Quick Analysis
KTM 65 SX
10.5 pts
Unweighted: 5 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresOther
SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE
21.0 pts
Unweighted: 15 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresOther
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Specifications |
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| Displacement | 64.9 cc | 776 cm3 |
| Engine Type | 1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine | 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC |
| Power | 11.2 bhp @ 11500 rpm | 83 bhp @ 8500 rpm |
| Torque | 10.8 Nm @ 7500 rpm | 78 Nm @ 6800 rpm |
Performance & Efficiency |
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| Fuel Tank Capacity | 4.5 L | 20 L |
| Mileage | 30 kmpl | 22.7 kmpl |
Dimensions & Weight |
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| Kerb Weight | 62 kg | 232 kg |
| Seat Height | 730 mm | 855 mm |
Brakes & Suspension |
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| ABS | — | Dual Channel |
| Front Brake | Disc 198 mm | Disc Front Brake 310 mm Caliper - Front 4 Piston |
| Front Suspension | XACT 35 WP Upside-Down fork, Ø 35 mm | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Rear Brake | Disc 180 mm | Disc Front Brake 260 mm Caliper - Rear1 Piston |
| Rear Suspension | XACT WP mono shock | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
Tyres & Wheels |
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| Front Tyre | 60/100 - 14 | 90/90-21M/C 54H |
| Rear Tyre | 80/100 - 12 | 150/70R17M/C 69H |
| Tyre Type | Tubed | Tubeless |
| Wheel Type | Spoke | Alloy |
Other Specifications |
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| Bike Image 1 | — | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vstrom800depearltechwhite.webp |
| Bike Image 2 | — | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vstrom800deglasssparkleblack.webp |
| Color Options | Orange | Glass Sparkle Black Pearl Tech White Champion Yellow |
| Cons | High maintenance: being a 2-stroke race bike, it needs frequent servicing and top-end rebuilds. Costly parts: replacement parts (especially race-specific ones) can be expensive. Kick-start only — no electric starter, which may be difficult for smaller/younger riders. Limited fuel capacity: small fuel tank means more frequent refuels. Size limitations: while great for its class, more advanced or heavier riders may outgrow it soon. Not road legal — strictly made for off-road/motocross use. | The bike is on the heavier side, which can feel a bit cumbersome in tight spaces or slow-speed city manoeuvres. Its tall seat height may be challenging for shorter riders, especially when stopping on uneven surfaces. The use of tube-type tyres on spoked wheels can be inconvenient during punctures compared to tubeless setups. The handling is tuned more for stability than sharpness, so riders looking for a sporty feel might find it less nimble. Heat from the engine can become noticeable in congested traffic, especially during slow-moving conditions. |
| Detailed Overview | The KTM 65 SX is one of the most iconic and trusted youth motocross bikes in the world, built for young riders who are ready to step into competitive racing. Designed as a bridge between mini dirt bikes and full-size motocross machines, the 65 SX gives young racers the taste of real racing performance with features inspired directly from KTM’s bigger SX lineup. For many aspiring riders, this bike marks the beginning of a serious motocross journey. At the core of the KTM 65 SX is its 64.9 cc 2-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, designed to deliver smooth yet powerful performance. The engine is known for its sharp throttle response and punchy powerband, which helps riders tackle jumps, corners, and straights with ease. With its race-tuned powervalve system, the bike offers strong torque and acceleration across the rev range, making it highly competitive on the track. The 6-speed gearbox paired with a hydraulic clutch further enhances control, allowing young riders to shift smoothly and confidently during intense racing situations. One of the major highlights of the 65 SX is its lightweight chassis, which gives the bike excellent agility. Weighing just around 53 kg, it allows young riders to maneuver easily, even in technical sections. The frame is built using high-strength chromoly steel, offering a perfect balance of rigidity and flexibility. This helps maintain stability during high-speed riding while still giving enough flex to absorb rough terrain. Suspension plays a huge role in motocross, and KTM has equipped the 65 SX with premium WP XACT suspension. At the front, it features a 35 mm AER air fork, which allows easy adjustment based on the rider’s weight and riding conditions. At the rear, a fully adjustable WP monoshock ensures consistent damping performance. This suspension setup works beautifully on jumps, whoops, and rutted tracks, making the bike feel planted and confidence-inspiring. Braking is equally impressive, with hydraulic disc brakes on both ends providing sharp stopping power. This is especially important for young racers learning advanced braking techniques such as trail braking and hard corner entries. The wave-style discs also help manage heat buildup during longer motos. The ergonomics of the KTM 65 SX are carefully designed to suit growing riders. The seat height, footpegs, and handlebar position give young riders a natural and balanced stance, allowing them to ride longer with less fatigue. The slim bodywork also makes it easier for riders to shift their weight when cornering or