Ups
- V-twin engine nonetheless a gem in spite of everything these years
- Outstanding consolation, balanced dealing with
- Impressive vary and economic system
Downs
- Electronics comparatively rudimentary by 2020s requirements
- Suspension and brakes aren’t cutting-edge
- Not as succesful off-road as its styling suggests
Verdict
Suzuki may catch some criticism for lagging behind its rivals when it comes to common new mannequin launches, however the V-Strom 650 is an effective instance of the advantages of mild evolution over clean-sheet redesigns. While its chassis can hint its heritage again to the first-generation model’s introduction in 2004, and the engine’s roots are from its Nineties debut within the SV650, a gradual program of enhancements imply the V-Strom 650 nonetheless hits fashionable emissions targets and makes a compelling case for itself as a road-biased, low-cost adventure-tourer. With an all-new parallel-twin-powered substitute presently below improvement, the smaller V-Strom’s days could be numbered, however it’s nonetheless a motorcycle that by no means fails to please.
Overview
Following the launch of the larger V-Strom 1000 in 2002, the 650cc model was an apparent addition to the vary when it reached showrooms in 2004. Initially it suffered the identical issues because the bigger machine: Its styling was frumpy, and regardless of its high-rise using place, the aluminum body and solid wheels meant it was at all times on the “touring” aspect of adventure-touring. There was no actual off-road ingredient to both its look or its skills, and that labored towards the V-Strom as riders rushed for bikes that made them seem like they had been planning on an overland trek to Mali even after they had been actually solely heading to the mall.
Once you’d come to phrases with the styling, that authentic V-Strom 650 was a formidable middleweight, turning in additional efficiency and higher dealing with than could be anticipated from its look and promoting nicely in consequence. A styling refresh in 2011 helped, growing the gas tank capability and vary and growing the bottom clearance. But it took till 2015, when Suzuki launched the first-generation V-Strom 650XT, for the bike to actually begin to grasp the “adventure” aspect of its nature with the addition of wire wheels and a “beak” on the nostril.
That beak had already turn out to be the signifier of the whole journey bike class, however Suzuki’s authentic DR Big was the place it began. With an entire refresh in 2017 the V-Strom absolutely embraced that heritage, gaining the styling that’s nonetheless unchanged on the 2023 mannequin half a decade later. While the larger V-Strom 1050 has since turn out to be much more intently aligned to the DR Big, with an oblong headlamp and blocklike bodywork that pays direct homage to Suzuki’s formative Eighties journey bike, the V-Strom 650 has stored the sleeker look of the 2014-2019 V-Strom 1000. It’s unlikely to get a visible replace to match the larger mannequin, as a brand new 700cc parallel-twin Suzuki journey bike is ready within the wings to exchange the V-Strom 650, most likely as quickly as 2024, with extra severe off-road skills to compete with the Yamaha Ténéré 700.
Updates for 2023
Colors apart, the 2023 variations of the V-Strom 650 are unchanged from earlier years. The base mannequin’s sole coloration choice switched from white to blue, whereas the XT’s went from blue/silver with blue-anodized wheels to white with gold-anodized wheels. Meanwhile, the XT Adventure continues on with a mixture of black paint, blue graphics, and blue-anodized rims.
Pricing and Variants
The V-Strom 650 is obtainable in three variations: customary ($8,904), XT ($9,399), and XT Adventure ($10,499).
Differences between fashions are small however vital. Standard V-Strom 650s roll on 10-spoke solid wheels, whereas the XT will get spoked-style tubeless wheels, hand guards, and a decrease engine cowl. V-Strom 650XT Adventure provides 37-liter panniers to the XT’s gear, in addition to engine guard bars, a handlebar cross brace, and an adjunct bar.
Competition
Kawasaki’s Versys 650 has at all times been the obvious rival to the V-Strom 650, sharing the identical kind of road-biased strategy with solid alloy wheels and a touring-style fairing. With the appearance of the Versys 650XT and the refresh in 2017, the V-Strom took on a barely extra rugged look, however patrons in search of a twin-cylinder journey bike with actual off-road chops are more likely to flip as an alternative to Yamaha’s a lot newer Ténéré 700.
From Europe, BMW’s F 700 GS is a direct competitor to the V-Strom 650, and once more a much more latest mannequin, whereas Triumph’s Tiger Sport 660 additionally makes a really convincing various in the event you’re sticking to the asphalt. The Tiger 850 Sport is a barely quicker, pricier choice with related delicate dust street skills.
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 645cc DOHC V-twin engine within the V-Strom 650 may seem lengthy within the tooth, however delicate upgrades over time have stored its energy sturdy whereas reining in emissions to fulfill continually altering limits. It’s licensed at 70 hp and managed a real 65.2 hp the final time we had one on the dyno.
