Bought a 2018 model in Brighton early this year. Had owned a new Monkey bike the year before and sorely required a little storage capacity in my daily needs since returning to motorcycling. I’ve ridden a fair few bikes over the years, but I’ve not ridden a bike I’ve enjoyed more than my Suzuki VStrom 250. Got the ferry over to France in July and did 2000 miles across France and Belgium to the Netherlands. Girlfriend flew over to meet me there and brought her helmet and gear. 60-80km per hour across the farmlands of the Netherlands and it was ideal. The factory fitted pannier boxes and the top rack allowed me haul a ton of gear. Was even getting mpg of upwards of 97mpg. Best commuter bike I’ve owned. Light enough to heave about. Centre stand. Amazing little dash. It’s a winner.
I live here in China and have this bike since June 2017 so 6 years. It sits outside in 40deg summers and -20 winters. 30,000KM . Its build for a budget but surprisingly very durable and comfortable. Nothing at all has gone wrong on it apart from last week when one of the front forks starting leaking. It surprises me given the weather extremes here. The sun has weathered it quite noticeably but no issues with brake hoses, electrics etc Its exceptionally comfortable (i'm 6'3") and have ridden full days 500km trips with no issues. The miles per tank is not quite right. 450km is about the max as generally you would ride this bike hard given its a low power engine. The main issue is the vibration through the handle bars. Release the handlebars and you will lose control in seconds. I have had the tires and wheels balanced and checked. From the Chinese biker forums its a common issue with the 2017 model. It appears to be the conical steering bearing Its not really an off-road bike. The header pipes are lower that the engine guard plate, doesn't have the power to accelerate fast up a hill and tires are just road tires (as expected). On the tires part, people expressed concern about the make. I have had no concerns about them at all. Not the best but safe. No fancy parts on the bike and in any case all are fairly cheap. I don't bother with maintenance myself as its cheap here in China but its a doddle. The bikes comes with top box, side paniers, hand guards and centre stand, all for
The kind of guy who buys this bike is someone gaining his/her independence and freedom from Mum and Dad's car rides, and that's a massive thrill when you are young. I think back to my Honda CD175 and what a feeling that was. It had no great power but it was the feeling of mobility and independence that made it so great.
I have two cd175's red k reg blue p reg. Also have a cb175. N reg the bottom end is little noisy though. May have to use one of the cd's as a donor to the cb
@@chrisredfield3240 Cool, i had a red one but can remember the blue it was nice metalic. It was a great bike and it even had a little power, enough to make it fun. Cheers.
ewooll My mate had a CD175 back in 1981 which kept breaking its cam chain (I’m guessing he didn’t repair it properly so the same problem recurred). No doubt they were good bikes but the unreliability of his makes it stick in my mind. Gave him a lift on my XT250 back to his dads several times so they could collect it in the van...
Suzuki is definitely one of the most honest motorcycle manufacturers out there. Real top notch manufacturing quality at a decent price. Of course, as a motorcycle and automotive passionate, you cannot but love most motorcycles out there, old, new, small, big, etc. But with Suzuki you get a serious motorcycle at a very good price. To me, Kawasaki also comes just after Suzuki, as affordable, quality motors.
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Armando Nicolas I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
I have this bike for almost a year and yes, for 188 kg is confusing to say that is light, but yes, for driving the city in the traffic in Bogotá is like a bycicle between cars, is a really good for going to work inside the city and sometimes to scape outside, fuel capacity, really comfortable and reliable... too bad it was too expensive in Colombia compared to other bikes in the same segment, that is the main purpose why the people didn´t like it.
Had a BMW Funduro for many years but never really liked it but could not find a replacement for it. Then along comes the Vstrom 250. I took one for a test ride and bought it on the spot! A pair of Kappa panniers were added to the bike as they hold more luggage than the factory ones.Due to various commitments l have only managed to take the bike out a few times this year, one time doing 500 miles in a day averaging 90 mpg!So far l have only seen three other Vstrom 250s on the road so perhaps it may not be a big seller in the UK. There may still be a few ex demo ones for sale, check ebay for a real bargain and some may even have a few of the optional extras.
hey - its a very interesting bike and some good deals about! Just wondered, in terms MPG what are you getting on average? (and based on what type of riding?) and how do you find the finish ie any rust or weak areas? Im after a basic economical bike that can go longer distances, not bothered about speed but to keep up with traffic safely means 125s are a bit compromised on faster roads.
Hi Alistair. Mid to high 80s mpg for UK gallons is average for 60-70 mph on a run. It's early days yet for the finish as these days l very rarely ride in winter. Due to its physical size the bike has been mistaken for a 650 more than once as others do not realise that Suzuki make the 250! The Vstrom is very agile in traffic, more so than the Funduro l part-exed for it due to its light weight. With being quite tall you also get good visibility in traffic. Being very short legged, 24 inch inside leg measurement, l do not feel nervous about its size.I would certainly recommend a test ride on one if possible and if you decide to purchase one l would suggest getting the hand guards and centre stand if not already fitted (on a pre owned one).I'm just off into the garage to fit some after market crash bars to mine, as for me, this bikes a keeper :)Hope this helps, bikerted.
Hi I got on dl 250 v storm. I had big bikes over the year. I got in this year 19 regards. Well what a great bike. I love it. I get both feet l flat on the ground. I getting 77 miles to the gallon. My mate dad just go ahead cb500x nice bike. We when out for a range. He topped up his bike . I still have haft a tank of fuel left . Happy days. Great video keep up the great work.
Gem of an engine. Lots of the guys on the GW forum getting big miles. It was only the need for that bit more oomph made me sell mine. The Versys 300 runs rings round it.
I believe the difference on the spec sheets is about 10/15 kg and 10/15hp. Considering the vstrom250 is not very powerfull to begin with that is just tragic.
Late to the video Mr Flyer but thanks for this and the other, more in depth video. I am 40 and i dont want a big bike. I just got one of these and i cant wait to head off on it. Love your videos man. Thanks.
