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



Detail Value
New price £6,899
Used price range View Suzuki DL650 V-STROM bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size 645cc
Power 68bhp
Top speed 120mph
Insurance group
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 5 rating is 4.5
Engine rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Equipment rating is 3 rating is 4
Quality & Reliability rating is 4 rating is 4
Value rating is 5 rating is 4

MCN overall verdict rating is 5

We approached the new V-Strom full of skepticism but have been swayed.
First, the restyle is a stunning success in its own right. I can’t think of any bike that looks so classy for so little money. Second, almost every aspect has been improved in terms of performance, ranging from engine and handling to manageability and range.

But what’s impressed most is how all that lot adds up to an immensely, almost peerlessly versatile package that is simply brilliant value for money.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The revised Gladius engine is willing and eager. The SV650 based V-twin has long been considered the virtually unchallenged leader in its class, and in this uprated form, though not startlingly different, is better yet: always flexible, free-revving and yet, for a V-twin, impressively smooth, too.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

There’s an improved tautness to the whole plot. It’s no full-on scratcher, of course – the upright gait, 19-inch front wheel and budget/all-rounder suspension, brakes and tyres preclude that, but it’s now also a long way from the mushy vagueness its trailie style may suggest and can genuinely be thrown around with confidence.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4

Still a budget bike, but now less obviously so. Instrumentation has gone up another level, ABS is now standard and there’s a decent rack but any other goodies are only as optional extras.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

In person the restyle is seductive and classy. The now curvy, wind tunnel-developed lines are more integrated; the detailing and instruments more sophisticated and modern, and the use of more varied materials and textures gives the new V-Strom an air of bikes as luxurious as Ducati’s Diavel rather than a budget-priced middleweight. The front mudguard, tank band and sidepanels have an (admittedly fake) carbon fibre style weave, satins and brushed aluminium mix with glossy metallic paint and the new seat, complete with red stitching and embossed ‘V-Strom logo, on its own looks classy and a cut above.

Value

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4

Excellent. The old V-Strom was a good, budget bike. The new one is a great bike that just happens to be at a budget price. Considering the style, finish, equipment and ability it makes even the great Tiger 800 seem pricey.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

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Model History

2011: Launched as successor to old V-Strom

Other Versions

Specifications

Top speed 120mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 68bhp
Torque 44ftlb
Weight 214kg
Seat height 835mm
Fuel capacity 20 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range 200 miles
Insurance group
Engine size 645cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, 90º V-twin, 6 gears
Frame Aluminium twin spar
Front suspension adjustment None
Rear suspension adjustment Preload
Front brakes 2 x 310mm front discs with twin-piston calipers and ABS
Rear brake 260mm disc with single-piston caliper and ABS
Front tyre size 110/80R19
Rear tyre size 150/70R17M

See all Suzuki DL650 V-STROM motorcycles for sale

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£3,350

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£5,499

Suzuki
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Suzuki
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£2,495

Suzuki
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£3,500

Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(5 reviews)

  • Brilliant Bike

    Steve222

    Average rating rating is 5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Brilliant Bike

    09 April 2012

  • 2012 DL650

    petervoros

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
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    Engine

    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.

    07 November 2011

  • updated reviw

    daveanddian

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    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.

    14 October 2011

  • Hooked again!

    John Willis

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    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!

    09 October 2011

  • still running in

    daveanddian

    Average rating rating is 4

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
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    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    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.

    10 September 2011

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petervoros

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petervoros says

I had a 2010 DL650X which I loved, so practical, fun to ride, easy to throw around and fast enough for me.  Only thing was it had taken too many ugly pills.

I tried a demo 2012 DL650 it looks good and I felt right at home on it.  Suzuki have addressed most of the winges of the old model with great success.  It felt very sure footed in the wet and very nimble around town.  At motorway speeds it felt very planted and safe with far less buffeting from the screen than the classic.  The motor feels smoother and the new instruments are easy to read at a glance as well as gaining a gear indicator.  I got back to the dealer with the widest grin I've worn for a long time together with an order for a fully kitted out V-Strom.

 

 

20 September 2011 21:54

Tribal-Wolf

User's Badge

Tribal-Wolfsays

Yikes I bought I brand new DL650 for £4600 at the end of 2008, it's scary how much bikes have gone up. I like the changes in the new bike and I would like to own one but I think the prices of all new bikes are killing the biking industry in this country. I benefited from it as I lost very little money when I sold mine but it is getting too expensive to ride a motorcycle in the UK.

16 August 2011 22:02

mogulthrash

User's Badge

mogulthrash says

conflict of interest?

"brilliant value for money"? hardly. Has MCN got a vested interest in seeing these overpriced bikes sell? In a world of falling sales for new bikes its tempting to accept low volume and high profit. The only way is down here for Suzuki. Kgb333 is right - its all lovely, apart from the price. Sorry Suzuki, its too much money. Bikes used to be cheaper to run than cars, not any more. I suppose these high prices keep the secondhand market strong. At these sort of prices, are we going to see the likes of Asda WalMart selling bikes? Better get my lottery numbers right so I can get one. My mum buys my pants.

17 July 2011 07:41

kgb333

User's Badge

kgb333says

EXCELLENT STUFF!!

Everything the VStrom community expected, an update on the shape and some of the bits like instruments sorted even nicer than before but the overall concept of a highly versatile bike has been retained. Great to see the luggage has been given some more thought this time and there is a spot for the SatNav. I think it will be every bit as successful as the original version.

11 July 2011 12:14

speedtriplecouk

speedtriplecouk says

Triumph Every Time

Whether you'd spend the little extra for an 800 Tiger or a Street or Speed Triple, I'd go for a Brit bike with character EVERY TIME!!

Dom, www.speedtriple.co.uk

 

10 July 2011 09:42

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