Ridden and owned many bikes over fifty years; bought three of these new and, cumulatively, ridden them well over 250 000 trouble free kilometers. Now used mostly as a “spare” bike I’ve always considered the engine a jewel that ought to - for different reasons - have the same iconic status as Suzuki’s K5. It’s a bike that grows on you over time; it’s way better than the sum of its parts.
I have owned my 2019 DL 650 for 4.5 years and 85,000 kms. Ridden in all kinds of weather, added heated grips, heated seat, hand guards, two piece adjustable windshield, engine bars, driving lights, and luggage. I have daily ridden this bike from April to November for four years (living in Ontario Canada) and taken several multi day road trips. My verdict? I would stab you in the eye if you tried to take my V Strom, but hand you the keys and give you gas money if you wanted to steal my 2023 Gold Wing.
@@KikoBW7 First thing is the GW is expensive, when you spend that much the expectations go up. It is a "bagger" model with the six speed manual. Fit and finish of the GW is poor, side cases let water in, sometimes I get a case open warning while riding, but they are closed. The keyless go system went for a crap in the middle of the road trip and turned the bike into a brick. It would not start, unlock the steering, nothing. Had to do the secret handshake using the old school key in the fob and entering the nine digit passcode to get it going again. I waisted a bunch of time talking to two different Honda dealers that just told me to have it towed in. As for riding the GW is fine, handles great at slow speeds, has decent power, but....in 85,000 kms the DL650 has NEVER let me down. I got a flat tire once with it, plugged and was on my way. I take good care of my bikes, but I expect results from them.
@@patricklanigan it makes perfect sense, thank you for taking the time to explain. Sorry for your troubles mate, it’s really annoying when you fork out such a massive amount of cash and you have to deal with issues.
now selling my V strom after 10 years of ownership. Rode it around the world in 2018-19, and just back from the MotoGP in Italy. Done 77k and stills runs fine. Only changing for something lighter so I can keep riding in my 70’s
This review proved to me that you are the most informed and honest reviewer on youtube. i dont always agree with your opinions on some of the bikes that you have reviewed in the past but this video proved to me that you do not have a agenda even when you review your personal bikes and you should be on peoples shortlist when researching bikes to buy. Thank you always enjoy seeing your stuff.
were you have been for the last 20 years i owed 2 of this bikes they are truly bolete proof we like you and respect you keep doing what you are doing you are great.
Hi Scott, excellent review. I just purchased a 2017 XT in Ontario Canada. It only had 11,000 km on it. It came equipped with grip heaters, Suzuki panniers and a Shad 58x top box. My wife likes the top box as it gives her an excellent backrest and we can fit both of her helmets in when we're off the bike. Yep, a 20 L tank. We can ride that bike 450 km. In fact, my last tank lasted a little 465 km with 30 km of range left. The Kawasaki Versus 650 has a 22 L tank which probably would explain why it may feel a bit more top heavy. The V Strom 650 is amazingly smooth, peppy and economical. Even my wife is happy on the pillion seat. As you say, the 650 v twin motor is probably on borrowed time, but it is a legend in the M/C world.
I owned a 2012 model for 8 years…just good memories, free problems ride, pure joy of riding despite the lack of HP compared to the new bikes. I would buy it again and again and again
Hello Scott! This is my bike! Got it brand new2yrs ago and so far put 21000km on it. Every time I ride it cannot get the smile off my face. Just love it. I also have the stock side engine protection. I had to install bar risers+20mm back, extenda fenda for the front wheel and a top box of 47ltr. Givi. What elso do I need? It's all about personal preferences. But the bike is do it all type of machine. Rode it at 150km/h for 2 hours- no complaining at all. Rode it up to100km/ h and got a 3.7ltr/100 km consumption..I was speechless. Full tank of 20ltr. gave me a 370to400km range. Maybe a stiffer springs for the front or thicker oil will do the job better. Btw ABS is not switchable, and the traction I only use in rain at level 1. Thanks for the review and never mind you are not wearing glasses. Sometimes it brings more fun! As every video of yours does to me!
I bought a 2020 XT new and put about 25 thousand km's on it. Agree with everything you said about it. One thing you didn't mention was looks....I found it kind of ungainly to look at at first but it kind of grew on me. Black with gold wheels helped in the looks department. Finishes are what you would call utilitarian in a military jeep kind of way. I did mostly touring miles and it never skipped a beat in 3 years. Great fuel mileage too. Front suspension could be a little stiff at low speeds...most noticiable on potholed dirt roads with the limited travel available. You just need to slow down. I had Givi V35 side cases and strapped a waterproof duffel lengthwise on the passsenger seat. This gave me all the capacity I needed. I did install bar-back risers and mirror extenders which reduced wind on the arms. I also swapped out the trucker mirrors for Aprillia Tuono mirrors...excellent mirrors at a reasonable price. I highly recommend US based Adventure Tech for upgrade parts..the owner rides a 650XT and price a quality of his accessories is top notch. I eventually sold my bike when I had a chance to buy a low-mileage R1200RS so I can't really say I miss the XT but I know It's current owner is going to get many years of faithful service out of it.
The only things Suzuki need to do to this bike is bring it into the 24th century led lights all round, 6” tft screen, adjustable suspension & maybe ride by wire for cruise control. It would sell for another 20 years.
I fully agree. I bought my 650 in 2019 and do not regret my decision. Best bike since over 30 years motorbike riding. Or better, the completest. Always brisk, but extremly relaxt riding. Only the screen is not good. I had both MRA screens until I found the Givi flow as the best compromise. Now I can avoid using earplugs. Even though I'm not very high I bought the 2cm higher seat. Great riding now. Every time a smile under the helmet. 19 inch front wheel is much better than the 21 if you prefer riding on the street.
