The MAM Journals -Is the Suzuki V-strom 650, the perfect winter bike? 

I have the same bike as my only bike. Only use it in summer and nice weather and love it. Sometimes i find it irritating when people refer to these bikes as commuters or winter bikes only - for some people they are their pride and joy and seriously great bikes that do everything. I’m a big guy, 6’3’, and regularly ride with my wife on the back with no issues. Good review as always.

For me it is one of the best bikes ever made. Extremely versatile and extremely reliable. A legend.

Just finished a video of a man circumnavigating the earth on a DL650. 60 countries and 10's of thousands of miles. The wonderful Vtwin never faltered. Riding solo in brutal conditions. People question whether this is an adventure bike. Well, this young Japanese man definitely proved it. Long live VStroms, not Pstroms.

I tried using my Vstrom in the summer and was surprised it worked in that season too.

The Vstrom is the BEST overall BIKE ever... It does it all pretty good.

Great commentary . I like you have the daily choice of some very high level bikes from BMW,KTM and Honda . But the go to first on the road , last off , ship/trailer to interesting places is my V Strom 650 . Accessorized to handle all but the worst conditions . It excels in reliability ( give it clean air , clean fuel , clean oil and regular maintenance ) and does everything else reasonably well for a Swiss Army knife on wheels . I have owned mine for 8 years ( 2013 adv ) . It goes up and over the highest mountain passes at 100-120 km with just a little bit left , nimble in traffic , handles gravel roads ( not trails ) with ease . I have settled on Michelin Anakee Adventure tires as the rubber that seems to work the best within its limits and purpose . I am probably going to stiffen the suspension as I have always found it a bit soft for my likes and weight 6’4” 215 lbs plus gear and kit . ( been saying this for 7 years now ) . I suspect the year they discontinue it I will probably buy another , just because . Cheers from the wilds of British Columbia where the conditions and roads are truly variable and the distances lonely and long . RS .

I had an 07 version for a few years, sold it because of two shoulder reconstructions, and an awareness that I would ride it before I should, and having it sit for the recovery period wouldn't do either of us any favours. Deserves better than the 'winter bike' label. Very capable motorcycle, two up touring, dirt roads or tarmac. Just go. Modern standard in my opinion, go chasing mountain corners with your mates, exploring tracks looking for camp sites, carry your partner and luggage for a week away without issue. Brilliant bikes.

Just returned from a 2k mile trip to Sonora Pass in the California Sierra mts. Had my '22 650 Adventure almost overloaded. Traveled through Nevada at over 5500ft elevation on long mountain passes at 80 plus mph. The little twin pulled them with power to spare, getting almost 50 mpg in the straights. Comfortable and handled excellent. Even the two pot brakes did surprisingly well. And to say it again, I think these bikes look excellent.

Love the reviews and how well put together they are, and no ego!

That was a really good video on the real world aspect to using the bike in an everyday world experience. Thanks.

I bought mine at the same time for work and winter hack. I've covered 11k miles in all weather and it's been bombproof. I agree with the points raised. I regularly ACF50 it to keep corrosion at bay and so far it has worked.

Great experience of Your Ride and maintenance experience. Motivate me to go for SUCH reliable products Thank you sir for your excellent Review 👍

Perfect bike full stop. I've done 50,000 trouble free miles on mine and I'd have no problem heading around Europe on her any day.

Another great video, especially the on-board footage and the new Transalp. Well done Michael. 👍😀

Hi Michael, another great video. Your videos are always full of info and well presented. Looking forward to the next one. All the best Regards Peter.

A good review Michael and as I have stated before the V Strom is a seriously under rated machine. It is an ideal everyday rider and can tour if need be.

