2012 Suzuki V Strom leaked: Would you buy it over the Ninja 650?

2012 Suzuki V Strom leaked: Would it buy it over the Ninja 650?

2012 Suzuki V Strom pictures have apparently been ‘leaked’, and guess what, we don’t have anything to complain. A poor man’s adventure bike in the European countries, the V Strom, by virtue of its displacement, price and capabilities, makes a strong case for itself for the Indian market as well. While we cannot be sure whether Suzuki would contemplate bringing this baby here, but there is absolutely nothing that should stop us from wondering why it should not.

The V Strom, internationally is slightly more expensive than the Ninja 650R. However, it is oriented more towards adventure and touring than street riding. In that sense, while it may not be as good a handler as the Ninja, it may actually offer great value to the touring enthusiasts by virtue of its rugged design, great ground clearance and go anywhere capability. A lot of enthusiasts would actually look at the V Strom with interest if Suzuki could import it via the CKD route and price it competitively.

The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 will be powered by a 90-degree V-Twin engine displacing 645cc. Power and torque figures have not been released, but the earlier version of the bike produced 64 PS, and a small increment in the figure may be expected. The evidence of the new engine being more powerful comes from the fact that its compression ratio is 11.5:1 as compared to 2011 edition’s 11.2:1.

The new V Strom boasts better cooling, thanks to a new radiator design. The panels are new, and form the most distinguishing element for the 2012 version of the bike against its 2011 iteration. ABS comes as standard, and the bike rides on 19 inch front wheels and 17 inch rear in true adventure bike fashion.

Here’s a list of the salient features of the 2012 Suzuki V Strom

· Height-adjustable windscreen, tested in wind tunnel reduces air buffeting and fatigue.

· Comfortable riding position

· 20-liter fuel tank

· Analog tacho and brightness-adjustable LCD speedo. Readouts include odometer, twin trip meterz, gear indicator, coolant and ambient temperature, average fuel consumption, fuel gauge and clock.

· Radiator flanked by wind-directing plates lets the hot air away from the rider’s legs.

· 6-speed transmission

· Twin iridium spark plugs for each cylinder

· Front dual 310mm-disc brakes and rear 260mm-disc brake

· Three colors: Pearl Mirage White, Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic Fox Orange.

We would be interested to know if such an on-off road bike makes more sense to you than the Ninja. Offered at almost the same price, would you give this one a thought over the 650R? Do let us know.

Here’s the detailed specification sheet of the 2012 Suzuki V Strom

Engine Type 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90°V-Twin

Bore x Stroke 81.0 mm x 62.6 mm (3.2 in x 2.5 in)

Engine Displacement 645 cm3 (40.2 cu.in)

Compression Ratio 11.2 : 1

Carburetion Fuel injection

Transmission 6-speed constant mesh

Suspension Front Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Rear Link type, coil spring, oil damped

Brakes Front Disc, twin

Rear Disc

Tires Front 110/80R19M/C 59H

Rear 150/70R17M/C 69H

Fuel tank 20.0 L (5.3 / 4.4 US / Imp gal)

Overall length 2,290 mm (90.2 in)

Overall Width 835 mm (32.9 in)

Overall height 1,405 mm (55.3 in)

Wheelbase 1,560 mm (61.4 in)

Seat height

2012 Suzuki V Strom leaked: Would it buy it over the Ninja 650?

 

2012 Suzuki V Strom pictures have apparently been ‘leaked’, and guess what, we don’t have anything to complain. A poor man’s adventure bike in the European countries, the V Strom, by virtue of its displacement, price and capabilities, makes a strong case for itself for the Indian market as well. While we cannot be sure whether Suzuki would contemplate bringing this baby here, but there is absolutely nothing that should stop us from wondering why it should not.

The V Strom, internationally is slightly more expensive than the Ninja 650R. However, it is oriented more towards adventure and touring than street riding. In that sense, while it may not be as good a handler as the Ninja, it may actually offer great value to the touring enthusiasts by virtue of its rugged design, great ground clearance and go anywhere capability. A lot of enthusiasts would actually look at the V Strom with interest if Suzuki could import it via the CKD route and price it competitively.

The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 will be powered by a 90-degree V-Twin engine displacing 645cc. Power and torque figures have not been released, but the earlier version of the bike produced 64 PS, and a small increment in the figure may be expected. The evidence of the new engine being more powerful comes from the fact that its compression ratio is 11.5:1 as compared to 2011 edition’s 11.2:1.

The new V Strom boasts better cooling, thanks to a new radiator design. The panels are new, and form the most distinguishing element for the 2012 version of the bike against its 2011 iteration. ABS comes as standard, and the bike rides on 19 inch front wheels and 17 inch rear in true adventure bike fashion.

Here’s a list of the salient features of the 2012 Suzuki V Strom

• Height-adjustable windscreen, tested in wind tunnel  reduces air buffeting and fatigue.
• Comfortable riding position
• 20-liter fuel tank
• Analog tacho and brightness-adjustable LCD speedo. Readouts include odometer, twin trip meterz, gear indicator, coolant and ambient temperature, average fuel consumption, fuel gauge and clock.
• Radiator flanked by wind-directing plates lets the hot air away from the rider’s legs.
• 6-speed transmission
• Twin iridium spark plugs for each cylinder
• Front dual 310mm-disc brakes and rear 260mm-disc brake
• Three colors: Pearl Mirage White, Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic Fox Orange.

We would be interested to know if such an on-off road bike makes more sense to you than the Ninja. Offered at almost the same price, would you give this one a thought over the 650R? Do let us know.

 

 

Here’s the detailed specification sheet of the 2012 Suzuki V Strom

 

Engine Type                                       4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90°V-Twin

Bore x Stroke                                     81.0 mm x 62.6 mm (3.2 in x 2.5 in)

Engine Displacement                      645 cm3 (40.2 cu.in)

Compression Ratio                          11.2 : 1

Carburetion                                        Fuel injection

Transmission                                      6-speed constant mesh

Suspension         Front                     Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Rear                       Link type, coil spring, oil damped

Brakes                  Front                     Disc, twin

Rear                       Disc

Tires                      Front                     110/80R19M/C 59H

Rear                       150/70R17M/C 69H

Fuel tank                                             20.0 L (5.3 / 4.4 US / Imp gal)

Overall length                                    2,290 mm (90.2 in)

Overall Width                                    835 mm (32.9 in)

Overall height                                    1,405 mm (55.3 in)

Wheelbase                                         1,560 mm (61.4 in)

Seat height                                         835 mm (32.9 in)

Curb mass                                           214 kg (472 lbs)

835 mm (32.9 in)

Curb mass 214 kg (472 lbs)