My 2015 has 91,000 km and has been as reliable as a hammer. Gas, oil and tires is all it has needed. My best memories come from my 22,000 km trip across Canada and the US where I took it many places that I shouldn't have (had I been on a less solid machine): ua-cam.com/video/Giw4l45IxIw/v-deo.htmlsi=EWdelKskxhdBmvTX It is not the quickest, nor the sexiest, but much like a beloved pet (or family member), I will never get rid of it; we shall grow old together (and it might outlive me 🙂).
Why oh why are the bike companies going down the route of producing viby engines that they say adds character and then spending the next years trying to iron out the vibes to get back to an engine that was perfectly good in the first place, nuts.
Get 'em while they last, folks! My 2013 Adventure model has been a top two or three bike of the 40+ I have owned over the years. It is definitely the best value of them all. I plan to keep it running and dependable for at least 10 more years. And that engine! ...Magic, pure magic. There simply is nothing else like it in the class..
Nice and fair review. Riding mine as a second bike and I can only say something like: it does it well, it does it problem free and it does it everything very very good.
I’ve had my 2017 SV650 for three years now and I just can’t stand it. I can’t stand how it starts every time. I can’t stand how it makes me a giddy little school kid every time I ride. I can’t stand how it just won’t ever tell me it can’t do something. It’s my second bike and this embodiment of premium mediocre is just too good to move on from. Other than a slighter larger tank, my SV can be outfitted just like the VStrom and won’t ever let me down
I had a 2017 SV650 for 14 months and did 15000 trouble free kilometres. I wish I had kept it rather than traded it - fabulous commuter, cool looking and would have made a great second bike. The trade process of AU$5500…you learn from your mistakes!
100% reliable and bulletproof. My 2008 DL650 is still going strong at 136,000 kilometres. I keep thinking about upgrading to a more modern bike but I really have no reason to as it still rides well and I feel so at home on it. I know how it feels and responds after 13.5 years of ownership. One of the most overlooked, best bang for your buck bikes out there I reckon. But I am biased! 🤣
Great video. I've been looking around at pretty much everything in this 'adventure sport touring' segment including a bunch of 1200 super tenere videos today before watching this and I think I've been swayed back in favour of this bike. More importantly, I've missed that sweet, sweet v twin which I loved in my own previous 1999 sv650. The light music at the end and talk of it no longer being made after this year made me a little emotional tbh!
As an owner of a Versys 650 , the 845mm seat height when preload is on a stiff setting is too tall for small to medium riders with short inseams , but it is the most balanced and versatile bike I have ever ridden when moving . For commuting I just soften the preload with the remote adjuster this effectively brings seat height down . A tip for owners of all remote preload adjustable bikes . But every owner of a vstrom 650 have nothing but good things to say about them. Think they are both gems , and above all reliable …something the EuroChinese bikes can only aspire to.
Moving the mirrors out an inch or inch and a half makes for a considerable reduction in buffeting. I'm tall, so I added a clip-on visor extension as well. It's getting closer to perfect.
Paid $5300 for my Corolla ( i mean Vstrom) brand new in 2018. What a deal.Rode it last night in cold weather around town and with a Givi screen, lowered pegs, Russell seat, Nissin CBR 600 brake upgrade, it is about absolutely perfect in how it functions. It is pretty fast in my opinion. I have zero desire for more acceleration. I also love the functional non flashy analog display with all the digital info well laid out.
I've had 3 or 4 since the 2011 model and I always bragged they were bullet proof and could run on milk if you ran out of fuel 🤣. I've had them on multi day trips and off road as well. The bike can hold its own user most reasonable situations. I had the 1000 DL and preferred the 650. This bike loves to be ridden at 6000 rpm to 9000rpm, all day! The only reason I don't own one now is I prefer a bit more power and weight when on the interstates here in the US. Buffeting when passing a tandem truck or being passed by trucks can be a bit disconcerting. Also, a bit of planning is required when passing on 2 lane back roads. Other than that this bike has a cult following. Anyone that's owned one loves them and always talks fondly about them if they've moved on to another bike.
@@TheVitalishe It does sound counter intuitive but I found the 1000 was boring, no character. The 650 has a Greta sound and engine that was more fun, even if i found it under powered.
@@triman11427I disagree completely. Owned a 2013 DL650 and a 2018 VStrom 1000XT. The 1000 was better in most every way imaginable except engine had more vibes at low rpm due to 270 degree crank. More power, better suspension, brakes, ergonomics, performance, 2-up riding, instruments, windscreen, safety with 5 axis IMU, etc. Never missed or would ever go back to 650. It's a cheap bike built to a price point. Good value for money but not worth the many compromises if you can afford better
Regarding the mirrors (I know, petty little thing); having gone from an F150 with barn door mirrors to a Mazda CX-50 with sexy sport mirrors - I really miss those barn door mirrors. You can see so much more with them. Sigh...... yah, they don't look like much but they do the job so much better.
My long gone 2004 black DL650 was a real trooper and surprisingly capable in the twisties. I have been bikeless for 5 years now but if I was in the market for a bike a used 'Strom 650 would be on my list of bikes to check out.
I had a 2019 V Strom and sold it. I regret that decision. I went through a few more bikes searching for something . . . to make a long story short, I bought a V-Strom 800, not the DE, but the more street oriented model at he beginning of the riding season here in New England. I was actually looking at a Transalp but it sat to high for me. The sales guy said, "Take that V-Strom 800 for a test ride" That was it. I took it home. The 650 motor was a jewel. The 800 motor is a beast when you want it to be. Take the 800 for a test ride. You won't regret it. Beware, you may end up taking it home.
The future looks dull. Full of 270 degree parallel twins and snatchy low speed bikes. The v strom 650 is a brilliant engine. Up there with the honda v4 from the pan. New doesnt always mean better. Plus guys who grew up on bikes without imu's, tc, abs, cornering software etc are, in all probability, more skilled and eminently more aware.
I have a 2022 dl650 is a great bike. Have had a little issues but not major. Tps failure and fuel filter is paper. I say that because it fell a part and plugged up the pump. I have 23k miles on it and still clock everyday
To my knowledge, the SV engine uses cast iron cylinder sleeves and the engine for the DL650 uses Suzuki's proprietary SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) similar to a Nikasil coating. I’ve used both and don’t notice a difference. Both are fit to purpose, the SV lends itself to modification and the DL for longevity?
