Suzuki Vstrom 650 - A 15 Year Long Term Review

The Suzuki DL650 Vstrom is without a doubt the most versatile, reliable, and comfortable motorcycle that I have ever known. It can handle most riding situations you can throw at it and I Lovingly call it my general dogsbody. It might not do any one thing as well as certain other motorcycles, but in this video you can see it does everything pretty damn well.
The full article is on the website here
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:44 Stand out features
02:50 The engine
03:57 The handling
04:55 Comfort
05:36 Versatility
06:30 Reliability
07:20 Off road capability
08:05 The sound
08:57 Aftermarket parts
09:54 The community
10:24 The drawbacks
11:33 My modifications
16:41 Conclusions and Comparisons

Vstrom merchandise is here

and here

The Best Biker TShirts With original designs throughout, we have hundreds of The Best Biker Tshirts anywhere.

Take a look around the shop to see what’s on offer.

We have Heavy Duty 100% Cotton Construction Quality TShirts, Graphic Print TShirts and more. We also produce Beard Friendly Masks and The Best Neck Gaiters, all available worldwide.

Whether you ride a Vstrom, Ducati, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Laverda, Cagiva, Kawaski, Honda, MZ or any other bike you will find the best biker TShirts and other merchandise available anywhere.

Simply click on the links to see our complete range

Made by Bikers for Bikers.

Check out the Reviews and Maintenance tips in the Blog too

For other designs and merchandise like mugs sweatshirts art prints phone cases and more look at our other shop

It gives you access to a helpful group of riders and mechanics from across the world. The group began in the UK but has now become a worldwide phenomenon. So whether you are buying, selling, or simply want advice, there really is no better place to go for anything motorcycle related.

It’s a great place for members to share their stories, experiences and love of Italian Bikes with other like minded people. All for FREE. #BAREBONESMC
#RIDEFREE The channel is made possible by donations
Help us stay independent, you can make a one off donation or join our group of monthly subscribers on the Kofi link below.
Monthly subscribers will get access to a private group where I can share videos that YT sees as unfit in some way or another
people who make a one off donation will get that same access, but it resets after 30 days.
Thanks as always for your amazing support

[RumbleBrutis]

I'm a 27 year guy, I've had my 07 DL650 Vstrom for 7 years now. Done just over 30 000km on it. 76 000km on it now. This is the most amazing all rounder bike ever. Perfect beginner bike with its engine. From a 150cc chinese bike to my Vstrom! Incredibly happy with my bike and cant see myself to sell it or trade it in for something else. Time to do valve clearance now as the engine is sounding a bit ticky (FYI-This will be its first Valve Clearance service) Done very well until now, still rides like a bomb as it is.
Parts aren't to expensive from Suzuki and still widely available.

[Marc-rnr]

I had 547 motorcycles and 117 years of ride experience, can confirm vstrom 650 is the best in its category.

[Infinitunes]

Endorse everything. DL650 is the greatest bike ever built. I can never replace it with anything else. It'll be my primary bike forever and the grand tourer. I've added a Triumph Bonneville which gives a completely different riding experience and makes up for the supposedly weaker aesthetics the Strom has. But in all fairness, a loaded Wee ready for a long trip is more beautiful than any garage queens.

[timothyangus]

I’ve owned my 2013 V Strom for 9 years now. Rode it around the world in 2018-19 with my wife on the back. Get 260 miles from a tankful and like the reviewer I’ve looked for a replacement and can’t find one I would change my bike for.

[detch]

Really enjoyed your review...spot on. I'm on my 3rd Strom...both 650 and 1000...currently a 650 which as of 01-Oct-2023 will be taking me on a 12, 000+ mile tour through South America. In my career, I've been able to ride many different motorcycles and none of them have pulled me away from the V-Strom.

[melfzs]

I've had my 2014 Dl650 for ten years, I've done 63, 000 miles on it mostly with my wife on the back, and camping gear when we've gone touring on it,
It's been totally reliable and it's never, and I mean never ! let us down. I do all my own servicing and maintenance, and the valve clearances are still within the specified tolerance! Not yet had to change any valve shims, the engine is amazing! .We have other bikes between us, but will never sell the Vstrom, it's been a memorable part of our lives .
Love the track footage! Excellent!

