Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT vs Kawasaki Versys 650: Competition Check

Suzuki had showcased the V-Strom 650 XT in India at the 2018 Auto Expo. The bike has finally been launched here and competes against the Kawasaki Versys 650. We see how the two bikes fare against each other in this on-paper competition check. 

Design

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT borrows its design from the bigger V-Strom 1000. It gets a distinctive oval-hexagon shaped headlamp, chiselled cladding on the tank that flows into a small beak-like structure at the front. 

Meanwhile, the Kawasaki Versys 650 sports an aggressive look that has been inspired by the Ninja family. The bike sports the recognisable split headlamp with a sharp nose fairing like the Versys 1000 which has recently been discontinued in India. The side panels also have sharp lines that merge with the bikes’ muscular fuel tank. 

Features and electronics

The Suzuki V-Strom XT gets an engine sump guard and knuckle guards as standard, while the Versys 650 only gets an engine sump guard. The off-road focused V-Strom sports a high-mounted exhaust although the Versys 650 gets an underbelly unit. The Suzuki offers a three-way adjustable windscreen while the Kawasaki’s windscreen gets two-step adjustability. 

Suzuki has equipped the V-Strom’s electronic package with a three-stage traction control system and ABS standard. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki solely gets an ABS unit but misses out on other rider aids. Both bikes feature an analogue tachometer and LCD instrument cluster which displays speed, odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and gear position indicator.

Engine 

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is powered by a 649cc, parallel twin engine. This unit puts out 68bhp and 64Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive. 

Meanwhile, the V-Strom 650 uses a 645cc, V-Twin engine that produces a slightly higher 70bhp and 62Nm of torque. This unit is also mated to a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive.

Cycle parts

The Suzuki is more off-road focused and rides on spoke wheels; 19-inch for the front and 17-inch at the rear. The Versys 650 is offered with 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.

The V-Strom’s braking setup consists of 310mm twin discs held on by Tokico calipers for the front and a single 260mm disc with a Nissin caliper for the rear. Kawasaki has equipped the Versys 650 with a slightly smaller braking setup as compared to the Suzuki. It gets dual 300mm discs at the front and a single 250mm petal disc at the rear; both Nissin units.

Suspension duties on the V-Strom 650 XT are handled by conventional telescopic front forks with a preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The Versys 650 sports inverted front forks and an offset monoshock for the rear which is also preload adjustable.

With a 20-litre fuel tank capacity, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT has a kerb weight of 216kg. The Kawasaki on the other hand gets a 21-litre fuel tank but a similar kerb weight of 216kg.

Pricing

The Kawasaki Versys 650 retails at Rs 6.69 lakhs. On the other hand, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT has been priced at a premium of Rs 77,000 over the Versys 650 at Rs 7.46 lakhs. However, it justifies its higher price tag with superior electronic aids and off-road capability. (All prices ex-showroom, Delhi)