Great beginners and commuter bike. Straight seating position. Luggage etc. A bit too light for me but the other two V-stroms are excellent bikes, great value for money and indestructible. The 650 won the Alpenmasters bike test three times as far as I can remember. Very forbidden here in NL to block your view in the mirror.
Thanks TMF. Love your small capacity bike reviews. Had big bikes in the past. Looking to get something thats not going to kill me if I get wrong. Keep um coming.👍😀
Have it since 2 months now my second bike after nmax125 really happy with it. After a training day with a mt03 you can understand how comfortable this is. But i think they could go for a bit more power.
The second spring when I dream to buy this bike. I liked it because of the design, the place for wardrobe trunks in stock, low price and it has the characteristics of my current motorcycle, but Suzuki eats half as much. I think that when buy it, it will be the best buy. Thanks for video
Another great video mr flyer, still nice to see you cover such a broad range of bikes. Its just a shame the vstrom isnt a 400cc to still keep it in the lower road tax bands and with a little more power and it would be a winner for touring 😊
I rode the DL250 a couple of times when my GW250 was in for service. I agree with most of your review but, my impression was that the seat was not that comfortable. It certainly didn't seem as plush as the GWs seat, and I have subsequently purchased a DL650 and its seat is way more comfortably. I found the seat on the DL250 to cause me discomfort after only about half an hour of use.
@@TheMissendenFlyer the dealership suggested that it was a result of sitting more upright than on my GW, but all I know was I didn't get more than 30 minutes into the ride before I was feeling discomfort. Apart from that I liked it and he I decided to go with the baby Strom I would have changed out the seat.
If you want a small cc adventure bike, get the Honda cb500x, same MPG, pretty light but enough power to go along and overtake. I don't know what this bike is trying to achieve.
@@jaythomas3405 no it will be costlier than Gixxer SF 250 and this is parallel twin still have less power than Gixxer 250. Indian market wouldn't understand the twin cylinder rather ppl will see numbers.
Lovely vid tmf, I know this is one that's been in the can for a while and I'm glad you've shared it. Staggering value for money that bike. The number on thing I liked about this video is the camera shot from the wing mirror.
It must be good for motorbiking in the UK that more smaller bikers are back on the market. Not all of us want 1300cc rocket ships that can do warp one in first gear.
I sat on one in dealer showroom recently and no way would you think it is a 250cc bike.Like the Honda varadero 125 Suzuki has made it not look like a small capacity bike and not put a 250cc decal on it.
Nice review. Well done. Looking forward to your review on the new 1050 VStrom. It'll be interesting to see your perspective considering you're a GS owner.
I would like one, but going from an old tenere to this, I am more than likely to get bummed out by its small engine and low power. After the tenere, when I ride anything else I feel like it's dragging regardless of the weight. An exhaust swap and a more open air filter I think are in order. I don't know if this can get an ECU remap too.
In my opinion this bike is for those who say: 1. "I am not a big guy, I can not really manage huge / tall enduro bikes" 2. "I want an entry / mid level ~250CC bike for every day commuting and I will go the distance with my tent from time to time" From this point of view, this model fills in a gap in the market. The only thing I do not like is the head light- it is the only not so handsome thing on the bike and it is still a halogen light- come on Suzuki, we are in 2020 and certainly you can do better- you made such a good bike but don't go spoiling the bike with that headlight. People who ride it complain about the seat; as it gets narrower toward the fuel tank, during a long ride, they say it gets a bit uncomfortable. Is that true?
A nice size for city commuting, but intercity perhaps not? Makes you wonder why they didn't go for a 350cc or 400cc engine, which would have given it a little more grunt without putting on too much extra weight?
Can you test the Zontes T310, it looks well speced and lighter than the Suzuki. I am looking for a lightweight commuter bike and wonder how it compares to the Suzuki. I don't need speed, just a reliable, light bike to commute most of the year.. an annual train to London costs 4.5K from Berkshire!
better than laying the bike on its side to try and get the last drops of fuel from one side to the other to avoid the walk of shame ,,, ah , those were the days ,,, sex was safe and bikes were dangerous .... where did those days go.
To me 5 blocks does not make a real fuel guage. I had one on my 600 Bandit, "Everythings ok I have a block left" 4 miles later " ...oh and its gone". Hmm still loved my 600 though, haha.
These top 5 likes, places it high on my list of desireable commuters. Is it a better buy than a Bergman 400 or similar Scooter though? Great summary review - could have been 2m38s shorter had you not said The Suzuki VStrom 250 so repetitively!
Looks like a nice little bike. Unfortunately for Suzuki I think it's going to have the same problem as their other rehash of the inazuma - too pricey when compared to bigger/more feature rich bikes. I don't know UK prices, but looking at this in Australia it's about the same money as a versys 300 or a CRF250l. It's fairly predictable that shortly after KTM drop the 390 adventure in around that price, Kawasaki will update the versys to a 400, and then you'll just have the inline-strom struggling to explain why it's reusing the inazuma frame and engine but not passing that saving on. Unfortunately I think it's indicative of suzuki at the moment. I really like that they went all in with modern tech on the GSX-R125, but the rest of their lines continue to feel outdated and left behind. It's time to open the purse strings a little Suzuki. I want it to do well... but yeah, looking at the australian website and pricing .. .. honestly I don't see it being that big of a hit. Small engines are fine ... ... but the Inazuma never had a good enough engine to stick around so long, and with A2 and LAMS and general global modern restrictions I do wonder how useful the 250 capacity really is on a beginner adventure bike. Fine if you don't plan to do much adventuring I guess? It's too expensive for a bike just to learn on and upgrade, but is it really big enough to ride out your whole restricted period on? That's why the others have gone bigger.
Would u go for Versys300 instead? Cos I m considering these 2 and the Hondas 500/750. I am from Singapore, parts for Kawasakis r very expensive and I feel that Kawas breaks down more often than Suzukis. Would appreciate your thoughts on this as Australia has even greater extreme weather(semi-desert) than tropical Singapore.
well, at my 60's I'm going for my first bike, and I've already choose the baby V-Strom, I need to wait until end of May here in Melbourne, more comments to come ....
