Which Bike is a Better Buy Between the Suzuki Gixxer Series and Honda Hornet Series in Terms of Braking Safety, Mileage, and Daily Office Commute in Heavy Bangalore Traffic?

Choosing the right bike for urban commuting in Bangalore, especially given the city's challenging traffic conditions, can be quite daunting. This article explores the key differences between the Suzuki Gixxer and the Honda Hornet, focusing on braking safety, mileage, and general daily commuting in a heavy traffic environment.

The Bangalore Traffic Landscape

Bangalore, often called the Silicon Valley of India, faces unique challenges when it comes to road conditions and traffic. The city is notorious for its potholes, poorly designed speed breakers, and overall congestion. Navigating through these conditions requires a reliable and safe bike. Let's delve into why the Suzuki Gixxer and Honda Hornet series stand out in this context.

Braking Safety

When it comes to safety, especially in a city like Bangalore, the Gixxer and Hornet series have their strengths and weaknesses. The Honda Hornet is praised for its wider tires and excellent disc brakes, which provide a significant amount of stopping power. An individual who has been riding a Honda CB Hornet 160R for almost a year, covering 52 km each day, notes that the bike offers enough confidence with its braking ability. The reported mileage of around 48 km per liter (kmpl) also suggests efficient fuel usage, adding to its overall safety and reliability.

Mileage and General Commuting

Mileage is another crucial factor for daily commuters. The Hornet series is known for its good fuel efficiency, making it suitable for long daily commutes. Unlike the Unicorn 150, which the same individual used for 11 years, the Hornet is noted for its better comfort and ease of riding, despite being wider and heavier. This ease of riding, combined with its good mileage of around 48 kmpl, makes it an excellent choice for daily urban commuting.

Handling and Suspension

While the Honda Hornet series offers a softer suspension, the Suzuki Gixxer has a stiffer suspension, which can make it more challenging to handle, especially in tight spaces. However, Gixxer is praised for its better maneuverability in heavy traffic. The Gixxer series, with its double barrel exhaust that is prone to scratches, is still popular for its overall performance and suitability to Bangalore's traffic conditions. Hence, a buyer looking for a better all-round experience might lean towards the Gixxer.

Conclusion

For those prioritizing braking safety, the Honda CB Hornet 160R is an excellent choice, especially with its ABS system, which is crucial given the unpredictable road conditions in Bangalore. However, if maneuverability and all-round performance are more important considerations in a heavily trafficked city like Bangalore, the Suzuki Gixxer might be the better choice. Both bikes offer significant advantages, making the decision largely dependent on personal preferences and specific commuting needs.

Additional Recommendations

In this segment, TVS has also launched the Apache 160 4V, which is also well-suited for city commutes. If you're looking for a balance between performance and style, the Apache 160 4V could be a great alternative to consider. Ultimately, the choice between Suzuki Gixxer and Honda Hornet is a matter of personal inclination, but both are unequivocally suitable for the urban commute in Bangalore.