I come from an old Varadero 1000. My brand new DL650A is for me a modern bike: ABS! TC! fuel injection! Digital display! :-) 4300km in 4 weeks already. In November Hyperpro suspension will be installed, I hope it will improve the feel (well... less of it) of little bumps on the highway (hopefully more like my sons 2004 BMW F650GS)
More than 40 000 Travelkilometers so far: Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Morocco, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Italy, Bosnia, Croatia, Andorra, Macedonia, and more. On and also a lot off-road. (my bike has modified suspension ) Only defect: Low Beam. The engine is the rally star. so smooth and it brings the power to the ground. This also helps a lot in tricky situations off-road. A lot of torque at low rpms. Much more then the new 800de which needs higher refs and you feel it much more abrupt when you are too low in the rpms. No complains in the heat. On the road the bike is really effortless to ride. You need a budget friendly bike to ride through the world.? Here you have it! thx a lot for that informative video. Greetings!
Full ack! I have to say I find it amazing how well this bike works despite the basic components. As @UncleWally3 said: more than the sum of its parts. The engine is huge fun in the Twisties, you can suspend it at peak torque in 3rd or 4th gear and have at it. The suspension works so well that on a bad road your faster than, say, an XSR900. The only downside is that it struggles when you ride with a pillion in the mountains. That was ultimately the reason why I got a V-Strom 1000 instead. But for solo riding you can't go wrong with the 650.
I own a 2017 DL 650 but,…the headlight🤔 An honest review of this motorcycle. Too bad you didn't discuss lighting. The modest light output of the H7 lamp is outdated. The H7 lamp, although no LED lamp is permitted on this motorcycle, I still installed the Philips H7 LED Ultinon Pro 6000 HL with ABG certificate for Germany (Allgemeine Bauart Genehmigung) and the light output was ultimately to my complete satisfaction. Driving at night on the dark roads in Poland during our holiday was truly a relief.
Had an 09 650 great bike but very soft suspension. Had a 2015 1000 and 2020 1050! Loved them one problem with the air pressure sensor on the 2015. Love and miss them. Slipped on the stairs banged my head and got a k15 1200 GS. But I do love it too! Obviously more reliable than the 1300 😂
I owned the 2017 DL650XT . The things I didn't like about it was the suspension - too soft for my 90kg weight, the brakes and the looks. Other than that, a good reliable and affordable bike. Suzuki should not kill this engine but instead put it in a better and new bike platform. As far as I know it's still Euro 5 compliant.
I own a 2019. It's a great bike, however: - habdlebars are rather far from the sest and I ended up getting bar risers. - seat is too soft and I ended up getting corbin - there's quite a bit of wind buffeting and so I got givi airflow windscreen with deflector and mirror extenders with aprilia mirrors that don't send all the wind into my helmet - I added peg lowering kit ....to improve overall ergonomics of the bike
I have a 2020 650XT, love it. If they stop making the V twins I might have to buy a 1050 while I can. Great touring bikes, a bit chunky for offroad so I wouldn't bother the DE.
I haven’t had a bike in 15 years and would like one last bike. This was very high on the list but now that Suzuki have slashed the price to about €7700 I think it's an absolute bargain. I look forward to finding out what all the fuss is about. I have had many bikes in the past including Fireblades, GS, amongst others but I think this might be similar to the Deauville that I had for a while. Cool review!
Thank you as always! Nothing to prove and nothing last forever. I hope people will go out and buy a bunch of these now and really hold onto them. By the way, what was the seat height?
I spent years long distance commuting on a DL650. It was a solid, reliable commuter.. but basic and mundane, built to a low price point. It was a good tool for the job at the time, but these days, I wouldn't touch one given the much better options waiting in the garage.
We had this version Vstrom also. Very good bike with an great buttery smooth engine. The bad part are the front brakes. One piston brakes and you know it. The brakes are just poor. Fuel economy is also not that amazing. It did on a 2500km to the south of france exactly the same as our r1200gs. 19km on one liter is normale for a 1200gs but not for an 650cc
The 270 crank isn't responsible for the vibes on the 800. The Yamaha TDM900 had the 270 crank and was as smooth as silk all through the rev range. It would cruise all day at 80mph with only a soothing rumble from the engine, no vibrations to speak of. A most underrated, brilliant bike.
That's because they put in a heavy enough off-set crank weight to offset the vibration from the 270 firing order. Simple. Just like in the CP2 engine. Vibration is designed into a bike before the launch of a new bike, for several reasons: character, feel, nostalgia...etc. Every OEM can take almost all vibration out of an ICE, if they want but then it'd be boring. It's all about finding that sweet spot for the target rider.
Had a 2012 DL650 Adventure. Liked the bike but underpowered on the highway. Traded it in for a DL1000 without the bags. The DL1000 was great on the long highway trips. Sold it last year.
When bikes started coming out with TFT Dasboards wished other manufactures followed suit. Now I've seen these old clocks, quite like em. Gonna be working in twenty years time. 😂😂
Good content ! Actually the bike is out of business here in EU because it is too hard to pass new engine Euro regulations. This engine is old and making it pass euro5 was actually quite an achievement, but now it would require just too much R&D Too bad, the replacement is so much more expensive
Hi Scott, you paid the right honour to this modern classic! Question: could you do a review on the brandnew Royal Enfield Himalayan 452? I think it’s a lovely little bike and I did a short testride last week which impressed me. But will it impress you? 😉
I've owned two V Strom 650XT's and currently have a V Strom 800RE. The 650 is a better bike in my opinion and if a quickshifter was an option, it'd be even better. The 800 provides me with handlebar vibrations that send my hands to sleep. I hugely regret selling my '21 650XT and I'm sure I'll have another some day.
How do you find the headlight performance on the LED headlight of the 800? In my overnight test ride home on a dark and windy mountain road, I found that I was craving the old headlight.