Reminds me how the honda cb400n and cb250n superdream were essentially the same bike. This must have started out as a 400cc. It's heavier than the z400
Chris Hart Yeah, I had a Suzuki GS450 which was the same as the 250 and there were lots of examples where they made a 250cc version of 400s and 350s because it was such an important class in the UK. No doubt, somewhere in the World, this bike makes more sense.
Sits all day on motorway at 70 mph with loads to spare, that’s fully loaded with all my camping gear, more power would have had a detrimental effect on the 90+ mpg fuel economy and genuine 300 mile tank range, 250 has worked perfect for me, want more power just buy a bigger bike
Would love to have this in the US I'm a Suzuki fan, but they have no usable smaller bikes period in thd US right now. The GSX250 is an overpriced outdated overweight bike no one will buy - they will buy the MT03 or Ninja 400 instead. The TU250 was a great bike, so they decided to stop selling it here. It was a bit high price, but at least worth it. This VStrom 250 should be in US instead of the GSX250. It would probably become the go-to bike for safety classes as well, since there are so few option (save me from a Rebel). As others have pointed out, only real comparable bike to this one would be the Versys X 300 - given it's price I'm sure a Vstrom would sell more units. If the price was right, I'd buy two 🙂
be interested to know which you would choose between the Vstrom 250 and the KTM 390 duke which you have also reviewed as an everyday bike, and a bit of fun at weekends, no motorway use involved just A and B roads, great review as always
I really like the look of the 390 Duke, but never seen one in the flesh, I am about 5.8 86kg and looking for an all purpose bike, to bring a smike to me face just worried at 61 years old, I might look a bit of prat riding one haha @@TheMissendenFlyer
Ive just bought a sinnis terrain 125 today as im a baby rider, but my dad is looking for a decent adv bike which is not too big or heavy either. Do you think there is a big difference between this and the 650 in terms of road presence and maneuverability?
as a non british person could someone explain to me if parking we see at 2:25 in the video is legal? i've counted 10 cars before he made the cut blocking the entire lane so you have to go into opposing lane, seems annoying if there's oncoming traffic? how do you brits deal with it in a busy areas?
Mirrors look well thought out too.. just one thing, what was the name of the bike again? I didn't quite catch it the 84th time you mentioned it. You are now referred to as Vstrom..
I am struggling with this one, because it is low on power, but i can get a basically almost new one from 2020 with only 500km on the clock for 2800€ / 2400£. And that is a great deal. Just not sure about the power.
The old Honda Superdream 250 twin was about as heavy as this 250 V strom,it had 3 valve heads & about 26 horse power .This Suzuki had been strangled with a cat ,fuel injection & only 24•7 horse power yet still does about the same top speed ,which is about right for a 250 four stroke twin . I remember people touring all around Europe on the Honda Superdream 250 with no problems ,these bikes will be able to do the same .I have just downsized from a Suzuki Bandit ,to a Mint demo model Suzuki 250 V Strom in Black & yellow with less than a 1000 miles purchased from a main dealer for £ 3,495 .& the bike has more than enough power for a 250 & handles well .These bikes are not about high speed & power they are about value for money ,reliable ,transport & real world use .This bike is a 250 not a 300 or 500 cc & should not be compared to them for power or top speeds .This Suzuki 250 v strom has plenty enough real world power for a 250 cc single overhead cam 2 valve per cylinder twin 4 stroke .I will be keeping mine & enjoy every minute riding & owning it .You got offered a great deal ,I hope you had the good sense to snap it up ,as they are going to be sought after ,by people who realise how good these little 250 ‘s are .
@@maskedavenger2578Hello, I'm concerned about the size of it as I'm 186cm tall I think it's 6'1". I was wondering it could be a perfect replacement for my v strom 650 that I just sold. I found a vstrom 250 from 2018 with 5k km on it for only €2.900, another thing that called my attention was to get a valve checked every 5k km, is it true ?
@@pedrozfurlan I think it’s ok for people up to 6ft tall .I suppose really it depends on your inside leg measurement & also the height of the heel & sole on your motorcycle boots . The handle bars can be tilted or even bar risers angled or straight can be fitted if handle bars need adjusting to suit .As for the valve adjustments they are simple screw & locknut check or adjust every 3,000 miles ( 5,000 Kms ) .The valves can be done easily by the home mechanic ,without even removing the tank .All that’s needed is to remove a couple of plastic side panels & swing the coolant tank out of the way & the cam cover can be removed with a bit of care providing access to the valve adjusters .The bike is owner friendly & handles very good & has adequate performance for everyday riding & touring speeds .Will also cope with a few sections of motorways if needed as top speed is around 80 - 85 mph ( 136 kph ) & will cruise at 65 - 70 mph ( 110 - 120 kph approx ) .It would be better if it’s possible for you to sit on a 250 Strom & try it for size ,to see if it suits you personally .I hope this information is of some help to you 👍
@@TheMissendenFlyer Ta! Trying to prepare as much as I can beforehand, but it's all just gonna come down to riding comfort on this, the g310gs or the versys-x 300
77 mph top speed but not much power and it is probably slow to get to that top speed. I bet it would not be great on the highways over here in the US were everyone goes 80 - 85 mph. You'd want a more powerful bike for that.
Rewatch where TMF pulls away from that intersection on the country road. Link: 3:57 Listen to the engine and watch the speedometer. That should tell you all you need to know.
@Marcangelus1 Speed limits on highways here in backwards NY is 65 mph but most people are going 75 - 80 mph most of the time. Lots of states have 70, 75 mph or even higher speed limits on the highway which means everyone goes 80 - 90 mph. Yes they are technically speeding but almost everyone goes over the limit by 10 mph at least. I'd want a faster bike than a 250 for any length of time on the highway. Speed is your only advantage on a highway on a bike, take that a way and you are a sitting duck. I have a 200cc dual sport and a 900cc sport bike and the 200cc bike will go 70 mph but it is SCARY on the highway, the 900cc feels like a boss on the highway.
