Suzuki DL 250 V-STROM 2017 — Specifications

When Suzuki decided to extend its V-Strom range downward, nobody really saw it coming. The 650 and 1000 had already won over their audience of long-distance tourers. But a Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom, launched in 2017, to tickle the small-displacement adventure segment? It was a bold gamble. And the result, let's be frank, doesn't leave anyone indifferent—for better or worse.

Visually, this small V-Strom doesn't do subtlety. You'll find all the family cues: the signature beak, the single headlight, the adventurous stance. But on a smaller frame, the look is stockier, less sleek than on its bigger sisters. The front end appears disproportionate, almost overbearing. This isn't a motorcycle that seduces at first glance in a dealership. It has more the appeal of a solid tool, built to handle daily life without flinching. Fans of sleek lines will move along; those looking for a reliable road companion will find what they're after.

On the mechanical side, the 248 cc parallel twin produces 25 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 22.9 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. That's fair for the category, enough for city traffic and weekend rides on back roads. The six-speed gearbox does its job cleanly. But what's the cost of this restraint? A temperament that lacks bite when the road opens up ahead. The Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom's top speed caps out around 140 km/h, which limits highway use to the bare minimum. And at 188 kg wet, the machine is heavy for a quarter-liter. Very heavy. By comparison, a Kawasaki Versys-X 300 proves livelier and lighter. Riding two-up with luggage here is more of a sporting challenge than a long-distance touring affair.

The real selling point of this Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom is its range. The 17-liter tank, paired with the twin's frugality, promises widely spaced fuel stops. Suzuki claims a theoretical 500 km between fill-ups. Even in real-world conditions, with normal riding, you can expect to flirt with 400 km without breaking a sweat. That's a tangible advantage, especially for daily use where trips to the pump add up. The instrumentation, shared with the GSX-R 250, fulfills its mission without frills: speedometer, gear indicator, bar graph, clock. Nothing superfluous, nothing forgotten. On the practical side, the windscreen offers decent protection, the rear rack handles 8.5 kg, a 12V outlet patiently awaits your GPS, and pannier mounting points come as standard. Factory equipment that even the V-Strom 650 and 1000 didn't have at their launch.

What does a Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom cost? At 5,749 euros new, the entry price remains reasonable without being aggressive against Asian competitors. On the used Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom market, prices become downright attractive for an A2 license holder or committed urban rider. The chassis, straightforward with its tubular steel frame, telescopic hydraulic fork, and single shock absorber, makes no claims to greatness. The two petal discs with ABS provide reassuring braking, suited to the target audience. Because this motorcycle speaks above all to beginners, to daily commuters, and to modest Sunday getaways. A Suzuki DL 250 V-Strom road test would confirm this positioning: it's a sensible, enduring tool, a bit clumsy, but honest in what it offers. Not the most exciting in the segment, but probably one of the most reassuring. The 800 mm seat height accommodates most riders without difficulty, and that's the kind of detail that matters in everyday life.