Suzuki V-Strom 160 Patents Leaked: Basis For India-bound V-Strom 250?

The design and ergonomics could make it a potent road-biased tourer

• Leaked patent image reveals a spacious seat, upright ergonomics and an all-LED lighting system.
• It also packs an air-cooled engine, likely the same 162cc unit as the Haojue DR160S 
• The India-bound Suzuki V-Strom 250 is likely to get the 249cc oil-cooled engine from the Gixxer 250 and Gixxer SF 250.

Leaked patent images of an adventure tourer from Haojue, Suzuki’s partner in China, have led to a lot of speculation online. The adventure tourer in the patent images seems to feature design elements from Suzuki’s V-Strom range of motorcycles. What’s more interesting is the engine shown in the image, which seems to share its architecture with the motor that powers the Haojue DR160S. This could potentially give Suzuki the chance to offer this bike in various international markets as the V-Strom 160!

The motorcycle features muscular fuel tank extensions that flow neatly into the side panels. Unlike the frame-mounted headlamp on the V-Strom 250, this motorcycle features a fork-mounted one, complete with a beefy-looking beak. The vertically stacked LED headlamps are reminiscent of the Suzuki V-Strom 1050, and it also features a short windscreen and knuckle guards to complete the go-anywhere look. The lighting system seems to be all-LED and we reckon the motorcycle might feature a fully-digital instrument cluster as well.

The single-piece seat looks pretty wide and spacious. This coupled with the upright ergonomics should make the bike a very potent mile-muncher. There’s a rear luggage rack for additional practicality too. The road-biased touring demeanour is evident in the fact that it rolls on alloy wheels wrapped with slightly rugged tyres. Underpinnings include a telescopic front fork, rear monoshock, and petal discs on both ends with dual-channel ABS.

Expect the upcoming ADV to churn out similar power and torque figures as the Haojue DR160S. In the naked, this 162cc air-cooled engine produces 14.9PS at 8000rpm and 14Nm at 6500rpm. Expect the adventure-tourer’s heart to be tweaked to suit its character. 

Suzuki has already expressed its desire to expand its 250cc lineup in India but the Japanese brand has also had the habit of developing products from the ground-up specifically for India. So it is likely that the India-spec V-Strom 250 will not look anything like the one sold abroad. That said, Suzuki might just take inspiration from the recently-patented V-Strom 160 as it seems to be the perfect basis for the India-spec bike. 

Since the Japanese brand already offers the 249cc oil-cooled engine in our market (read Gixxer 250, Gixxer SF 250), the company might just plonk this motor into the India-bound tourer. In the Gixxer twins, the engine makes 26.5PS and 22.2Nm. Suzuki might tune this engine for a better low-end grunt to suit the spirit of the V-Strom 250. The brand is likely to launch the adventure tourer by the end of next year if things go as per plan. It will lock horns with the KTM 250 Adventure, which is also likely to be launched next year. Looks like the Royal Enfield Himalayan - which kick-started the budget ADV segment in India - is set to have some tough competition ahead.