SEPARATE rumours have recently suggested that both Suzuki and Kawasaki are developing parallel twin 250cc adventure tourers to provide new entry-level additions to their dual-sport ranges.
In Japan, the sometimes-accurate Young Machine reckons that the Strom 250 (described as a G-Strom 250 rather than a V-Strom, presumably due to the parallel rather than V-twin engine) is on the cards. Built up around the bargain-basement Inazuma 250, it seems a rational expansion of the range, providing an adventure-styled (if not truly off-road capable) machine at a price well below the V-Strom 650.
And the same logic applies to rumours making the rounds in India that Kawasaki will build a Versys 250 around the engine and frame of the Z250/Ninja 250 (sold as a 300 over here).
While there’s no solid evidence for either machine in terms of spy pictures, the idea of smaller-engined, cheaper bikes with the stance and look of ‘big’ adventure-style machines makes a fair bit of sense. Just as small sports bikes made sense back when superbikes were the aspirational be-all and end-all, presumably new riders who currently dream of big trailies would be the target for the speculative new models.
And if Suzuki and Kawasaki do it, how long before there’s a CB300X (something Honda has already hinted at with its CX-01 concept bike) or a Yamaha R3-based XTZ320 Tenere?
From: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/v-strom-250-and-versys-250-rumoured/28029.html
Note, Yamaha already make a Tenere XT 250 in overseas markets using the XT250 single cylinder motor.
I wonder how these would fare against the Zongshen RX3 currently being tested in New Zealand.
And if the G-Strom is anything as powerful as a GN ……..
touring bikes. the original term is tourer then that was changed to adventure touribg and now they just shorten it to adventure. obviously these are indeed tourers but as adventure bikes? well what kind of adventure will a 180kg gutless 250 be good for?
Surely they would use the 300 motor, the 250 twin would be the 250 ninja motor. Wayyy better than the gn…but less talk than clint eastwood