Suzuki Gixxer 300/GSX-S300 in works, could be launched in India
Haojue, for the one's who have not heard of it, is the largest Chinese foreign-invested motorcycle manufacturer in China. The two-wheeler brand manufactures V-Strom 250, GSX 250R and the GW250 Inazuma in China. Recently, patent drawings of their upcoming 300cc motorcycle have surfaced online and from the looks of it, this could be the DR300. The first time we got a glimpse of the DR300 naked motorcycle was at the Chongqing Mobo Fair in China. We believe Suzuki could launch it in India under the model name Gixxer 300 sometime later this year, wherein the motorcycle will compete with the likes of the BMW G 310 R, KTM 390 Duke and the Honda CB300R.
The Houjue DR300 is scheduled to launch in China in May 2019. It is being speculated that Suzuki will launch in other international markets as the GSX-S300. The patent drawings that appeared online last year of the same motorcycle are different than the ones here. In its present form, the headlight assembly looks more aggressive and comes with LED strips, it gets a more compact rear section and taller places handle bars. Also, this one gets twin exhausts. Interestingly, the tread pattern of the tyres has been altered in the new patent drawings giving a flat tracker theme to the overall design. The other bits that can be seen in the drawings of the DR300 are side reflectors, ABS brakes and also an extended number plate hanger that travels beyond the body work and also over the rear tyre, confirming that there might be plans of launching the motorcycle in Europe and other countries as well.
If and when that happens, it should be interesting, considering how things have heated up in the quarter-litre sportsbike space in recent years, thanks to a slew of launches like the KTM 390 Duke, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 both, the Yamaha YZF-R3, the Honda CBR250R as also the Honda CBR300R. For the record, the Haojue DR300 is powered by a brand-new 298cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a four valve head that is mated to a six-speed transmission, though power and torque figures have not been revealed. All said and done, it appears that Suzuki is set to join the quarter-litre streetbike and sportsbike party!