Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT India launch by July, Will rival Kawasaki Versys 650

It has come to light that Suzuki, the renowned Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer, plans to launch its V-Strom 650 XT motorcycle in India by July this year. The new Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT will become the most affordable performance-oriented Suzuki motorcycle in India. It is expected to go on sale in a price bracket of Rs 7.7 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh (ex-showroom).

The V-Strom 650 XT will become the third Suzuki motorcycle, after the mighty Hayabusa and the newly launched GSX-S750, to come to us via the CKD route. Of course, local assembly will play a key role in the aggressive pricing of the motorcycle. Abroad, the Suzuki V-Strom is available in two variants – standard, which is best suited for on-road use, and the India-bound XT model, which is more off-road oriented.

The upcoming Suzuki V-Strom 650 takes design inspiration from the V-Strom 1000 XT, which means that the India-bound motorcycle enjoys a full-blown adventure motorcycle look. The 650 XT comes with Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tubeless tyres. Built around a twin-spar alloy frame, the motorcycle gets conventional telescopic forks up front and a monoshock at the rear. The rear suspension offers rebound adjustment and a remote preload adjuster.

The upcoming motorcycle gets its juice from a 645cc V-twin mill that outputs a maximum power of 71 hp at 8,800 rpm and a peak torque of 62 Nm at 6,500rpm. The engine comes mated to a six-speed transmission. In comparison, the Kawasaki Versys 650, which will be a direct rival of the V-Strom 650 XT, offers 69hp at 8,500rpm and 64 Nm at 7,000rpm. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT comes with a three-stage traction control system, which is something that’s conspicuous by its absence on the Versys 650. Other features that the 650 XT offers include a three-way height adjustable windscreen, Easy Start System and ABS that can’t be switched off. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT offers a saddle height of 835mm, which is 5 mm lower than the ride height of the Versys 650. The V-Strom has a huge fuel tank of 20-litres and weighs 216kg (kerb weight).

via Autocar India