I test rode the Vstorm 250, the suspension is setup for road use but it’s irrelevant given the ultra light nature of the bike & the engines is like butter smooth and the maintenance & spares are dirt cheap and its also super comfortable so will be an excellent all round commuter and Tourer bike, loved it
After this report if I was getting a new dirt bike and the chose would be between this and the Himalayan this would win hands down. It's got about the same power but it's cheaper, lighter and ( hopefully ) has Japanese reliability and on Australian roads these days all you really need is a 250 as you can't legally do more then 110 kph ( except in parts of the N.T ) anywhere.
I hope you’re right Dave, can’t back out now without doing my deposit. Yes I have to admit it’s almost license suicide nowadays to travel much faster than the limit. Cheers mate.
Loved seeing some of the bikes youve owned. Bikes so often compared to others and speed machines the rider has ridden as comparisons to nowhere… a topic I always find largely irrelevant as thats not the bike thats available for purchase. So seeing and hearing a guy who loves his collection for the bikes they are/were is nice fresh air. ‘Wasnt yhe best bike but I loved it’. The full sum of its parts rather a summary of its missing parts approach.
I am from India I own this bike from last 4 months. I don’t even hesitate to say that it’s the best versatile bike of its segment. It feels calm though out it’s rev range and gives ample grunt for quick over takes. It feels so so easy to handle on highways it feels just like riding a regular commuter motorcycle. I am feeling happy that it’s made in for the world and suzuki didn’t compromise on its build quality but it’s lacking the Bluetooth connectivity in International variant which is present in Indian variants
Thanks for the information, we have just received the VStrom 250 in Aus and I will be doing my review soon. Always appreciate getting feedback from 🇮🇳 thanks 🙏🏻
@@realdevbro447 This version is a single, the previous version was a little twin and before that it was a single. It’s almost like they can’t make their mind up 🤣
Waiting a real review from u sir after you get a new ones, many people said a stroke of suspension is not good... too short but the engine was an good, smooth and got torque from lower rpm
Yes I have to say I’m looking forward to doing this review, sadly they’ve pushed delivery back another month. Oh well what do they say? good things come to those who wait. 👍
Looking forward to the full review. Do you have the bike yet? They're not here in Thailand until next month. I was going to buy a CB500X but this is cheaper lighter and good enough for bombing around Phuket island.
could you do a vid on the differences and benefits of 2 stroke , 4 stroke, liquid cooled , air cooled, oil coolers, etc. you do a great job on your vids. thank you ! great great channel
@@standupmoto i have a honda 05crf 250x . when i was young i had no one to teach me. you have a great platform to teach others. you do a great job . thank you
Hi Jim, yes I'm looking forward to doing it but Suzuki have just emailed me saying shipment is now expected MAY ! Oh well I guess good things come to those who wait.
I looked at both also, flipped a coin basically. Neither were available at the time I ordered this, but I think the 390 is now. Based on what I’ve read I think you’ll have a nice bike there and more hp than the little Suzi. My SX is apparently May!!!!! delivery now, oh well. Love to hear what you think of it. cheers.
I'll wait for your review of the sx then, indonesian market will get this bike officially on March or april this year, we can already ordered it of course.. But I'll wait till your review before i make my mind.. Cheers mate 👍
Hello, yes I’ve got a feeling this will be a very good bike. delivery here in Australia is expected in March at this stage but we’ll wait and see. Cheers.
Would love to see your review of this bike. Really wonder how it will compare to something like the versys x 300. They look ideal but the service intervals arent that long and valve check requirements are every 5k or so from what i have read.
Hi, the Versys 300 is a good bike but expensive here in Aus, hopefully they are easy for doing the clearance. Most bikes I find after the first valve adjustment stay in tolerance for a long time, here’s hoping they are the same. cheers.
No. The DRz400 is closer to a unicorn than the Vstrom 250. A better bet if you want something smaller though is the CRF300 Rally, but you can still get the 250’s if you need to keep under 251cc. The 250 strom might be a good commuter and you could do some dirt roads on it, but there are plenty of better choices for small adventure bikes. That being said, you can adventure any bike if you want to.
