We ride Suzuki’s big V-Strom, the company’s first adventure-tourer bike in India.
Adventure biking is all about being able to blast down any road, be it smooth tarmac or broken trails. These versatile bikes enable you to carry luggage and still ride comfortably, covering long distances rapidly even when travelling with a pillion.
Suzuki launched the V-Strom at the Auto Expo a few months ago. The V-Strom is a bold and sizeable motorcycle with a masculine air, and a mean and aggressive look. A beaked front with daytime running headlight gives the big Suzuki a distinctive look and provides bright and well focussed visibility at night.
The Strom’s windscreen angles can be adjusted in three ways, with the help of a tool. The instruments are neatly placed and comprise of both, an analogue tachometer and a multifunction LCD display. The brightness of the LCD display can be adjusted. Also here is a speedometer, odometer, trip meters, gear position indicator, fuel consumption and range, traction level indicator, voltage meter, and real-time outside temperature, all of which makes the readout a tad crowded, and not very easy to decipher on the go. There’s also a power output under the instrument panel, a handy feature that can be used to plug the navigator or charge your phone.
The V-Strom’s high handlebar comes with good quality switchgear that includes traction control level selection and a high beam switch. Palm grips are premium, as are a set of top drawer, reach adjustable clutch and brake levers. The broad mirrors have a solid, sturdy feel to them and provide good visibility, although they do look a bit dated.
There’s a bulbous 20-litre tank that narrows as it flows into the rider saddle. The adventure bike openly displays its engine, with the handsome body armour partially hugging the tank. A heavy-duty luggage rack is also provided, and the pillion gets large grab rails to hold onto.