.8 lakhs. As for the rivals, it has no direct rivals as there is no proper 250 cc cruiser bike in the country right now. However, the likes of the Royal Enfield Thunderbird and the UM Renegade series could provide it with some competition. The Jawa too could be counted as rivals, though they are not exactly cruiser bikes. In the future, however, Bajaj could launch a 250 cc version of the Avenger which would make for a solid competitor. The only thing we ask Suzuki is to make the Intruder 250 look good with design bits form the bigger Intruder bikes.
