Suzuki’s first
middleweight adventure motorcycle, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT will be launched
in the country by July. The media site reports that the Suzuki V-Strom 650
XT will enter the country via the CKD route, after the Hayabusa and the
GSx-S750.
The upcoming Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT is an off-road ready adventure
variant compared to the regular V-Strom 650. In the UK, the V-Strom 650 is
available in four variants. The standard base variant is road-biased; the GT
variant adds panniers and top box for more practicality. The V-Strom 650 X GT
adds panniers and top box to the XT variant.
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT comes with spoke wheels
for better off-road performance; hand guards, and underbelly protection.
Powering the adventure tourer is a 645 cc DOHC V-twin with liquid cooling and
fuel injection. It generates 71 PS at 8,800 rpm and 62 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The
claimed efficiency figure stands at 24.3 km/l. The bike comes with two-mode,
switchable traction control; low-rpm assist and Suzuki easy start system. The
engine works in tandem with a 6-speed gearbox.
Suspension bits include telescopic front fork and a
link-type monoshock at the rear. For braking, it uses a disc at the rear, and
twin discs up front, both with ABS. The bike weighs 216 kg, kerb, and comes
with a generous 20-litre fuel tank. Its chief rival would be the Kawasaki
Versys 650. The media house reports that the bike is likely to cost INR 7.5
lakhs, ex-showroom.
