Suzuki V-Strom SX, Track Test

In the current age of Insta wanderlust, everyone wants to be an adventurer, which means everybody wants an adventure machine. That’s just, um, too much adventure. However, not all these adventurers want a proper ADV. Most buyers actually care more about the show of the bike than its actual go. And that’s exactly what the Suzuki V-Strom SX offers.

On the surface, it’s got the adventure formula well and truly covered. All its styling elements – like a long beak, a tall windscreen, knuckle guards, a big 19-inch front wheel, a luggage rack, and semi-block pattern off-road biased tyres – point to the fact that it’s made for touring and tackling both good and bad roads. And while it shares the frame, engine, suspension, brakes, and engine with the Gixxer 250, the V-Strom SX looks bigger and more imposing. Not to mention, its relaxed rake and 1,440mm of wheelbase (100mm longer than that of the Gixxer) make it look bigger than it is.

Thanks to its oil-cooled 249cc single-cylinder, which is good for 26.3bhp and 22.2Nm, it’s no slouch either. For a small-capacity adventure tourer, its performance is more than satisfactory. The fuelling is crisp, and the throttle response is smooth. And while the motor doesn’t offer an outright punch, the powerband is linear, making it an effortless cruising machine. For the most part, the engine runs smoothly – although vibrations creep in quickly above 6,000rpm.

Now, while the design and engine are its strengths, it doesn’t quite excel in the dynamics department. Thanks to its soft suspension, bigger front wheel, and knobby tyres, it isn’t a willing companion on twisty sections of the road. Especially during quick side-to-side transitions, it feels a bit lazy. The ride quality isn’t supple but can be termed acceptable. However, the biggest let-down here is that the suspension doesn’t have any extra travel over the Gixxer’s. The SX is a Gixxer 250 with an ADV frock and a bigger front wheel. So, if you’re serious about your next adventure, this baby V-Strom won’t just cut it. And, on top of that, it isn’t a cheap motorcycle to own either.

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Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 Review: First Ride

Suzuki V-Strom SX launched at Rs 2.11 lakh