Not with it's weight. I'd much prefer the 650. Will be sad if this is the last year. For me 650cc is the sweet spot. I way preferred my bro's 600 Ninja over his 1000 and plan on buying the 650 - almost much cheaper than the 800.
@@df3yt still can't believe the weight of it how is it heavier than a 1100cc Africa twin. It does look sharper though vs the 650 v strom .and the price is consistent with most of the other bikes in this sector.
@@F3udF1st I haven't seen any 650's in person at the bike shops only the 800. @chrishart8548 Yeah I want the 650 but I prefer the looks of the 800. Gonna have to go find some 2024 650's and compare before they discontinue it. As you get older weight becomes more important as I ride solo.
if i decide to buy the 800re, id like to buy the gold wire wheels for it as I dislike the black allow that come on the RE. Per the specs, it looks like its the identical size and Id think I should adapt without trouble .
I misguidedly traded a '22 650 XT Adventure for a '24 1050 DE. Too tall, real flat spot in power thru the gears, clunky tranny, top heavy and anyone that says the front end looks better on the 1050 is nuts. All in all, I hated it. Couldn't get my 650 back, so I traded the 1050 in on a GSXS1000 GT plus in red. Not bad, but my Z900 engine is silky smooth and torquier than the GT. The K5 engine has to wind up tight to pull as hard as the Z. Anyway I lost a lot of dough in the transaction and should have kept the 650. It truly was a fantastic bike.
I have a Strom 650 2015, second generation and it has the fork compression adjust, so why suzi end it, I would like to know. The only thing I changed is the front brakes liner, i put a goodridge and the difference is big, the brake work much better. This bike is great amd this Vtwin 90 is the better you can ride, its so smooth, easy, linear, really a shame Suzuki end it. Today the fashion is the twin paralel but this V is much better. I love this bike, 30 years of riding, 13 motorcycles and this is the last and the better. What a bike! In town or road, the Strom 650 is fenomenal.
BTW. Could You pls point me to the movie or information on Your channel describing the topic of the front recorder UR using? I'm wondering what to choose as a camcorder for a daily purpose.
is this bike being discontinued? heard rumors but nobody can confirm, suzuki didn't announce it being discontinued. could it be because of euro5+ norm that is effective 01.01.2025. in europe and this bike doesnt conform it? i would like to get this bike in a few months after i get my A category licence. and this silence is killing me.
I believe suzuki will make something like a 500cc vstrom for the a2 license drivers. The 650 is a very good choice for a beginner rider but the 800 that replaces it, i believe is a little intimidating for a newcomer.
I have yellow 2021 XT, great bike, yea kinda boring, versys 650 was much more fyn, but is much better for 2up, and much more stable at hi speeds and 2up. I actually like the looks, but hate the look of previous models. Eyeing on new transalp.
Had a vstrom 650, rode for 50,000kms, yes bullet proof, but to me is like owning a utilitarian cheap Japanese car, reliable, but not very exiting, and will get to it's limits on breaking and suspension fairly easily. Riding in hot weather is quite unpleasant. trade it for a tiger 900, yes way more expensive, but also way better on everything, handling on bad pavement is much much better, the tiger stays stable, while the vstrom will not. Anyway, good review, inexpensive bike, keep your expectations in check.
I had a 2013 DL650 from new for about 18K miles. Moved on to bigger and better. Value for the money yes but something I remember fondly? No not much better options out fhere is you have the money. Liter bikes are way more fun and less busy to ride at same pace.
800 burns more fuel. I was looking at this bike but I don't need or want an 800cc bike. It costs too much to fuel. I might have to go with one of the other companies offering 600's. They also managed to make the 800 uglier than this one.
Ridden and owned many bikes over fifty years; bought three of these new and, cumulatively, ridden them well over 250 000 trouble free kilometers. Now used mostly as a “spare” bike I’ve always considered the engine a jewel that ought to - for different reasons - have the same iconic status as Suzuki’s K5. It’s a bike that grows on you over time; it’s way better than the sum of its parts.
I have owned my 2019 DL 650 for 4.5 years and 85,000 kms. Ridden in all kinds of weather, added heated grips, heated seat, hand guards, two piece adjustable windshield, engine bars, driving lights, and luggage. I have daily ridden this bike from April to November for four years (living in Ontario Canada) and taken several multi day road trips. My verdict? I would stab you in the eye if you tried to take my V Strom, but hand you the keys and give you gas money if you wanted to steal my 2023 Gold Wing.
What’s wrong with the GW? Genuinly curious…
@@KikoBW7Probably its heft relative to the 650
@@KikoBW7 First thing is the GW is expensive, when you spend that much the expectations go up. It is a "bagger" model with the six speed manual. Fit and finish of the GW is poor, side cases let water in, sometimes I get a case open warning while riding, but they are closed. The keyless go system went for a crap in the middle of the road trip and turned the bike into a brick. It would not start, unlock the steering, nothing. Had to do the secret handshake using the old school key in the fob and entering the nine digit passcode to get it going again. I waisted a bunch of time talking to two different Honda dealers that just told me to have it towed in. As for riding the GW is fine, handles great at slow speeds, has decent power, but....in 85,000 kms the DL650 has NEVER let me down. I got a flat tire once with it, plugged and was on my way. I take good care of my bikes, but I expect results from them.
@@patricklanigan it makes perfect sense, thank you for taking the time to explain. Sorry for your troubles mate, it’s really annoying when you fork out such a massive amount of cash and you have to deal with issues.
❤
now selling my V strom after 10 years of ownership. Rode it around the world in 2018-19, and just back from the MotoGP in Italy. Done 77k and stills runs fine. Only changing for something lighter so I can keep riding in my 70’s
This review proved to me that you are the most informed and honest reviewer on youtube. i dont always agree with your opinions on some of the bikes that you have reviewed in the past but this video proved to me that you do not have a agenda even when you review your personal bikes and you should be on peoples shortlist when researching bikes to buy. Thank you always enjoy seeing your stuff.
were you have been for the last 20 years i owed 2 of this bikes they are truly bolete proof we like you and respect you keep doing what you are doing you are great.
