Suzuki V-Strom SX mileage and running cost

V-Strom SX's claimed mileage is 36 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 34–36 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.

Among the 12 adventure bikes we have reviewed it ranks 2nd for mileage, 8 kmpl above the group average of 28 kmpl.

At Delhi's petrol price of ₹94.80 a litre and a real-world 35 kmpl, the V-Strom SX costs about ₹2.71 per km in fuel. Ride 30 km a day and that is roughly ₹2,113 a month, or ₹25,352 a year, before servicing.

The 12-litre tank gives a realistic range of about 420 km, so a 30 km commute means a fill-up every 2 weeks.

Spread over five years and 46,800 km, the V-Strom SX works out to about ₹8.6 per km all-in, of which 31% is fuel and 57% is the purchase price itself. Resale value is not counted; expect roughly 50–60% of ex-showroom after five years for a well-kept example.

The quickest wins for the V-Strom SX: keep tyres at the recommended pressure (under-inflation by 5 psi can cost 2–3 kmpl), shift up early and avoid idling at long signals.

Short trips hurt most. A cold engine on a 2 km run can return half its normal mileage; if that is your use, expect the low end of the real-world band.

Service on time. A clogged air filter or old spark plug shows up in mileage before it shows up anywhere else.