I have a 1986 BMW R80RT which has about 50 horsepower and 42 pound feet of torque. It was built to tour with a pillion and hard luggage, loaded with gear. It’s a very capable touring bike especially with that full fairing with lowers. I stay warm and dry. My comment is 70 horsepower sound like a lot for a 650cc bike compared to my 800cc Beemer. I have looked at those V Stroms and I think you could ride that bike around the world if you wanted. Everyone wants bigger more powerful bikes, but a 650 used to be a big bike when I started riding in the 1960s. We just hopped on and rode where we wanted including off road. We didn’t know any better! Nice review. Keep the shiny side up!😎👍

Very comfortable seat, big gas tank, good fuel economy, long range and excellent lighting , along with comfortable suspension make this bike a weapon for the IronButt crowd. Faster bikes like the V-Strom 1000 aren't as comfortable, use much more fuel, and have shorter range. A carefully crafted balance makes the 650 Strom special for covering long distance. I bought two 1000's but if I had been smart enough to buy the 650; I would still have it.

I’ve got the SV650 that I use for commuting duties. I’m on my 3rd one now and each time I’ve been in the market to change I’ve not found anything that comes close either value or practicality wise. Use them all year round and change them at approx 25k and must say this I have never had a technical issue with any of them beyond normal maintenance ( unlike the couple of expensive Italian bikes I have).

A friend on mine, like you, has about 15 registered motorcycles. All makes and models, including a Goldwing. He rides them all in rotation, he is retired and rides everyday. He is obsessed with motorcycles. I asked him one day while we were discussing the various merits of all the bikes. If you could only have one bike, which one would you choose. He contemplated that question and after deliberation he said. I would be gutted if I could have only one bike, however if I could have only one bike I would choose my VStrom 650. I asked him why, and he replied; The VStrom is not great at anything, but it does everything well, so that’s the one I would keep.

I have a gen 1 and love it. I don’t want (than the model reviewed) a more powerful or more dirt focused bike, but I was a much lighter bike. The closest to my ideal weight and design is the cb500x. But it’s down significantly on power. So unless someone releases a new model that better meets my needs I will buy a new VStrom, especially as their days are numbered. I’d say 2-3 years.

I've always been a fan of the 650 V Strom. I bought a new one last summer, which is my second one after owning a gen 1 some years back. I bought the base version as i prefer to have ally wheels. Its biggest strength is the brilliant v twin engine that is also supremely reliable. I also like the bikes comfort and its simplicity compared to many bikes now that have too much tech in them that i dont need or want. This current Wee may even be my last adventure bike as it will easily see out what riding years i have left. It also makes a good contrast to my other ride, a more powerful naked street bike.

Thanks for a great review 😊

Great video ! Suzuki's are great value for sure!!

Really good video - you are a talented presenter! Thank you :)

Great review 👍

Thanks Michael. Good video

As my second bike, I love my 06 650...not the best looking but I bagged a Euro style wind screen off of eBay that's tinted and formed to the shape of the dash and gives it a sporty look. Before I bought it I was shopping around for something that fit me better than a Honda vlx 600. A guy at a local dealer advised me to give a vstrom a try. He even said they aren't very popular style wise but very dependable. I took his advice and found one on the market for $2800 with 28k miles on it. Since then I have put 12,000 trouble free miles aside from an 1/8th of a mile where the clutch cable broke. That wasn't much of a problem because I could jam it into neutral, crank it, give it a little roll, jam it in gear with the help of the weighted crankshaft and chug on and I got it home. My vstrom already had top of the line heated grips which I now take full advantage of with proper winter gear. I love this bike. It's a work horse and I feel I could get another 40,000 miles easy while looking at the current 40,000 already on it. At 6'1, it is a perfect fit for me. At stops, my feet sit perfectly flat on the road with a slight bend at the knee.

Brilliant review, very professional editing, all the info I would need to make a decision on buying this bike, the piece you put in at the end about Suzuki's new 800 parallel twin was a great insight for choice between that and the 650 V Strom. Thanks for this great video buddy. Vinny.