The 2017 replace that is still in manufacturing at the moment eradicated the facility deficit to the SV650 and added traction management. On testing that bike, Cycle World’s Barry Hathaway mentioned: “Smooth, docile, and well-mannered, engine performance will only disappoint if you decide to street race a GSX-R600.”
Power will get down by way of a six-speed field and chain remaining drive and is tamed by that traction management system, however you received’t discover the quickshifter know-how that’s changing into more and more widespread throughout the bike spectrum within the 2020s.
Handling
Like the engine, the body dates again to the unique V-Strom 650. While it doesn’t have the kind of off-road design that its rivals are more and more adopting, that performs into the Suzuki’s fingers on the roads the place these bikes will spend 99 % of their time.
The inflexible aluminum twin-spar chassis and simple-but-effective suspension means the 650′s street manners are impeccable. The V-Strom makes you need to trip to the horizon and past, with the proviso that the V-Strom’s off-asphalt skills don’t match as much as its look. Hathaway wrote: “The adventure of leaving the pavement is more the ‘trying not to crash’ kind than the Paris-Dakar ideal.”
Brakes
One have a look at the V-Strom 650′s two-piston sliding caliper entrance brakes is an on the spot reminder of its age. In a world the place even scooters are fitted with four-pot, radial-mount stoppers, these seem like an anachronism, although the fact is that they’ll pull the V-Strom up greater than sharply sufficient. There’s ABS, in fact, however it’s neither the kind of cutting-edge, cornering ABS system that’s changing into widespread on fashionable bikes even on the middleweight degree, nor can or not it’s switched off for off-road use—one other indicator that the V-Strom isn’t as severe about dust roads as a few of its rivals.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Owners reviews present that the V-Strom 650 will normally handle between 50 and 60 mpg relying on use, and with a 5.3-gallon tank that ought to imply a comparatively simple 260 miles between fill-ups with the potential to stretch that to round 300 miles in the event you’re cautious.
Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility
Comfort is an space the place the V-Strom 650 shines, so put apart any issues {that a} mere 650 isn’t large enough to deal with large miles.
Testing the 2017 mannequin, once more basically the identical bike because the 2023 model, Cycle World’s Barry Hathaway mentioned: “At 6-foot-2, I felt as though the bike was sized just for me, and that I could ride for days on end without discomfort. Virtually no vibration makes its way to the pegs or bars, regardless of engine speed. Pleasant vibes are present, but are so refined they are scarcely felt, and through the seat only. Steering is (you guessed it) neutral and precise. Can a motorcycle be too refined and comfortable, or too average? If so, this could be that bike. But it’s sure to be the ideal motorcycle for some, and the perennial selection of the V-Strom 650 by numerous Iron Butt enthusiasts is proof.”
Electronics
While the V-Strom 650 isn’t overburdened with gizmos, and lacks the kind of full-color TFT devices, LED lights, and smartphone connectivity which might be quick changing into the norm, it’s not backward when it comes to gear. There’s ABS and traction management, albeit with out the IMU-assisted cornering capabilities of some rivals, and ride-by-wire throttles have introduced considerate additions together with a “low RPM assist” characteristic that helps forestall stalling.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
A 12-month guarantee is customary, extendable by way of Suzuki Extended Protection (SEP).
Quality
Owners typically report sturdy construct high quality, however hold a watch out for corrosion on fasteners and fixings, notably in the event you trip on moist or salted roads.
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650/XT/XT Adventure Specifications
MSRP: | $9,104/$9,599/$10,799 |
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Engine: | 645cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 90° V-twin |
Bore x Stroke: | 81.0 x 62.6mm |
Transmission/Final Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
Fuel Delivery: | PGM-FI w/ 34mm throttle our bodies |
Clutch: | Wet, multiplate |
Engine Management/Ignition: | Fuel injection w/ SDTV |
Frame: | Twin-spar aluminum |
Front Suspension: | 43mm telescopic fork, nonadjustable |
Rear Suspension: | Monoshock, preload adjustable |
Front Brake: | 2-piston Tokico calipers, twin 310mm discs w/ ABS |
Rear Brake: | 1-piston Nissin floating caliper, 260mm disc w/ ABS |
Wheels, Front/Rear: | Cast aluminum; 19 in. / 17 in. (tubeless wire wheels on XT and XT Adventure) |
Tires, Front/Rear: | 110/80-19 / 150/70-17 |
Rake/Trail: | 26°/ 4.3 in |
Wheelbase: | 61.4 in. |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in. |
Seat Height: | 32.9 in. |
Fuel Capacity: | 5.3 gal. |
Wet Weight: | 470 lb. / 476 lb. (XT) / 528 lb. (XT Adventure) |
Contact: | suzukicycles.com |
Source: www.cycleworld.com