Indian roads are quite like off-road trails without the fun. Be it in urban areas or a town still climbing the ropes of development. No wonder then manufacturers are launching adventure sport-tourers, especially in the mass-market space to combat bad roads with better ride quality, adventure-ish design, and an engine developed for the urban environment. The newly launched Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 is the latest entrant in this space and the surprise launch is grabbing a lot of attention. But how does it compete against existing offerings in the quarter-litre segment - KTM 250 Adventure and the Benelli TRK 251? Let's take a look at how these bikes compare against each other on paper.
Also Read: Suzuki V-Strom SX Launched In India; Prices Begin At Rs. 2.11 Lakh
The engine is based on the Suzuki Gixxer 250 series, with the 249 cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled single overhead cam (SOHC), four-valve engine, making 26 bhp at 9,300 rpm and 22.2 Nm of peak torque at 7,300 rpm.
The Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 is based on the standard Gixxer 250 and borrows quite a few bits including the 12-litre fuel tank. The frame too is borrowed from the Gixxer but the subframe and swingarm are all-new on the motorcycle. Compared to the Gixxer 250, the V-Strom SX gets a longer wheelbase by 100 mm while the ground clearance is a generous 205 mm and the seat height higher at 835 mm.
| Motorcycle | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM 250 Adventure | Benelli TRK 251 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 2180 mm | 2154 mm | 2070 mm |
| Width | 880 mm | 900 mm | 840 mm |
| Height | 1355 mm | 1263 mm | 1300 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1440 mm | 1430 mm | 1390 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 167 kg | 177 kg | 164 kg (Dry) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 Litres | 14.5 Litres | 18 Litres |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm | 200 mm | 170 mm |
| Seat Height | 835 mm | 855 mm | 800 mm |
Also Read: KTM 250 Adventure Review: Take It Easy
In contrast, the KTM 250 Adventure uses the 250 Duke's trellis frame with a different subframe. The bike gets a higher seat height at 855 mm, a good 20 mm more than the V-Strom SX while the fuel tank is larger at 14.5 litres. The ground clearance stands at 200 mm, while the wheelbase is shorter by 10 mm. The KTM 250 Adventure is also the heavier motorcycle here at 177 kg (kerb) as against the Suzuki's 167 kg kerb weight.
When it comes to weighing up against rivals, the Benelli TRK 251 is the heaviest motorcycle with an unladen weight of 164 kg. This should put the kerb weight around 185 kg. However, the additional weight comes from the significantly larger 18-litre fuel tank. The TRK 251 though gets the lowest seat height here at 800 mm but it also gets the least ground clearance at 170 mm. The wheelbase too is shorter at 1390 mm.
All three engines get an identical setup with a 249 cc four-valve motor in place, paired with a 6-speed transmission. The big difference is oil cooling on the Suzuki V-Strom SX as against the liquid-cooled engine on the TRK 251 and the 250 Adventure. The difference is also visible in terms of power output. The V-Strom makes do with 26 bhp and 22 Nm, while the KTM is more performance-oriented with 29 bhp and 24 Nm on offer.
| Specifications | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM 250 Adventure | Benelli TRK 251 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 249 cc oil-cooled | 248.8 cc liquid-cooled | 249 cc liquid-cooled |
| Max Power | 26 bhp @ 9300 rpm | 29 bhp @ 9000 rpm | 25 bhp @ 9250 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 22 Nm @ 7300 rpm | 24 Nm @ 7500 rpm | 21.1 Nm @ 8000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
The Benelli TRK 251 belts out 25 bhp and 21.1 Nm, making it the least powered offering in this comparison. In real-world performance, the Suzuki and KTM should come close with the latter having a certain advantage, while the Benelli is likely going to be much slower in comparison. Something, we do plan to test out when we ride these motorcycles.
Also Read: Suzuki V-Strom SX: All You Need To Know
2021 Benelli TRK 251
| Cycle Parts | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM 250 Adventure | Benelli TRK 251 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Forks, 120 mm travel | USD Forks, 170 mm travel | Telescopic Forks, 135 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock, 177 mm travel | Monoshock, 51 mm travel |
| Brakes | Discs with ABS | 320 mm Disc (F), 230 mm Disc (R) | 280 mm Disc (F), 240 mm Disc (R) |
| Tyres | 19-inch (F), 17-inch (R) | 19-inch (F), 17-inch (R) | 17-inch (Front & Rear) |
The Suzuki V-Strom SX is a sports adventure tourer but firmly built for city rides and the occasional weekend excursion. If you are looking at a proper adventure motorcycle, the Hero XPulse 200 4V, Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Yezdi Adventure are the better picks. That's because the Suzuki gets a road-biased suspension. The telescopic front forks come with 120 mm of travel. The KTM manages to do better with 170 mm of travel from its USD front forks, whereas the Benelli TRK 251 sits in the middle with 135 mm of travel from the telescopic forks. The V-Strom SX and 250 Adventure ride on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels. The TRK 251 uses 17-inch alloys at either end. Concerning brakes, all three bikes get disc brakes with dual-channel ABS but only the KTM gets the ability to turn ABS for the rear wheel, making it more off-road biased than its rivals.
KTM 250 Adventure
| Price | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM 250 Adventure | Benelli TRK 251 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Showroom | Rs. 2.12 Lakh | Rs. 2.35 Lakh | Rs. 2.64 Lakh |
The Suzuki V-Strom is priced at Rs. 2.12 lakh, which makes it about Rs. 20,000 more affordable than the KTM 250 Adventure priced at Rs. 2.35 lakh. The Benelli TRK 251 is the most expensive here at Rs. 2.64 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom), which makes it a good Rs. 52,000 pricier than the Suzuki. For those looking at an adventure sport-tourer, the V-Strom SX 250 retains the best value while the 250 Adventure promises the best of both worlds at a slight premium. It's difficult to justify the premium on the TRK 251. Read our detailed price comparison here.
