Suzuki V-Strom 250SX heads to Japan

The Suzuki V-Strom 250SX will make its way out of India for the first time later this year, although its travels will not (yet) bring it to Europe.

Instead, Suzuki is taking the V-Strom 250SX ‘home’ to Japan, after it has spent a little over one year in the Indian market, from 24 August 2023.

The Suzuki V-Strom 250SX has been around for a little while in India now, having been launched in 2022 as an adventure-based evolution of the standard V-Strom 250 that launched in 2017.

At the heart of the motorcycle is a liquid-cooled 249cc engine pumping out 26 horsepower. The bike also features MRF tyres and preload-adjustable rear suspension.

Whether Suzuki’s decision to bring the V-Strom 250SX outside of India and to Japan means the bike will come to Europe or not is unclear. Suzuki’s standard V-Strom 250 did come to Europe, but its relative lack of popularity meant it was withdrawn.

This article was originally published on 11 April 2022, and was updated with the above text on 9 August 2023. The original article can be read below.

Suzuki has launched its 250cc version of the V-Strom in India, with the small adventurer taking cues from the GSX-250R.

The Suzuki V-Strom SX launched in India at the end of last week, with the bike using the same motor as the GSX-250R, while maintaining the visual cues of the V-Strom range.

Neither the GSX-250R nor the V-Strom SX are currently available in Europe yet, but it is not impossible. 

As SoyMotero reports, the previous 250cc V-Strom came to Europe, but it was not a success.

However, the small capacity appetite in Europe seems to be growing, albeit more in other categories rather than adventure. In fact, the recent Triumph Tigers indicate the larger-capacity appetite in Europe. 

However, since India has been suggested by Suzuki as a hub for its small-capacity manufacturing, perhaps the initial release in India will be a precursor for wider availability for the V-Strom SX.

We will see in time, but for now, we do at least know the details of the bike. 

The bike takes aesthetic inspiration, unsurprisingly, from the other bikes in the V-Strom range - the 650 and 1050 - with the distinctive front ‘beak’ design. 

Under the bodywork, the engine is indeed similar to that of the GSX250R. A liquid-cooled, 249cc, single-cylinder four-stroke will power the bike, which will weigh in at 167kg. The motor, which features electronic fuel injection, will provide 26 horsepower and 22.2Nm of torque through a six-speed constant-mesh gearbox.

Suspension-wise, we are looking at telescopic front forks with a 120mm stroke; while the rear shock has a seven-step adjustable preload. Sitting between those telescopic forks will be a 19-inch, 10-spoke front wheel (with single brake disc), and at the rear the spokes will be the same, but with a 17-inch diameter.

Those wheels will be encircled by MRF Mogrip Meteor tyres which will feature a tread design aimed at offering good stability while also cutting through water well in wet conditions. 

Full details on the V-Strom SX can be found on Suzuki India’s website, here.