navigating obstacles. Another advantage is its “grow-with-the-rider” setup. Many components, including the handlebar and suspension, can be adjusted, making the bike suitable for a range of ages and sizes. This is one of the reasons why parents and young racers prefer the 65 SX — it adapts as the rider’s skills and physical size improve. Overall, the KTM 65 SX is a race-ready machine built to deliver high performance, reliability, and confidence to young riders entering the world of competitive motocross. With its strong engine, agile handling, premium suspension, and race-focused design, it remains one of the best choices for aspiring motocross champions. | Riding the V-Strom 800 DE leaves you with a strong sense that this is a motorcycle built for doing many things well — commuting, weekend rides, long highway runs or even dirt-trail adventures — rather than specialising only in one. Its heart is a 776 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC parallel-twin engine. That numbers to a mid-displacement motorcycle, but thanks to a 270° crankshaft and a long-stroke configuration (bore and stroke of 84.0 mm × 70.0 mm), the engine delivers a smooth yet torquey character rather than a high-revving, buzzy one. What this means on real roads is confidence: from slow city traffic to winding country roads, the bike responds with a satisfying blend of tractable low- and mid-range pull, making it easier to ride whether you are carrying luggage, a pillion, or simply cruising solo. The compact engine design also helps the bike keep good weight balance — a useful quality when manoeuvring in tighter spots or when riding on uneven terrain. The transmission is a 6-speed constant-mesh gearbox, and paired with the built-in bi-directional quick-shift system. For the rider, this translates to smoother shifts — upshifts or downshifts — often without needing to use the clutch lever when you’re on the move. In real-world riding, that means less fuss in city traffic or during spirited overtakes, and a more seamless connection with the road, especially on long rides. What gives the V-Strom 800 DE its true “adventure-tourer” character is the chassis and suspension setup: a sturdy steel frame with a lightweight aluminum swingarm, 21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel on spoke rims, and suspension designed to handle more than just smooth asphalt. The front end uses inverted telescopic forks (coil-spring, oil-damped), while the rear is a link-type mono-shock (coil-spring, oil-damped) with adjustable preload — handy when carrying a passenger or luggage. With a ground clearance of 220 mm, long wheelbase, and geometry tuned for stability, the V-Strom handles gravel, rough village roads or uneven tarmac with unexpected composure. The suspension’s travel and forgiving nature mean that long hours in the saddle — even on imperfect roads — remain reasonably comfortable, while still offering the control you need when the pace picks up or when cornering hard. On the road, the bike’s size and weight give it a stable, planted feel. Measuring about 2,345 mm in length, 975 mm in width and 1,310 mm in height, with a 1,570 mm wheelbase and a seat height of 855 mm, the V-Strom feels substantial — but in a “reassuring-presence” way, rather than “bulky and unwieldy.” Its kerb weight sits at around 232 kg. That might sound hefty, but the way the bike is balanced and the distribution of mass make a noticeable difference: at speed, it rides with composure and stability; while at low speeds or stop-and-go traffic, the low-to-mid torque helps keep it manageable. Yes — parking or tight U-turns will ask a bit of care, but once you’re moving the bike feels surprisingly agile for its size. Braking is handled via disc brakes at both ends — twin discs up front, a disc at the rear, with dual-channel ABS (and the option to cancel rear ABS when riding off-road). That means you have confidence whenever you need to scrub speed — on twisty downhill curves, sudden city brakes, or uneven off-road patches. The ABS modes give flexibility: less intrusive on gravel or dirt, firmer when on asphalt. From a rider-aid and convenience perspective, the V-Strom 800 DE stands well above basic bikes. A 5-inch colour TFT instrument cluster sits front and centre, delivering clear and rich info — speed, revs, riding modes, navigation data, alerts — in a modern, intuitive layout. Day/night modes make it readable in varying light conditions. Lighting around the bike is all LED: stacked hexagonal headlamps, LED position/taillight, turn indicators — bright, efficient and giving a modern visage. There’s even a USB (DC) outlet built into the console — useful on long rides for charging phones or powering navigation accessories. The windscreen, adjustable in three positions, does a decent job of deflecting wind and debris, and combined with upright handlebar geometry and a comfortable seat (flat enough for long hours, yet shaped to let the rider reach the ground easily) the bike stays comfortable in touring mode. Pillion comfort and luggage-mount capacity are taken care of too, with sturdy footpegs, grab bars and a rear carrier ready for top-case mount. Fuel tank capacity — 20 litres — adds to its touring credentials. That’s enough to build a healthy riding range between fill-ups, especially on highways or during longer trips. The fuel-injected engine with its tuning tends to give a balanced mix of efficiency and usable power; while aggressive throttle will affect fuel economy, at gentle to moderate riding it remains reasonable, making the bike practical as a daily commuter or long-haul tourer. What all this boils down to