I bought one of these wonderful machines after selling my GS 1200 that spent more time in the shop under warranty for fuel injection and electrical problems. This bike is extremely satisfying to pile up the miles on. The 650cc engine has excellent power and is turbine smooth, shifts better than most of the 20 bikes I've owned and handles admirably. The brakes might not send you over the bars, but I usually brake with one or two fingers and they perform well.. Try one, you'll love it.
I have traded my 2008 650dl vstrom for a 2021 650xt..I should be picking it up next week..I,m like a 65yr old child waiting for Santa.My 2008 Strom has taken me from Ireland all through the Alps and Dolomites to Bosnia,12 countries in total..Problems??? well yes..... had one rear brake light bulb burn out....I can live with that....My new bike will be my 25th bike since I bought my first Honda 50 in 1972 when I was 16...
As the other comments reflect, the Wee is a great bike. I’ve been riding for almost 50 years . . . a lot. I’ve owned three ‘Stroms, cumulatively, over 150 000 kilometers with zero problems and much satisfaction. While I’m glad it’s not the only bike in the garage, if it was, I’d still be a happy man. It’s not perfect - only adequate brakes and suspension - but that engine is a pure gem, compensates for any shortcomings. Can’t think of a better bike for the price, and the longer it’s ridden, the more respect it generates.
150,000 km is definitely long distance. You can't go wrong with the 90 degree V (L) twin engine. Especially for long distance riding, the mileage per tank is sure an advantage with no refueling frequently gasoline stations.
Walter Wilkins I got a 17 vstrom 650 in October 2019. I have an MT09 as well. Today was a nice day where I live and decided to up fir a ride. Took the MT09 out first. Followed by this bike. I found myself have twice the fun on the vstrom. So much more usable application. If I had to give one of my two bikes up, I’d have to say I’d keep the vstrom as my only bike.
One of the best reviews I have seen of the Vstrom 650 which is my favorite bike. In that segment and for the value there is not better bike. The Vstrom is a Jack of all trades, reliable and affordable. Suzuki scored a 10.
I am seriously considering getting the 650 and have watched a lot of videos and reviews, this video is by far the best review to date in my opinion. Thanks.
One of the best review I've seen on v-strom! - just got one but xt version, that motor is a gem really. As for the brakes IMO they;'re good enough, don't need brakes that throw me over the bars :)
Tbe brakes are more than adequat on my 17,650xt.Going downhill when I first bought they did send me over bars.Now I use 1 or 2 fingers.Great bike,reliable,economical & powerful!
Owned my vstrom for a year now, very pleased with it overall. I use it mostly for my 65 mile commute and it returns 65mpg (imperial gallons). I swapped the seat to the Suzuki lower version and it transformed the enjoyment of the ride. Handling is very good in all conditions and it makes a perfect machine for slicing through city traffic. The British winter weather has taken its toll I’m afraid on this budget machine so will definitely apply acf50 this year. The brakes are just adequate I would say to haul it up but at least the abs works well, tested recently!
I’ve kept the seat, but removed the rubber blocks initially to lower it some. I put them back in when I got more comfortable with the bike. I echo your sentiments about the brakes. Sufficient, but just.
I just put a down payment on a used 17' and am excited to get back on 2 wheels again after 3 years of 4 wheels, i didnt even test drive it, JUST PUT THE MONEY DOWN!, i knew the Vstrom had a good rep and only afyer the fact am doing my research
Really great review. I have to admit over the past little while I've been thinking how right for me a V-Strom 650 or even 1050 could be. My last two bikes have been 1100 4 cylinders ('83 CB1100F and '88 GSX1100F) but at 69 years old I'm thinking of downsizing, ... and being that I live in Vancouver BC, something like this may be the perfect all around bike.
I’ve put over 160 000 kilometers on three ‘Stroms (09, 12, 15). I haven’t put any distance on the new ‘17 model, but the feedback I’ve received from those similar to myself - is that the 2017 model isn’t that much different from the 2012 - 2016 models. What I’d like to see is a comprehensive 2016-2017 comparison.
