Suzuki reveals BS VI motorcycle line-up at Auto Expo 2020

Suzuki is one of the very few prominent two-wheeler manufacturers at the 2020 Auto Expo, and it’s used the opportunity to display its entire BS VI-compliant line-up. The only BS VI-compliant two-wheeler to be revealed prior to this was the Suzuki Access 125, so here’s how the rest of the line-up has changed: 

BS VI Gixxer 250 and Gixxer SF 250
At the launch of the Gixxer SF 250 last year, the manufacturer had revealed the bike was developed with the upcoming BS VI norms in mind and now, with the addition of a new exhaust and ECU, Suzuki has updated it to comply with the more stringent emission norms. Suzuki has also managed to keep its power and torque figures similar to what the outgoing BS IV bike is capable of, with the new Gixxer SF 250 capable of making 26.5hp at 9,300rpm and 22.2Nm at 7,300rpm. In comparison to the BS6 bike, peak power is identical but comes in 300rpm later, while torque has seen a 0.4Nm drop but is produced 200rpm earlier in the rev range. 

The Gixxer 250 and Gixxer SF 250 are scheduled to go on sale in March 2020.

BS VI Gixxer and Gixxer SF
The smaller-capacity siblings of the 250s have also undergone similar changes, along with the use of a new ignition system to comply with BS VI norms. However, they see a more substantial drop in peak output figures. The updated Gixxer 150s produce 13.6hp at 8,000rpm and 13.8Nm of torque at 6,000rpm, in comparison to the outgoing bike that makes 14.1hp at 8,000rpm and 14Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. 

The Gixxer and Gixxer SF are also scheduled to go on sale in March 2020.

Intruder
The Intruder too has been updated with a new ignition system, exhaust and ECU to comply with BS VI emission norms, but how this has affected its output figures is still unknown. The BS VI Suzuki Intruder will go on sale alongside the updated Gixxers in March 2020.

Burgman Street
Suzuki has also showcased the updated Burgman, but its specifications are still unknown. However, the manufacturer has revealed that the scooter will go on sale in mid-February. A Burgman clad in a MotoGP colour scheme has also been showcased, but Suzuki has not indicated any plans for its production.

Apart from the aforementioned bikes, the BS VI V-Strom 650 XT, which gets a new colour scheme, and the Suzuki Katana were also on display.

The V-Strom 650 XT was also a part of Suzuki’s BS6-compliant line-up at Auto Expo 2020. Apart from the BS6-upgraded engine and the addition of a new graphic scheme, the ADV bike hasn’t received any significant updates, and prices for the same are yet to be announced. However, the BS4-spec model that is currently on sale retails at Rs 7.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and an exorbitant hike in its price is unlikely.

The V-Strom 650 XT hasn’t received a substantial update for quite some time, with the most recent one being the addition of hazard lights and side reflectors to the 2019 bike. Other than this, the middleweight adventure-tourer has remained largely unchanged over the last couple years. The V-Strom 650 is available only in XT trim in India and is the third bike from the motorcycle maker to be locally assembled, after the Hayabusa and the GSX-S750.

The styling of the V-Strom 650XT remains unchanged and it continues to be inspired by its larger sibling, the V-Strom 1000. Being the XT, it gets premium anodised wire-spoke rims and Suzuki will likely choose to equip them with the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tubeless tyres from the current bike. The twin-spar alloy frame is suspended on a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock with rebound adjustment and remote preload adjuster at the rear. 

Powering the ADV is a 645cc, V-twin engine that makes 71hp and 62Nm of torque on the current bike. Whether these figures will be affected by the switch to BS6 remains to be seen. The V-Strom 650XT gets a three-stage traction control system (two levels and a disengage option), a three-way, height-adjustable windscreen, Suzuki’s useful Easy Start System and standard ABS.

In terms of competition, the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT goes up against the Kawasaki Versys 650 (Rs 6.69 lakh, ex-showroom, India) and the SWM Superdual T (Rs 6.50 lakh, ex-showroom, India), both of which are yet to be updated to comply with BS6 emission norms.