SUZUKI V-STROM 650 XT (2017-on) Motorcycle Review

It's at its best when you don't notice it! This sounds daft but it's not a limelight bike, it's very happily under the radar, it's fast enough as long as you keep it's mild power in mind and not compare it to a ducati. It's very comfortable for easy 2hr stretches, with easily adjusted preload and a couple more psi in the rear my partner can almost fall asleep as pillion. My only slight criticism is the seat to pegs is a little short, my knees ask a wee stretch after 2hrs.

This is the jewel in it's crown, it's torque seems to pull at any revs yet holding a gear it easily copes with any road or traffic condition. It sounds fab when revved out and gives a sporty sound and adds to the happiness when riding this bike.

Only a year old and being a bit pampered there is no sign of corrosion and nothing has broken or failed

It's on a two year service plan from new making a saving of approx £200

A value bike it's not endowed with the latest tech but this is the happy nature of the bike, it leaves the control to the rider, abs and traction control, that's about it. The worst feature are the standard tyres, Bridgestone, great for wear but very lacking in grip and have sapped some of my confidence on them. The taller screen has made a huge improvement in comfort, genuine visor open up to 75mph. I've often forgotten the visor is open.

Buy TRW pads for the front and bed them in ever so gently. The modern 'sintering' technique is, in my opinion, an anti-litigation ploy to ensure replacement pads won't fade in the first few miles before they partially bed-in... I changed two sets of Micra front pads in the same week, last May. The sedately driven car on my inlaw's example stops so well, I seriously thought she'd taken it to a garage to get new pads. The other Micra, my sister's car - same OEM pad brand - is a world of difference. She drives like, and is, a maniac... The ride quality is as plush as a hydropneumatic Citroen with new spheres. If the latter means anything to you, you will LOVE this bike. Even more than your current MZ 250 Supa 5.

Suzuki also make budget cars. In India, their Alto is practically worshipped. This is because they never make a duff engine. I have a Suzuki A100 from 1969 and the bike's done 136k miles. The engine's had two rebores and one crank rebuild. The engine on this bike is unburstable. Total loss of coolant from a rock damaged engine casting didn't stress this bike. I rode from London to Manchester at moped speed with no coolant. I came off the M6 at Stoke and nursed the bike for 80 miles. A bore-scope camera showed still perfect cylinder liners after this event. I need to add 200ml of oil between 6k oil/filter changes. Performance is simply all you need. 120mph, pulling from 20mph in top gear, you can actually set off quite easily in second or evn third.

Only the paint and minor exhaust corrosion makes this bike a four star for me. I went right through the bike when new, doing as much preventative maintenance as I could think of. I now believe this was a waste of time/effort. Just ride the thing. The gearbox is standard Suzuki. Swiss watch like with zero slop. Neutral selection is always easy just the one missed gear change in 88k miles. Really. he V-twin is unburstable and is easily a match for Yamaha's 850 parallel twin. Amazing!

I have never taken a bike or car to a garage in my life.Me and my dad always did everything ourselves. Central heating, double-glazing, electronics, building work. It was how I was brought up, so 10 litre of oil and two oil filters each year. Chain/sprockets every 30k and eBay for bargain NGK iridium plugs cross-matched part# for £5 each. The air in NE Scotland is so clean, air filters are not really a service item. Being a qualified Citroen mech helps too!

Not many toys or much sophistication, but does all you could reasonably expect!

No complaints. Comfy for 2 hours which is as long as I rode without a break. Loads of leg room, very ergonomic riding position. Brakes fine, tyres fine, suspension more than adequate. Never taken off-road, but it might be worth mentioning that the tyres are great on the road, much better than the chunky Michelin Anakee’s on my Tiger.

Super smooth and quite quick enough for me thankyou.

Well put together, solid. No issues while I had it.

£85 for first oil service at A&D Denbigh. Good price and good to deal with, had a test ride on another bike while waiting, great stuff.

At 6-foot tall, the standard screen was very noisy - despite being adjustable, could not find a setting that worked. Replaced with Givi Airflow which was far better.

The brakes are fine, ABS works well. Confortable bike. The only bad thing is that you cannot turn the Abs off.

Perfect engine, reliable, low and mid torque is strong. Good cruising speed. Power delivery is lineal, whick makes an easy bike to drive.

The finish and built are top notch in the segment.

150 Us dollars of service a year. ( Here in Mexico).

*Good: Abs works well, traction control is good too. I love the old school dash with analogue and lcd dual display ( I dont like TFT). Good Bridgestine Battlax tires ( good grip and handling). *Flaws/ missing: You cannot turn off the Abs, No LED headlights, no hazard switch / lights, no gear shift indicator.