Walter Wilkins Thanks for that, that's kinda what I expected that, but some people are willing to buy new for something a little differant and Suzuki in the business of selling new motorcycles. So you can't really blame them. I'm just going to keep my 2007 thank you.
Just finished a 6300 mile trip on my 2018 650XT from Seattle thru Mainland and Baja California, Mexico. Pluses: Nice engine. Really smooth and "torquy" for a 650. I'm only 5'8" but I lowered the seat by taking out the rubber bumpers and wrapping duct tape around the seat tongs that fit under the tank. Tons of farkles to include SW Motech skid plate, R&G racing crash bars, bar risers, and much more. Pluses: nice engine, comfortable seat, 53mpg at 60mph if you're careful with the throttle. Nice handling. Pretty good off-road manners if you're on hard pack. I left the OEM tires on for the trip. Negatives: a big two. This bike really needs at least another inch of ground clearance. I was continually scraping the big speed bumps south of the border. 2nd. The front brake is just awful. I've just ordered $800 or so dollars worth of 4-pot front calipers, SS brake lines, and adapters to be able to mount the calipers. I'm thinking I might try to add larger links on the back to raise up the ground clearance a bit, but then I'll have to figure out how to get the seat down even lower. Might have to buy the lower seat then do the same mods to it as described above.
Very good review! Thorough and appreciate the truly objective delivery. Nice to hear what's good, and also any shortcomings. Does seem like value-for-money, this is a bike you cannot go wrong with if you're after something in this class.
I have been riding 37 years. All over the World. All manufacturers, two stroke, four stroke, multies and singles. Never ONCE, ever, have I thought about, much less NEEDED (needed) "start assist". Utter drivel. I push a button, it starts. Or not, in which case I push again. Listen manufacturers, stop the silly elec nonsense and give us more mpg. That would mean happier customers and more sales. Why does my wifes Yaris do more mpg than my Superduke? Bloody start assist, what drivel.
Very interesting & VERY good review off the 2017 model off my favorite cycle (my current ride since 2013) the SUZUKI DL650 V-Strom. I love looking at the V-Strom but I couldn't help but notice the great back country roads you were riding "SUZY"on for the review.How about letting us/me know where these great shots were taken, please.
This sounds more like a sales pitch than a review. Don't get me wrong, I have owned a 2009 DL650 and they are fun bikes for sure. But these bikes are not as perfect as this 'review' paints them. While the 2017 has improved over the 2009 version, the bike is still top heavy, gas mileage is plain bad considering that my K1600 gets the same gas mileage as the DL650. The bike is under powered for 2-up riding. The alternator output is still too low for any serious accessories. It's still a good bike for the price and they are very reliable.
Hi Tom - it's downright excellent. It presents a great value proposition and the attention to detail is quite high. It does fit a hair larger as compared to the RF-1200 or the X-Fourteen.
brought home a V-Strom 650 XT with on Nov 2015 wanted to keep it for at least 2 years for multiple road trips but I sold it after 6 months in May 2016. I agree it is a comfortable bike for hard tarmac but it didn't meet my needs. - wanted a bike with good mileage. on normal daily rides it was OK with 25L tank doing ~400km before reserve but with all 3 boxes on for its 1st short road trip (on Malaysia's North South highway avg speed 120~160kmh) it manages barely 320 km :( even my 1731 cc 900lb Victory CrossCountry does 420km before reserve, with a smaller 22L fuel tank. - under power, with 3 full boxes for 2 up road trip it was struggling to keep up with the others - Top heavy, a lot of afford to maneuver in tight corners, South East Asia heavy traffic, undulating terrain etc - Way too too too top heavy, drop it twice & required 110% effort & some life points to lift it up
@@carlosandleon I m a small guy, exercise 6 days/ week, standing @163cm only. Having medium body frame & 70kg I m already a little too top heavy for my runs or else I knees may give up 1/2 way in my next marathon 😅
I think the v-strom is top heavy.Mine's 216kgs.Have dropped it a few times & parking & slow riding take alot of concentration.Apart from the weight they're a great bike.
