Suzuki India has launched its much awaited 250cc adventure motorcycle, the V-Strom SX, at Rs 2.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Suzuki V-Strom SX is based on the Gixxer 250 platform, and has the same oil-cooled engine.
Suzuki V-Strom SX: design
Beginning with the design, the new Suzuki V-Strom SX borrows its styling cues from the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 that’s sold in international markets. The prominent beak is, in fact, inspired by the Suzuki DR-Z racer and DR-BIG off-road models of yore. Above the beak is the octagonal LED headlight, similar to the Gixxer 250. A tall windscreen sits above the headlight, with the handguards completing the ADV look at the front end.
Step to the side and you’ll see the large, dual-tone plastic fuel tank shrouds, beneath which lies the 12-litre metal fuel tank, similar in capacity to the Gixxer 250 street naked. The shroud merges with the beak, and overall, this portion looks quite cohesive.
Other design highlights include a two-piece seat, dual-tone tail section with an integrated LED tail-light and a luggage carrier/grab bar.
The bike will be available in three colours – Champion Yellow 2, Pearl Blaze Orange and Glass Sparkle Black.
Suzuki V-Strom SX: engine
The new V-Strom SX is powered by the same 26.5hp, 22.2Nm, 249cc, oil-cooled engine that's mated to a 6-speed gearbox – as seen on the Gixxer 250 street naked. Suzuki hasn't made any changes to the internal gearing or the sprockets.
Given the rev-happy nature of this engine, we can’t wait to ride the motorcycle to see how it fares as an adventure motorcycle.
Suzuki V-Strom SX: chassis
The company says that the V-Strom SX's main chassis is similar to the Gixxer, albeit with a "few modifications", while the subframe and swingarm are entirely different. The bike’s wheelbase has gone up by 100mm compared to the Gixxer 250, and it also has a relatively relaxed steering geometry.
The bike is suspended by a telescopic fork and a 7-step, preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The V-Strom SX has a kerb weight of 167kg, which is about 11kg more than the Gixxer 250.
The company states that the front suspension travel is only 120mm. That being said, the bike does have a generous 205mm ground clearance, vis-a-vis 165mm on the Gixxer 250. The seat height, expectedly, has also gone up by 35mm to 835mm.
The bike rides on a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, shod with MRF Mogrip Meteor tyres. These look similar to the ones seen on the KTM 250 Adventure.
When it comes to braking, the bike uses a disc at the front and rear with dual-channel ABS as standard. Whether the rear ABS can be switched off or not is unclear as of now.
Suzuki V-Strom SX: features
The V-Strom SX is equipped with a USB charging port and a digital LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity, WhatsApp alert, turn-by-turn navigation, ETA information and more.
Suzuki V-Strom SX: competition
At Rs 2.11 lakh, the Suzuki V-Strom SX is priced at par with the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Yezdi Adventure. It also faces competition from the KTM 250 Adventure, however, the latter has an advantage on paper with a liquid-cooled engine that makes more power. It also costs about Rs 20,000 more than the Suzuki.
Which quarter-litre adventure bike is your pick. Let us know in the comments.
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
Dinshaw Magol
Vishal Venugopal
