Suzuki GSX-S150

Like many roadsters which are based on their fully-faired counterparts, the Suzuki GSX-S150 also shares much of the bodywork and mechanicals with the Suzuki GSX-R150 but misses out on the full front fairing. In place of it, the Suzuki GSX-S150 gets an aggressive-looking headlamp and edgy-looking fuel tank extensions. While these changes manage to give it a separate identity over its faired sibling, the overall design has turned out to be subjective in its appearance.

As said above, the full front fairing of the Suzuki GSX-R150 is gone for the GSX-S150, and in comes a whole new headlamps assembly, which looks somewhat similar to that of the former. The vertically-stacked full LED headlamp has angular LED lights attached to its lower parts. This headlamp is positioned quite lower and gets a sloping black visor above it, with turn indicators attached to its sides.

As expected, the side panels of the full fairing are gone, and the big fuel tank now is assisted with edgy-looking tank extensions on both sides. Like its faired sibling, the Suzuki GSX-S150 also gets bold body graphics on the fuel tank, tank extensions and the sporty tail section. The engine, which along with the alloy wheels, exhaust and frame, is painted in black, gets a heavy-looking cowl beneath it. Even the black-coloured exhaust pipe with a silver tip is shared with the GSX-R150.

The sharp and rising tail section with the split seat arrangement in the Suzuki GSX-S150 is shared with the GSX-R150. The high-placed and small pillion seat might not be the most comfortable place for a pillion rider to be seated, especially for longer rides. At the back of this sporty-looking tail section, the Suzuki GSX-S150 gets a nice-looking LED tail lamp, which along with the rear fender, is retained from the GSX-R150.

The sloping cowl above the front headlamp has a full-LCD instrument console behind it, which is the same unit which is available in the fully-faired GSX-R150. The fully-digital unit has small fonts for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, odometer, trip meters, gear indicator and clock. The clip-on handlebars are also gone, and in its place, comes a single and long handlebar.

Apart from the engine, even other mechanicals in the Suzuki GSX-S150 is retained from the GSX-R150, which indicates that it also is a sporty motorcycle to ride, just like its fully-faired sibling. The conventional hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a link-type mono-shock with a rectangular swingarm at the rear is the suspension combination employed on the Suzuki GSX-S150. Riding on 90/80-17 front and 130/70-17 rear tyres, the Suzuki GSX-S150 gets single disc brakes at either end.

The Suzuki GSX-R150 shares its four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 147cc engine with the GSX-R150. One of the most powerful sub-150cc engines available in the market at present, this 147cc engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox and pumps out a maximum power output of 19 PS and a peak torque output of 14 Nm. The engine impresses with its refinement and smoothness in the entire rpm range.

While the Suzuki GSX-S150 misses out on the fancy keyless ignition system of the GSX-R150, it gets a lockable ignition keyhole in the frontal part of the fuel tank. Apart from that, there are no other safety features provided in the Suzuki GSX-S150 to keep the overall costs low.

While the frontal appearance of the Suzuki GSX-S150 is subjective, the motorcycle impresses on all the other fronts where it matters. Aspects like performance and riding character are well taken care of, which makes the Suzuki GSX-S150 one of the most finely engineered motorcycles in the country today.