If Kawasaki’s Versys- X300 and BMW’s G310 GS weren’t enough a choice to be happy with, well then Suzuki too has joined the small capacity adventure tourer segment, or let’s just say small capacity tourer segment. Next year, these motorcycles could literally create a row in the market but I think it would be a scenario of great excitement. It would be fun to observe and understand market dynamics as per what people choose from the three contenders, contenders of a niche motorcycle market just being born. I wish KTM India too had joined this bandwagon but they have, erm other priorities.
As I’ve said this before, motorcycle manufacturers place old engines in new motorcycles to invent a new model. That’s weird. The V-Strom 250’s engine is derived from its almost non- existing motorcycle- the Suzuki Inazuma. Thankfully though, the engine is a 248cc Parallel twin producing 25 PS of power, figures that say a lot about the smoothness of the motor. Suzuki claims that the twin cylinder motor is tuned to maximize low and mid range torque. Claimed to have a tank capacity of 17 litres, Suzuki claims the range on this V-Strom to be 500 kilometers. That’s an excellent distance to cover at one go, I just hope this isn’t a boring motorcycle else you’ll have to look for other reasons to stop often on a long journey. Speaking of long journey, this motorcycle is equipped with mounting clips for side cases along with a tail carriage capable of carrying luggage as heavy as 8.5 kg. The windshield too, is claimed to be ‘wind tunnel tested’, so it must perform, isn’t it?
A lot of it is at par with the competition as the quarter litre V-Strom comes with LCD instrument cluster that displays a lot of information, half of which you may not need frequently. The riding position is upright and seems comfortable too. ABS too is present but I’m not sure if it is a standard feature. Both tyres are 17 inch and come with 10 spoke rims. That means you may not be able to throw it around on uneven off road terrain like how you would do on a typical motorcycle with a larger front wheel.
The way this baby V Strom looks, it doesn’t seem like a typical conventional tourer, especially if you looked at it from the side. It seems pretty obvious that a lot of the touring gear has been fixed on a street motorcycle which may make it look like a tourer from certain angles but it may or may not perform like one. I agree that it is way too early to talk about it but that’s the way I feel by just looking at the motorcycle. The seat looks extremely comfortable to sit on but I totally dislike the way this V Strom looks from the front. C’mon, that single headlamp deserved a better design, Suzuki should’ve not made it look like a monocle having a beak underneath. I’m sure its rivals are going to have a good laugh at it for that!
The touring panniers and top box would mostly come as separate accessories but I really wonder if it would make sense to stress such a small capacity motorcycle with so much touring equipment on it, especially when it just churns out 25 BHP.
All in all though, what I’m glad about is that this is a parallel twin engine so refinement should be on the cards. Personally, I feel singles need to go or they need to be drastically reduced. I mean, haven’t we been having single cylinder engines for a really long time. India could be termed as the single cylinder motorcycle capital of the world. We need more twin cylinder and three cylinder small capacity motorcycles that are smoother and most importantly, the ones that sound better. Until then, I’m going to grab a tub of popcorn and see how the Suzuki V-Strom 250 fairs with its competition. :)
By: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia
As I’ve said this before, motorcycle manufacturers place old engines in new motorcycles to invent a new model. That’s weird. The V-Strom 250’s engine is derived from its almost non- existing motorcycle- the Suzuki Inazuma. Thankfully though, the engine is a 248cc Parallel twin producing 25 PS of power, figures that say a lot about the smoothness of the motor. Suzuki claims that the twin cylinder motor is tuned to maximize low and mid range torque. Claimed to have a tank capacity of 17 litres, Suzuki claims the range on this V-Strom to be 500 kilometers. That’s an excellent distance to cover at one go, I just hope this isn’t a boring motorcycle else you’ll have to look for other reasons to stop often on a long journey. Speaking of long journey, this motorcycle is equipped with mounting clips for side cases along with a tail carriage capable of carrying luggage as heavy as 8.5 kg. The windshield too, is claimed to be ‘wind tunnel tested’, so it must perform, isn’t it?
A lot of it is at par with the competition as the quarter litre V-Strom comes with LCD instrument cluster that displays a lot of information, half of which you may not need frequently. The riding position is upright and seems comfortable too. ABS too is present but I’m not sure if it is a standard feature. Both tyres are 17 inch and come with 10 spoke rims. That means you may not be able to throw it around on uneven off road terrain like how you would do on a typical motorcycle with a larger front wheel.
The way this baby V Strom looks, it doesn’t seem like a typical conventional tourer, especially if you looked at it from the side. It seems pretty obvious that a lot of the touring gear has been fixed on a street motorcycle which may make it look like a tourer from certain angles but it may or may not perform like one. I agree that it is way too early to talk about it but that’s the way I feel by just looking at the motorcycle. The seat looks extremely comfortable to sit on but I totally dislike the way this V Strom looks from the front. C’mon, that single headlamp deserved a better design, Suzuki should’ve not made it look like a monocle having a beak underneath. I’m sure its rivals are going to have a good laugh at it for that!
The touring panniers and top box would mostly come as separate accessories but I really wonder if it would make sense to stress such a small capacity motorcycle with so much touring equipment on it, especially when it just churns out 25 BHP.All in all though, what I’m glad about is that this is a parallel twin engine so refinement should be on the cards. Personally, I feel singles need to go or they need to be drastically reduced. I mean, haven’t we been having single cylinder engines for a really long time. India could be termed as the single cylinder motorcycle capital of the world. We need more twin cylinder and three cylinder small capacity motorcycles that are smoother and most importantly, the ones that sound better. Until then, I’m going to grab a tub of popcorn and see how the Suzuki V-Strom 250 fairs with its competition. :)
By: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia
