Suzuki reveals sub-£3500 Inazuma 250

Suzuki has launched an all-new 250 called the Inazuma at the NEC show. An all-new 248cc parallel twin powers what Suzuki says is B-King-influenced design for newcomers and returning riders. No price, power or weight figures have yet been announced, but MCN understands Suzuki will seek to undercut both the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (£4182) and the Honda CBR250R (£3688).

The firm is frank in saying the Inazuma (which means lightning in Japanese) is a response to the “growing demand for reliable but cost effective means of transport”. But if that makes it sound not so much a bike as just a vehicle, specifically one for those in need it’s probably a fault of the translation. Elsewhere the headlight is described as having a “dauntless and powerful front mask”.