If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, when was the last time you cared about the RAM, or the refresh rate or even the kind of display your iPhone packed? Sure, the basics matter, but have you ever found yourself comparing charts between the iPhone 15 and a similarly priced Android phone? Both do the same thing. Making calls, sending texts, and taking pictures, yet it’s the experience that differs. Pardon the hyperbole, but the Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 reminds me a lot of the Apple iPhone, but not for the reasons you’d think.
An Introverted Bikemaker
If all the six Japanese brands – Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu in India were friends, Suzuki would be an introvert. Historically, the Shizuoka-based company has preferred the shadows. Its GSX range of motorcycles, raved by enthusiasts has been overshadowed by flashier red, green or orange machines. Of course, the Suzuki Hayabusa does look like the exception to this rule. But ask yourself, would you know about the motorcycle if it wasn’t for Dhoom?
Suzuki has consistently crafted commendable two-wheelers with a quiet confidence, eschewing flashiness. Take, for instance, the Shogun, introduced through a tie-up with TVS, which was said to be quicker than the Yamaha RD 350. The Access stands objectively superior to the Honda Activa as a scooter. Although many seasoned automotive journalists laud the Gixxers, the masses seem less impressed. So, what’s amiss? Two things: pricing, which we’ll address later, and the obsession with spec sheets that obsesses today’s buyers. But what unfolds when you cast aside the spec sheet, both literally and figuratively, and just…
Get On With It
For the duration of my time with the V-Strom SX, I’ve purposefully avoided looking at the spec sheet, until writing this piece, and for a good reason. The numbers detail its 835mm seat height but don’t convey the narrow tank that allows me (5’11”) to flat-foot comfortably, although a 5’7 friend did face difficulty. They also mention its smaller 249cc engine and 26.5PS power output. By comparison, the KTM 200 Duke, despite being 50cc smaller, produces 25PS of power. Do these numbers tell you anything about the engine’s characteristics?
The answer becomes clear every time you start the V-Strom SX every morning. This isn’t me waxing lyrical about the “smell of petrol in the morning”. Each time I push the ignition, no matter how long it has been at a standstill, the V-Strom comes to power without any hesitation, whine or even a murmur. Get on and you’ll appreciate the smooth clutch feel and the initial torque that comes with it.
Hitting the road, the Suzuki adapts to you. Fancy going fast? It’ll hold you between 80kmph to 120kmph for hours, without breaking a sweat. Yes, things get a little buzzy if you push it higher into the rev range, but with the poise and grace of a rather polite Japanese gentleman. There are no vibrations here, just a vibe. Want to take it slow? There’s enough torque to keep the V-Strom in higher gears at lower speeds. But what impressed me was its ability to blend in traffic. Despite its ADV appearance, the motorcycle feels compact, easily manoeuvrable, and light on its feet. Today is when I noticed the specs—the V-Strom doesn’t weigh that much (167kg).
The Flip Side
The ADV-styled motorcycle gives the impression of being an…ADV, or at least a mild off-roader. And here lies the confusing part. The suspension feels taut and stiff on unpaved paths, giving it an impression more akin to road-biased motorcycles. But the brakes, while not sharp, are progressive and effective, leaning towards a more off-road riding style. Its MRF tyres don’t do it any favours; they perform adequately, but not exceptionally.
It’s pricing reminds me of the iPhone once more. Is it expensive compared to other Android phones? Yes. Do the other phones offer something extra over the iPhone? Yes. But the reason iPhones are popular is because of their reliability and their consistent ability to perform. They excel at the basics, and so does the V-Strom. Some may call it a “jack of all trades, master of none.” But those who delve deeper will know the complete phrase, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one,” And that, perfectly summarizes the Suzuki motorcycle.