Suzuki recently launched its third quarter-litre offering in India as the V-Strom SX. We recently rode it for quite a stretch from Jabalpur to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and back. So what’s it like? Is it a true-blue ADV and what does it offer? Let’s have a look at it from these detailed images.
By the looks of it, the Suzuki V-Strom SX’s fascia has a strong resemblance to its sibling, the Gixxer 250. The LED headlight seems like a cut-paste job but the rest of the profile has been tweaked for a more comfort-oriented look.
The V-Strom SX gets a beak-like front end and a relatively tall and transparent windscreen. Now, the latter is quite practical while touring but has its limitations. Post 100kmph, the wind buffeting is evident and can cause fatigue, if you aim to cover the ground and have long saddle hours ahead.
The seating ergonomics are quite relaxed. You sit upright and the footpegs are neutrally placed. The seat has dense foam and enough room for the rider to move around. Not to mention, the seat height for the V-Strom SX is 35mm higher at 835mm compared to the other models in Suzuki’s 250cc bloodline.
Once you are on the move, the V-Strom SX’s exhaust is familiar and reminds of the Gixxer 250. However, a bit more bass help to amp up the character. The 249cc, oil-cooled, four-valve mill develops 26.1bhp and 22.2Nm and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
It’s tuned to climb the rev range quickly but linearly. That said, the motor is quite tractable and lets you cruise at low speeds in a higher gear without any jitter. There’s enough mid-range prowess for overtakes and once you cross the 5,000rpm mark, the motor pulls even stronger. That said, the bike feels strained post 110kmph and the vibrations tend to creep in.
The front disc brake offers a commendable bite and the rear unit is equally good. However, the dual-purpose tyres aren’t the most confidence-inspiring and adding up to it is the 19-inch front wheel. The latter makes the handling a bit lazy.
Suzuki has suspended the V-Strom SX on telescopic front forks and monoshock. The setup is quite stiff and you feel slight jolts as the bike rides over speed bumps, rumblers, or broken patches. But it isn’t a break-your-back kind of firm.
The Suzuki V-Strom SX retails at Rs 2.11 lakh (ex-showroom), making it Rs 31,000 more expensive than the Gixxer 250. But when compared to the KTM 250 Adventure and the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Suzuki ADV costs less. So, should you buy it? Head to our detailed review to know the answer.