Hi Rob, both great bikes you mention here. Especially the Drz, they are a pearler and fortunately I’ve spent some time riding one but they are tall and somewhat intimidating for new or occasional riders. The Rally is also a good bike but is bloody expensive (almost twice the price) and just slips out of the low cost registration as does the Drz here in South Australia. The big bonus of the VStrom is being able to get onto a new bike at a used price that is hopefully (yet to do the review) as good as it looks in the pics & on paper. Thanks for the comment, you know your bikes. Cheers.
I’m in NSW and have a VStrom 650, and it is not expensive to register or insure. How much more than a 250 I don’t know, but it’s minimal. I do agree that we need a lighter bike, but not a 250. 450-550 please.
Yes a 450 version would be nice, they (Suzuki) are bringing out the 800 about the same time as the 250 I believe. NSW has a flat rate for registration similar to Vic at the moment I’m told, not sure of the costs there but in SA 250cc is very cheap. 251cc to 660 goes up by a considerable amount then above 660 is more again. The other advantage of course it the light weight of the 250, something I receive a lot of mail in regards to. Thanks for the comment, cheers.
@@standupmoto I don’t want or need the additional power of the upcoming 800 and I certainly don’t want the additional weight. About 180kg would be the sweet spot for me, taking as much civilised get up and go as is realistically possible at that weight.
@@standupmoto haha, no. I’ve decided against it or the 750 Honda. I’ve only had the VStrom for 3 weeks, first bike in 35 years, and currently my only form of transport. I’m enjoying it immensely, especially that absolute gem 💎 of an engine. So I’ll keep chugging along on it for now and if nothing comes onto the market that excites me I’ll get myself a new cb 500x. This will drop about 30kg, give me much better suspension and slightly better fuel economy, as icing on the cake.
@@rustytanks Thanks. I did the reserve for what its worth. I'm just getting back into riding and I don't know if I'll be able to hold out till Sep/Oct. Time will tell
Sir LOVE you And appreciate your passion for adventure Bike Suzuki VStrom and many many more different models Our beloved Hero. As you are I am blessed to have one such incredible machine ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you sir Wish you very happy, healthy peaceful prosperous bright Life 💗
Gday mate the er 185 now there is some memories $999.00 what a bargain had one when i was an apprentice cheap as to run bought it from a dealer on oaklands road somerton park back in the day . Who is the suzuki dealer now ? cornells were and they were actually llenrocs before that as my father told me on anzac highway ,look forward to the review .
@@standupmoto I live in Toowoomba Qld. I have a z900RS i go on day rides in the countryside. I’ve ordered a motorhome built on a 4wd Hilux and I plan to get a racknroll rack and will carry this bike on the back. Should be great for short commutes and day trips from the camping site. Cheers.
Can you sit at 110kph on the highway? I have a few big bikes in Australia but I want to buy one to tour India / SE Asia. Himalayan is tempting but this bike was a hoot to ride
Yes they will sit on 110kph but the little Strom is far more comfortable at 100kph. Remembering it is only a 250cc trail bike, the one in this review has been great. As in no issues, fantastic on fuel & surprisingly capable for light off rd work.
Hi there I been researching this bike and some utube videos I've watched say it has Bluetooth connectivity and symbols show on the dash screen of messages, calls, arrow left or right for nav directions. But when I spoke with Suzuki dealer's they have no idea about the Bluetooth connectivity. Does it have Bluetooth connectivity or no not. Thanks James
Hi James, no the Australian version doesn’t get the TFT dashboard. I believe it does get that capability (Bluetooth) in some markets but in order to keep the price down we miss out and get the basic LCD.