I'm really not a fan of these infomercial-style reviews. It's like you're reading off Suzuki's press sheet lol. Please give us some real feedback on and offroad. Not sure if it's just that the journalists like Adam Waheed have their hands tied or something. That being said, this looks like a really, really great bike.
That all depends on what you're looking for in a helmet. I would say there's no "ideal" helmet for this bike, but more an ideal helmet for your riding style. A modular helmet might be nice on this, like the Shoei Neotec II (www.ridersdomain.com/motorcycle-riding-gear/shoei-neotec-ii-modular-helmet-p) or even an adventure styled helmet like the Arai XD4 (www.ridersdomain.com/motorcycle-riding-gear/arai-xd4-motorcycle-helmet-p). - Byron
Carlos Leon You may be right. I do know that taking the sprockets in the right direction improves things a lot on the highway. My shop replaced my sprockets when the old ones wore out. We discussed this and they got it right. Was very happy with the result.
It is funny to me how manufacters try to take away any quarks or in my mind character of the bike and I am talking about the low idle assist. The bike is easy to stall on take off, but really? Any decent rider can get used to it very easy.
I bought one of these wonderful machines after selling my GS 1200 that spent more time in the shop under warranty for fuel injection and electrical problems. This bike is extremely satisfying to pile up the miles on. The 650cc engine has excellent power and is turbine smooth, shifts better than most of the 20 bikes I've owned and handles admirably. The brakes might not send you over the bars, but I usually brake with one or two fingers and they perform well.. Try one, you'll love it.
Definitely one of the most professional, knowledgeable reviews i've encountered for any motorcycle. Nice job, thanks.
We're happy you enjoyed the review and thanks for the note.
I have a Gen2 model now for 9 years. In 2018 I rode it two up, 43,000 miles around the world. No reliability issues, comfy and 260 miles to a tankful.
I have traded my 2008 650dl vstrom for a 2021 650xt..I should be picking it up next week..I,m like a 65yr old child waiting for Santa.My 2008 Strom has taken me from Ireland all through the Alps and Dolomites to Bosnia,12 countries in total..Problems??? well yes..... had one rear brake light bulb burn out....I can live with that....My new bike will be my 25th bike since I bought my first Honda 50 in 1972 when I was 16...
As the other comments reflect, the Wee is a great bike. I’ve been riding for almost 50 years . . . a lot. I’ve owned three ‘Stroms, cumulatively, over 150 000 kilometers with zero problems and much satisfaction. While I’m glad it’s not the only bike in the garage, if it was, I’d still be a happy man. It’s not perfect - only adequate brakes and suspension - but that engine is a pure gem, compensates for any shortcomings. Can’t think of a better bike for the price, and the longer it’s ridden, the more respect it generates.
150,000 km is definitely long distance. You can't go wrong with the 90 degree V (L) twin engine. Especially for long distance riding, the mileage per tank is sure an advantage with no refueling frequently gasoline stations.
Walter Wilkins I got a 17 vstrom 650 in October 2019. I have an MT09 as well. Today was a nice day where I live and decided to up fir a ride. Took the MT09 out first. Followed by this bike. I found myself have twice the fun on the vstrom. So much more usable application. If I had to give one of my two bikes up, I’d have to say I’d keep the vstrom as my only bike.
I Own a 2018 yellow one for one year now and put on it 26000 km. Just the better bike i have ever had ....a true joy to ride
One of the best reviews I have seen of the Vstrom 650 which is my favorite bike.
In that segment and for the value there is not better bike. The Vstrom is a Jack of all trades, reliable and affordable. Suzuki scored a 10.
Just picked up a 2017 V-Strom yesterday at a great price and I am in LOVE with it! ready to take it camping!
I am seriously considering getting the 650 and have watched a lot of videos and reviews, this video is by far the best review to date in my opinion. Thanks.