Another great video....thanks

Just bought 22 plate 46 yrs motorcycling all the bike you need.

Another fantastic review - I like the GoPro footage. I have fond memories of my 2008 V-strom. You’re right about this sector - I’ve just swapped the Mash (a far longer story) for a Moto Morini x cape 650 twin adventure style. You’ll have to have a look at it. Less substantial that the Strom, and only 60ish hp, but very good VFM. Also I’m really rediscovering riding lower powered middle weights with gusto, without dreaming of prison food that night! #topboxesarethefuture speak soon

Good review. Thank you

Best valve adventure bike you can buy!! Good content keep it up ( pls sale me that s1000rr at the back 😂

Thank you. I particularly enjoyed this vid as I am thinking of a winter bike and have been considering this and the Versys 650. Haven’t ruled out others either. Probably go second hand if it is a bike to abuse more than my other bikes which need a serious cleaning regime in winter. Regards Denis

Thanks. I am mainly concerned with COG affecting the 180 deg turning circle where it certainly is top heavy.

My 2nd Gen took myself + my wife around the world in 2018. 43,000 miles and no issues.

I am glad you are getting on well with your VStrom. I have a 2015 model and I'm the second owner from new. Unfortunately the first owner neglected to clean the engine properly after his final (salty winter) ride, hence there is a lot of nasty paint on the engine casings, especially the water pump housing and it is a recognised weakness of the VStrom. With 36,000 miles now on the clock everything else still looks pretty good. You must ride an awful lot more 'enthusiastically' than me as I have never seen below 65 mpg and when touring I often see 70 mpg.... touring? Solo but loaded I cover around 5,000 miles a year on day trips and week long tours... in the UK at present but with a view to Europe at some point. It is what I bought the bike for and it is perfect for me in that role. Last, is an 800cc bike 'mid size'? Back in the late 70's my 850 Norton Commando was regarded as a beast and 1000cc bikes were rare and highly exotic, less so a few year later but they were still considered a big bike.

Still own DL650 2007 taken her around OZ 2up with wife without any problems all was needed Oil the chain. Have taken her Outback and don't have guards.

Excellent video thanks! I'm downgrading from an R1250RT and want something that isn't so expensive to run, especially when the warranty runs out soon. Torn between this and the Versys. I ride through winter in Scotland so was particularly interested in your evaluation of the finish. I get my bikes professionally ACF50d before winter (salt) arrives, but maybe I need to learn how to do it myself. Organized a test ride in July. All the best.

Revisiting the idea of a VStrom again, as I had a few years ago when downsizing. Pleased to find another of your always informative and sensible reviews. As age advances, I've returned to the mid capacity machines with mixed hesitation (we all love a big bike) and pleasure. I regret not having done so sooner in my motorcycling career. We easily forget how good they, machines we once considered the large capacity, are. BHP, particularly on modern roads, is highly over rated. I know you're a Z900RS fan, and that was my past bike which seduced me back up again after an NC750X (instead of the VStrom, a close call). However, the Z never stretched it's legs for me. Returned now to a Scram 411 and Interceptor 650. I absolutely love the Scram, as your Himalayan review rightly concludes, these 411s have something special, just lack a little (very few needed) extra BHP. I love the 650 too, but it's all year ability is in question for me. Hence, the VStrom 650 is in the sights again - perhaps it embodies the best of those two REs, with all round, all year usability of the 411, but the kick of the Interceptor. Although I doubt it could match the smile on the Scram. Boring aside...Interested in your pressure washer comments (it's the little things that often stick more!) and agree with the sensible use. It does leave me cold when I see the way some use them on machines, and I know that some manufacturers - BMW for one - do specifically say in handbooks that they should not be used and hear stories where they have invalidated warranty for doing so. Amusing that the dealers would still wash a bike down with one. My point was to recommend, for pure convenience, the cordless washers which still operate at quite high enough pressure and can be used anywhere.

