Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX and Benelli TRK 251 are put against each other on paper… Let’s see which bike comes out winner…
Today, we are putting the other two of the direct competitors in the high-demand entry-level adventure motorcycle segment – new Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX and the Benelli TRK 251.
Let’s have a look:
- Engine –
The Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX makes 1.1 HP more power and generates 1 NM more torque than the Benelli TRK 251.
Where the TRK 251 has an edge is the large fuel tank. The Benelli carries 6 litre more fuel than the Suzuki’s ADV.
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Type | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, oil-cooled, SOHC | Single-cylinder, 4-valve, 4-stroke |
| Displacement | 249 cc | 249 cc |
| Maximum Power | 26.6 HP @ 9,300 RPM | 25.5 HP @ 9,250 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 22.2 Nm @ 7,300 RPM | 21.2 Nm @ 8,000 RPM |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate | Wet multi-plate |
| Fuel Capacity | 12 L | 18 L |
- The Chassis and Suspension Set-up –
As of now, we don’t have the information about the frame that is being used by the V-STrom 250. The Benelli uses a steel trestle frame connected to telescopic forks.
The front suspension travel of Benelli is 15 mm more, which should provide better riding experience in bad road conditions and when the roads end as well.
However, the ground clearance of V-Strom 250 is 35 mm more which is a significant number. The Suzuki can venture deeper into the wilderness and conquer rougher terrain than the Benelli, thanks to its higher ground clearance.
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Frame Type | – | Steel Trestle in Steel Tubes |
| Front Suspension | Coil-spring & oil-damped telescopic forks | Telescopic Forks |
| Front Sus. Travel | 120 mm | 135 mm |
| Rear Suspension | Coil-spring & oil-damped Swingarm setup | Telescopic Coil Spring – oil damped |
| Rear Sus. Travel | – | 51 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm | 170 mm |
- The Dimensions –
The TRK 251 has a 50 mm shorter wheelbase than the V-Strom 250. A shorter wheelbase will allow the BEnelli to have better handling dynamics on and off–road.
Another dimension that will favour a wider range of riders is the lower seat height of the TRK 251. The lower seat-height combined with 3 kg lesser weight will give shorter riders more confidence to saddle the bike and take it off-road.
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Wheelbase | 1440 mm | 1390 mm |
| Seat Height | 835 mm | 800 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 167 kg | 164 kg |
- The Brakes and Tyres –
The tyre profiles of both the 250 cc ADVs are a mixed-bag. While the Suzuki gets a bigger tyre in the front, enabling better wilderness tackling, the Benelli has a wider rear tyre which will provide better rear grip & traction on and off-road.
Both the bikes get dual-purpose rubber covering the spoked rims on Suzuki and alloy rims on the Benelli as standard.
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Front Brake | Single-Disc | 280 mm single-disc |
| Rear Brake | Single-Disc | 240 mm Disc |
| Front Tyre | 19” – 100/90 | 17” Alloy – 110/70 |
| Rear Tyre | 17” – 140/70 | 17” Alloy – 150/60 |
- The Miscellaneous –
Here the V-Strom 250 SX has an upper hand over the TRK 251.
The Suzuki gets full-digital instrumentation equipped with Bluetooth connectivity through Suzuki Ride Connect app. The Ride Connect app provides various smartphone features to the rider along with turn-by-turn navigation built in as standard.
Other than this, the feature-list is very similar between the two bikes.
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Headlight | LED | LED |
| Tail-light | LED | LED |
| DRLs | LED | LED |
| Instrumentation | Digital | Digital |
| ABS | Dual-Channel | Dual-Channel |
| Mobile Connectivity | Ride Connect App with Bluetooth | None |
| GPS Navigation | Ride Connect App with Bluetooth | None |
| Starter | Electric | Electric |
| Final Drive | Chain | Chain |
- The Price –
| Name | V-Strom 250 SX | TRK 251 |
| Price | Rs. 2.11 (ex-sh.) | Rs. 2.54 Lakh (ex-sh.) |
The new V-Strom 250 is nearly Rs. 43,000/- cheaper than TRK 251. It is a big number when the less expensive bike is offering more power & torque and better features than its rival.
Overall, it is clear from the above comparison that the new Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX is a better machine compared to the Benelli TRK 251.
But, this is just some numbers on the paper. To really understand and specify which of these two is actually better, we have to get our hands on these machines and ride them back-to-back.
Stay Tuned… We will put these two ADVs head-to-head against each other to actually understand which bike is better…