If I were doing the NC500 again I’d rent something like this ‘Strom 250; certainly not a 1000cc bike. That said, if the DL650 is called the Wee-Strom, what’s the nomenclature for the 250 . . . a Wee-Wee?
A lot of whether many of the new Chinese & Indian made bikes will work for you is height & weight dependent missendenflyer is closer to indian/chinese average male in height but pretty short in height & light compared to the average height/ weight of a European male , so although the reviews are interesting you really need to try for yourself.
100% right Dean, these are only my opinions and I'm certainly no expert - of course I'd encourage any prospective buyer to get an extended test ride if they can....
Maybe its just me, but this is just a run of the mill 250, along the same lines as every other. £4600 against £6k for a RE interceptor, there's no comparison. Value for money RE is now the benchmark in my view
@@TheMissendenFlyer be realistic - how can you call anything over 150kg lightweight - you’ve obviously ridden dual sports and the like - it might feel light, but it’s not lightweight
Sorry Emlyn - this is supposed to be an homage to David Letterman (he repeats it all the time too in his "top" lists) but very few viewers seem to know who he is, and twig the link....
Thanks TheMissendenFlyer, I’m a fan of your channel as well as small capacity semi off-road all rounder bikes, so these kinda comparisons are useful when choosing between the various brands 👍🏻
Once again. The piss pot of the world, NZ, gets something different. The 2023 Vstrom 250 is a single here with a 12 litre tank. What's the hp of that bike? 2 year warranty.
Bought a 2018 model in Brighton early this year. Had owned a new Monkey bike the year before and sorely required a little storage capacity in my daily needs since returning to motorcycling.
I’ve ridden a fair few bikes over the years, but I’ve not ridden a bike I’ve enjoyed more than my Suzuki VStrom 250. Got the ferry over to France in July and did 2000 miles across France and Belgium to the Netherlands. Girlfriend flew over to meet me there and brought her helmet and gear. 60-80km per hour across the farmlands of the Netherlands and it was ideal. The factory fitted pannier boxes and the top rack allowed me haul a ton of gear. Was even getting mpg of upwards of 97mpg. Best commuter bike I’ve owned. Light enough to heave about. Centre stand. Amazing little dash. It’s a winner.
I live here in China and have this bike since June 2017 so 6 years. It sits outside in 40deg summers and -20 winters. 30,000KM .
Its build for a budget but surprisingly very durable and comfortable. Nothing at all has gone wrong on it apart from last week when one of the front forks starting leaking. It surprises me given the weather extremes here. The sun has weathered it quite noticeably but no issues with brake hoses, electrics etc
Its exceptionally comfortable (i'm 6'3") and have ridden full days 500km trips with no issues. The miles per tank is not quite right. 450km is about the max as generally you would ride this bike hard given its a low power engine. The main issue is the vibration through the handle bars. Release the handlebars and you will lose control in seconds. I have had the tires and wheels balanced and checked. From the Chinese biker forums its a common issue with the 2017 model. It appears to be the conical steering bearing
Its not really an off-road bike. The header pipes are lower that the engine guard plate, doesn't have the power to accelerate fast up a hill and tires are just road tires (as expected). On the tires part, people expressed concern about the make. I have had no concerns about them at all. Not the best but safe. No fancy parts on the bike and in any case all are fairly cheap. I don't bother with maintenance myself as its cheap here in China but its a doddle. The bikes comes with top box, side paniers, hand guards and centre stand, all for
You say you are from China, don't you have the 250XS version then? The one cilinder and 19" front wheel.
The kind of guy who buys this bike is someone gaining his/her independence and freedom from Mum and Dad's car rides, and that's a massive thrill when you are young. I think back to my Honda CD175 and what a feeling that was. It had no great power but it was the feeling of mobility and independence that made it so great.
I have two cd175's red k reg blue p reg. Also have a cb175. N reg the bottom end is little noisy though. May have to use one of the cd's as a donor to the cb
@@chrisredfield3240 Cool, i had a red one but can remember the blue it was nice metalic. It was a great bike and it even had a little power, enough to make it fun. Cheers.
ewooll My mate had a CD175 back in 1981 which kept breaking its cam chain (I’m guessing he didn’t repair it properly so the same problem recurred). No doubt they were good bikes but the unreliability of his makes it stick in my mind. Gave him a lift on my XT250 back to his dads several times so they could collect it in the van...
My first bike was a Honda CD 175, I still have one in perfect condition. 😊
Nice to see someone not ignoring small bikes. I think I'd ride it anywhere without worrying. Albeit slowly..
Good stuff
Suzuki is definitely one of the most honest motorcycle manufacturers out there. Real top notch manufacturing quality at a decent price. Of course, as a motorcycle and automotive passionate, you cannot but love most motorcycles out there, old, new, small, big, etc. But with Suzuki you get a serious motorcycle at a very good price. To me, Kawasaki also comes just after Suzuki, as affordable, quality motors.
sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?
I was stupid forgot my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
@@jaysonriley3264 contact them
@Jayson Riley Instablaster ;)
@Armando Nicolas I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Armando Nicolas it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thanks so much, you saved my ass !
I have this bike for almost a year and yes, for 188 kg is confusing to say that is light, but yes, for driving the city in the traffic in Bogotá is like a bycicle between cars, is a really good for going to work inside the city and sometimes to scape outside, fuel capacity, really comfortable and reliable... too bad it was too expensive in Colombia compared to other bikes in the same segment, that is the main purpose why the people didn´t like it.
It does look comfortable. The seating position is nice too.
25.07.20 - Me 60 and picking up a 2020 model tomorrow.
I got one myself as my first bike and it's been going great
The things I love about the Suzuki vstrom 250, good job you mentioned it once or twice
As I was wondering what bike it was 😁
How many items are on this list?
drives me nuts when he keeps repeating the list name before and after every item. :-D
Been commuting on mine for just over two years, all year round, effing love the thing. No heated grips.😁
Good to hear!
