2024 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT - End Of A Legend

20 years with little change, they got it right the first time out. They don't make bikes like this anymore. I do this whole review unscripted, out of respect to this legend.

Thanks to all those that support the channel:

Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:10 20 Years
2:18 Competition
2:47 Engine & Transmission
5:44 Autobahn
8:02 Suspension & Brakes
12:35 Ergonomics
14:26 Intown
17:00 Handlebar Switches & Display
17:32 Verdict
18:54 800 or 650?

[patricklanigan]

I have owned my 2019 DL 650 for 4.5 years and 85, 000 kms. Ridden in all kinds of weather, added heated grips, heated seat, hand guards, two piece adjustable windshield, engine bars, driving lights, and luggage. I have daily ridden this bike from April to November for four years (living in Ontario Canada) and taken several multi day road trips. My verdict? I would stab you in the eye if you tried to take my V Strom, but hand you the keys and give you gas money if you wanted to steal my 2023 Gold Wing.

[UncleWally]

Ridden and owned many bikes over fifty years; bought three of these new and, cumulatively, ridden them well over 250 000 trouble free kilometers. Now used mostly as a “spare” bike I’ve always considered the engine a jewel that ought to - for different reasons - have the same iconic status as Suzuki’s K5. It’s a bike that grows on you over time; it’s way better than the sum of its parts.

[timothyangus]

now selling my V strom after 10 years of ownership. Rode it around the world in 2018-19, and just back from the MotoGP in Italy. Done 77k and stills runs fine. Only changing for something lighter so I can keep riding in my 70’s

[GreggBennett-jp]

I have a gen 1 ‘06 650 Vstrom. Imho, the fist 2 iterations of the wee are the best. 55-60 mpg. Zero oil burning. Not a drop. Chain lasted 30k miles. Brakes are better than you might think. Dead neutral handling (thank you 19” ft wheel).
5.8 gal fuel tank for 300-ish mile range (I stop before 250). Decent headlights (switch to led bulbs to lower the load on a couple elec connectors). And that 90 degree twin is super smooth. It reminds me a little bit of my old ‘95 vfr750 (I bought that new in ‘95) in the rubber band way it pulls you along. Hard to describe, but it’s good. Everything on this bike feels like it was carefully engineered and thought out. Seat/pegs/bars triangle is good. I’d personally like the bars a little bit lower, but stock bars are fine. I have a skinny butt and I can sit on this seat for days on end. Gearbox is decent, but can get a little notch if you’re lazy. It likes to rev. Like really rev. That was a little surprising. But it’s tractable down to 2k rpm’s grinding along in 2nd/3rd gear on gravel roads. Final gearing is a smidge low for me. I swapped the 15 tooth CS for a 16. A 17 might be even better unless you do a lot of 1st great stuff. Steep, windy, narrow mtn roads can slow to a crawl at times and that’s where a low 1st gear can save you. Still, I might give the 17 a go. Love the classic, round analog clocks. I use a very simple ‘Y’ SAE cable directly off the battery. 1 for a heated vest, the other connected to a second cable lead forward for usb charging. Dead simple. No heated grips. No cruise control (but I do sometimes use a throttle locker). Still use the stock plastic hand guards, but the orig mounting setup isn’t great. A rare misstep. Mirrors are ok but need careful positioning. Oil change takes 5 minutes. Coolant Chang not much more. Getting into the engine is a bit of a pain, but not horrible. Spark plugs can be changed in 15 minutes. Checking valve clearances can eat up half a day, tho. Maybe longer. Actually swapping shims is a fairly major job, but doable at home if you’ve got a good, clean, well lit work space. Read the manual very carefully before starting! Fork oil change isn’t too bad. But it could eat up most of the day the first time you do it. Gas gauge is hopelessly inaccurate, but some say it can be fixed by cleaning the float contacts. Fuck that, I say. I get two rear tires for each ft tire. Currently using Shinko 705’s, but will switch back to more street oriented tires next time. Anyway, this bike feels exactly the same at 40k miles as it did with 4k miles. Sorry for all the words. Used 20k-ish gen 1 wee stroms can be had for a bit under $2500. I suspect they will never go any lower. Don’t be afraid of a 25-30k or more bike if it’s been well cared for.

[Onceuponatimejl]

Probably the most well balanced and affordable bike ever made.

[frankcastle]

Sir: outstanding video. I'm 71 and have been riding since I was 8. I can't even count the amount of bikes I've owned in that time but now on my 4th Vstrom being a 2021 650XT. I realize my opinion means little to nothing BUT IMO....this is the greatest motorcycle ever made. It does everything well. I must admit I did 3 fairly simple mods to improve not shortcomings...but to suit me better: Up 1 tooth on countershaft sprocket...replaced and revamped front fork springs with Sonics....reasonably priced Delkevic exhaust.

[ryanjagger]

Bought a new one last year, best all rounder I've ever owned, does everything really well

[raycollington]

There is a lot of love for this bike in the comments. There is a lot to be said about product evolution rather than evolution. I like that this does not get redesigned every five minutes. Just think of the BMW mess where they change everything too often, just as they get close to sorting all the problems, off they go with a redesign. The last thing we want to hear is "The all new xxx". I visited a Suzuki dealer in UK last week and liked the products. I'm told warranty claims for Suzuki are few and far between. I like it, thank you.

