Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 Review – The Affordable Adventure Bike for India?

We’ve all seen the Indian automotive industry’s enthusiasm for adventure motorcycles, particularly the entry-level models. Suzuki is releasing a smaller version of its famous V-Strom 1050, with the same design but a compact and taller riding position and a beaked cowl and tall windshield. The adventure-touring motorbike design is so well-liked and admired.

The Design – The Master of Adventure

Starting with the front end, which looks quite premium, the Suzuki V-Strom takes inspiration from its larger siblings in the V-Strom series offered in overseas markets. The elevated posture gives it the perfect ADV-tourer style, and the beak inspired by the Suzuki DR-Z Racer, as well as the vivid orange and yellow color scheme, are sure to turn heads on the road.

The V-Strom’s head has a sleek single-piece LED headlamp set, which is already seen on the Gixxer 250, and even a non-adjustable windscreen and knuckle guards, giving it an ADV-style front profile. It gets the same 12-liter tank as the Gixxer 250, along with new beautifully colored plastic extensions. Moving to the back of the bike, it seems very much like a Gixxer 250, with the same double-barrel exhaust plus LED taillight.

The Features

The V-Strom is a taller bike than the Gixxer 250, and its wheelbase has been increased by 100mm to make the motorcycle more stable. It also has a huge ground clearance of 205 mm, which is suitable for handling rough terrain. MRF Mogrip Meteor tyres with 140-section 17-inch wheels are on offer. According to the specifications, the ergonomics tend to be comfortable for city and highway riding with some rough stretches.

The V-Strom’s cockpit includes the same LCD instrument cluster as the Gixxer 250, with Bluetooth technology and expected features such as turn-by-turn guidance, call, and message alerts. There seems to be a USB charging port present, which can be useful on long rides. It features a dual-channel ABS system however, it’s unknown whether it’s switchable or not, which can be a problem for off-road enthusiasts.

The Engine

The same Gixxer 250 engine is present in the V-Strom, a 249 cc oil-cooled engine that produces 26 bhp of power and 22 Nm of torque with a 6-speed gearbox, as can be seen in the design and features. The gearing ratios haven’t been modified greatly, which means the bike will indeed be better to handle in the city.

We’ve already seen how well this engine performs, so it’s not unreasonable to assume that it can easily reach 144 km/hr and cruise at 90-100 km/hr, which is the engine’s sweet spot, even though the engine gets a little pressured after revving it hard.

The Final Verdict and Pricing

The Suzuki V-Strom SX is priced at an attractive Rs. 2.11 lakh (ex-showroom), and it competes directly with KTM’s Adventure 250 and Benelli’s TRK 251 entry-level ADV bikes. It is also a viable alternative to the Hero XPulse 200 4 V and Honda CB200X.

Is it “Find Adventure Everyday Bike”?

According to the specifications sheet and design we’ve seen so far, the V-Strom can handle some rough terrain but not severe offroading, it’ll be a comfy tourer and also a nice daily commute bike for one, and it’ll undoubtedly put a grin on your face when you hit the twisties on your weekend trip. So, if you’re looking for a bike that can do a little bit of all, the V-Strom could be the bike for you.