2016 Suzuki Gixxer Cup Season 2: First Ride on The Cup Bike

It's called the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and it's similar to the one-make racing series that both Honda and Yamaha have. For Suzuki though, it all started in 2015, the same year Suzuki made its come back to MotoGP; which was a poetic moment. Kick starting a race series is no small task and Suzuki's step in this direction shows that India has a lot of talented riders who need to be tapped. To earn a spot in the racing series, one has to be between the ages of 13 and 17 years and here is where these kids will not only be trained but will also be able to race and get a hang of what racing around a track entails. This year, the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup program will be held alongside the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and the championship, which will be held over five rounds, will see the winner progress to Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup which is held in Spain.

Apart from the Gixxer Cup, Suzuki also kick started the Red Bull Road to Rookies cup program

There will be 2 championships that'll run simultaneously: Novice for the young beginners, and Open, for the more seasoned racers. The championship will also showcase the real potential of the race prepped Gixxer SF. Organized by the Madras Motor Sports Club and approved by the FMSCI the championship is conducted in accordance with the regulations of the FMSCI which prepares the riders for professional races.

I headed to Kari Motor Speed way, Coimbatore to get a taste of the Suzuki Gixxer SF. Yes, I know, saying it, will earn me the envy of many, but well. The bike is now completely stripped down to racing trim and it looks larger than the one in the previous season. The addition of the rear disc brake, steel braided hoses with racing brake fluid are added for the brakes and a hydro formed racing exhaust makes all the difference when it comes to appearance. The bike is lighter and agile while the engine breathes with a K&N racing air filter and the carburettor is retuned for better response, while the sprocket is modified for better acceleration.

The race spec Suzuki Gixxer impressed on the 2.1 km Kari Speedway

It was my maiden ride on a race track and I took my time to get used to it. The peppy 155cc powerplant on the Gixxer impresses as the 2.1 kilometre long track has its fair share of sharp corners especially Turn 1, which is a hair pin turn. It's pretty technical and you have to understand when to brake as you prepare to take the curb and then lean, change gears and go back on the throttle as you exit. The entire exercise is demanding not only for the rider but also for the bike and this is where you understand that the Gixxer SF is one mean machine.

Suzuki updated the Gixxer with a rear Disc brake recently

On the straight, the digital cluster indicated 114 kmph and I am pretty sure that it had more to offer. The chassis and suspension set up along with soft compound tyres by MRF gives you a lot of confidence to push it to the limit and then brake heavily as you enter Turn 1. The bike's steering geometry is perfect that it enters and exit corners with an ease and it's quite a great bike to start learning on. The season 2 of the Suzuki Gixxer Cup, then is the perfect launch pad for young riders and we are sure we will see more riders in the motorsport arena soon. The day, then, is not far away when the tri-colour waves high at the end of a MotoGP race and we can thank the Japanese for it!