is a motorcycle that aims to be a “do-everything” companion — comfortable enough for daily use, robust enough for light off-road or gravel exploration, capable enough for long highway runs, and refined enough for city commuting or touring. The V-Strom 800 DE doesn’t insist you commit fully to one type of riding — instead it offers flexibility: the same bike plays a safe role in rush-hour traffic or scenic getaways, highway cruising or dirt-path diversion, solo ride or two-up with luggage. Of course, this flexibility comes with some trade-offs. The seat height and weight make it a bit demanding for shorter or new riders, especially at slow speeds or when parked. The spoked wheels with tube-style tyres — while offering durability and off-road resilience — may not deliver the same instant handling feedback or lower maintenance ease as tubeless tyres, especially under heavy touring load or when puncture repair is needed. And because it’s built for a variety of roles, it doesn’t feel like a razor-sharp sportbike or a hardcore off-roader — but that is by design. The V-Strom 800 DE is not about extremes; it’s about balance. If you imagine yourself as someone who wants a single motorcycle that does many things — commuter, weekend ride, highway tourer, occasional off-road explorer — the V-Strom 800 DE makes a strong case. It’s less about chasing top-end thrill and more about offering a reliable, enjoyable and well-rounded riding experience, day in and day out. And that is precisely where it shines — the everyday adventure that doesn’t ask for compromises. |
| Expert Review | MotoAutiv Team | MotoAutiv Team |
| FAQ (Manual Override) | Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage of the KTM 65 SX is around 20–25 kmpl, depending on riding style. Q: What is the engine capacity? A: It comes with a 64.9 cc 2-stroke engine. Q: What is the top speed? A: The top speed is approximately 95–100 km/h. Q: Does the KTM 65 SX have electric start? A: No, it features a kick-start mechanism. Q: What is the seat height? A: The seat height is roughly 750 mm, suitable for young riders. Q: What is the fuel tank capacity? A: It has a 3.5-liter fuel tank. Q: Is the KTM 65 SX road legal? A: No, it is not road legal, as it is built specifically for motocross. Q: What type of brakes does it have? A: The bike uses hydraulic disc brakes on both front and rear. Q: What is the weight of the bike? A: The KTM 65 SX weighs around 53 kg (dry weight). Q: Is the KTM 65 SX good for beginners? A: Yes, it’s ideal for young riders with some basic experience entering competitive motocross. | Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage is around 22–25 kmpl in real-world mixed riding. Q: What is the engine capacity? A: It is powered by a 776cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine. Q: How much power does it produce? A: It produces roughly 82–84 PS of power. Q: What is the torque output? A: The torque is about 78 Nm, delivered in a smooth, usable mid-range. Q: Does it come with a quickshifter? A: Yes, it has a bi-directional quickshifter as standard. Q: What type of suspension does the bike use? A: It uses long-travel, fully adjustable suspension designed for off-road and rough-road riding. Q: What are the wheel sizes? A: The bike runs a 21-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel. Q: Does it have traction control? A: Yes, it has a multi-level traction control system, including a gravel/off-road-friendly mode. Q: Does the bike come with riding modes? A: Yes, it offers multiple power delivery modes to suit different riding conditions. Q: What is the ground clearance? A: It offers tall ground clearance, giving it strong off-road capability (around 220 mm). Q: Does it have ABS? A: Yes, it features dual-channel ABS with selectable modes. Q: Is this bike good for long-distance touring? A: Yes, the comfortable ergonomics, smooth engine, and long-travel suspension make it ideal for long rides and adventure touring. Q: Is the V-Strom 800DE beginner-friendly? A: It is manageable for confident riders, but its weight and power make it better suited for riders with some experience. |
| Fuel System | — | Fuel injection |
| Price Variants | | 546500 | | 1100763 |
| Pros | Very lightweight chassis (~53 kg) makes it super agile for young riders. Powerful 64.9 cc 2-stroke engine tuned for competitive performance. High-quality WP XACT suspension (air front fork + mono-shock) gives great control over jumps and bumps. Hydraulic clutch & 6-speed gearbox for smooth gear shifts. Adjustable ergonomics: seat height, handlebar, and bodywork can be tuned to grow with the rider. Strong braking with disc brakes front and rear for reliable stopping power. Built with true “race ready” pedigree — shares tech with bigger KTM SX bikes. | The 776cc parallel-twin engine has a very strong mid-range, making the bike effortless to ride both in the city and on long highway stretches. The long-travel, fully adjustable suspension gives it excellent comfort on broken roads and makes rough-patch riding feel natural and controlled. The upright ergonomics, wide handlebars, and supportive seat make it extremely comfortable for touring, even over long distances. The 21-inch front wheel and generous ground clearance give it real off-road confidence compared to typical road-biased adventure bikes. It comes well-equipped with modern features like a bi-directional quickshifter, riding modes, traction control, and a clear digital display. Stability at high speeds is impressive, giving riders a sense of confidence on open roads. |
| Starter | Kickstarter | Electric |
| Transmission | 6 Speed Manual | 6-speed |
