700 Kilometers, 2 Stops and 1 Clear Winner: My Ride on the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX

It started like any other ride day: a half-charged phone, a fully charged spirit, and the same question looping in my head: Why do I do this to myself? The answer came 700 kilometers later, whispering through the wind and purring beneath me: Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX.

I've done this route before. Same distance, same stretch of semi-blissful highway, same aching knees. But those times, I rode on the KTM Duke 390 and the Suzuki Gixxer 250. Don't get me wrong, both are stellar machines, the Duke is an untamed beast, while the Gixxer is smooth and sharp. But the V-Strom? That’s a well-brewed cup of chai on a foggy morning, comforting, reliable and somehow, soul-satisfying.

The Journey Begins

I hit the road early, before the sun had decided if it even wanted to show up. The first leg of the journey, a solid 270 km, breezed by before my body remembered it’s not made of titanium. No sore back. No numb wrists. Just me, the bike and the open road. At this point, I wasn’t just impressed, I was borderline suspicious. How is this bike so comfortable?

I only stopped twice in the entire ride, once at 270 km for a quick stretch and snacks and once again at around 550 km, not because I needed to rest, but just to check how much fuel was left. Spoiler: There was still enough.

The Specs That Matter (And Some That Don’t Until They Do)

Let’s get nerdy for a moment. The V-Strom 250 SX packs a 249cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine with a SOHC layout and 4-valve system. It pushes out 26.5 PS at 9300 rpm and 22.2 Nm of torque at 7300 rpm. Translation? It’s got just the right amount of grunt for highways and twisties, without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

The 6-speed constant mesh gearbox is slick, and the fuel injection system ensures crisp throttle response. The engine is tuned for rideability, not neck-snapping acceleration, and I’m thankful for that. Sometimes, you just want a bike that knows when to chill.

Now let’s talk comfort. With a seat height of 835 mm, a wheelbase of 1,440 mm and a generous 205 mm of ground clearance, this thing rides like it’s on a cloud. The wet sump lubrication system and electric starter are nice touches, but what really sold me was the suspension setup. Soft enough to swallow bumps, sturdy enough not to bounce me into orbit.

Also, weighing in at 167 kg, the bike is light enough to flick around and still heavy enough to hold its ground during high-speed stints.

Ergonomics That Just Work – Even for the Not-So-Tall Among Us

Now, here's something that pleasantly surprised me. At 5'7", I fully expected to be doing the classic adventure-bike ballet, one cheek on the seat, the other leg flailing for balance. But nope. Despite the 835 mm seat height, the V-Strom felt surprisingly manageable. Sure, I’m on my toes at a standstill, but not in a panic-inducing, “please-don’t-fall” kind of way.

The bike’s weight distribution is spot on, and the seat narrows just enough at the front to make reaching the ground with a confident tiptoe totally doable. For riders around my height, it’s more reassuring than it has any right to be for a bike in this segment. Suzuki clearly had real-world riders in mind, not just six-foot-tall adventure gods.

The Real-World Test: Speed, Mileage & Vibes (Literally)

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Sure, it’s comfy. But how does it perform? I clocked a top speed of 142 km/h on a flat stretch with the wind in my favor. It held steady up to around 127 km/h, after which the vibrations crept in. Nothing crazy, just enough to remind you that you’re on a quarter-liter single-cylinder. But unless you're planning to race fighter jets, you'll be cruising happily at triple-digit speeds all day.

And here’s the kicker, I got 33 km/l on the highway. That’s with a fully loaded backpack, riding gear and a semi-aggressive throttle hand. For context, my Duke 390 would’ve needed therapy and an oxygen mask by then.

Let’s Talk About That Seat (And My Behind, Thank You)

I’ve sat on rocks that felt more forgiving than some motorcycle seats. But Suzuki nailed it here. The seat on the V-Strom is wide, soft, and shaped to perfection. I went 270 km straight without my backside writing an angry letter to my brain. That's... rare.

Combine that with the upright ergonomics, well-positioned foot pegs, and a windscreen that actually works, and you’ve got yourself a tourer that feels like it’s giving you a warm hug at 100 km/h.

The V-Strom doesn’t just go fast, it goes far, comfortably and without sounding like it’s debating retirement with every gear shift.

Conclusion: Does it Stand Out In The Segment

If you're looking for a machine that can eat highways, glide over bad roads, carry your dreams and your luggage, all while sipping fuel like it’s at a cocktail party, it’s the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX.

Now I know there’s a cult that worships at the altar of Royal Enfield and Honda. And hey, nothing wrong with riding something that sounds like a lawnmower with a sore throat. But if I wanted to hit 100 km/h on a Royal Enfield, I’d probably need to drop it from a helicopter. This wasn’t just a ride. It was a revelation. A 700 km meditation at 100 km/h. A statement that adventure bikes don’t have to be bulky monsters or overpriced status symbols. Sometimes, they’re just smart, sorted and silently brilliant.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Actually, who am I kidding—I'm already planning the next ride.