Yes they have the market the engine is from the gsxr250 sport and I like the wee storm as a great cheap ADV it’s light. The 10k challenge do able here, get the wee strom sport exhaust system mount a plate on the rack use a giant loop tall wind shield and dry rider kit for under 10k 😅How to get a Life of fun and ADV with your partner leave the kids at home 🏠 Thanks Suzuki
But GSX250R engine totally different with the SX... sx only one cilinder engine and have a lighter, more power and torque.... This is new engine from suzuki, the cooling system is similiar with water cooler, but they used engine oil to cool up...
@@standupmoto Hi am in the uk I have been to Australia 3 times did 1100 km this time at chirstmas & in march did 2500km & the first time I did a lot of road riding in the glasshouse mountains amazing riding . The amazing riding around the twists up mountains meed. Mount glorious with the bike cafe at the top . Last time went out as far as Texas from Brisbane. A big lup . The pit stop cafe the Lyons Rd is just brilliant . & more places than I can remember or spell . I can say I am hooked . Where are you in Australia . I have now great friends in Australia & everyone that I have met has been very friendly & welcoming.
Great stuff Roland, you’ve seen more of Aus than many Aussies. It’s a huge country with plenty to see and just perfect for motorcycling so long as it’s not the summer months. I’m at Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills (South Australia) . Yes we’re always nice to anyone from the UK, after all it was you guys that sent us here in the first place.😂 cheers.
@@standupmoto Hi yes but who's laughing now you have the best weather some super nice countryside better open roads you can fit England into Australia I think over 30 times . The best biker stake sandwiches in them biker pit stops . I Had a mouth watering delicious one one in blackbutt which I believe the town is named after the trees that grow there . The blue mountains are just outstanding . The three sisters that is a special place . The one thing I did have to watch out for was the carpet snakes which I nearly had a go at me as I swerved around him on the road . The bell birds are just are a amazing sound nothing on earth I have ever heard in my life the Forest was alive . With the sound of music. The butcher birds in the morning makes you feel like you are in a jungle. Happy days :) everyday . :)
@@rolandstaines3249 I've always been grateful to my many greats granddad for having the foresight to get caught stealing a hogshead of yeast. Best value prison sentence ever.
Why go from the 250 twin and 17+litre model to this single with a smaller tank? Makes no sense. Ok. Down from 188kg to 167kg but can it even cope on a freeway like the twin?
Yes I think it’s the weight issue of the twin as you say, 20 kg (40+ lbs) is a big difference for those wanting a lighter bike. And of course the little amount of fuel it uses, I’m not sure that many buyers of this bike will be using them as freeway bikes. Cheers & thanks for your thoughts 👍
This looks like a great bike, lightweight, great on the MPG's, and being 250, give that just enough for further travel/commute, over a 125. Sadly looks like yet another low capacity bike not set to come out in Europe/UK. Sick of having all this eco mumbo jumbo thrown down our throats, only to constantly have; hey you can buy a new 1400Busa, or wants a H2! but hey these low capacity bikes, naw we don't want to sell them there :/
Yes we see this a lot in Australia, being a small market some of the manufacturers decide the homologation costs are not worth spending for the expected return. I think we are lucky with this one because the 250 market is quite small here nowadays. Cheers.
Hello, yes I would like to but as yet I haven’t received my bike, Suzuki Australia has notified buyers that the SX won’t be here until late May 23 at this stage. Sorry.
Suzuki provide not gixxer reminding headlight give fresh headlight n tail. Longer suspension at front mainly.. n improve rear one also... most imp give premium console likt ktm 390 like.. 15 liter tank its enoght to buy in india 2025 plz pass this to suzuki.
Here in India It is costing me 2,40,000 including all taxes and suzuki riding jacket thats rupee 7000 on suzuki India website as A token of love from suzuki. How in the world we have this discount😅
@@domi9577 on dirt, probably not. I mean in all seriousness we’ve lived without them forever but they are a nice little addition if you’re riding/downshifting hard.
Gday Alex, yes I guess this is a nowadays version of your old XL but Suzuki’s version. With of course fuel injection, disc brakes and mono shock rear suspension and ABS. But the basic principle is the same, a 250cc road trail bike. Cheers mate.