Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel

The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel might look identical to the standard model, but it packs an important update under the skin. This version can run on ethanol blends of up to E85, making it cleaner and slightly more powerful than the E20 model.

Now, ethanol-blended fuels have raised a few concerns among potential owners. From corrosion and rubber seal wear to inconsistent and lower mileage. But should you really be worried about that? And more importantly, how does this Flex Fuel Gixxer SF 250 perform in the real world? We find out.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel carries forward the exact same design as the standard model, save for a few stickers that denote its Flex Fuel and E85 compliance. Its fully-faired styling still looks sporty and proportionate, but this design has now been around for over six years with no major updates. As a result, it’s beginning to show its age, especially when compared to newer rivals that look sharper and more up to date with the times.

That said, the overall quality remains typically Japanese. The panels are well put together, paint finish feels premium, and the switchgear offers a positive and tactile click. So, while the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel might not turn heads for its design anymore, it continues to impress with its solid build quality and attention to detail.

Swing a leg over the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel, and you’ll immediately feel at home. The riding posture strikes a nice balance between sporty and comfortable. You have to lean slightly forward to reach the clip-ons, but it’s not overly aggressive or demanding. The seat height is accessible for most riders, and my five feet seven inch frame allowed me to flatfoot without any issues. Meanwhile, the seat cushioning offers decent long-distance comfort.

The footpegs are mildly rear-set, which adds to the sporty feel without compromising everyday usability. Even in city traffic or while cruising on the highway, the ergonomics don’t feel too aggressive or tiring. Overall, the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel continues to deliver a comfortable riding position and ergonomics.

Powering the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel is a 249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine that produces 26.5bhp at 9,300rpm and 22.6Nm at 7,300rpm. These figures are marginally higher than the E20-compliant standard model, courtesy of the higher octane rating of ethanol-based fuels. Out on the road, though, the difference isn’t perceptible. The power delivery and acceleration feel identical to the regular SF 250 - smooth, predictable, and linear.

The engine feels refined throughout the rev range, with only a mild buzz creeping in at higher RPMs. This is more a part of the engine’s character than any cause for concern. It offers a strong mid-range and top-end grunt, which makes the motorcycle enjoyable on open stretches. Tractability is decent, too, and the engine doesn’t protest at lower revs, though you’ll need to be in the right gear to maintain good drive in city traffic. The six-speed gearbox feels slick and precise, offering clean shifts without any false neutrals.

Now, while ethanol fuels are cleaner and better for the environment, they come with a trade-off. Ethanol has a lower calorific value, meaning more fuel is required to produce the same amount of power as petrol, resulting in a slightly lower fuel economy.

Ethanol-blended fuels have often raised questions around corrosion, rubber seal wear, and long-term reliability. However, since the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel has been engineered to handle ethanol blends of up to E85, the internal components and rubber parts are compatible with higher ethanol content. So, this shouldn’t be an issue for everyday use, but how these engines perform in the long term is still a question mark.

The Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel continues to offer a good balance between sporty handling and comfort. It feels stable and predictable around corners and switches direction with confidence. It isn’t as sharp or agile as a KTM RC 200 or Yamaha R15 V4, but for a quarter-litre sports tourer, it delivers a well-rounded experience.

The suspension setup has a mild, firm edge, yet it manages Mumbai’s pothole-ridden and patchy roads without much complaint. The ride isn’t outright plush, but it stays composed over undulations and expansion joints. You’ll feel sharper potholes and rumblers, but there’s no harsh kickback from the rear.

Braking performance is adequate for the segment, though there’s room for improvement. The lever feel is positive, but we would’ve liked a stronger initial bite and more progression from the front brake.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel carries over the same feature set as the standard model. It gets a full LED headlamp and tail lamp, digital instrument cluster, and dual-channel ABS. The display is easy to read, showing essential information like the gear position indicator, fuel level, and two trip meters.

However, in today’s context, the bike feels basic. It doesn’t get ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, or even riding modes, which are standard features across the segment. In fact, some rivals also offer features such as cornering ABS, cruise control, TPMS, and more.

In Bikewale’s city fuel efficiency test, the Gixxer SF 250 returned a mileage of 34.6kmpl. Six years back, the non-E20-compliant bike had managed to return a mileage of 35.2kmpl on the same route. So, the difference is roughly around 2 per cent. Do note that this test was done using E20 petrol, as E85 fuels are not available in India yet. With a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres, you will get a range of nearly 415km on a full tank.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel offers a refined engine, solid build quality, comfortable ergonomics, and predictable handling. It can handle city commutes and weekend rides with equal ease. However, the design is now showing its age, and the brakes could do with a bit more bite and feedback. At Rs. 2 lakh (ex-showroom), it also lacks a lot of features, which now come standard with most of its rivals.

While the E85 compliance makes it future-ready and slightly cleaner to run, ethanol-blended fuels still raise concerns about long-term reliability, lower fuel economy, and performance consistency. Till we have more real-world performance data around flex-fuel motorcycles, these doubts will linger.

So, should you buy one? Unless the government mandates E85 compliance, the standard E20 Gixxer SF 250 remains the more practical and hassle-free choice.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi