Suzuki‘s new V-Strom 160 taps into the entry-level adventure touring market. For now, it is only available in Colombia but we expect this bike might also come to India. The V-Strom 160 seems to run parallel to the Haojue DL160, which is curious in itself.

Suzuki V-Strom 160: New Entry-Level ADV Motorcycle with Strong Potential for India

The V-Strom 160 is the smallest in the range but it gets the same sporty look as its larger siblings. With its more compact design, the Tiger has a more aggressive stance than something like. the V-Strom 1050. At present, the V-Strom range in India comprises the V-Strom SX 250 and the V-Strom 800DE and despite sharing some common V-Strom DNA, the two models present distinctly different characteristics.

The V-Strom 160 borrows a few key design traits such as the raised front fender, clear windscreen, sculpted fuel tank, and upswept exhaust. It comes fitted with a multifunction digital display, KYB mono-shock rear suspension, and a USB charging port across both models. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tubeless tires that are suitable for on-road rides, while also being competent enough for light off-roading.

Powering the V-Strom 160 is the biggest draw being the motorcycle’s eye-catching yellow-blue, race-inspired color scheme — aimed to entice the sporty rider, it also offers a more subtle white-blue color scheme, if one doesn’t want to turn heads.

Powering the V-Strom 160 is a single-cylinder, SOHC, fuel-injected, twin-cylinder engine displacing 160cc. It generates 14.75 hp and 14 Nm of torque in a 5-speed transmission. With 160 mm of ground clearance, it’s also good for light off-roading, and the bike is built to handle everything from the city streets to rocky trails.

Its seat height is 795 mm, which is low enough for even shorter riders to handle. The bike tips the scales at 148 kg, measures 2,025 mm in length, and offers a 1,345 mm wheelbase. It gets a 13-litre fuel tank, which offers decent range, while the suspension consists of regular telescopic forks at the front, and the brakes come equipped with disc brakes with dual-channel ABS.

The V-Strom 160 is now on sale in Colombia, with manufacture in Brazil. Given the growing popularity of adventure motorcycles in India, Suzuki may launch the V-Strom 160 in the country in the future, though no official announcements have been made yet. The V-Strom 160 could be priced competitively, targeting those seeking an ADV-inspired bike for daily commutes, potentially competing with popular models like the Hero Xpulse.