One of the best review I've seen on v-strom! - just got one but xt version, that motor is a gem really. As for the brakes IMO they;'re good enough, don't need brakes that throw me over the bars :)
Tbe brakes are more than adequat on my 17,650xt.Going downhill when I first bought they did send me over bars.Now I use 1 or 2 fingers.Great bike,reliable,economical & powerful!
Owned my vstrom for a year now, very pleased with it overall. I use it mostly for my 65 mile commute and it returns 65mpg (imperial gallons). I swapped the seat to the Suzuki lower version and it transformed the enjoyment of the ride. Handling is very good in all conditions and it makes a perfect machine for slicing through city traffic. The British winter weather has taken its toll I’m afraid on this budget machine so will definitely apply acf50 this year. The brakes are just adequate I would say to haul it up but at least the abs works well, tested recently!
What did you like about the new low seat?
Mainly I felt more confident with the bike being able to get my feet flat on the floor.
I’ve kept the seat, but removed the rubber blocks initially to lower it some. I put them back in when I got more comfortable with the bike. I echo your sentiments about the brakes. Sufficient, but just.
I just order one of v-strom and can't wait to try it. Great review.
Just finished putting 20000km on my 17 weestrom before putting it away for the winter. Great bike.
Perfect bike! We've tested it and gave it back with reluctance!
Good review and beautifully videographed and edited.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed!
I just put a down payment on a used 17' and am excited to get back on 2 wheels again after 3 years of 4 wheels, i didnt even test drive it, JUST PUT THE MONEY DOWN!, i knew the Vstrom had a good rep and only afyer the fact am doing my research
Thanks for that accurate, professional and well informed review!
great review been riding a vstrom for 50000 miles
Thanks for the note! It definitely is a great do-it-all bike. Byron
yeah even though i own a GSA now, i still have the Vstrom in the garage, its a very good machine, did you perform the review ?
SFR SanFranciscoRider
Really great review. I have to admit over the past little while I've been thinking how right for me a V-Strom 650 or even 1050 could be. My last two bikes have been 1100 4 cylinders ('83 CB1100F and '88 GSX1100F) but at 69 years old I'm thinking of downsizing, ... and being that I live in Vancouver BC, something like this may be the perfect all around bike.
i think ive found the best motorcycle review channel on youtube.keep the good work guys.Cheers
High praise, thanks for the note! Glad you're enjoying our work, we'll be sure to keep 'em coming. - Byron
FortNine is the best motorcycle channel, but their still small, so they don't get to review as many bikes.
I’ve put over 160 000 kilometers on three ‘Stroms (09, 12, 15). I haven’t put any distance on the new ‘17 model, but the feedback I’ve received from those similar to myself - is that the 2017 model isn’t that much different from the 2012 - 2016 models. What I’d like to see is a comprehensive 2016-2017 comparison.
Walter Wilkins Thanks for that, that's kinda what I expected that, but some people are willing to buy new for something a little differant and Suzuki in the business of selling new motorcycles. So you can't really blame them. I'm just going to keep my 2007 thank you.
Great advice! I picked up a "16" back in April with 266 miles on it for $6,600.00 out the door. Best all around bike I've ever owned.
I’m about to go from a sportster to a 2017 v strom 650. Really looking forward to it. Love the design of the strom
Just finished a 6300 mile trip on my 2018 650XT from Seattle thru Mainland and Baja California, Mexico. Pluses: Nice engine. Really smooth and "torquy" for a 650. I'm only 5'8" but I lowered the seat by taking out the rubber bumpers and wrapping duct tape around the seat tongs that fit under the tank.
Tons of farkles to include SW Motech skid plate, R&G racing crash bars, bar risers, and much more. Pluses: nice engine, comfortable seat, 53mpg at 60mph if you're careful with the throttle. Nice handling. Pretty good off-road manners if you're on hard pack. I left the OEM tires on for the trip. Negatives: a big two. This bike really needs at least another inch of ground clearance. I was continually scraping the big speed bumps south of the border. 2nd. The front brake is just awful.
