Suzuki DL650 V-Strom 650 ABS (2011 - current)

Firstly i want to say that i have never been a Suzuki fan, and to tell you the truth i don't even know why, i think i found them bland to say the least! Always been a Kawi fan! So when a mate of mine told me that i must test ride the new DL650 i wasn't very up for it.However to shut him up i rode over to Wards Barnsley on MY VERY LOVELY GREEN/BLACK KAWI Z750, and asked if they had any DL650 demos, to my disappointment they did. So off i set on the demo bike,within 400 yds started thinking this bikes ok, within 1 mile was thinking this bike is not too bad at all and within 5 miles i was on the motorway doing 70ish(honest lol) thinking this bike is fabulous, great gear change, no wind blast or buffeting, great comfort from the plush seat and so planted on the road, the way you can fire the thing out of the corners was unbelievable it made my Z750 feel like it was built in the stone-age.Rode back to Wards only out 25mins parked her up, removed my lid, walked into the showroom and did a deal! IT JUST FELT SO RIGHT THAT BIKE, IT ENCOURAGED ME TO RIDE. So i now have a new white DL650, just done 200 mile to the coast and back "faultless". I have some mates with sportsbikes CBR, ZX6R, 996 who i go to IOM with every year, one of my mates told me that "its not as nice to look at as your Z750" to which i replied "i tend to agree with you 100%, however ride the DL and everything makes sense!" His reply was "bikes are not made to make sense they are just toys" not sure he will be saying that at Heysham next year when his back is broke AGAIN, like every year we have been going to IOM, "change the record kid buy a DL" My only problem is that i feel that i now have the bike to do some mega miles, the IOM is no way near far enough, maybe i should ask alleycat1966 if me and my DL can tag along to Morocco?

I would like to start by saying I have owned many bikes over the years ranging from Gt380's through BT1100 Bulldogs to Fazers and Thundercats and even an F650 BMW in fact all manner of bikes and I wish I would have been able to buy one of these years ago......here is my story: I Went out 6 weeks ago with the intention of buying a DL1000 VStrom (and let me tell you I was not going to settle for anything less). I popped into my local friendly Suzuki dealer he said "we don't have a 1000 in stock, have you tried the new model 650" I replied "not powerful enough for me Guv" he said "You might be surprised" So gear on, licence shown then out on the shiny 2012 plate in orange. What a bike best riding position, not too tall and quick off the mark. Like Victor Kiam said "I liked it so much I bought the company". Well not quite but on my return I did buy the demonstrator that I had just been out on with 70 miles on the clock for well under list and cash back price. I picked the bike up on a sunny Sunday at the beginning of June and set off for a trip across from Swansea to Bristol, to try and chip away at the 600 miles before first service. I popped home first to raise the adjustable screen onto the top setting this was ideal I am 6ft and I get no wind blast or buffeting. Off I set, max 5k revs for the first 600 miles this equates to about 70-75mph indicated, so not too uncomfortable on the motorway. I arrived in Bristol and checked the fuel consumption via the on-board computer....67mpg wow I thought with a 4.4 gallon tank that equates to well over 250 miles between fill ups. Same again on my return over the Severn Bridge mid 60's to the gallon, on the way back I ventured off the motorway and onto the A48 through the twisties, this bike flicks through the corners and always manages to put a big grin on my face. After all the crap weather we have had recently and a week in Turkey it had taken me 6 weeks to do the 600 miles, so this weekend just gone in it went for first service £39 lighter and it was up to 7.5k revs max for the next 400 miles, this equates to around 105 mph indicated (private track honest officer) I have a friend who has owned the Versys and he raved in a similar way about that. Goodies include a gear indicator, ambient temp and twin trip recorders and a very comfortable seat. If you are reading this then take my advice put the sports bike in the corner of the garage and go and buy one of these wonderful underestimated machines. I am already planning a trip to Morocco next year.

Brilliant Bike

Done 900 miles so far and already I cannot believe how confident this bike is in all situations. Suzuki appears to have listened carefully to owners of the previous model and come up with a really well sorted bike. I have to agree with Daveanddian that the main beam warning light is a bit distracting at night, but I got used to it quite quickly and It doesn't bother me too much now. Many people mourn the demise of the DL1000, but in the days of rocketing fuel prices the 650 is hard to fault. Before getting this bike I had considered the Triumph 800 Tiger, but decided that the DL650 was all the bike I needed for general use and probably cheaper to run. There is no doubt that the Tiger is superior in power but the V-Strom is no slouch and sips the expensive stuff more lightly whilst not being too far behind. Well done Suzuki.

ok i reviewed this bike when i had only 111 miles on clock, she is now run in and 1700 miles on clock. right i will stat of with the bad points. sorry point. the blue main beam dash light is to bright, right the good points, all of it, the bike is a pleasure to drive, from small journeys to long ones, the gear box smooth, handleing superb round town on motorway or hard round corners she stays where you want her to stay, clocks easy to read day or night with adjustable dash lights. 400 miles done in one day, comfortable, ok bum going a bit numb after 300 miles. full tank got me well over 200 miles (riding senseible) hardly any bufferting on the motorway. top speed so far 120mph sorry i meant 70mph (legal speed of course :-) ) front wheel goes a bit light at top end. sits nicely at 80/90 on motorway. my advice buy one great fun.

I had an older V-Strom. Great bike, but I just couldn't look back at it when I parked it in the garage! I loved that motor too. I tried a variety of other bikes (I've had 12) and then took the 2012 V-Strom for a ride. Well, that was it - the only bike I have ever bought two of. I can even look at it without half closing my eyes! Smooth, fast enough for me, comfortable, decent comprehensive clocks, standard ABS, smart finish and good value even fully kitted. I could afford a more expensive bike, but frankly this does all I want of a motor cycle and it is one of the very few I have owned that I keep finding excuses to take out for yet another ride. Why didn't I buy British? The Triumph I owned is the only new bike of all 12 I have had that broke down - and personally I don't think the Tiger is £1,500 better - but I suspect a lot of people will disagree! Now I must go for a ride!

today i picked up my new 2012 version v strom 650cc. £7000.00. is it worth the money??? yes it is, although im still running her in, the bike in my opinion is awesome, comfortable, engine seems good at the moment, you can feel her wanting to just just go, only down side i see is all the gadgets and gizmos are extra, but for the price what do you expect i suppose, the digital speedo is clear and easy to read in the day or night. once run in will post more. as only done 111 miles at the moment.