Comparisons
Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 vs KTM 250 Adventure vs Benelli TRK 251
When the Royal Enfield Himalayan entered the space of sub-500cc adventure tourers, the segment was an extremely niche one, with the Himalayan being the only player in the segment. However, since then, this very category has changed a lot with many new players arriving on the scene. This has led to the formation of a generalized segment of 250cc adventure tourers.
The first motorcycle to enter this space was KTM 250 Adventure, which was shortly followed by the Benelli TRK 251. And now, we have a surprise addition in the form of Suzuki V-Strom SX. Based on the proven platform of Gixxer 250, the V-Strom SX is Suzuki’s most affordable adventure tourer in the country. Here’s how it takes on the other two motorcycles, the 250 Adventure and TRK 251:
Price
Suzuki has struck gold by pricing the V-Strom SX below the KTM 250 Adventure and Benelli TRK 251. At Rs 2.12 lakh, the Suzuki V-Strom SX is Rs 24,000 more affordable than the 250 Adventure and a significant Rs 52,000 more affordable than the TRK 251. All these three motorcycles are available in a single fully-loaded variant.
| Model | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM Adventure 250 | Benelli TRK 251 |
| Price | Rs 2.12 lakh | Rs 2.36 lakh | Rs 2.64 lakh |
(A prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, pan India)
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Engine and Chassis
Here, all the three motorcycles come with single-cylinder, 250cc engines, among which that of the KTM 250 Adventure puts up the most amount of outright power and torque. On the other hand, it is the engine of the Suzuki V-Strom SX, which feels the most refined and vibration-free. Even its 6-speed gearbox is the slickest to use of them all.
When it comes to mechanical architecture, the KTM 250 Adventure is a clear winner with much more premium WP-sourced front and rear suspension units. The Suzuki V-Strom SX is the only motorcycle here, which doesn’t get upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks at the front. While the KTM 250 Adventure has the biggest front brake diameter, the Benelli TRK 251 has the biggest rear disc diameter. The TRK 251 also has the widest tyres among all and is the only motorcycle to offer radial tyres for both front and rear wheels.
| Specifications | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM Adventure 250 | Benelli TRK 251 |
| Engine | Four-stroke, oil-cooled, single-cylinder, 249cc | Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 248.76cc | Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 249cc |
| Power | 26.5 PS @ 9,300 rpm | 30 PS @ 9,000 rpm | 25.8 PS @ 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 22.2 Nm @ 7,300 rpm | 24 Nm @ 7,500 rpm | 21.1 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Front suspension | Telescopic | Upside-down telescopic | Upside-down telescopic |
| Rear suspension | Mono-shock with rectangular swing-arm | Mono-shock with aluminium swing-arm | Mono-shock with rectangular swing-arm |
| Front tyre | 100/90-19 | 100/90-19 | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear tyre | 140/70-17 | 130/80-17 | 150/60 R17 |
| Front brake | 300 mm disc | 320 mm disc | 280mm disc |
| Rear brake | 220 mm disc | 230 mm disc | 240 mm disc |
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Dimension
In terms of size, the Suzuki V-Strom SX feels the biggest to look at, and the on-paper dimensions show the same story as well. It has the maximum length, height, wheelbase and ground clearance. The KTM 250 Adventure also feels quite big for its price, with the maximum width, kerb weight and seat height. The Benelli TRK 251 looks the smallest of the trio, and the dimensions prove the fact too. However, its 18 litres fuel tank is the biggest among the three motorcycles.
| Dimensions | Suzuki V-Strom SX | KTM Adventure 250 | 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 |
| Ground clearance | 205 mm | 200 mm | 170 mm |
| Seat height | 835 mm | 855 mm | 800 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12 litres | 14.5 litres | 18 litres |
Design and Features
For the price and segment to which they are catering, all the motorcycles are decently priced, thus trying hard to justify their positioning as premium quarter-litre adventure tourers. All the three motorcycles here have a front windscreen, daytime running LEDs, fully-digital LCD instrument console, pannier mounts at the back and alloy wheels.
The Suzuki V-Strom SX is the newest of the three motorcycles here, and it is quite evident in the list of features it comes in as standard. The motorcycle is the only one here to get an LED headlamp and standard knuckle guards, but also is the only one to miss out on LED turn indicators. It is also the only motorcycle here to get Bluetooth compatibility in its instrument console, which packs in features like missed call alert and caller ID, speed exceeding alert, call, SMS and WhatsApp alert, phone battery level display, turn-by-turn navigation, ETA updates and last parked location.
The KTM 250 Adventure has the most sophisticated suspension, brakes and chassis in this company, while the Benelli TRK 251 feels like the least equipped motorcycle. The TRK 251 is also the only motorcycle here to miss out on an informative MID computer in the instrument console and engine sump guard. However, the TRK 251 is the only motorcycle here to offer projector headlamps.
Verdict
At Rs 2.64 lakh, the Benelli TRK 251 is the most absurdly priced motorcycle, as the significantly high asking price over the other two better-equipped motorcycles doesn’t justify the package it is offering. In addition to this, the after-sales and service network of Benelli is also not as expansive as that of KTM and Suzuki. We would recommend the Benelli TRK 251 only if you are an ardent fan of this Chinese-owned Italian motorcycle brand.
The Suzuki V-Strom SX has arrived as a compelling package, and the large dimensions, bullet-proof reliability associated with the Suzuki badge, refined and torquey engine and relaxed ergonomics make it a well-sorted motorcycle on mechanical grounds. With an LED headlamp and Bluetooth functionality and features, it also feels a bit more special than the other two.
But if you ask us, it is the KTM 250 Adventure that feels the most desirable of the trio. While it might not be having the LED headlamp and Bluetooth functionality like the V-Strom SX, it has the most premium and sophisticated suspension, chassis and brakes, which give it a feel of a more expensive motorcycle. Also, the single-cylinder, 250cc engine of the 250 Adventure claims to be the most powerful and torquey in this class.
It’s a tough call between the Suzuki V-Strom SX and KTM 250 Adventure, but it is the latter that has won this comparison by a small whisker.
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