Lol left your indictor on, easy done FWIW I would use muc-off (or similar) and then a lower pressure wash like a garden hose, rather than a pressure wash, but that could be overly cautious.

Ammonia neutralizes the chemical reaction of salt vs steel. Windex and/or glass cleaners have Ammonia.

Great review Michael. Impressed how smart you dress for bike cleaning! How do you think the V-strom compares to the NC750 x which is a bit cheaper, underrated bike in my view and the practicality with the Frunk is unmatched.

I got one last year. Very impressed with the bike overall. Only gripe about the finish is the spokes. I'd like to change them for stainless but cannot find anyone to do it. Hagon and Central Wheels don't want to know. If you have actually had this done please let us know where??

Hello! Loved your review of the Suzuki S1000GT. Are you planning to upload another video? Did you fixed the windscreen issue? Is the standars better? Best review of that bike I'd seen on youtube. Thanks!

The 1000cc V Strom is a very under-rated bike, so if little brother is anything like big brother, it will be quite an unassuming yet versatile performer. At the end of the day, its horses for courses and it appears that the bike does all that is required from it. What more do you need?

Great review, thanks. Had to comment, please tell me which road it is in the UK that doesn't have any potholes. For a years use, yours still looks in very good condition. I sat on one at the dealers yesterday, felt comfortable but footpegs were digging into the backs of my calfs, I'm 6' 1".

they are fine off road, as long as not serious off road, they will go anywhere a ktm 1290, 890, 790, r1200gs etc will go, as ive owned them all and now back on 650 vstrom as its a nicer bike to ride imo, reliability and running costs are so much lower and its got all you need, just whack on off road tyres ,and happy days

It is a great all-rounder but I found the bike's finish doesn't hold up that well in winter conditions, even using stuff like ACF50! Also had things like failing wheel bearings and corroded brake pistons before 20k miles.

The reason I immediately dismissed the new Transalp the and the V-strom 800 is simply : Tubed tyres. Why would I spend hours at the roadside wrangling a wheel off and trying to pry off a tyre, after a puncture, when, with the tubeless 650XT, I can plug a tyre, reinflate it and ride on home in less than 10 minutes? It's a no brainer for me...

I'm sure this must be as good as it gets for a winter bike, unless you're just riding across London. A naked bike is fine for that. I used to do it in winter on an MZ ETZ301. If I lived/work in London now, I'd use a bike I possess now: KTM 390 Duke. I always rode in winter in GB, but I always hosed the salt off when I got home. No salt in Portugal and Thailand. Good dash. No need for a TFT. I bet it's comfortable.

😊👍🙏

Follow up question - do you run the bike to evaporate any water in the Exhaust after washing? I noticed you didn't cover it when washing. Thanks.

12sec 1/4 mile Daily driver that can go mid off road.

a winter bike in most of Canada is a snowmobile

Brave move riding a Suzuki in salty conditions...

I’m looking for a winter bike to replace my zg1200. I’ve considered these, the new 800’s, or transalp

N whats the perfect autumn bike?

Did the suspension upgrade improve the bike over stock much?

When riding in the rain or mud does it splatter on your shoes, or on your back?

Out of interest...could someone who owns a V 650 do an economy run - not a realistic usage one but one like the Honda 750 riders do ie at 50mph / 80km/h? To see just how low they can get it.

Maxe a change to have the measurement of the seat in inches rather than mm. Most other youtubers say I'm whatever tall in feet and inches and then give the seat height in mm.

Indicator oops

Any ICE engine will get worse MPG in colder weather, so you may well get claimed mpg in summer..... I have a 2016 SV650 and easily get 70mpg in summer and if I short shift and ride carefully can get nearer 80mpg..

M/M: I have used jet washers for 40 yrs. I know where to point them...and not to point them. The driveway-parking area come to light...🤔🤔🤔

Why the hell do you imperial measurements are you still living in the dark ages ?😢😢😢