Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX: pros and cons

The Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX, which was launched just this year, is an attractive prospect for would-be buyers. It is relatively affordable, but it doesn’t compromise in terms of rideability and features. 

Due to the aforementioned, the said model has gained a lot of attention from the public, especially at events such as the 2024 Suzuki Motor Fest. With its adventure bike styling and considerable on-road performance, the model has the makings of another mass-market success for the Japanese motorcycle brand. 

But the question now is: what are the pros and cons of the V-Strom 250 SX? Let’s find out here. 

Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX: Pros

Big bike styling 

Achieving a big bike look for a model using a sub-400-cubic centimeter (cc) engine is not common, but the V-Strom 250 SX has done it. It is hefting-looking with a tall ground clearance, plus it roughly has the same angular ADV styling cues as its larger brothers - the V-Strom 800 DE and the V-Strom 1050 DE. 

Even when it isn’t compared to its siblings, the 250-cc model is quite a looker. It looks well-proportioned, and it appears rearing to go on adventure on or off the trail. 

Peppy powertrain

Another strength of the V-Strom 250 SX is its relatively peppy powertrain. For reference, its four-stroke, one-cylinder engine can produce up to 26.15 horsepower and 22.2 Newton-meters of torque. It isn’t the most powerful in the mid-size class in general, but it has enough torque to deal with unpaved back roads and provincial highway riding. 

Additionally, it has an oil-based cooling system, which presents several advantages. For starters, oil-cooled motorcycles are better at heat transfer compared to air-cooled units. Sure, it can drive the price of a motorcycle model up a notch, but having a dependable cooling system when riding out to the middle of nowhere is a must. 

Decent feature set

Apart from having a peppy powertrain and good looks, the V-Strom 250 SX also has a decent line of features. It comes with an electric starter, tubeless tires, a dual-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), a digital instrument cluster, and a USB charging port. 

Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX: Cons

Can’t turn off ABS

The ABS on the V-Strom 250 SX adds an extra measure of safety when riding on paved roads. Unfortunately, however, it cannot be toggled off, which is a bummer for folks wanting to take the bike off the beaten path.

The reason for wanting a toggleable ABS for off-roading is that you want to lock up your rear wheel intentionally in loose terrain. The aforementioned is crucial for experienced riders who want to initiate a slide or an abrupt course change. 

Final thoughts

Overall, the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX is a good bike for those coming from smaller 150 or 125-cc motorcycles. It is decently powerful, and it has the added benefit of ABS for folks wanting to use it intensively for on-road trips.

It is also quite accessibly priced at P229,000, so if you’re one of the people who are itching to get this motorcycle, do take your time and take it out for a test ride. 

Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX specifications

Model	Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	2,180x880x1,355
Wheelbase (mm)	1,440
Seat height (mm)	835
Wheel size (in inches)	19 front, 17 rear
Lighting system	LED
Amenities/Technologies	Fuel-injected Oil-cooled engine Electric starter Windscreen Electronic ignition Dual channel ABS
Instrument cluster	Digital
Seating Capacity	2
Engine	249-cc four-stroke, one-cylinder SOHC
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed, constant mesh
Horsepower	26.15
Torque	22.2 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Pricing	P229,000

 

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