Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is designed similar to the larger V-Strom 1000. It has an industrial design and comes with ADV features like a front beak and tall windscreen. For versatility, the pillion seat and rear luggage rack are on the same level so you can carry larger boxes with ease. The exhaust too is fitted lower for the panniers to fit flush into the bodywork. Overall panel quality and fit and finish is top notch. The vertically stacked headlamp have halogen bulbs for lighting and the tail lamps is an LED unit. While Suzuki sells the V-Strom in two variants abroad, we get the off-road oriented V-Strom XT model. This one gets 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels with tubeless off-road oriented tyres, knuckle guards and a belly pan. It also gets a tall windscreen that can be adjusted to three settings. Ground clearance is 170mm while seat height is a tallish 835mm. Suzuki offers five accessories for the V-Strom 650 XT which are an engine crash bar, main stand, chain guard, low seat and a 55-litre top box that can hold two full size helmets with ease.

Power is courtesy a 645cc liquid cooled V-twin motor. It makes 71PS and 62.3Nm of torque. You have a six speed gearbox but the bike misses out on a slipper clutch. The V-Strom 650 XT weighs 216 kilos which is on par with the competition. Suspension setup includes 43mm telescopic forks with 150mm of travel and a rear monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound damping. Fuel tank capacity is 20 litres while seat height is 835mm. The highlight of the bike is its 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels that accommodate tubeless tyres. The Bridgestone Battlax A40 tubeless tyres off a good balance on and off road usability.

Kawasaki Versys 650:
The mid-size ADV from Kawasaki makes roughly the same amount of power as the Suzuki and weighs the same 216kg. It is more road oriented due to its 17-inch alloy wheels and road tyres. It costs around Rs 77,000 less than the V-Strom and gets adjustable Showa upside down front forks and adjustable rear monoshock. The Suzuki meanwhile is more capable off-road thanks to its spoked wheels and dual-purpose tubeless tyres. It also gets a 3-stage traction control as standard fitment.