Suzuki V-Strom SX vs KTM 250 Adventure: Photo Comparison

Here’s how Suzuki’s first 250cc ADV stacks up against its Austrian rival visually

Suzuki has launched the V-Strom SX, marking the company’s entry into the small-capacity ADV segment. The motorcycle locks horns with the KTM 250 Adventure, and here’s a detailed image comparison of the two: 

Both bikes get an LED headlight and a non-adjustable windscreen up top. Interestingly, the headlight design on both bikes are based on their respective naked iterations. While the bikes lose out on being unique, it helps the manufacturers save up on costs. The Suzuki V-Strom 250 also gets a beak-like front fender inspired by the DR-Z and DR-BIG range, which the KTM 250 Adventure misses out on.

The Suzuki V-Strom SX gets a fully digital, Bluetooth-compatible  instrument cluster with features such as call and message alerts, turn-by-turn navigation with ETA update and overspeeding alert. The console has been borrowed from the range topping variants of the Suzuki Access 125, Avenis, and the Burgman Street. The KTM 250 Adventure gets an LCD instrument cluster that’s fairly info-packed but there’s no smartphone connectivity, let alone turn-by-turn navigation.

• Check out the Suzuki V-Strom SX price here
• More Affordable Suzuki Avenis Base Variant Launched
• Upcoming Bikes in India

Both bikes get a wide yet easy-to-reach handlebar with integrated knuckle guards for extra safety. That said, they do not have a metal bracing. Even though the V-Strom SX’ fuel tank looks beefy, complete with its tank extensions, it holds only 12 litres of fuel, whereas the 250 ADV gets a sleek looking yet larger 14.5-litre unit.

Powering the V-Strom SX is the same engine as on the Suzuki Gixxer 250 and the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250. This single-cylinder oil-cooled heart churns out 26.5PS and 22.2Nm, same as the 250cc twins. On the other hand, the KTM 250 Adventure’s liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine produces a healthy 30PS and 24Nm. Both bikes get a 6-speed gearbox. And at 205mm, the V-Strom comes with a 5mm extra ground clearance over the 250 Adventure. 

The two bikes get a sporty split-seat setup. However, in the Suzuki, the rider’s seat is a lot more accessible at 835mm whereas the Austrian ADV gets a taller 855mm seat. Besides, Suzuki also offers an optional 25mm lower seat.

To keep the costs competitive, the Suzuki V-Strom SX employs a long-travel telescopic front fork whereas the KTM 250 Adventure uses a more premium, sophisticated 43mm WP Apex inverted forks up front. At the rear, both bikes get a monoshock, with the KTM using a WP Apex unit.   

Both bikes employ a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear alloy wheel setup, with similar looking 10-spoke alloy design. They also get disc brakes at both ends but the unit up front is grabbed by an axial caliper on the V-Strom whereas the 250 Adventure employs a more advanced radial unit.

Both ADVs roll on meaty block-pattern tyres that are perfect for the trails. The V-Strom comes with a 100-section unit up front and a 140-section unit at the rear whereas the 250 Adventure features a 100-section unit up front and a 130-section unit at the rear. Also, the V-Strom SX’ stubby dual-exit exhaust – again a straight lift from the Gixxer – looks muscular whereas the upswept end can in the KTM 250 Adventure looks simple yet sleek. 

All in all, the Suzuki V-Strom SX seems to be a fairly capable and well-equipped motorcycle for its Rs 2,11,600 (ex-showroom Delhi) asking price. On the other hand, the Rs 24,202 premium for the KTM 250 Adventure feels a bit too much considering it only offers brute performance. We’d have liked it if KTM had added turn-by-turn navigation on the ADV, as that would’ve made it a much more well-rounded package.