Had a BMW Funduro for many years but never really liked it but could not find a replacement for it. Then along comes the Vstrom 250. I took one for a test ride and bought it on the spot! A pair of Kappa panniers were added to the bike as they hold more luggage than the factory ones.Due to various commitments l have only managed to take the bike out a few times this year, one time doing 500 miles in a day averaging 90 mpg!So far l have only seen three other Vstrom 250s on the road so perhaps it may not be a big seller in the UK. There may still be a few ex demo ones for sale, check ebay for a real bargain and some may even have a few of the optional extras.
hey - its a very interesting bike and some good deals about! Just wondered, in terms MPG what are you getting on average? (and based on what type of riding?) and how do you find the finish ie any rust or weak areas? Im after a basic economical bike that can go longer distances, not bothered about speed but to keep up with traffic safely means 125s are a bit compromised on faster roads.
Hi Alistair. Mid to high 80s mpg for UK gallons is average for 60-70 mph on a run. It's early days yet for the finish as these days l very rarely ride in winter. Due to its physical size the bike has been mistaken for a 650 more than once as others do not realise that Suzuki make the 250! The Vstrom is very agile in traffic, more so than the Funduro l part-exed for it due to its light weight. With being quite tall you also get good visibility in traffic. Being very short legged, 24 inch inside leg measurement, l do not feel nervous about its size.I would certainly recommend a test ride on one if possible and if you decide to purchase one l would suggest getting the hand guards and centre stand if not already fitted (on a pre owned one).I'm just off into the garage to fit some after market crash bars to mine, as for me, this bikes a keeper :)Hope this helps, bikerted.
It’s good to see a bit of quality in the lower end of the bike market 😎☝️
Hi I got on dl 250 v storm. I had big bikes over the year. I got in this year 19 regards. Well what a great bike. I love it. I get both feet l flat on the ground. I getting 77 miles to the gallon. My mate dad just go ahead cb500x nice bike. We when out for a range. He topped up his bike . I still have haft a tank of fuel left . Happy days. Great video keep up the great work.
Thank you James...
He probably started with half a tank. Those cb500x's get 90mpg easy
Gem of an engine. Lots of the guys on the GW forum getting big miles. It was only the need for that bit more oomph made me sell mine. The Versys 300 runs rings round it.
The versys is waaaaaay better than this bike
I believe the difference on the spec sheets is about 10/15 kg and 10/15hp. Considering the vstrom250 is not very powerfull to begin with that is just tragic.
@@Don8789 50+% more power really puts things into perspective
Late to the video Mr Flyer but thanks for this and the other, more in depth video. I am 40 and i dont want a big bike. I just got one of these and i cant wait to head off on it. Love your videos man. Thanks.
Glad to help!
Great beginners and commuter bike. Straight seating position. Luggage etc.
A bit too light for me but the other two V-stroms are excellent bikes, great value for money and indestructible. The 650 won the Alpenmasters bike test three times as far as I can remember.
Very forbidden here in NL to block your view in the mirror.
What I really dislike about this bike is it’s not available in the US. It seems to be a nice competitor to the Versy X300 that would do get.
Thanks TMF.
Love your small capacity bike reviews. Had big bikes in the past. Looking to get something thats not going to kill me if I get wrong.
Keep um coming.👍😀
Will do James...thanks for watching and for stopping by!
Have it since 2 months now my second bike after nmax125 really happy with it. After a training day with a mt03 you can understand how comfortable this is. But i think they could go for a bit more power.
Good review, but since when has 180KG been considered light for a 250? I've had 750s that weigh less than that.
Yes. This is extremely heavy for a 250cc bike ! The Honda Hornet 600 was under 182KGS !!
Good video TMF. Nice to see you doing reviews on smaller bikes.
I love all bikes Lyn, small ones are a hoot! Thanks for watching and stopping by once again...you're becoming a regular!
The second spring when I dream to buy this bike.
I liked it because of the design, the place for wardrobe trunks in stock, low price and it has the characteristics of my current motorcycle, but Suzuki eats half as much. I think that when buy it, it will be the best buy.
Thanks for video
Love the little thing. Find it very attractive. Currently NOT for sale in US soil.
Another great video mr flyer, still nice to see you cover such a broad range of bikes. Its just a shame the vstrom isnt a 400cc to still keep it in the lower road tax bands and with a little more power and it would be a winner for touring 😊
I rode the DL250 a couple of times when my GW250 was in for service. I agree with most of your review but, my impression was that the seat was not that comfortable. It certainly didn't seem as plush as the GWs seat, and I have subsequently purchased a DL650 and its seat is way more comfortably. I found the seat on the DL250 to cause me discomfort after only about half an hour of use.
Really? I didn’t have that issue - perhaps my backside is more padded than yours!! Thanks for watching - TMF
@@TheMissendenFlyer the dealership suggested that it was a result of sitting more upright than on my GW, but all I know was I didn't get more than 30 minutes into the ride before I was feeling discomfort. Apart from that I liked it and he I decided to go with the baby Strom I would have changed out the seat.
If you want a small cc adventure bike, get the Honda cb500x, same MPG, pretty light but enough power to go along and overtake. I don't know what this bike is trying to achieve.
It's useless. His CRF250L is 100 lbs lighter and 10 times the bike
J Coats I just don’t understand why you would buy this bike...
@@migsteele agreed. I hate it.
J Coats I mean, I don’t hate it, it’s a motorbike, goes brum.... weeeeeeee, just wouldn’t buy it
Does the CB500x has a big tank like the vstrom250? And can it go 300 miles per full tank?
There isn't a day that I don't worry about why we don't have this in India ..
Today suzuki india teased a adv bike on their Twitter Handel .. its a v storm.. but not suer which one .. i hope its a 250
@@karakcoffee5493 wow ill check thanks
Its come to india with gixxer 250 engine😪😪😪
@@jaythomas3405 no it will be costlier than Gixxer SF 250 and this is parallel twin still have less power than Gixxer 250. Indian market wouldn't understand the twin cylinder rather ppl will see numbers.
@@karakcoffee5493 still there is no news about it
Lovely vid tmf, I know this is one that's been in the can for a while and I'm glad you've shared it. Staggering value for money that bike.