[mdigicay]

2006 Vstrom DL650 with 48, 000 miles. Absolut great, reliable, efficient and a workhorse with just regular maintenance.

[Denspi]

This review proved to me that you are the most informed and honest reviewer on youtube. i dont always agree with your opinions on some of the bikes that you have reviewed in the past but this video proved to me that you do not have a agenda even when you review your personal bikes and you should be on peoples shortlist when researching bikes to buy. Thank you always enjoy seeing your stuff.

[CGB]

Hi Scott, excellent review. I just purchased a 2017 XT in Ontario Canada. It only had 11, 000 km on it. It came equipped with grip heaters, Suzuki panniers and a Shad 58x top box. My wife likes the top box as it gives her an excellent backrest and we can fit both of her helmets in when we're off the bike.
Yep, a 20 L tank. We can ride that bike 450 km. In fact, my last tank lasted a little 465 km with 30 km of range left. The Kawasaki Versus 650 has a 22 L tank which probably would explain why it may feel a bit more top heavy.
The V Strom 650 is amazingly smooth, peppy and economical. Even my wife is happy on the pillion seat.
As you say, the 650 v twin motor is probably on borrowed time, but it is a legend in the M/C world.

[diorite]

I owned a 2012 model for 8 years…just good memories, free problems ride, pure joy of riding despite the lack of HP compared to the new bikes. I would buy it again and again and again

[erincook]

I have a 2005 with 92, 200 miles on it. 0 problems just oil gas chains and sprockets. I’ve had valves checked at regular intervals but they never fell out of adjustment.

[SWriverstone]

Another happy DL650 owner here! I bought mine in 2007, and have put 68, 000 trouble-free miles on it. I've only had the valves checked once (they were all within spec) and it still runs like a fine Swiss watch!

[ramsey]

were you have been for the last 20 years i owed 2 of this bikes they are truly bolete proof we like you and respect you keep doing what you are doing you are great.

[MSO-vi]

I fully agree. I bought my 650 in 2019 and do not regret my decision. Best bike since over 30 years motorbike riding. Or better, the completest.
Always brisk, but extremly relaxt riding.
Only the screen is not good. I had both MRA screens until I found the Givi flow as the best compromise. Now I can avoid using earplugs.
Even though I'm not very high I bought the 2cm higher seat. Great riding now.
Every time a smile under the helmet.
19 inch front wheel is much better than the 21 if you prefer riding on the street.

[borilapostolov]

Hello Scott! This is my bike! Got it brand new2yrs ago and so far put 21000km on it. Every time I ride it cannot get the smile off my face. Just love it. I also have the stock side engine protection. I had to install bar risers+20mm back, extenda fenda for the front wheel and a top box of 47ltr. Givi. What elso do I need? It's all about personal preferences. But the bike is do it all type of machine. Rode it at 150km/h for 2 hours- no complaining at all. Rode it up to100km/ h and got a 3.7ltr/100 km consumption..I was speechless. Full tank of 20ltr. gave me a 370to400km range. Maybe a stiffer springs for the front or thicker oil will do the job better. Btw ABS is not switchable, and the traction I only use in rain at level 1. Thanks for the review and never mind you are not wearing glasses. Sometimes it brings more fun! As every video of yours does to me!

[gazza]

I bought a 2020 XT new and put about 25 thousand km's on it. Agree with everything you said about it. One thing you didn't mention was looks....I found it kind of ungainly to look at at first but it kind of grew on me. Black with gold wheels helped in the looks department. Finishes are what you would call utilitarian in a military jeep kind of way. I did mostly touring miles and it never skipped a beat in 3 years. Great fuel mileage too. Front suspension could be a little stiff at low speeds...most noticiable on potholed dirt roads with the limited travel available. You just need to slow down. I had Givi V35 side cases and strapped a waterproof duffel lengthwise on the passsenger seat. This gave me all the capacity I needed. I did install bar-back risers and mirror extenders which reduced wind on the arms. I also swapped out the trucker mirrors for Aprillia Tuono mirrors...excellent mirrors at a reasonable price. I highly recommend US based Adventure Tech for upgrade parts..the owner rides a 650XT and price a quality of his accessories is top notch. I eventually sold my bike when I had a chance to buy a low-mileage R1200RS so I can't really say I miss the XT but I know It's current owner is going to get many years of faithful service out of it.

[PetersJourney]

More than 40 000 Travelkilometers so far: Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Morocco, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Italy, Bosnia, Croatia, Andorra, Macedonia, and more. On and also a lot off-road. (my bike has modified suspension ) Only defect: Low Beam. The engine is the rally star. so smooth and it brings the power to the ground. This also helps a lot in tricky situations off-road. A lot of torque at low rpms. Much more then the new 800de which needs higher refs and you feel it much more abrupt when you are too low in the rpms. No complains in the heat. On the road the bike is really effortless to ride. You need a budget friendly bike to ride through the world.? Here you have it! thx a lot for that informative video. Greetings!

[MrAusadventure]

100% reliable and bulletproof. My 2008 DL650 is still going strong at 136, 000 kilometres. I keep thinking about upgrading to a more modern bike but I really have no reason to as it still rides well and I feel so at home on it. I know how it feels and responds after 13.5 years of ownership.
One of the most overlooked, best bang for your buck bikes out there I reckon. But I am biased!
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