Suzuki V Strom 650, 2008 - Test Ride & Detailed Review

How good is the old Suzuki V-Strom 650?
I was nicely surprised how good is this motorcycle. In fact, I never had the chance to ride one of these before. Yes, it is not the adventure machine I need, but it is a very good and practical bike! The engine is 650cc V Twin and it delivers 66 H.P. The weight is 220kg, but actually, you cannot feel it once start riding. The bike very well balanced and worked perfectly on the twisty roads I had in Gran Canaria. Martin the owner of Canary Motorcycle Tours also confirmed all of my words. With few words this is one very good all round motorcycle.

Martin details:
And good old fashioned telephone numbers are
00447738529487 or 0034616611287

Most watched videos in my channel:
Smart Turn System now offers 20 % discount and lifetime warranty for everyone who use the links below:
I highly recommend their products to each and every one of you.

[mhtsorodas]

Proud owner for 15 years of an 650.
135000 km and keep going...!!!

[jokermtb]

I’ve had my 2006 660 since 2009, and fell in love with the easy handling, fun engine, and comfort. 2022, and I still love this bike!

[misAdventuresonGenie-uwbu]

Pavlin, I've been following your channel for a couple of years but never watched this video. This evening I'm going out to test ride a 2010 650 Vstrom as my second bike so this video was absolutely perfect! I hope you recover without any problems from your appendix surgery and that it doesn't keep you off your bike for long!

[bigmartin]

Like I said on your facebook review. In over 30 years biking the DL650 was one of my best bikes. Very economical on fuel, tires and chains. Its let down only by cheap suspension and it needs a taller screen, however the standard screen can be raised. The mirrors are ugly but the best mirrors on any motorbike.. I'm on a BMW R1200GS now, but I'm very seriously considering going back to a Vstrom for its amazing economy.

[samehsouissi]

Martin's riding Skills are superb. His lines are perfect. Respect

[teneretraveller]

Had one for 60000 km. 100% reliable. Mainly European tours and a great bike with a passenger. Her ladyship preferred it to any other bike we've travelled on. Big luggage capacity too.
Very underrated bike.
Prefer my tenere but in some ways this is a better bike.
Happy travels

[iustitiaepervenit]

I did 15000km trip last year to Norway on V Strom 2007 650 and didn't have any issues with it during all 3 months of travel

[sigmund]

I'm on my third vstrom since 2008. I currently own a 2008 650 . I've rode it in all kinds of weather. It never fails to operate.

[LATAMbiker]

I have the 2018 DL650XT and I love it. Suspension not perfect but for normal dirt and gravel roads it's fine. The front brakes were very weak, but I upgraded them with Nissin 4-pots and steel brake lines, and now they're perfect. The only thing really lacking IMHO is it could use about 5 more centimeters/2" of ground clearance for the Topas (speed bumps) in Mexico. Just finished a 7 week trip from up here near Seattle to Mexico and had a great time on this bike. 70HP now, ABS, and traction control.

[mainstreammoto]

I'm going to ride my V-Strom till it dies... or until I do... I'm only 34 so either way, it's going to take a while! Fantastic video! I enjoy your videos a great deal, thank you for sharing as always!

[MichaelPsyrras]

I have dl650k8 since May 2008. It has 163000km. I use it every single day since I bought it in the city and in small or bigger trips (not abroad unfortunately). Here in Greece this specific model is may be the most common bike! There are thousands of dl650 riders. In all those years my bike had some issues but I guess it is somehow logical considering the use I am doing. Great to see you review it!! All the best from Greece! The roads I see you’ve ridden in grand canaries are very much like our island roads.

[ChrisFrance]

Same expérience for on my 2017 V strom 650 XT. A very good bike, all the power and the confort you need on a motorbike. It's very frugal, with its 450 km of autonomy. All the user I know say it's a reliable bike as well, it can last km with an appropriate service.

[nenadstepanovic]

I still have my 2011 V strom 650, and I never sold him . I agree 100% with you Pavel what you said abouth this motorcycle

[jimbo]

I chose a Versys 650 over the Strom because I do more city riding, but my riding experience on the Kawi is almost identical to Martin's for his Suzi. Great balance, easy to ride, good on fuel. Biggest differences are a bigger front wheel on the Strom, and a couple inches higher suspension. Put 50/50 tires on a Versys, it'll go wherever the Strom will go.
That said, I'd be happy with a Suzuki V-strom 650 any day. They are more nimble than they look, and that engine is legendary.

[ccampbell]

Have to agree it’s a lovely bike to own . Had my 2005 from new being 6’4” I felt the seat was too low but swapped with a 1000 strom owner of a shorter height who was looking for a lower seat, we made contact on a Vstrom owners website . Never got on with the screen even at its highest and got a Madtad bracket and a Cee Bailey screen, which was taller . These work perfectly together and I get no buffeting. Fitted a fork brace which tightened up the front end a bit and a stiffer rear spring with the existing shock. Get over 60 mpg as I don’t tend to wring it’s neck so 250 to 300 miles are possible on a tank. Have toured France and Spain with my wife and luggage and with the remote preload adjuster wound up at the back could barely notice any difference in performance and handling. Also fitted Hel braided brake hoses on the front which sharpened up that area a little . I’ve done around 75k miles and had the valves checked twice with no adjustment necessary and changed the chain and sprockets once a Loobman manual chain oiler probably helps with that and had to replace the Cush bearing 5 years ago, other than that I’ve had no other issues than routine maintenance. Change the oil and filter once a year and clean the K & N air filter once every couple of years Have put an aftermarket SS end can on for a bit more huskiness and les weight .New bikes come and go and I briefly flirt with the idea of changing but realise I’d be mad as the Vstrom suits my needs perfectly . It’s plenty fast and torquey enough . Adore it as you can probably tell from this love letter ! Glad you liked it too .

[vmarcks]

the mirrors are just so amazing, that even as a viewer I can see who is right back at the bike.

[timmytool]

I've outfitted my 2008 V to more off road use, Shinko 805/804 tires, progressive fork springs, 14 gear in front. It's still not a KLR650 off road, but it is very doable. I love this bike, I'm 6'2" 235 lbs. Plus the engine is amazing in that it's bullet proof. Every time I ride it's like the first time all over, just a fun bike to ride.

[dougmullett]

I have had two V-Strom 650s (one 2012, from new, one 2014 from 4000 km, demo). As a shortie, I lowered them. As a new rider (only got my Ls in 2010), I found it handled better and was far easier to ride than my Kawasaki Ninja 250 (in Australia, we're limited on bikes to ride until we have a full licence).
I clocked up 60 000 km in less than three years until I wrote it off on a sandy desert road (my misjudgement, not the bike's fault). I've clocked up over 30 000 km in three years on my second.
I love it to ride and, despite lowering it, I don't have a sump guard and have never collected anything (I ride sealed, gravel, dirt and, occasionally, sand).
To me, it's not 100% in any area, but it is 85% in EVERY area.

[xaviribe]

Hi and thanks for this review. I'm an owner of 2014 DL650 and I love it. I first had an BMW F800GS and once you get used to less power you don't miss the BMW at all. More simple, more comfortable and more pleasant to ride on the road; ah! and if you put a good skidplate and ride carefully you can can get further than you think in the dirt !!!

[arielbenavidez]

I'm riding a super tenere and I still miss the Vstrom, honestly for the money is an amazing motorcycle thanks for the review.