Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 vs KTM RC 200 [2020]

The 250cc is a very interesting segment. Because this is where you get motorcycles that have aspirational styling, tonnes of features and performance that will make you own a motorcycle for much longer than you would have wanted.

We are at the Kari Motor Speedway. It’s a short and narrow racetrack near Coimbatore. It is technical and challenging, and an absolute blast on a small capacity motorcycle. And by small we mean sub-500cc bikes.

Now, the Gixxer SF 250 is an extension of the smaller Gixxer SF. Using the same blueprint, Suzuki has fortified the 250 moniker with a strengthened chassis, powerful motor and contemporary styling.

Should you be spending around Rs 1.83 lakh on the R15, or put in Rs 26,000 more and go for the bigger RC 200?

This is the new-for-2017 KTM RC200, which like an ignored child, gets very few upgrades compared to the new RC390. Sure, all the 200’s tantrums have forced KTM to give it a new set of clothes. But with that white hue, the paint job looks more like the older RC390’s hand-me-down clothes; only these are altered for the 200’s size. Now, haven’t all the second-born amongst us experienced that, especially when it came to school uniforms?

I was left awestruck the day the images of the KTM RC200 surfaced on the web. I saw the pictures of the RC 390 but they were not as bewitching and enchanting as the ones of the RC200. The high resolution images not only became the wallpaper on my laptop and cell phone, but they left a big imprint in my minda as well. The impatient soul within me felt tranquil while I marvelled at the beauty of the RC 200. I only came to my senses when I was told that I was going to review one of the RC motorcycles. All the drooling, dreaming and waiting for one of the most anticipated bikes of 2014 was going to get over for me. Lost in the gawking, I don't even remember how fast the day dawned and we were at Bajaj's private test track at Chakan to see what it's all about.