Project Bike - Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT Ep. 1

Welcome to the first episode of our Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT project bike build. Literally thousands of miles of testing have gone into this project, hours and hours of filming and a full night buried in a workshop.

So we'd love to hear your feedback. What do you want to see us do next? Do you have any questions about the bike and out process? Drop a comment down below and let us know.

As always, thanks for watching.

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[BrakeMagazine]

Welcome to the first episode of our Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT project bike build. Literally thousands of miles of testing have gone into this project, hours and hours of filming and a full night buried in a workshop.

So we'd love to hear your feedback. What do you want to see us do next? Do you have any questions about the bike and out process? Drop a comment down below and let us know.

As always, thanks for watching.

Llel P

[HDFoxra]

Not sure what you mean by 'its just not an adventure bike at all'... lets see.... Can it go off pavement and into gravel/dirt/grass? Yup. Can it climb rocky hills? Yup. Can it go through mud and water? Yup. Can it haul a pretty hefty amount of gear for a trip? Yup. Can you explore with it? Yup.... I'd say that's an adventure bike alright. And lack of personality? I never understand what people mean by this.... how can it have a 'personality' or lack there of? Like.... if you mean how it handles when offroad, then just say it doesn't handle well off road, although it handles amazingly. if you mean that when it is offroad you can't tell that you are, then wtf are you complaining about? you don't want to feel like you're gonna die going around a dirt/wet corner...


The bike has loads of power, sounds pretty damn good even with a stock exhaust, has a really good hauling capacity, is highly maneuverable, has a pretty large availability of aftermarket parts for people who want to make the bike "their own", its freaking reliable as HELL.... it doesn't break easily when you slam it down either... I'd say its damn near one of the better bikes out there... Its cheap, meaning if you do manage to break something on it, you can fix it cheaply and easily. You don't have that horrible 'fear' of 'omg i'm gonna lose all my money cause i scratched the paint!' with it either. its lighter than most of the super expensive adventure bikes, and handles better than them as well.


A bike that does nearly everything, quite wondrously well, is definitely a bike worth having verses a bike that does only offroading super well, or climbing super well, or cornering super well.... an all rounded bike is what you want... not a bike that can only do 'one thing'.... that's the point of an adventure bike....

[DanionTour]

The V-Strom 650 is a very underrated bike that deserves much more sales.

[djrandizz]

The Adventure bike category didn’t exist before the Vstrom. It is the gatekeeper. The pathfinder. The OG of adventure bikes

[MickPsyphon]

While everyone has their own personal preferences, the V-Strom happens to be my favourite bike. I think its grand that you selected it as your project bike! All of the upgrades seem to be spot on, too. Although, I'm not as keen in the choice of tyre. Especially when doing long treks on asphalt, pavement, or concrete. It wears you down. (I understand that your goal is all-round versatility, though)

[jimmyd]

Speaking for myself (and I'm sure a few others as well), this is the kinda shit we love to see - awesome, more please!

[tracey]

I have a 2013 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Adventure and I want to make it more of a 50/50 off and on road back too. I have a lot accessories on it when I got it but there are a few more things I want to get and this video helped me out. Even though I live in Canada I should be able to able to get parts I need for it. New subscriber. Great video and looking forward to more.

[jayhunter]

Hi Team
When's the next episode coming? Really enjoyed the first one and have been modding my own '18 650XT in similar fashion. Cheers!

[johna]

I'm still in awe of those footrests. Great build series idea

[branislavstanic]

Thank you guys for doing this! Just bought a new V-Strom and was looking for a project like this. Great first part! Can't wait for the next one:)

[Willy_Milano]

That blue jacket looks sick. I'll take it, thanks.

[Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Looking good so far for a budget upgrade, at least its a good improvement on stock and without spending loads on suspension that leaves luggage, seats and possibly lighting.That said for a tight budget you could change the springs out and/or fit a valve kit, it would be interesting to see where you go with this.Maybe you could do a used bike budget build too?
Oh and maybe a video on correct suspension set up.

[kevski]

Looking forward to the next episode... I have an old GS and am considering a new one of these 👍👍

[abhishekmalik]

Lovely video. Waiting for phase II guys!!! Looking forward to it.

[mainstreammoto]

Well done! I appreciate your opinion and brake down of what the bike needs and how it feels. It's nice to hear from someone with your exp. I love my V Strom, it's an older one but, might I add to the "unbelievably easy to ride" it's also unbelievably reliable! I have done some of these upgrades to mine. Those foot pegs are awesome, going to look in to those. Thanks for the great video, looking forward to the next one!!!

[roswell]

I just bought a "second hand" 2000km vstrom 650xt. I added suzuki bars, central stand and Barkbusters handguards.
This project is exactly what I was looking for. You are now officially my favourite YouTube channel. I can't wait to see the other videos.

[yourmatejay]

Stumbled across this vid and instantly clicked subscribe. Love the video work! Keen to see what else you do to it! Just picked up an 06 strom myself so getting ideas for mods for the old girl 😀

[sidheart]

Damn!! This is exactly the kinda project I wanted to see! Thank you so much!! Subscribed :)

[dannielamir]

This is awesome! Can't wait to the next episode!

[reksubbn]

Just bought mine 8 weeks ago. Do about 1000km per week. Ride to work and have options of 100% sealed roads or 90% gravel. 60 yo without little off road experience. Ride a bit on shallow sand. That is the only thing that really bothers me. Plastic engine gaurds ok because i never ride on anything too rough- at the moment. Live in Aus so LOTS of gravel. Will upgrade tyres when these are worn. Bought it for the traction control and it handles two up well. Lovin your foot pegs. It does say Adventure but it also says Sports Tourer. Balance is pretty good for me. But no Simpson Desert! Cheers.