2021 V-Strom 650XT Launched In Australia. India Launch To Follow?

Comes with three new colours options and of course a Euro 5/BS6-compliant motor 

Suzuki first unveiled the BS6 V-Strom 650XT at Auto Expo 2020 in February. Power figures remain pretty much unchanged. 

Suzuki has launched its mid-capacity ADV, the V-Strom 650XT, in Australia for $13,490, which is equivalent to around Rs 7.29 lakh in India. Its India launch is expected to follow soon. Once here, we expect Suzuki to slap a premium of around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 over the BS4 model which retailed at Rs 7.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 

From the visual point of view, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT BS6 looks identical to the outgoing BS4 bike, except for the new colour schemes. There are three to choose from -- grey, white and red -- all of which should make their way here. 

The V-Strom draws power from a Euro 5/BS6 compliant 645cc, liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine that makes 70.7PS at 8800rpm and 62Nm of torque at 6500rpm. It retains its 6-speed gearbox. Suzuki's Low RPM assist system reduces the chances of an unexpected engine stall by automatically tuning the idle speed when releasing the clutch or when riding at very low speeds. 

Electronic nannies include three levels of switchable traction control and dual-channel ABS as standard. The settings can be altered to suit the rider via the bike’s analogue-digital instrument console. A pair of handguards and a plastic sump guard are offered as standard. Like most ADV’s, the V-Strom 650XT features a 12V DC outlet which could be used to charge your phone. 

Since the XT is the off-road-biased version, it gets 19-inch front and 17-inch rear aluminium rims with stainless steel wire spokes. The wheels come wrapped in tubeless Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tyres. Anchoring the bike are twin 310mm discs mated to two-piston calipers and a single 260mm disc at the rear paired with a single-pot caliper.

Once here, the BS6 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT will compete against the 2021 Kawasaki Versys 650 priced at Rs 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom).