Suzuki V-Strom 650 vs Kawasaki Versys 650: Spec Comparison

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is the Japanese manufacturer’s middleweight adventure tourer. The bike is expected to arrive in India by the end of this year or by early 2019. Once launched, it will directly compete against the Kawasaki Versys 650 in the country. We see how the rivals fare against each other on paper.

Design and Features

The Suzuki V-Strom borrows its design elements from its bigger sibling, the V-Strom 1000. The oval-hexagon shaped headlamp, small beak-like extension and cladding on the tank lend it a distinctive look. 

The Kawasaki Versys 650 follows the Ninja family’s styling. The design language is sharp and includes the twin headlamp setup, similar to its bigger sibling, the Versys 1000. It also gets an engine sump guard as standard which the V-Strom 650 misses out on. While the V-Strom sports a raised exhaust canister, the Versys 650 gets an underbelly exhaust outlet.

Electronics package on the V-Strom 650 includes a three stage traction control system, Suzuki’s Easy Start System and an ABS unit as standard. On the other hand, Kawasaki has not equipped their 650cc adventure tourer with any electronic magic apart from ABS. Both bikes feature an analogue tachometer and LCD instrument cluster which displays speed, odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and gear position indicator.

Engine 

At the heart of the Kawasaki Versys 650 is a 649cc, parallel twin engine. This unit puts out 68bhp at 8,500rpm and 64Nm of torque at 7,500rpm through a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive.

Meanwhile, V-Strom 650 uses a 645cc, V-Twin engine that produces a lightly higher 70bhp at 8,800rpm and 62Nm of torque at 6500rpm via a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive.

With a 20-litre fuel tank capacity, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT has a kerb weight of 216kg. The Kawasaki on the other hand gets a 21-litre fuel tank but a similar kerb weight of 216kg.

Cycle parts

Suspension duties on the V-Strom 650 are taken of by conventional telescopic forks on the front while it gets a preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The Versys 650 sports inverted front forks and an offset monoshock for the rear which is also preload adjustable.

The V-Strom’s braking setup consists of 310mm twin discs held on by Tokico calipers for the front and a single 260mm disc with a Nissin caliper for the rear. Kawasaki has equipped the Versys 650 with a slightly smaller braking setup as compared to the Suzuki. It gets dual 300mm discs at the front and a single 250mm petal disc at the rear; both Nissin units.

Price

We expect the Suzuki V-Strom 650 to be priced around Rs 5.5 lakhs to Rs 6 lakhs. The Kawasaki Versys 650, on the other hand is priced at Rs 6.69 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).