The rise of sub-500cc bikes continues with Suzuki ramping up the baby sports bike brigade and introducing a 250cc version of the venerable V-Strom.
The GSX-R250 and V-Strom 250 were unveiled at the Eicma show in Milan although Suzuki only last moth previewed the V-Strom as a concept in China.
Both are powered by the 248cc SOHC parallel twin engine from the Inazuma which produces 18.5kW of power and 23Nm of torque.
The sub-500cc sports bike sector is crowding up with competitors for the popular Kawasaki Ninja 300. However, the sub-500cc adventure market is a lot less crowded and, as yet, untried.
The V-Strom 250 will have immediate competition from the Honda 190cc Night Hawk launched at Intermot and the BMW G 310 GS and Kawasaki Versys-X 300 launched yesterday at Eicma.
At the moment, Suzuki Australia doesn’t have any intention to import the Baby-Strom. However, they have confirmed the GSX-R250 and it’s even smaller baby brother, the GSX-S125, as well as the Burgman 400 to join the Burgman 200 and 650 scooters. They will be here next September.
GSX-R250
The GSX-R250 comes with KYB suspension front and rear, single two-piston brake calliper with petal disc, LCD instrument panel, 790mm seat and 15-litre fuel tank.
Even though it has clip-on bars, Suzuki says they are high enough for a comfortable riding position.
Baby V-Strom
Although there are few tech details, Suzuki says its V-Strom has a low seat and will be up for some adventure with a fuel tank capable of more than 450k of bush-discovering range.
It also includes dedicated pannier mounts so there should be factory panniers available.
The Baby-Strom has a good-sized non-adjustable screen, LCD instruments, and typical Strom styling, except for the round headlight.
It comes in a choice of Pearl Nebular Black/Solid Dazzling Cool Yellow, Metallic Diamond Red and Pearl Nebular Black.
GSX-S125
The smallest Gixxer is powered by the same 124.4cc single as the GSX-R125 launched last month at Intermot in Cologne.
Suzuki claims class-leading acceleration and power-to-weight ratio, but there are no tech specs revealed yet.
It weighs just 133kg, ready to ride, has an 11-litre fuel tank, six-speed transmission, 785mm seat height and runs on Dunlop D102 tyres specially built for the bike.
Suspension is non-adjustable and it has a single two-piston sliding brake caliper and 290mm petal disc, with a single piston caliper and 187mm petal disc on the rear.
A welcome innovation for commuters who leave their bike parked in public carparks is the ignition lock which has a metal plate that covers the ignition barrel. You need a special chuck on the key to opens it.
Burgman 400
We haven’t had the mid-sized Burgman 400 before, but this has been updated with a slimmer design, bigger 15-inch front wheel, new dual LED headlights, tail light and indicators.
Comfort has been improved with a 20mm thicker seat, cut-away footboards and new upswept screen too.
It also features an updated multi-function display with Eco-drive indicator.
A new airbag and iridium spark plug on the liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder 399cc engine are claimed to improved low- to mid-range torque.