The number on thing I liked about this video is the camera shot from the wing mirror.
My Yamaha FZ250 which shares the engine with XT250, weighs only 148kgs wet.
I love it! I hope suzuki will release it in the Philippines!
Bought the bike now thanks coming from bigger bike as did the das never had a small bike should be fun
The Benelli TRK502X is a good shout for a cheap reliable bike. More capacity too 👌🏻👍🏻 Wouldn’t mind seeing a TMF review on one of those 😎🤞🏻
240kgs, one heavy ass bike.
Thanks for the video Mr Flyer! But isn't it a small bit underpowered for it's weight?
I agree, way heavy for a 250!!
I think you're supposed to ignore the CCs and thio of it as a big commuter/ scooter kind of vehicle. I'd get one in Black
It must be good for motorbiking in the UK that more smaller bikers are back on the market. Not all of us want 1300cc rocket ships that can do warp one in first gear.
...agreed! Although they do have their place of course ;0)
I sat on one in dealer showroom recently and no way would you think it is a 250cc bike.Like the Honda varadero 125 Suzuki has made it not look like a small capacity bike and not put a 250cc decal on it.
Nice review. Well done. Looking forward to your review on the new 1050 VStrom. It'll be interesting to see your perspective considering you're a GS owner.
Nice test. You got me interested in buying one.
Rarely have a guilty conscience when I get home on the 250. Not always the case on my 1000 :-)
Exactly!
I would like one, but going from an old tenere to this, I am more than likely to get bummed out by its small engine and low power. After the tenere, when I ride anything else I feel like it's dragging regardless of the weight. An exhaust swap and a more open air filter I think are in order. I don't know if this can get an ECU remap too.
What was the name of the bike again?
Like your jacket. What and where?
In my opinion this bike is for those who say:
1. "I am not a big guy, I can not really manage huge / tall enduro bikes"
2. "I want an entry / mid level ~250CC bike for every day commuting and I will go the distance with my tent from time to time"
From this point of view, this model fills in a gap in the market.
The only thing I do not like is the head light- it is the only not so handsome thing on the bike and it is still a halogen light- come on Suzuki, we are in 2020 and certainly you can do better- you made such a good bike but don't go spoiling the bike with that headlight.
People who ride it complain about the seat; as it gets narrower toward the fuel tank, during a long ride, they say it gets a bit uncomfortable. Is that true?
I never had an issue but then I never did any really long days in the saddle on it....
Nice review. Hopefully I get one.
A nice size for city commuting, but intercity perhaps not? Makes you wonder why they didn't go for a 350cc or 400cc engine, which would have given it a little more grunt without putting on too much extra weight?
maybe to keeo the fuel suppage low... i have a honda nc750s and thats near the fuel MPG figures... with DCT and 54hp..
Can you review the Honda 500x. I'm seriously considering getting it but would love to have your honest opinion.
Can you test the Zontes T310, it looks well speced and lighter than the Suzuki. I am looking for a lightweight commuter bike and wonder how it compares to the Suzuki. I don't need speed, just a reliable, light bike to commute most of the year.. an annual train to London costs 4.5K from Berkshire!
handy wee bike
a real fuel gauge is a nice touch.
Isn't it just!
better than laying the bike on its side to try and get the last drops of fuel from one side to the other to avoid the walk of shame ,,, ah , those were the days ,,, sex was safe and bikes were dangerous .... where did those days go.
To me 5 blocks does not make a real fuel guage. I had one on my 600 Bandit, "Everythings ok I have a block left" 4 miles later " ...oh and its gone". Hmm still loved my 600 though, haha.
my bmw is little better ,,, but its still better than ,, chug ,,, cough and start walking
You have had a busy week. :) Looking forward to your Thailand trip.
nice looking forward for that review
Sir, i like your riding jacket (i thought that is Dainese faster sons)....Ride safe.
These top 5 likes, places it high on my list of desireable commuters. Is it a better buy than a Bergman 400 or similar Scooter though? Great summary review - could have been 2m38s shorter had you not said The Suzuki VStrom 250 so repetitively!
He he yes - these are supposed to be a homage to David Letterman lists but very few people spot it!!
Can you get a decent, larger after market windscreen? Is a centre stand a straightforward fitting? Looks like the holes in the frame are there.
I'm afraid I don't know Gary....
Yes it nice bike good review 👍 Tmf thanks from Danny
Shame we dont see more of these machines on UK roads, affordable and fun. What more does one need?
Awesome! This vs a DR200 as a beginner bike? Or a striped down vStrom 650?
Looks like a nice little bike. Unfortunately for Suzuki I think it's going to have the same problem as their other rehash of the inazuma - too pricey when compared to bigger/more feature rich bikes. I don't know UK prices, but looking at this in Australia it's about the same money as a versys 300 or a CRF250l. It's fairly predictable that shortly after KTM drop the 390 adventure in around that price, Kawasaki will update the versys to a 400, and then you'll just have the inline-strom struggling to explain why it's reusing the inazuma frame and engine but not passing that saving on. Unfortunately I think it's indicative of suzuki at the moment. I really like that they went all in with modern tech on the GSX-R125, but the rest of their lines continue to feel outdated and left behind. It's time to open the purse strings a little Suzuki.
I want it to do well... but yeah, looking at the australian website and pricing .. .. honestly I don't see it being that big of a hit. Small engines are fine ... ... but the Inazuma never had a good enough engine to stick around so long, and with A2 and LAMS and general global modern restrictions I do wonder how useful the 250 capacity really is on a beginner adventure bike. Fine if you don't plan to do much adventuring I guess? It's too expensive for a bike just to learn on and upgrade, but is it really big enough to ride out your whole restricted period on? That's why the others have gone bigger.
Thanks for the comment James! All the best...