I owned a '04 650 Strom and "upgraded" to the DL1000. Overall I enjoyed the 650 more.
2006 Vstrom DL650 with 48,000 miles. Absolut great, reliable, efficient and a workhorse with just regular maintenance.
Hi Scott, excellent review. I just purchased a 2017 XT in Ontario Canada. It only had 11,000 km on it. It came equipped with grip heaters, Suzuki panniers and a Shad 58x top box. My wife likes the top box as it gives her an excellent backrest and we can fit both of her helmets in when we're off the bike.
Yep, a 20 L tank. We can ride that bike 450 km. In fact, my last tank lasted a little 465 km with 30 km of range left. The Kawasaki Versus 650 has a 22 L tank which probably would explain why it may feel a bit more top heavy.
The V Strom 650 is amazingly smooth, peppy and economical. Even my wife is happy on the pillion seat.
As you say, the 650 v twin motor is probably on borrowed time, but it is a legend in the M/C world.
I owned a 2012 model for 8 years…just good memories, free problems ride, pure joy of riding despite the lack of HP compared to the new bikes. I would buy it again and again and again
Hello Scott! This is my bike! Got it brand new2yrs ago and so far put 21000km on it. Every time I ride it cannot get the smile off my face. Just love it. I also have the stock side engine protection. I had to install bar risers+20mm back, extenda fenda for the front wheel and a top box of 47ltr. Givi. What elso do I need? It's all about personal preferences. But the bike is do it all type of machine. Rode it at 150km/h for 2 hours- no complaining at all. Rode it up to100km/ h and got a 3.7ltr/100 km consumption..I was speechless. Full tank of 20ltr. gave me a 370to400km range. Maybe a stiffer springs for the front or thicker oil will do the job better. Btw ABS is not switchable, and the traction I only use in rain at level 1. Thanks for the review and never mind you are not wearing glasses. Sometimes it brings more fun! As every video of yours does to me!
I bought a 2020 XT new and put about 25 thousand km's on it. Agree with everything you said about it. One thing you didn't mention was looks....I found it kind of ungainly to look at at first but it kind of grew on me. Black with gold wheels helped in the looks department. Finishes are what you would call utilitarian in a military jeep kind of way. I did mostly touring miles and it never skipped a beat in 3 years. Great fuel mileage too. Front suspension could be a little stiff at low speeds...most noticiable on potholed dirt roads with the limited travel available. You just need to slow down. I had Givi V35 side cases and strapped a waterproof duffel lengthwise on the passsenger seat. This gave me all the capacity I needed. I did install bar-back risers and mirror extenders which reduced wind on the arms. I also swapped out the trucker mirrors for Aprillia Tuono mirrors...excellent mirrors at a reasonable price. I highly recommend US based Adventure Tech for upgrade parts..the owner rides a 650XT and price a quality of his accessories is top notch. I eventually sold my bike when I had a chance to buy a low-mileage R1200RS so I can't really say I miss the XT but I know It's current owner is going to get many years of faithful service out of it.
How is your fuel consumption
I can not more agree….👍 ❤ the v strom 650.
It's sad, you missed over 20 years to test a legend !!!
The only things Suzuki need to do to this bike is bring it into the 24th century led lights all round, 6” tft screen, adjustable suspension & maybe ride by wire for cruise control. It would sell for another 20 years.
Scott - you should have a million subscribers. Great info as always and thanks for doing this.
I fully agree. I bought my 650 in 2019 and do not regret my decision. Best bike since over 30 years motorbike riding. Or better, the completest.
Always brisk, but extremly relaxt riding.
Only the screen is not good. I had both MRA screens until I found the Givi flow as the best compromise. Now I can avoid using earplugs.
Even though I'm not very high I bought the 2cm higher seat. Great riding now.
Every time a smile under the helmet.
19 inch front wheel is much better than the 21 if you prefer riding on the street.
My 2015 has 91,000 km and has been as reliable as a hammer. Gas, oil and tires is all it has needed. My best memories come from my 22,000 km trip across Canada and the US where I took it many places that I shouldn't have (had I been on a less solid machine): ua-cam.com/video/Giw4l45IxIw/v-deo.htmlsi=EWdelKskxhdBmvTX It is not the quickest, nor the sexiest, but much like a beloved pet (or family member), I will never get rid of it; we shall grow old together (and it might outlive me 🙂).
Why oh why are the bike companies going down the route of producing viby engines that they say adds character and then spending the next years trying to iron out the vibes to get back to an engine that was perfectly good in the first place, nuts.
unbreakable !!!
Get 'em while they last, folks! My 2013 Adventure model has been a top two or three bike of the 40+ I have owned over the years. It is definitely the best value of them all. I plan to keep it running and dependable for at least 10 more years. And that engine! ...Magic, pure magic. There simply is nothing else like it in the class..
I had a 2005 model. Did some great adventures without a single issue, apart from an occasional fuelling glitch. Good honest bike.
Nice and fair review. Riding mine as a second bike and I can only say something like: it does it well, it does it problem free and it does it everything very very good.
I’ve had my 2017 SV650 for three years now and I just can’t stand it. I can’t stand how it starts every time. I can’t stand how it makes me a giddy little school kid every time I ride. I can’t stand how it just won’t ever tell me it can’t do something. It’s my second bike and this embodiment of premium mediocre is just too good to move on from. Other than a slighter larger tank, my SV can be outfitted just like the VStrom and won’t ever let me down
I had a 2017 SV650 for 14 months and did 15000 trouble free kilometres. I wish I had kept it rather than traded it - fabulous commuter, cool looking and would have made a great second bike. The trade process of AU$5500…you learn from your mistakes!
I must agree with you out of all my motorcycles the sv650 is the one I never regretted selling!