I love this bike for its looks and all day comfort and i keep it clean , so when its parked up i regularly get nice comments about it. My 650 xt is the white one with blue graphics and spoked blue rims. Once brimmed i can ride approx 250 miles before it needs refuelling.

This bike is all about the low down torque and is happiest when ridden between 3000 & 5000 revs in either 3rd or 4th gear. It runs out of puff above 70mph but its not built for high speed, just cruising around the legal road limits is fine.

the fit and finish on the Vstrom is pretty good so long as you keep on top of good routine maintenance, ie regularly wash and wax , check and lube chain and regular servicing.I have recently had a new clutch fitted due to my own fault as i installed some handlebar risers during lockdown and didnt think to adjust the clutch cable . This resulted in the clutch being burnt out over a period of time and it cost a whopping £550 plus new brake pads and a blown headlight bulb.

The first service cost £180 after running it in then followed by £220 for its 7000 mile service, my local suzuki dealer do all the servicing and repairs as its under warranty and its got all the relevant stamps in its service book.

Firstly it has great wind protection, due to it being fitted with a suzuki oe screen with a wind deflector . It also came supplied with a main stand , rear carrier and top box which are all optional extras. I swapped the hand guards for some barkbusters as the oe fitment ones are a cosmetic thing and i just didnt think they would stand up to any abuse. Also i swapped both brake & clutch levers for some aftermarket adjustable ones and these also fold up in the event of a spill, oxford heated grips are a must for our british winters so these were added at its first service.

Extremely comfortable bike and you can easily last a full tank without a break if need be. Ride quamlity is generally good but the brakes feel as if they could benefit from a little more bite. Screen could be a target higher as I do get a little buffeting, but nothing too drastic

It’s a 650 and it’s not a sports bike so I don’t expect sports bike performance, but it’s got a decent low and mid range. Does what it says on the tin.

I rarely ride in the wet but the rear wheel spokes stared to rust after one wet outing.

Servicing was reasonably priced

The standard Suzuki hard luggage is pants. Like a lot of bikes it would Benifit from a centre stand. Didn’t,t these used to be standard on bikes years ago?

This machine can be ridden all day long as the seat is very comfortable and the vtwin engine is ultra smooth, this can commute, tour and enjoy a little off road fun.

This vtwin engine has great low down grunt thanks to the torque and excellent engine braking when needed, but it just runs out of steam higher up the rev range so a constant stirring of the gearbox is required.

The build qualityof this model is excellent and the option of having a lower seat is a great one for for people who have a shorter inside leg measurement. This machine has not let me down in the last 12 months of ownership and has had all its required services.

servicing at my local suzuki dealership is expensive but is required as its on HP finance, but gives peace of mind knowing that its fully reliable.

The overall seating position gives a great view over cars and the size of the machine in general gives great road presence. heated grips and the suzuki official taller screen with the air deflector fitted is excellent. The Bridgestone tyres fitted as standard have not given me any problems or issues athe wear rate is good too.

Ride quality is very good. Decent, predictable handling is unexpectedly good for an 'adventure' style bike. Riding position is very comfortable. Rear suspension is adjustable, though forks aren't. I'm 15 stone in weight and it's fine for me - less so with pillion though. Brakes are OK, not had a situation yet where I've felt they could/should have been better - though again, with a passenger, definitely need to grab a bigger handful.

Fabulous torquey engine and a lot of fun in the sweet spot. Absolutely no complaints for a 650 V twin.

8 months in, no problems so far in terms of reliability, except one manufacturer recall. Biggest let down so far is the amount of rust appearing. Underneath the front of the seat on petrol tank (on and around a welded-on catch), silencer, exhaust clamps, around the brakes, footpegs... will be getting in touch with Suzuki for a warranty claim.

For the price it has some very decent 'extras'. ABS of course, but traction control and a power socket are very welcome additions.

Bullet proof engine

Got everything you need on a bike must add on heated grips

Ride quality is good, only gripe was with the front brake as it had little feel for the first 2000 miles. Feels better now but still little feel before the ads kicks in.

This 650 v twin is a gem, slightly more power than previous models and pulls well even fully loaded. Only struggles two up fully loaded.

Reliability has been excellent with no issues at all in the 7 months I have had the bike, didn’t score 5 out of 5 due to thin paint around the bar ends and hand guard fittings.

Insurance was less than £145 comp and the fuel economy is great.

The instruments give lots of good information and they are clear to read. Accessory socket comes in handy for powering your mobile devices.