The Suzuki adventure bike that leads the stress-free ownership segment

Suzuki is one of those manufacturers that has the habit of leaving some models a little longer in order to get the most out of the development investment. This is a double-edged sword in that while these bikes almost always offer superior value, they can feel a little dated compared to the competition. This is especially telling in the highly competitive adventure bike segment.

With so many ADVs currently at our disposal, it’s very easy to see why Suzuki has finally pulled the plug on the V-Strom 650XT. But even though it’s a dated platform, it stays true to the other side of that sword as it offers solid value. It’s also about as proven as any other bike on the market today, promising a stress-free ownership experience.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Suzuki. While the opinions are ours.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650XT leads the stress-free ownership segment

MSRP: $9,799

The last significant update the V-Strom 650XT received was all the way back in 2017. Since then, we’ve only seen color changes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It didn’t take much to fix something that wasn’t broken in the first place, but by the time the V-Strom 800 was launched, we all knew its days were numbered. It remained a budget-friendly alternative, but several other competitively priced ADVs have also entered the market in recent years.

In this sub-$10,000 space, the biggest competitor has to be the new Honda Transalp. It offers amazing value at this price, but in an effort to achieve this low price, several features have been omitted from the base model. Honda offers a wide range of options, and the aftermarket for that motorcycle is growing as well, but it’s certainly not the finished product straight from the factory, so the price is a bit deceiving.

Chinese motorcycles have come of age and now offer much more value than before they were simply cheap and cheerful. There are a few decent Chinese options competing in this area, both using Kawasaki 650 engines. The Benelli TRK 702X may have an Italian name, but that’s about as much European DNA as you’ll find in this bike. The Moto Morini Both bikes are cheaper and offer more features than the Suzuki.

The V-Strom 650XT has a bulletproof V-Twin

Power: 70 hp

In recent times, the 270 degree parallel twin has become one of the most popular engines in the industry. Those engines can imitate a V-twin very well, but all they can do is imitate it. The V-Strom has a true small V-twin, and while it will almost certainly cost a little more to produce than the average parallel twin, the equipment for this engine has already paid for itself several times over. It’s more or less bulletproof and also efficient enough to pass modern emissions testing, but it has something else that makes it special.

More fun than you’d expect

While it doesn’t necessarily make a lot of torque, pretty much all of it is available from around 3,000 rpm. This isn’t a particularly low figure compared to some of the latest bikes, but the revs are quick enough to deliver power as quickly as other bikes in this class. It’s a gem of an engine that makes an otherwise tepid-looking motorcycle a joy to own, and it’s a big part of why owners love this platform so much.

The V-Strom 650XT is incredibly versatile

In a sea of ​​complex, modern adventure bikes, the V-Strom stands out largely because of its relative simplicity. It still has ABS and traction control, and although the suspension and chassis are dated, they are indeed well suited for a bike that only produces 70bhp and has no sporting pretensions.

With a wet weight of just 476 pounds and a seat height of 32.9 inches, it’s also a physically approachable motorcycle. This also makes it light and agile enough to handle tight city streets with ease, and it’s also more than comfortable enough to handle long weekend rides. While it offers an impressive level of versatility and can certainly go off-road, that’s the one area where it compromises a bit.

Compromised, but still sweet

That accessible seat height gives it a competitive advantage over its peers, but there’s a reason most ADVs have high seats. With a ground clearance of only 6.7 inches, it is severely limited in this department. There are indeed street bikes with more ground clearance, so if you’re looking for a competent off-road-oriented adventure bike, you are indeed shopping in the wrong aisle. To be fair, if that’s what you’re looking for, Suzuki is happy to point you in the direction of the new V-Strom 800.

The V-Strom 650 has remained precisely because it is a different kind of motorcycle. It’s not particularly good at one thing, but it’s pretty good at most things. It’s an easy bike to ride, it’s phenomenally reliable and it’s affordable to own and maintain. An important factor to consider with any bike that has been around for a while is what owners have to say about the bike. Anyone who has actually owned a V-Strom 650 never seems to say anything bad about the bike.

Chassis, suspension and weight specifications