I've just ordered $800 or so dollars worth of 4-pot front calipers, SS brake lines, and adapters to be able to mount the calipers. I'm thinking I might try to add larger links on the back to raise up the ground clearance a bit, but then I'll have to figure out how to get the seat down even lower. Might have to buy the lower seat then do the same mods to it as described above.
This may be the only good review of this bike I've seen yet haha thank you!
Check out the Fortnine channel.
Really great back-drop scenery for the review chat!
Applegate Lake in southern Oregon, a beautiful spot! - Byron
Thought it may be some NW mountain area. Thanks for the info!
But my 2017 Suzuki 650 in May. Just turned 8000 miles. I thought the review was spot on
How do you like it? This is certainly a bike I could see putting a lot of miles on. Byron
Haven’t found anything to complain about it yet.
Very good review! Thorough and appreciate the truly objective delivery. Nice to hear what's good, and also any shortcomings. Does seem like value-for-money, this is a bike you cannot go wrong with if you're after something in this class.
Excellent review. Looking at trading down from an FJR. Good production values.
Hi Mark - that's a big transition. Why not keep the FJR and pickup one of these? :)
I have been riding 37 years. All over the World. All manufacturers, two stroke, four stroke, multies and singles. Never ONCE, ever, have I thought about, much less NEEDED (needed) "start assist". Utter drivel. I push a button, it starts. Or not, in which case I push again. Listen manufacturers, stop the silly elec nonsense and give us more mpg. That would mean happier customers and more sales. Why does my wifes Yaris do more mpg than my Superduke? Bloody start assist, what drivel.
Your bikes consume more than your wife's Yaris 1st because it's a KTM 2nd because it revs more than twice that of Yaris.
It also makes more power than the yaris and probably about the same CC's to.
I get what you're saying, a bike at about 1/2 the weight off a small car and far less drag should easily be in 70+ MPG range.
why did you buy a superduke if you care about mpg. You should have checked it beforehand
great review....all i needed...just got one
Thanks for the note and congrats! Be sure to let us know how you like it after some time in the saddle. - Byron
I can't say I am a fan of the looks of the new styled vstroms. I like my 2013 model better in looks anyways
I agree Jeff,I'm keeping my 2014. Can't stand the looks of the new generation stroms.
More powerful than the versys 650 overall? Bigger bike for sure though ..
My Next Bike
Great review thanks!
Superb review, kudos and thank you.
Thank you!
Very interesting & VERY good review off the 2017 model off my favorite cycle (my current ride since 2013) the SUZUKI DL650 V-Strom. I love looking at the V-Strom but I couldn't help but notice the great back country roads you were riding "SUZY"on for the review.How about letting us/me know where these great shots were taken, please.
Enjoyed your review a lot,
I love my vstrom, but the windshield only moves about an inch..
This sounds more like a sales pitch than a review. Don't get me wrong, I have owned a 2009 DL650 and they are fun bikes for sure. But these bikes are not as perfect as this 'review' paints them. While the 2017 has improved over the 2009 version, the bike is still top heavy, gas mileage is plain bad considering that my K1600 gets the same gas mileage as the DL650. The bike is under powered for 2-up riding. The alternator output is still too low for any serious accessories. It's still a good bike for the price and they are very reliable.
All pros man, Good.
But I'm wondering how this wee would fare if its pitted against a 2017 Kawasaki Versys 650. Waiting eagerly for that comparo.
Thanks for the review. How do you like the new Shoei ?
Hi Tom - it's downright excellent. It presents a great value proposition and the attention to detail is quite high. It does fit a hair larger as compared to the RF-1200 or the X-Fourteen.
brought home a V-Strom 650 XT with on Nov 2015 wanted to keep it for at least 2 years for multiple road trips but I sold it after 6 months in May 2016.
I agree it is a comfortable bike for hard tarmac but it didn't meet my needs.
- wanted a bike with good mileage. on normal daily rides it was OK with 25L tank doing ~400km before reserve but with all 3 boxes on for its 1st short road trip (on Malaysia's North South highway avg speed 120~160kmh) it manages barely 320 km :( even my 1731 cc 900lb Victory CrossCountry does 420km before reserve, with a smaller 22L fuel tank.
