The V-Strom 650 XT was also a part of Suzuki’s BS6-compliant line-up at Auto Expo 2020. Apart from the BS6-upgraded engine and the addition of a new graphic scheme, the ADV bike hasn’t received any significant updates, and prices for the same are yet to be announced. However, the BS4-spec model that is currently on sale retails at Rs 7.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and an exorbitant hike in its price is unlikely.
The V-Strom 650 XT hasn’t received a substantial update for quite some time, with the most recent one being the addition of hazard lights and side reflectors to the 2019 bike. Other than this, the middleweight adventure-tourer has remained largely unchanged over the last couple years. The V-Strom 650 is available only in XT trim in India and is the third bike from the motorcycle maker to be locally assembled, after the Hayabusa and the GSX-S750.
The styling of the V-Strom 650XT remains unchanged and it continues to be inspired by its larger sibling, the V-Strom 1000. Being the XT, it gets premium anodised wire-spoke rims and Suzuki will likely choose to equip them with the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tubeless tyres from the current bike. The twin-spar alloy frame is suspended on a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock with rebound adjustment and remote preload adjuster at the rear.
Powering the ADV is a 645cc, V-twin engine that makes 71hp and 62Nm of torque on the current bike. Whether these figures will be affected by the switch to BS6 remains to be seen. The V-Strom 650XT gets a three-stage traction control system (two levels and a disengage option), a three-way, height-adjustable windscreen, Suzuki’s useful Easy Start System and standard ABS.
In terms of competition, the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT goes up against the Kawasaki Versys 650 (Rs 6.69 lakh, ex-showroom, India) and the SWM Superdual T (Rs 6.50 lakh, ex-showroom, India), both of which are yet to be updated to comply with BS6 emission norms.
Azaman Chothia
