Auto Expo 2020: What To Expect From Suzuki

Adventure bikes, cruisers, a new Access and more!

The Auto Expo is just around the corner and one of the major manufacturers in attendance will be Suzuki. The brand has flourished in recent times with multiple India-specific products, and we can expect a few more to be on display at the Expo.

V-Strom 1050

The updated flagship V-Strom was shown at EICMA this year and we expect Suzuki to showcase the bike at the Expo too, ahead of a possible launch later next year. The motor retains its 1037cc displacement but is now Euro5/BS6-compliant, producing 107.4PS and 100Nm. Other additions include a new LCD screen and an electronics suite with traction control, riding modes and load-dependent ABS.

The standard variant is more street-focused and rolls on alloy wheels, while the more hardcore XT variant gets wire-spoke units. Both the standard and XT variants of the current V-Strom 1000 are available in India, and we expect the same to happen with the XT as well. Expect a price of around Rs 14.40 lakh for the V-Strom, with the XT variant setting you back by an additional Rs 50,000 to 1 lakh.

Intruder 250

The 249cc motor used in the Gixxer and Gixxer SF models is expected to spawn more motorcycles in the near future. We think the first of these will be an Intruder 250, a concept version of which could be displayed at the Expo. Suzuki brought us the 155cc Intruder a while ago and the little cruiser did quite well when it was first launched. Suzuki will be hoping to repeat this success in the 250cc cruiser segment as well.

The fuel-injected engine in the Gixxers produces 26.5PS and 22.6Nm, and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Underpinnings for the smaller Intruder were largely borrowed from the 155cc Gixxer and we expect Suzuki to adopt a similar approach for the 250s as well. Going by the pricing of the other 250cc models in its lineup and the pricing of the smaller Intruder, we can expect the 250 to sell for around Rs 1.80 lakh once launched.

V-Strom 250

This one is a bit of wishful thinking but with Suzuki expressing a desire to expand its single-cylinder 250cc platform, we could possibly see a V-Strom 250 adventure bike sometime soon. All the more so because this is a segment with a lot of interest and one that is rapidly growing at the moment, with KTM also set to introduce its 250 Adventure sometime next year.

It would benefit Suzuki to get in on the action early, and the fact that it already has an engine suited to the job works to its benefit. A 19-inch/17-inch wheel combo and long-travel suspension would make it well suited to the role, but asking for wire-spoke wheels in this segment is a bit too ambitious. We hope that Suzuki displays this motorcycle in some form at the Expo, followed by a launch later next year at around Rs 1.90 lakh.

BS6 Access 125

The Access is Suzuki’s best-selling model in India, which is a little surprising because it’s remained largely unchanged since its launch. The basic engine and underpinnings have remained the same, with the bike getting only a cosmetic facelift a few years ago. With BS6 norms nearing ever closer, Suzuki will want to update this popular model as early as possible.

We hope this time it is a comprehensive update with a new/reworked fuel-injected motor, fresh styling and a few more features as well. Needless to say, the new Access will get a price hike in the expected range of Rs 8,000-10,000. The Expo provides the perfect platform to launch an update to such a popular model, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

Larger Burgman Street

One of the reasons for the Access’ success was that it was one of the first scooters to make the jump in displacement to 125cc, back when everyone was still stuck up on 110s. Perhaps it’s time for history to repeat itself, with Suzuki planning to introduce a larger Burgman Street.

This new scooter is likely to be powered by an engine in the 150-165cc range, and get maxi-scooter styling. The segment so far only contains the very niche Aprilia SR 150 and Vespa SXL 150 models, with no real mainstream offering. Suzuki would benefit from being the first-mover in this segment and perhaps it could display this larger Burgman at the Expo.

SV650

The middleweight naked segment is booming at the moment and Suzuki has taken note. It already offers the GSX-S750 in India, but fortunately, it also has a more affordable model that it sells internationally, in the form of the SV650. It’s powered by the same 645cc V-twin motor seen in the V-Strom 650. The bike was recently updated overseas with fresh styling and colour schemes.

By using the CKD route, Suzuki could price the bike at around Rs 6 lakh to 6.2 lakh, allowing it to go up against the Kawasaki Z650. We expect Suzuki to display the SV at the upcoming Expo and hopefully launch it sometime next year.