100% reliable and bulletproof. My 2008 DL650 is still going strong at 136,000 kilometres. I keep thinking about upgrading to a more modern bike but I really have no reason to as it still rides well and I feel so at home on it. I know how it feels and responds after 13.5 years of ownership.
One of the most overlooked, best bang for your buck bikes out there I reckon. But I am biased!
🤣
Great video. I've been looking around at pretty much everything in this 'adventure sport touring' segment including a bunch of 1200 super tenere videos today before watching this and I think I've been swayed back in favour of this bike. More importantly, I've missed that sweet, sweet v twin which I loved in my own previous 1999 sv650. The light music at the end and talk of it no longer being made after this year made me a little emotional tbh!
As an owner of a Versys 650 , the 845mm seat height when preload is on a stiff setting is too tall for small to medium riders with short inseams , but it is the most balanced and versatile bike I have ever ridden when moving .
For commuting I just soften the preload with the remote adjuster this effectively brings seat height down .
A tip for owners of all remote preload adjustable bikes .
But every owner of a vstrom 650 have nothing but good things to say about them.
Think they are both gems , and above all reliable …something the EuroChinese bikes can only aspire to.
Moving the mirrors out an inch or inch and a half makes for a considerable reduction in buffeting. I'm tall, so I added a clip-on visor extension as well. It's getting closer to perfect.
Paid $5300 for my Corolla ( i mean Vstrom) brand new in 2018. What a deal.Rode it last night in cold weather around town and with a Givi screen, lowered pegs, Russell seat, Nissin CBR 600 brake upgrade, it is about absolutely perfect in how it functions. It is pretty fast in my opinion. I have zero desire for more acceleration. I also love the functional non flashy analog display with all the digital info well laid out.
I got one some years ago. Nothing really changed. Great bike, super smooth, reliable, good vibes and excellent sensations!! Lov’it!!
The engine changed from a proper V twin, to this parallel twin. Huge downgrade
Thanks for that, I really love the V2 engine.
I've had 3 or 4 since the 2011 model and I always bragged they were bullet proof and could run on milk if you ran out of fuel 🤣. I've had them on multi day trips and off road as well. The bike can hold its own user most reasonable situations. I had the 1000 DL and preferred the 650. This bike loves to be ridden at 6000 rpm to 9000rpm, all day! The only reason I don't own one now is I prefer a bit more power and weight when on the interstates here in the US. Buffeting when passing a tandem truck or being passed by trucks can be a bit disconcerting. Also, a bit of planning is required when passing on 2 lane back roads. Other than that this bike has a cult following. Anyone that's owned one loves them and always talks fondly about them if they've moved on to another bike.
Strange you preferred 650 to 1000 when the main downsides of 650 you describe should be mitigated by 1000.
@@TheVitalishe It does sound counter intuitive but I found the 1000 was boring, no character. The 650 has a Greta sound and engine that was more fun, even if i found it under powered.
@@triman11427I disagree completely. Owned a 2013 DL650 and a 2018 VStrom 1000XT. The 1000 was better in most every way imaginable except engine had more vibes at low rpm due to 270 degree crank. More power, better suspension, brakes, ergonomics, performance, 2-up riding, instruments, windscreen, safety with 5 axis IMU, etc.
Never missed or would ever go back to 650. It's a cheap bike built to a price point. Good value for money but not worth the many compromises if you can afford better
It's all good. I'm on a 2019 BMW GSA HP and wouldn't go back either. Just my experience.
NothingToProve RAW!
Regarding the mirrors (I know, petty little thing); having gone from an F150 with barn door mirrors to a Mazda CX-50 with sexy sport mirrors - I really miss those barn door mirrors. You can see so much more with them. Sigh...... yah, they don't look like much but they do the job so much better.
My long gone 2004 black DL650 was a real trooper and surprisingly capable in the twisties. I have been bikeless for 5 years now but if I was in the market for a bike a used 'Strom 650 would be on my list of bikes to check out.
I had a 2019 V Strom and sold it. I regret that decision. I went through a few more bikes searching for something . . . to make a long story short, I bought a V-Strom 800, not the DE, but the more street oriented model at he beginning of the riding season here in New England. I was actually looking at a Transalp but it sat to high for me. The sales guy said, "Take that V-Strom 800 for a test ride" That was it. I took it home. The 650 motor was a jewel. The 800 motor is a beast when you want it to be. Take the 800 for a test ride. You won't regret it. Beware, you may end up taking it home.
The future looks dull. Full of 270 degree parallel twins and snatchy low speed bikes. The v strom 650 is a brilliant engine. Up there with the honda v4 from the pan. New doesnt always mean better. Plus guys who grew up on bikes without imu's, tc, abs, cornering software etc are, in all probability, more skilled and eminently more aware.
I have a 2022 dl650 is a great bike. Have had a little issues but not major. Tps failure and fuel filter is paper. I say that because it fell a part and plugged up the pump. I have 23k miles on it and still clock everyday
Gday Scott! The SV engine is still a capable motorcycle!
To my knowledge, the SV engine uses cast iron cylinder sleeves and the engine for the DL650 uses Suzuki's proprietary SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) similar to a Nikasil coating. I’ve used both and don’t notice a difference. Both are fit to purpose, the SV lends itself to modification and the DL for longevity?
I come from an old Varadero 1000. My brand new DL650A is for me a modern bike: ABS! TC! fuel injection! Digital display! :-) 4300km in 4 weeks already. In November Hyperpro suspension will be installed, I hope it will improve the feel (well... less of it) of little bumps on the highway (hopefully more like my sons 2004 BMW F650GS)
you make good videos sir......
I’m on my second, bought a new one 9 months ago. If it was 20kg lighter it would be pretty close to perfect 😍
I have owned 4 V-Stroms, bought the first in 2005. Great bikes, now i have a R1250GS
More than 40 000 Travelkilometers so far: Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Morocco, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Italy, Bosnia, Croatia, Andorra, Macedonia, and more. On and also a lot off-road. (my bike has modified suspension ) Only defect: Low Beam. The engine is the rally star. so smooth and it brings the power to the ground. This also helps a lot in tricky situations off-road. A lot of torque at low rpms. Much more then the new 800de which needs higher refs and you feel it much more abrupt when you are too low in the rpms. No complains in the heat. On the road the bike is really effortless to ride. You need a budget friendly bike to ride through the world.? Here you have it! thx a lot for that informative video. Greetings!
