Suzuki GSX-R150 First Look at AIMExpo
Suzuki showed off a GSX-R150 model at AIMExpo to gauge consumer interest in the small-displacement sportbike. The bike is already being offered in other markets, introduced in Asia earlier this year, and derived from the GSX-R125 that’s being sold in Europe. As it’s competitors push their entry-level sportbikes into larger displacements, Suzuki is considering going smaller and creating its own niche.
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This isn’t the first time Suzuki has tried this tactic for the U.S. market. At last year’s AIMExpo, Suzuki did the same with the V-Strom 250, showcasing the adventure-style bike to an American audience to determine whether it was worth importing it to the U.S. (last we heard, Suzuki still hadn’t decided either way on the mini-Strom.) For a company like Suzuki, the smallest of the Japanese “Big Four” manufacturers, the margins are much slimmer and the costs of importing, homologation and marketing a new model needs to be balanced against consumer demand.
The GSX-R150 is powered by a fuel-injected DOHC four-valve single-cylinder engine displacing 147.3cc. At this size, the GSX-R150 would fit into its own category, as most bikes in the U.S. offered in the sub-250 range are either scooters or air-cooled. A 150 would also be much smaller than the entry-level models offered by competitors, such as the Honda CBR300R and Yamaha YZF-R3. It would also buck the trend of small-displacement models getting larger and larger, which Kawasaki has done turning its Ninja 250 into a 300 and then a 400. Going smaller might be a smart gambit for Suzuki, but only if there’s sufficient demand.
2018 Suzuki GSX-R150 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve |
| Bore x Stroke | 62.0mm x 48.8mm |
| Engine Displacement | 147.3 |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
| Fuel System | Fi |
| Cooling System | Water Cooled |
| Starting | Electric |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Swing-arm with single shock |
| Front Tire | 90/80 – 17M/C (Tubeless) |
| Rear Tire | 130/70 – 17M/C (Tubeless) |
| Front Brakes | Single disc with two-piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc with single-piston caliper |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.9 gallons |
| Length | 79.5 inches |
| Width | 27.6 inches |
| Height | 42.3 inches |
| Wheelbase | 51.2 inches |
| Ground / Road Clearance | 6.3 inches |
| Seat Height | 30.9 inches |
| Curb Mass | 288 pounds (claimed) |
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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I'm a buyer if this comes to the US. First day it shows it face I'll get me one of these. Also what great about this bike is you will not need a motorcycle license to ride it. Just buy it, put a tag on it and your good to go. No need to take a motorcycle test. Bring it on Suzuki.