- under power, with 3 full boxes for 2 up road trip it was struggling to keep up with the others
- Top heavy, a lot of afford to maneuver in tight corners, South East Asia heavy traffic, undulating terrain etc
- Way too too too top heavy, drop it twice & required 110% effort & some life points to lift it up
you just need to hit the gym, bro 💪
@@carlosandleon I m a small guy, exercise 6 days/ week, standing @163cm only. Having medium body frame & 70kg I m already a little too top heavy for my runs or else I knees may give up 1/2 way in my next marathon 😅
@@leekelvin00 yo respect 💪
I think the v-strom is top heavy.Mine's 216kgs.Have dropped it a few times & parking & slow riding take alot of concentration.Apart from the weight they're a great bike.
I'm really not a fan of these infomercial-style reviews. It's like you're reading off Suzuki's press sheet lol. Please give us some real feedback on and offroad. Not sure if it's just that the journalists like Adam Waheed have their hands tied or something. That being said, this looks like a really, really great bike.
MotoBoy I'm with you, however it is a review of the motorcycle and they do a phenomenal job of reviewing the motorcycles!
Thx great review
The best in the middle weight of the adventure big bike.
Thanks
I want to love this motorcycle so much, but the old school instrument panel is bothering me.
Great review, Mate... The bike looks good, but, God! That handle bar looks ugly
The original windshield is good ?For me it is noisy.I will change it to puig.
How is front suspension? Heard it's too soft that bottom s out ?
not really a big fan of the styling on the new vstrom. I will stick to my 2013 model
I agree
I have a 2007 model is there any differences between 2007/2013?
The reviewer is wearing the Shoei RF-SR; is this the ideal helmet for this bike? Or is there another one even better?
That all depends on what you're looking for in a helmet. I would say there's no "ideal" helmet for this bike, but more an ideal helmet for your riding style. A modular helmet might be nice on this, like the Shoei Neotec II (www.ridersdomain.com/motorcycle-riding-gear/shoei-neotec-ii-modular-helmet-p) or even an adventure styled helmet like the Arai XD4 (www.ridersdomain.com/motorcycle-riding-gear/arai-xd4-motorcycle-helmet-p). - Byron
In Europe you're not likely to cruise under 75MPH (120KPH) on the highway. I bet the buzzing is at it's worst right there
I ride a 2008 at 75 all the time. I've never noticed any buzzing.
You could try replacing the front sprocket with one with one less tooth.
not really mine buzzes a little at 65 but is smooth at 75
@@danousd isnt that just gonna increase the revs? If anything he should add a tooth, no?
Carlos Leon You may be right. I do know that taking the sprockets in the right direction improves things a lot on the highway. My shop replaced my sprockets when the old ones wore out. We discussed this and they got it right. Was very happy with the result.
What kind of bag is that?
Reminds me of the 'katana'
It is funny to me how manufacters try to take away any quarks or in my mind character of the bike and I am talking about the low idle assist. The bike is easy to stall on take off, but really? Any decent rider can get used to it very easy.
Dar Tice I would like to disable it.
Now Im just curious and Id like to give it a go. I think I can work with it
The Versys 650 is nicer and has adjustable suspension, but has an awfully ugly nose and lights. The V-Strom 2017 nose is perfect.
ALL THOSE READING THIS 2024 CHANGE THE PADS!! the calipers are fine the pads are not. get new pads, mine now stops like my Street RS 765.
I'm thinking getting a 1000cc cause my wife is going to ride with me most time,,,650 may be to small,,,
Paulo Cometti Beware. The 1000 has idle hammer issues and bad clutch basket.
Where was this filmed?
That's in southern Oregon, by Applegate Lake. - Byron
The dealbreaker for me on the 2016 was the seat. What a horrible seat. No mention about that? Not really a review.
that seat looks awfully low. . .
Great bike, but this new look is UGLY
It surprises me that Suzuki only recently gave these touring bikes cruise control, and I think that was only on the 1000