Suzuki V-Strom 650XT ABS

As said before, the V-Strom 650 XT looks precisely like its elder sibling, the flagship V-Strom 1000. However, there are a few changes here and there, apart from the scaled-down dimensions, which give it a different identity of its own.

At the front, the V-Strom 650 XT gets long rounded but vertically stretched out headlamp, with different casings for high and low beams. Here, we would have loved to see LED inserts which could have made the front face appear modern. The short beak shaped silver colored front fender just below the headlamp looks quite cool as well as purposeful. To give it a touring essence, the V-Strom 650 XT comes fitted with a big transparent windshield, which helps in reducing the windblasts. However, this windscreen is not adjustable.

Moving towards the sides, the V-Strom 650 XT looks quite big but has a lean profile to it, unlike many other adventure motorcycles. The slim fuel tank is quite capacious, with the 20-litre fuel holding capacity that's good enough for long distance touring. The fuel tank gets purposeful black colored cowl at the edges, below which the vertically designed engine bash plate has been positioned. Much like other adventure motorcycles, the V-Strom 650 XT also has negligible side body panels, with the black colored frame exposed and pannier holders, and large pillion grab rail at the rear.

The rear has been merely styled with a short rear fender and a small LED tail lamp on top of it. The rider’s cockpit looks quite comprehensive with a large and very informative part-digital instrument console which shows a range of data. The presence of handlebar crash guards adds to its rugged appeal as well.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT comes equipped with a reliable suspension setup of conventional telescopic forks at the front and a linked monoshock at the rear. The suspension is altered on a slightly stiffer edge, however, over the bumps and undulations, it is quite effortlessly absorbent. The motorcycle is fitted with twin disc brakes at the front and a single disc brake at the rear, the bite from which is quite decent as well. At 216 kgs, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT is quite heavy, given the light-weighted competitors. Adding to it, the high seat height of 835 mm might be a trouble for short riders.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT sources its power from a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, fuel injected, 90-degree, V-twin 645 cc engine. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine puts up around 71 PS of maximum power, while the peak torque output is rated at 62.3 Nm. The engine has a punchy midrange and bottom end grunt, however, we would have loved to see a bit more power in higher revs.

Apart from the presence of disc brakes at the front and rear, the V-Strom 650 XT is also equipped with a dual-channel ABS. However, the motorcycle misses out on modern safety electronics like traction control and power modes, which is quite essential for an adventure motorcycle of its size and price.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT turns out to be a decent adventure motorcycle for the price at which it is offered. While the ergonomics might take some time to get used to, but once you get the taste of it, it appears out as a very friendly motorcycle to ride. The performance, as well as riding dynamics, is well under control, owing to which it proves out as a very capable motorcycle for amateur riders as well. However, we do wish that it was a bit better equipped with in terms of modern features and electronic safety aids.