Suzuki V-Strom SX Review : Pros and Cons

Pros

Styling and Road Presence

The Suzuki V-Strom SX is a tall motorcycle when compared to its roadster or fully-faired siblings. The adventure persona is emphasised with a beak-style front, engine bash plate, knuckle guards, and dual-purpose tyres, whereas the touring prowess is achieved through the semi-fairing, clear windscreen, luggage rack at the back, and upright ergonomics. But the biggest surprise for me, and a pleasant one at that, was the front fascia of this motorcycle. Although the LED headlight is identical to the Gixxer 250, I didn’t find it as attractive on the roadster as on the V-Strom SX.

The colour options are bold, too, and this quarter-litre adventure tourer should appeal to young buyers. The dimensions are larger than the Gixxer 250 and the V-Strom SX boasts a 40mm higher ground clearance and a 35mm taller saddle than the roadster. Now, all of this leads to a 6kg addition in the kerb weight but the V-Strom 250 carries that additional mass efficiently and it hardly feels unmanageable.

Then, there is the build quality. The Japanese build quality is promising with no uneven panel gaps or compromised paint quality. The quality of the equipment, such as the luggage rack and engine bash plate is top-notch as well and these feel strong and sturdy. The switchgear on the handlebar operates with an assuring click too, but the rubber cover on the ‘Mode’ and ‘Set’ switches could have been better as the current units require additional efforts when operating with safety gloves – not a deal breaker but something to remember.

Engine and Performance

Suzuki has not tweaked the quarter-litre engine on the V-Strom 250 and it is exactly the same as the quarter-litre Gixxer models. This BS6-compliant 249cc, oil-cooled, four-valve engine makes the same power and torque output as the Gixxer 250 range. Linked to a six-speed gearbox, the motor produces a maximum output of 26.1bhp and a peak torque of 22.2Nm.

The engine character, too, is identical and the V-Strom SX feels comfortable anywhere above 4,000rpm. Then, similar to the Gixxer 250, there is a noticeable step-up in acceleration post 6,000rpm. Now, while the motor is very engaging and fun to ride, it will take you well past 100kmph and climb slightly north of 130kmph before losing its breath.

Even the six-speed gearbox feels crisp and smooth and the assist clutch mechanism is an absolute boon in bumper-to-bumper traffic, further improving the ride experience. Out on the highway, it will easily cruise at 80kmph all day long. Venture into the triple digits, and the motor will surprise you with the way it builds momentum. It doesn’t, however, feel or sound very comfortable at this point. Thus, 80-90kmph is an ideal speed zone for cruising on the V-Strom SX. The fuel economy is solid too and in Bikewale’s test runs, the V-Strom SX delivered an overall figure of 36kmpl. With a 12-litre fuel tank, this adventure tourer can cover a range of 430km between fuel stops.

Handling Prowess

The suspension is tuned for spirited riding, and while it does affect the comfort department – more on that later – it feels sporty and agile when tackling corners. I agree, the 19-inch front wheel and dual-purpose tyres aren’t designed to go canyon carving and the Gixxer 250 and the Gixxer 250 SF are far sportier at this task. Add to that, the lack of tyre choices due to the wheel setup. Still, the V-Strom 250 feels sporty enough to have fun around the twisty roads, adding to the versatility of its personality.

Good Feature List

The feature list deserves special mention here because unlike the KTM 250 Adventure and the Benelli TRK 251, the V-Strom SX gets Bluetooth connectivity. Sure, the Himalayan has a Bluetooth module too, but unlike the Royal Enfield’s adventure tourer, the setup on the V-Strom 250 looks much cleaner. Then, the tripper navigation on the Himalayan could have had a better integration into the cockpit and the current setup feels like an afterthought.

Plus, there is the information that is available on the V-Strom 250. It shows the regular ride-related data such as speedometer, analogue meter, trip meters, and gear position indicator – similar to its competition. But then, it works with a dedicated smartphone application and displays turn-by-turn navigation, notifications of calls, SMS, WhatsApp, and phone battery level indication – all on the LCD in the cockpit. Add to that, the V-Strom 250 packs an LED headlight – a feature that is not available on its rivals listed above, which adds to the premium quotient of the package. You also get a USB charger, single-push start, and dual-channel ABS.

Cons

Comfort

As appealing as the Suzuki V-Strom SX may come across, it isn’t without flaws and the major issue is its suspension setup. It isn’t harsh by any means, but it lacks the comfort that the Royal Enfield Himalayan offers over bad surfaces. The rider’s triangle, too, needs some improvement. While it packs upright ergonomics than the Gixxer 250, the handlebar feels low. At 5’10” tall, I had to lean forward in order to reach it while standing on the footpegs. Then, there is the tall seat height, which would bother shorter riders, anyone under 5’5”. Even the windscreen isn’t tall enough to provide much protection from windblasts, especially when cruising over 100kmph. This, however, isn’t as big an issue as the suspension setup as it can be easily fixed with an aftermarket windscreen.

Braking Setup

The braking setup deserves a mention, and unfortunately, it’s a con for this motorcycle. Not that it feels wooden or non-existent. Although it feels progressive, it lacks the initial bite and thus isn’t very confidence-inspiring, especially on a motorcycle that likes enthusiastic throttle inputs.

Pricing

This is by far the biggest concern for the V-Strom SX. It is nearly Rs 40,000 more expensive than the Gixxer 250 and the naked roadster does most of the things as the V-Strom SX. Then, there is the Royal Enfield Himalayan which retails in the same price range as the V-Strom SX but brings far more versatility and comfort to the table.

Verdict

If the premium price tag is not a concern for you, the Suzuki V-Strom SX is a very enjoyable motorcycle on the tarmac. In fact, you should definitely consider this product if your rides are mostly limited to the highways and if you are looking for a well-equipped motorcycle in terms of features. However, if you mostly stay within the city limits and your commutes are filled with traffic-plagued routes, the Gixxer 250 is a more practical and cost-efficient choice. You still get the same motor and most of the hardware while benefiting from more choices and agile handling.