2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT officially debuts in Australia

KUALA LUMPUR: Suzuki’s highly popular mid-capacity adventure tourer, the V-Strom 650XT gets an update in the Australian market. Changes for the 2021 model year include some minor cosmetic and emission updates as well as a bunch of new colour options. The 2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT price starts at AUD 13,490 which converts to RM 40,511.

Continuing the family legacy of being fun and logical, the new iteration is adorned by stunning new Metallic Oort Grey, Pearl Brilliant White, and Candy Daring Red colour schemes. Other than this, the bike visually remains the same as its outgoing model.

The biggest update in the new V-Strom 650 XT can be seen in the form of the Euro 5 engine. This is a 645-cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin mill that churns out a maximum power of 70 hp at 8800 rpm and a peak torque of 62 Nm at 6500 rpm. The figures exactly match with the earlier version. For the transmission, the bike has a six-speed gearbox. 

A Learner Approved version of the ADV is also available in the Grey colour scheme with a maximum output restriction of 47 hp to meet the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme requirements in the country.

For 2021, the automaker has also brought in a Low RPM Assist technology, which tunes the idle speed automatically and reduces the chances of engine stall when engaging the throttle or riding at very low speeds.

As far as electronics go, the adventure tourer has dual-channel ABS and three levels of switchable traction control as standard. The rider can alter these settings via the bike’s analogue-digital instrument console. The cluster displays the odometer, twin-trip meter, fuel level, coolant temperature, clock, battery voltage, average and instantaneous fuel consumption, range on remaining fuel, and traction-control modes. Like other ADVs, it also features a 12V DC outlet that could be used for smartphone charging. 

Being an off-road version, it stands on the 19-inch front and 17-inch rear aluminum rims featuring stainless steel wire spokes. The wheels are wrapped in tubeless Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tyres. For braking, the front tyre has twin 310 mm discs with two-piston calipers, while a single 260 mm disc paired with a single-pot caliper can be seen at the rear. The bike also gets two new Genuine Accessory luggage kits, comprising aluminum luggage and a top box.

Suzuki has not released any official statement on its arrival in Malaysia. The ongoing 650 XT retails at RM 43,900.

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