My thoughts on my bike- a Suzuki V-Strom 650XT. I own the LAMS/A2 version owing to licencing restrictions here in Australia. Windscreen Extender: rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mp... #suzuki #vstrom650 #review #lams
Great Review Paddy, as you know this was the bike that I was going back and forth on when looking at mine. Love to hear reviews from owners on bikes as they tend to be more honest! 👍✌ Ace Review Mate
Solid review Paddy! I financed my very first bike at 27 just a few months ago (ktm 390 adv) and it’s been a perfect beginner bike.. yet I’m yearning for a bit more power. I was eyeing the Tenere and the KLR 650 but I think I’m sold on the strom 650 XT... I know it’s not as off road capable as the other 2 bikes but for just the light gravel roads and mainly pavement I’ll be riding on, the Suzuki seems like the best bet. Thanks for the honest review!!
Great review paddy, I've just recently bought a new Vstrom 650xt mine being white with blue rims a blue strip on the beak and blue stripes on the tank. I absolutely love my bike as it does everything I ask of it with no complaints. Keep the reviews coming mate cheers.. Have also subscribed.
Nice review @Paddy Outback. I picked mine up with 15000km on it last week. Has a heap of extras...GIVI airflow screen, Givi bash plate, Givi Outback Trekker Topbox and Panniers, Crash bars, Handguards, Stedi Spotlights, Heated grips, Quad Lock, Conti TKC 70 tyres which handle the dirt very well...love it!!!! I have the cast wheel version though so not sure about durability on the dirt. Time will tell I guess. Cheers again for the great review. I've put 800kms on it this week and will do a review when I've had it for a couple of months. Subbed mate.
I love it but it's getting a fair amount of hate for some reason. I think V-Strom owners are a conservative bunch and the styling is a bit much for them.
Hi Paddy, thanks for a most excellent review. Looking at my first bike purchase and have short listed the v-strom and the versys. Wondering what factors influenced your choice to go with this one instead of the versys?
Both of them are very good bikes. The V-Strom is a little better off road bit there's not much to choose between them. I went with the V-Strom for the simple reason that I just liked it more.
got myself the same thing, yellow and all, just the 2019 model. It's my first bike so I love it but yeah, I agree that it might not shine in any particular area but it's so amazing to just go, have fun and then if you stumble over some gravel or dirt road ... you just carry on, no problems. Now that's adventuring to me :) I'm a bit of an OCDist when it comes to going to new places, need to know the road, parking spots, GPS and all but since the V, the GPS is mainly for listening to music and if I am really lost. Btw, a cardo with voice commands and a proper GPS mount, that holds it on top of the dash are great things to have.
I’ve got one of these high on my after-the-KLR list. I absolutely loved this engine on my friend’s SV650. I still want a more basic and rugged bike while I learn to ride on dirt, but this would be a great choice for me once I’m ready to move on.
I owned a KLR before this one. It was a vast improvement in everything except off road. Simply because the KLR had more clearance. I am hitting the skidplate constantly on this bike if the terrain gets rough, otherwise, it's an amazing bike for the price. If it had a couple more inches in clearance, it would be the best bike on the market (if price is something you think about)
I think it's a cracking bike man! I well prefer the XT over the regular model! Then spokey wheels just really suit the bike! The yellow colour you got makes the bike pop! I think they're a nice looking bike and to be honest they're not at all common over here, especially the XT model. I do agree the clocks etc. are a bit messy looking but they do the trick! I must really make a review of the MT! One of the lads at work has the CB500X and it's nice alright but to be honest the V-Strom is nicer. Great video man!
Fantastic review Paddy. It is a bloomin great bike, and that you have been able to get the seat, bars and pegs to fit you is possibly something that sets it apart from the Honda maybe too? :-)
I'm sure I could have done the same with Honda. No shortage of aftermarket parts there either. The V-Strom has more power though it is more expensive. Swings and roundabouts.
Thanks great review. Anyone have any thoughts on getting this at 35kw and then after a year going full power? Does a new engine have problems awaiting doing this? I’ve a year left at 35kw and fancy one of these a heck of a lot… cheers
I love my 2012 model. None of the new electronic features now available appeal to me in the least. The bike is excellent on those long highways. I've gone over 700 miles in a single day. Offroad I'd have to say that it is just fine on dirt roads. I used to roll a R1100GS and the Suzuki will allow me to go a mite further in than I'd dared to go with the BMW. If you were to, say, want to ride hundreds of miles and then need almost motocross features to reach that abandoned mining town look into a DR 650. Learn to travel light, stay in shape and try to find at least one riding companion who is at least as nuts as you!
I have the same bike not everything you want but has everything you need at a great price, my fell off the Shitty side stand first week I had it, so I fitted a bigger side stand plate and crashbars, and also the fitted the same bar risers as you after seeing your video on it
I somewhat agree that it's good at everything but excels at nothing. For me, it does excel at touring on paved roads. It is comfortable (with the mods you mentioned, specially the windscreen extension) and can go for hundreds of miles very happily.
They're by a company called RHK. They had them in stock at the local Suzuki dealership. They're 25mm and didn't require any cable extensions. Here's a link to something similar. www.ebay.com.au/itm/254574366213
When you get your unrestricted motorcycle license, is there anyway to derestrict the motorcycle, to restore the horsepower in the LAMS V Strom 650 like the unrestricted model? I'm pretty bummed the 70 horsepower model is restricted for learners and restricted motorcycle license riders
Paddy Outback. Really! That would be no problem then. When I was enquiring about this bike at a dealer, I asked the Service Dept what that service would cost and they quoted over $500 for all the 6000 km services and around $800 for the 24000 km service. Turned me off it a bit.
They said you can get spooked wheels for the ktm 390 adventure at ktm power sports when it comes out spos like an after market from KTM. I really like the look and price of that bike.
'Cast alloy wheels are prone to cracking'. Are they my arse. Did the dealer tell you that to get you to pay more for the XT? , You would have been fine with the standard bike, and bought yourself a decent bash plate and crash bars with the money you saved. I do like your review, but your uneccesarily biased towards the XT version.... Have you tried keeping spoked wheels clean?... Unless your catching air or doing serious off roading, the standard bike is all you will ever need. It's a great bike.
There is a world of metric outside of the USA you know. I'm a "seasoned rider" with 50 years of riding. This review is pretty much right up my alley. My other bike is a GSX1340R. 😉