Full ack! I have to say I find it amazing how well this bike works despite the basic components. As @UncleWally3 said: more than the sum of its parts. The engine is huge fun in the Twisties, you can suspend it at peak torque in 3rd or 4th gear and have at it. The suspension works so well that on a bad road your faster than, say, an XSR900. The only downside is that it struggles when you ride with a pillion in the mountains. That was ultimately the reason why I got a V-Strom 1000 instead. But for solo riding you can't go wrong with the 650.
I own a 2017 DL 650 but,…the headlight🤔 An honest review of this motorcycle. Too bad you didn't discuss lighting. The modest light output of the H7 lamp is outdated. The H7 lamp, although no LED lamp is permitted on this motorcycle, I still installed the Philips H7 LED Ultinon Pro 6000 HL with ABG certificate for Germany (Allgemeine Bauart Genehmigung) and the light output was ultimately to my complete satisfaction. Driving at night on the dark roads in Poland during our holiday was truly a relief.
Nice bike. Had a 2017. Sold it and brought a Yamaha FJR. Wishing I could have kept it. But could only keep one. And the FJR is awesome 😊
I had the first generation and now I bought the third generation so I have another 20 years of happiness! I get mine on discount just for 7100 usd
Had an 09 650 great bike but very soft suspension. Had a 2015 1000 and 2020 1050! Loved them one problem with the air pressure sensor on the 2015. Love and miss them. Slipped on the stairs banged my head and got a k15 1200 GS. But I do love it too! Obviously more reliable than the 1300 😂
I got a 2007 and loving it , sometimes i think getting a new bike but what would I replace it with...Sticking with my DL
I owned the 2017 DL650XT . The things I didn't like about it was the suspension - too soft for my 90kg weight, the brakes and the looks. Other than that, a good reliable and affordable bike. Suzuki should not kill this engine but instead put it in a better and new bike platform. As far as I know it's still Euro 5 compliant.
I own a 2019. It's a great bike, however:
- habdlebars are rather far from the sest and I ended up getting bar risers.
- seat is too soft and I ended up getting corbin
- there's quite a bit of wind buffeting and so I got givi airflow windscreen with deflector and mirror extenders with aprilia mirrors that don't send all the wind into my helmet
- I added peg lowering kit
....to improve overall ergonomics of the bike
Hmm...this is probably exactly what I'd do if I owned this bike 👍👍
Very good vídeo explanation
I have a 2020 650XT, love it. If they stop making the V twins I might have to buy a 1050 while I can. Great touring bikes, a bit chunky for offroad so I wouldn't bother the DE.
I think I just saw Suzuki put out an ad saying that they are making this motorcycle at least for one more model year - 2025
I haven’t had a bike in 15 years and would like one last bike. This was very high on the list but now that Suzuki have slashed the price to about €7700 I think it's an absolute bargain. I look forward to finding out what all the fuss is about. I have had many bikes in the past including Fireblades, GS, amongst others but I think this might be similar to the Deauville that I had for a while. Cool review!
Thank you as always! Nothing to prove and nothing last forever. I hope people will go out and buy a bunch of these now and really hold onto them. By the way, what was the seat height?
I spent years long distance commuting on a DL650. It was a solid, reliable commuter.. but basic and mundane, built to a low price point. It was a good tool for the job at the time, but these days, I wouldn't touch one given the much better options waiting in the garage.
We had this version Vstrom also. Very good bike with an great buttery smooth engine. The bad part are the front brakes. One piston brakes and you know it. The brakes are just poor. Fuel economy is also not that amazing. It did on a 2500km to the south of france exactly the same as our r1200gs. 19km on one liter is normale for a 1200gs but not for an 650cc
The 270 crank isn't responsible for the vibes on the 800. The Yamaha TDM900 had the 270 crank and was as smooth as silk all through the rev range. It would cruise all day at 80mph with only a soothing rumble from the engine, no vibrations to speak of. A most underrated, brilliant bike.
That's because they put in a heavy enough off-set crank weight to offset the vibration from the 270 firing order. Simple. Just like in the CP2 engine. Vibration is designed into a bike before the launch of a new bike, for several reasons: character, feel, nostalgia...etc. Every OEM can take almost all vibration out of an ICE, if they want but then it'd be boring. It's all about finding that sweet spot for the target rider.
Had a 2012 DL650 Adventure. Liked the bike but underpowered on the highway. Traded it in for a DL1000 without the bags.
The DL1000 was great on the long highway trips. Sold it last year.
When bikes started coming out with TFT Dasboards wished other manufactures followed suit. Now I've seen these old clocks, quite like em. Gonna be working in twenty years time. 😂😂
Good content !
Actually the bike is out of business here in EU because it is too hard to pass new engine Euro regulations. This engine is old and making it pass euro5 was actually quite an achievement, but now it would require just too much R&D
Too bad, the replacement is so much more expensive
Hi Scott, you paid the right honour to this modern classic! Question: could you do a review on the brandnew Royal Enfield Himalayan 452? I think it’s a lovely little bike and I did a short testride last week which impressed me. But will it impress you? 😉
Won't be phased out here in Asia thou it's still then best selling bike together with SV650.
I've owned two V Strom 650XT's and currently have a V Strom 800RE. The 650 is a better bike in my opinion and if a quickshifter was an option, it'd be even better. The 800 provides me with handlebar vibrations that send my hands to sleep. I hugely regret selling my '21 650XT and I'm sure I'll have another some day.
bummer
How do you find the headlight performance on the LED headlight of the 800? In my overnight test ride home on a dark and windy mountain road, I found that I was craving the old headlight.
@@whatsstefon Friend has 800, he says LED headlight is shite. How good is halogen headlight on 650?