[ComfyDadShoes]

I have a DR650 now, but would absolutely pair it with the v-strom 650. I think less is more having owned larger bikes. The v-strom 650 is the bike for the smart, practical rider. Great review!

[raywite]

Riding 64 years, 65 bikes and my new to me 2019 650 is superb is every way.

[ggmtv]

That was wonderful and deserves many more views. Comprehensive and well delivered. Thanks, I enjoyed every minute.

[roadstrom]

I watched this vid last night and bought 2016 XT V Strom 650 today 👍

[Labgorilla]

What a great review! I passed my full licence test last November and based on my instructor’s advice bought a DL650. I bought a 2009 model with 27, 000 miles on the clock. What a magnificent bike it has been. I feel like it has taught me to ride and the bike is growing with me. 5, 000 miles done and still going.

[marcjohnson]

Excellent review. You really are right on all points. I bought a 2004 DL 1000 for US $500 5 years ago. The owner had terminal cancer and somewhat of a deathwish and wrecked it on a dirt road somewhere out in back of Las Vegas. It started and ran, so we hauled it home and got it running proper for about $300.00 ( broken timing chain guide, bent valve, new valve seat). The rest was updates and personalization and for less than $2500, I have a bike that has taken me reliably on several thousand mile tours, numerous backcountry adventures in the California/Oregon coastal range mountains and quite a few pleasant rides and dates with my lady. Long story short, the 650 is plenty of bike but that 1000 hauls the mail fully loaded with plenty of power to spare. For tires, Shinko 705s for touring and mostly road use but they will do gravel. I have also ran Bridgestone Battlax AX41 tires and the grip they add to this big bike is nothing short of stunning, very confidence inspiring off road and not bad on road, and I live on a twisty highway. Either version is a winner. Cheers. MJ

[tagmanone]

Excellent video from the heart. Have a DL1000 13yrs now, am 71 this year and can't imagine myself on a different bike but considering a DL650 as not so heavy to get on the stand. Brilliant thank you.

[stevebakermedia]

Great, balanced review, well presented. Really enjoyed it - even though your preaching to the converted! Ive rode all sorts in over 50 years riding, and the DL650 is without doubt, the best bike i ever rode!

[billbridge]

I have a 2017 DL650, and I really can't find anything negative to say about it. I enjoy my rides very much!

[TrustyZ]

One of the most comprehensive reports on the DL650. I had a white standard '17 and traded it and a '17 DR650 for a Z900RS. Would have kept them all, but no room. I missed the DL so much, I went in and found a new black and blue '22 650 Adventure. There's something I can't resist about these bikes. Suit me perfectly. And I still admire the looks of this bike, sitting next to the RS. Thanks. New sub.

[thilomauz]

Since i stumbled on your little Channel, I'm absolutely amazed what kind of depth you produce

[theeaselrider]

I'm on my 2nd 08 650, the first was yellow ( the fastest colour ), it was the Yellow Lab of motorcycles - it just wanted to go wherever i wanted to go and do whatever I wanted to do. Sold it to a friend because I thought I needed a touring bike. Only after selling it, did I realize that's what I had. It was better at touring than the 1000 Concours I replaced it with.
I've had a blue 08 for about 5 years now. I call it my "Grass Mud Horse" ( look that up, it's a bit rude).
It had risers when I bought it, but I didn't care for them. I felt too disconnected from the front. Completely agree about the fork brace though, an absolute necessity. It's also the perfect bike for motorcycle camping. I don't even consider whether an item is too big, or too heavy. If it keeps me comfortable, then it gets strapped to the bike. My home - made, $20.00 Walmart top box holds most of my stuff, and is just the thing to gather firewood after camp is set up.
It really doesn't do anything wrong.

[soldierboy]

I made the mistake of trading my 06 Vstrom 650 in on a 2017 Africa twin. Biggest mistake I’ve ever made. That Honda dreamed of being a 1/4 of the bike my Vstrom was.

[jacques]

Excellent review! The moto school where I've got my license has an V-StromDL650 with 260 000km! I had an V-StromDL650 and the only reason I changed it it's because I do a lots of highway but I changed it for V-StromDL1000 of 2009 with 95 000km.