Would u go for Versys300 instead? Cos I m considering these 2 and the Hondas 500/750. I am from Singapore, parts for Kawasakis r very expensive and I feel that Kawas breaks down more often than Suzukis. Would appreciate your thoughts on this as Australia has even greater extreme weather(semi-desert) than tropical Singapore.
well, at my 60's I'm going for my first bike, and I've already choose the baby V-Strom, I need to wait until end of May here in Melbourne, more comments to come ....
Good choice! …and welcome to biking!
Awesome review,,,,
Thanks!
A good bike for what it is however Suzuki should have made it a bit more powerful.
Should be a 400
Reminds me how the honda cb400n and cb250n superdream were essentially the same bike. This must have started out as a 400cc. It's heavier than the z400
Chris Hart Yeah, I had a Suzuki GS450 which was the same as the 250 and there were lots of examples where they made a 250cc version of 400s and 350s because it was such an important class in the UK. No doubt, somewhere in the World, this bike makes more sense.
Sits all day on motorway at 70 mph with loads to spare, that’s fully loaded with all my camping gear, more power would have had a detrimental effect on the 90+ mpg fuel economy and genuine 300 mile tank range, 250 has worked perfect for me, want more power just buy a bigger bike
How about taking down a few tracks as part of the review?
Would love to have this in the US I'm a Suzuki fan, but they have no usable smaller bikes period in thd US right now. The GSX250 is an overpriced outdated overweight bike no one will buy - they will buy the MT03 or Ninja 400 instead. The TU250 was a great bike, so they decided to stop selling it here. It was a bit high price, but at least worth it. This VStrom 250 should be in US instead of the GSX250. It would probably become the go-to bike for safety classes as well, since there are so few option (save me from a Rebel). As others have pointed out, only real comparable bike to this one would be the Versys X 300 - given it's price I'm sure a Vstrom would sell more units. If the price was right, I'd buy two 🙂
be interested to know which you would choose between the Vstrom 250 and the KTM 390 duke which you have also reviewed as an everyday bike, and a bit of fun at weekends, no motorway use involved just A and B roads, great review as always
As much as I liked the Vstrom, it can't match the performance or fun of the KTM - Duke wins hands down...
I really like the look of the 390 Duke, but never seen one in the flesh, I am about 5.8 86kg and looking for an all purpose bike, to bring a smike to me face just worried at 61 years old, I might look a bit of prat riding one haha @@TheMissendenFlyer
TMF out of the Vstrom and the G310GS what would you pick and why
I think the VStrom - sounded better!
TheMissendenFlyer but which riders better?
I missed it. What was the name of this bike?
Ive just bought a sinnis terrain 125 today as im a baby rider, but my dad is looking for a decent adv bike which is not too big or heavy either. Do you think there is a big difference between this and the 650 in terms of road presence and maneuverability?
Yes very much so - the 650 feels much more substantial…
@@TheMissendenFlyer so the 250 would be capable on motorways but still easy to filter?
as a non british person could someone explain to me if parking we see at 2:25 in the video is legal? i've counted 10 cars before he made the cut blocking the entire lane so you have to go into opposing lane, seems annoying if there's oncoming traffic? how do you brits deal with it in a busy areas?
Yes Completely legal if there are no yellow lines preventing you from doing so - and there aren’t here....
Mirrors look well thought out too.. just one thing, what was the name of the bike again? I didn't quite catch it the 84th time you mentioned it. You are now referred to as Vstrom..
He he - these are supposed to be an homage to David Letterman lists but it’s lost on most people!!!
:) thanks for all your reviews this year - always enjoy them!
My worry if I was buying one is that the engine, brakes, handling and suspension didn't make it in your top 5 list.
It's a 250...
@@tennyis28 and?
Very well said, this is indeed the worst 'review' of bikes I watched in last 3 years.....!!!
@@udaybhaskar448 its not a review
Would you buy this or the G310GS? Considering something small for a short 25mile motorway commute.
Duke 390 ;0)
@@TheMissendenFlyer haha! Maybe the adventure 390. Or just use my MT-09 SP 😂
I am struggling with this one, because it is low on power, but i can get a basically almost new one from 2020 with only 500km on the clock for 2800€ / 2400£.
And that is a great deal.
Just not sure about the power.
The old Honda Superdream 250 twin was about as heavy as this 250 V strom,it had 3 valve heads & about 26 horse power .This Suzuki had been strangled with a cat ,fuel injection & only 24•7 horse power yet still does about the same top speed ,which is about right for a 250 four stroke twin . I remember people touring all around Europe on the Honda Superdream 250 with no problems ,these bikes will be able to do the same .I have just downsized from a Suzuki Bandit ,to a Mint demo model Suzuki 250 V Strom in Black & yellow with less than a 1000 miles purchased from a main dealer for £ 3,495 .& the bike has more than enough power for a 250 & handles well .These bikes are not about high speed & power they are about value for money ,reliable ,transport & real world use .This bike is a 250 not a 300 or 500 cc & should not be compared to them for power or top speeds .This Suzuki 250 v strom has plenty enough real world power for a 250 cc single overhead cam 2 valve per cylinder twin 4 stroke .I will be keeping mine & enjoy every minute riding & owning it .You got offered a great deal ,I hope you had the good sense to snap it up ,as they are going to be sought after ,by people who realise how good these little 250 ‘s are .
@@maskedavenger2578Hello,
I'm concerned about the size of it as I'm 186cm tall I think it's 6'1". I was wondering it could be a perfect replacement for my v strom 650 that I just sold. I found a vstrom 250 from 2018 with 5k km on it for only €2.900, another thing that called my attention was to get a valve checked every 5k km, is it true ?
