Adventure tourers will be the next big thing in the quarter-litre market with Suzuki building the G-Strom 250 to rival the Kawasaki Versys 250 also reportedly under development.
While the middle-weight and litre class segments are overwhelmed with options, adventure tourers are yet to make it to the entry-level performance segment. However, auto manufacturers seem to have foreseen a huge demand in this space as reports suggest several quarter-litre adventure bikes are currently under development. More recently, word on the street was that Suzuki has joined this bandwagon and is developing the ‘G-Strom 250’ off-roader. Adding some weightage to the news is this new rendering posted in an auto magazine that gives a glimpse on how the final product could turn out to be.
To be based on the Inazuma platform as per reports, the new Suzuki G-Strom 250 will be competing with a host of options including the upcoming Kawasaki Versys 250 as well as the KTM 390 Adventure. The rendering showcases the G-Strom 250 with a visor, protective cladding around the fuel tank, an extended front fender and an engine protective cowl. The mechanical bits will be shared with the Inazuma including the telescopic front forks, front and rear disc brakes along with the three spoke alloy wheels seen on the current model.
Coming to the powertrain, the Suzuki Inazuma’s 250cc parallel twin will be doing duty on the G-Strom as well but could be tuned a tad bit differently compared to the sports tourer. Given the impressive cruising skills of the Inazuma, we won’t be surprised to see the G-Strom 250 turn out to be an instant mile muncher keeping its rider comfortable on the rough terrain. In addition to the quarter-litre off-roader, Suzuki is also said to be developing the Gixxer 250 with a single-cylinder engine that will be priced very effectively to rival the KTM Duke 200 and the upcoming Benelli TNT 25 among other offerings. In the Indian context, the G-Strom 250 can only be expected post 2016.