@@StromtrooperV2 yeah. It was pretty rubbish on the 800. The old halogen on the 650 has a better spread.
@@whatsstefon It's ok, no better than the 650 though.
The only thing i ask for this bike, is a cruise control nothing else 🎉
The 800 looks like a worthy replacement.
Not with it's weight. I'd much prefer the 650. Will be sad if this is the last year. For me 650cc is the sweet spot. I way preferred my bro's 600 Ninja over his 1000 and plan on buying the 650 - almost much cheaper than the 800.
@@df3yt still can't believe the weight of it how is it heavier than a 1100cc Africa twin. It does look sharper though vs the 650 v strom .and the price is consistent with most of the other bikes in this sector.
@@df3yt The 650 is too cramped. The 800DE is just perfect ergonomically
@@F3udF1st I haven't seen any 650's in person at the bike shops only the 800. @chrishart8548 Yeah I want the 650 but I prefer the looks of the 800. Gonna have to go find some 2024 650's and compare before they discontinue it. As you get older weight becomes more important as I ride solo.
RE version is lighter. Do own one. It's quite decent bike
Just wish they would make a DE version of this bike.
I believe you can push the windscreen up to a more raised position as the 1000 model
Yes you can, I addressed that in the highway portion of the video 👍😁
if i decide to buy the 800re, id like to buy the gold wire wheels for it as I dislike the black allow that come on the RE. Per the specs, it looks like its the identical size and Id think I should adapt without trouble .
aah I finally found the weight difference. The XT has a crash bars, the standard version has not.
I misguidedly traded a '22 650 XT Adventure for a '24 1050 DE. Too tall, real flat spot in power thru the gears, clunky tranny, top heavy and anyone that says the front end looks better on the 1050 is nuts. All in all, I hated it. Couldn't get my 650 back, so I traded the 1050 in on a GSXS1000 GT plus in red. Not bad, but my Z900 engine is silky smooth and torquier than the GT. The K5 engine has to wind up tight to pull as hard as the Z. Anyway I lost a lot of dough in the transaction and should have kept the 650. It truly was a fantastic bike.
I wish they'd just improve the suspension, add ride by wire and cruise control. That'd be the perfect bike for me.
I put emulator valves in the fork , perfect and cheap fix. less electronic- less problems, i don't even have abs
Ride by wire, no thank you... Only good because of cruise control....
Suzuki V-Strom 650 the best.
I have a Strom 650 2015, second generation and it has the fork compression adjust, so why suzi end it, I would like to know. The only thing I changed is the front brakes liner, i put a goodridge and the difference is big, the brake work much better. This bike is great amd this Vtwin 90 is the better you can ride, its so smooth, easy, linear, really a shame Suzuki end it. Today the fashion is the twin paralel but this V is much better. I love this bike, 30 years of riding, 13 motorcycles and this is the last and the better. What a bike! In town or road, the Strom 650 is fenomenal.
Its the only bike l sold and regretted 😞
Excellent video...Do you find the windscreen obstructs your camera and filming, in the position it is mounted?
You tell me, did it? When you watched the video 😁
Awesome review! I own a V-Strom and love it, it's time and I'm looking to trade it in for the new Yamaha MT09 is that a crazy move?
Keep it. Just bought mine last year. Never gonna sell
BTW. Could You pls point me to the movie or information on Your channel describing the topic of the front recorder UR using?
I'm wondering what to choose as a camcorder for a daily purpose.
Sony ZV1, great camera 👍👍
Factory heated accesories and cruise control and these would be much more popular as long daily commuters.
Yea, agreed!
is this bike being discontinued?
heard rumors but nobody can confirm,
suzuki didn't announce it being discontinued.
could it be because of euro5+ norm that is effective 01.01.2025. in europe and this bike doesnt conform it?
i would like to get this bike in a few months after i get my A category licence.
and this silence is killing me.
I believe suzuki will make something like a 500cc vstrom for the a2 license drivers. The 650 is a very good choice for a beginner rider but the 800 that replaces it, i believe is a little intimidating for a newcomer.
I have yellow 2021 XT, great bike, yea kinda boring, versys 650 was much more fyn, but is much better for 2up, and much more stable at hi speeds and 2up.
I actually like the looks, but hate the look of previous models.
Eyeing on new transalp.
Do review on Benelli 752s. Plz
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Wasn't the sv a v twin ? And this'n parallel?
They both have the same engine. The new V-Strom 800 has the parallel but yet they still call it "V" strom...kind of stupid imho.
Suzuki stop making this engine because its expensive to make,, but its what makes it solid engine.
I know this was unscripted, and I'm sure the bike's power is sufficient, but the power of this v-twin 650 is on par with the Tiger triple 900?
Na, the Tiger has about 35 more hp than this.
Had a vstrom 650, rode for 50,000kms, yes bullet proof, but to me is like owning a utilitarian cheap Japanese car, reliable, but not very exiting, and will get to it's limits on breaking and suspension fairly easily.
Riding in hot weather is quite unpleasant.
trade it for a tiger 900, yes way more expensive, but also way better on everything, handling on bad pavement is much much better, the tiger stays stable, while the vstrom will not.
Anyway, good review, inexpensive bike, keep your expectations in check.
Still don't understand how the SV sounds so much better than the DL
Different cam and timing.
I had a 2013 DL650 from new for about 18K miles. Moved on to bigger and better. Value for the money yes but something I remember fondly? No not much better options out fhere is you have the money. Liter bikes are way more fun and less busy to ride at same pace.
800 burns more fuel. I was looking at this bike but I don't need or want an 800cc bike. It costs too much to fuel. I might have to go with one of the other companies offering 600's. They also managed to make the 800 uglier than this one.
And you can buy a good, low mileage one for £3k
Yeah, smooth and linear power delivery and also boring :) had suzuki V-Strom XT for 16k km and sold it, boring...did I mention ugly too?
😂
With the 800DE/RE out, no reason to get a Vstrom 650