@@pedrozfurlan I think it’s ok for people up to 6ft tall .I suppose really it depends on your inside leg measurement & also the height of the heel & sole on your motorcycle boots . The handle bars can be tilted or even bar risers angled or straight can be fitted if handle bars need adjusting to suit .As for the valve adjustments they are simple screw & locknut check or adjust every 3,000 miles ( 5,000 Kms ) .The valves can be done easily by the home mechanic ,without even removing the tank .All that’s needed is to remove a couple of plastic side panels & swing the coolant tank out of the way & the cam cover can be removed with a bit of care providing access to the valve adjusters .The bike is owner friendly & handles very good & has adequate performance for everyday riding & touring speeds .Will also cope with a few sections of motorways if needed as top speed is around 80 - 85 mph ( 136 kph ) & will cruise at 65 - 70 mph ( 110 - 120 kph approx ) .It would be better if it’s possible for you to sit on a 250 Strom & try it for size ,to see if it suits you personally .I hope this information is of some help to you 👍
How does this compare to the g310gs in terms of long-distance rides? Asking specifically in regards to comfort
vERY SIMILAR - NOT MUCH TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM....AH CAPS!!!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Ta! Trying to prepare as much as I can beforehand, but it's all just gonna come down to riding comfort on this, the g310gs or the versys-x 300
How is the power and what is the top speed. Would it be good on a north American freeway or super highway?
24 bhp, 24 nm , 140 km top speed 10k rpm max
77 mph top speed but not much power and it is probably slow to get to that top speed. I bet it would not be great on the highways over here in the US were everyone goes 80 - 85 mph. You'd want a more powerful bike for that.
Dont those folk the other side of the pond travel @ 55mph?
Rewatch where TMF pulls away from that intersection on the country road. Link: 3:57 Listen to the engine and watch the speedometer. That should tell you all you need to know.
@Marcangelus1 Speed limits on highways here in backwards NY is 65 mph but most people are going 75 - 80 mph most of the time. Lots of states have 70, 75 mph or even higher speed limits on the highway which means everyone goes 80 - 90 mph. Yes they are technically speeding but almost everyone goes over the limit by 10 mph at least. I'd want a faster bike than a 250 for any length of time on the highway. Speed is your only advantage on a highway on a bike, take that a way and you are a sitting duck.
I have a 200cc dual sport and a 900cc sport bike and the 200cc bike will go 70 mph but it is SCARY on the highway, the 900cc feels like a boss on the highway.
If I were doing the NC500 again I’d rent something like this ‘Strom 250; certainly not a 1000cc bike. That said, if the DL650 is called the Wee-Strom, what’s the nomenclature for the 250 . . . a Wee-Wee?
Where’s the compass? (I bought a Himalayan)
😆
Where are gray market importers anymore? If someone would bring this to the US since Suzuki seems asleep at the wheel, I think they could make some $.
Thermometer?
That's heavy for a 250. Not light at all.
It's light if it was a 650cc
414 lbs. that’s a friggin tank
@bacorable gsxr250 is really heavy too. Don't know what suzuki are doing. That new dr1050 (dr big is a heavy pig too)
@@chrisredfield3240 I'd ride it
@@chrisredfield3240 dr650 even with fairings, tank etc to give it similar functionality is still less weight
off road capabilities?
I couldn’t keep my eyes off that pesky leaf (1:15).
Stuck to the glove it did.
Then disappears.....
A lot of whether many of the new Chinese & Indian made bikes will work for you is height & weight dependent missendenflyer is closer to indian/chinese average male in height but pretty short in height & light compared to the average height/ weight of a European male , so although the reviews are interesting you really need to try for yourself.
100% right Dean, these are only my opinions and I'm certainly no expert - of course I'd encourage any prospective buyer to get an extended test ride if they can....
Maybe its just me, but this is just a run of the mill 250, along the same lines as every other. £4600 against £6k for a RE interceptor, there's no comparison. Value for money RE is now the benchmark in my view
Yes I tend to agree - of course that only applies if you like retro bikes (which I do)....
well that was short an sweet ?
The video, the bike or me?
This bike can go to pluto and back
I can't help but notice that "Revving the nuts off it then shifting to get to 30" didn't make the list.
Mate that is just racist
@@Ryan-bh9yg ???
"Racist" against 250s? I like small bikes but they have no place in fast traffic.
Itll sit @75 right up until it melts.
@@johna6968 or gets to a hill
do you have dislikes about this bike? please tell us!!! or have videos about that?
Yes, see my final review of the bike....
I like the Ike - but calling this 250 lightweight is laughable mate.
Clearly it's not to me...."mate"
@@TheMissendenFlyer be realistic - how can you call anything over 150kg lightweight - you’ve obviously ridden dual sports and the like - it might feel light, but it’s not lightweight
Did I miss the review of this bike?
Yep sounds like it - was posted a long while back mind you....
runs like a sewing machine, great lil bike eh!!
Love your videos but you don't need to say the name of the bike so often!
Sorry Emlyn - this is supposed to be an homage to David Letterman (he repeats it all the time too in his "top" lists) but very few viewers seem to know who he is, and twig the link....
Worst thing #1: Not available in North America (cries freedom tears into a cheeseburger)
Hi MF any chance of reviewing the Yamaha 700 Tenere👍
I'm riding it next week! - Stay tuned....
👍🇹🇷🇹🇭🙏
That's Duke 390 money? What can the 250 do that the 390 can't?
Good question - personally Id take the Duke....
Thanks TheMissendenFlyer, I’m a fan of your channel as well as small capacity semi off-road all rounder bikes, so these kinda comparisons are useful when choosing between the various brands 👍🏻
On a few occasions you forgot to say 2018, so I won't be buying!
Sadly, 400-plus pounds is not light weight for a 250.
100 lbs more than the CRF250L and WAY underpowered.
Maybe your videos would be a little better if you showed the bike?
Thanks very much for the advice Simon - all the best! - TMF
The Suzuki vstrom 250.... Do you get paid for everytime you say its name... 😂
He he - it’s meant to be a homage to David Letterman lists (but very few people spot it!!)
Once again. The piss pot of the world, NZ, gets something different. The 2023 Vstrom 250 is a single here with a 12 litre tank. What's the hp of that bike? 2 year warranty.
On your "Top 5 things you dont love about the Suzuki VStrom 250" I predict no 1 will be its totally underwhelming gutless power output.....
Are you Mark Marquez or Valentino Rossi?
@@jimmymac9388 cmon its 25hp weighing 188kg!!!
Chiep to run you set nooduitgang talks About every 2.777 e service beurt
Not quite sure I follow?