Thanks for your great review! I'm getting the exact same V-Strom 650 XT with the same colour at the end of the week, used with under 10'000 km. I'm looking forward to riding it in my home country. I was testing a used Tracer 900 GT for almost the same price, but ultimatively decided to pick up the V-Strom as it is just more relaxing to ride (and I don't need all the horse power of the Tracer on our backcountry roads here). Greetings from Switzerland!
You old duffers ROCK! I'm glad to see the older generation still seeking adventure and pleasure from motorcycling. I'm 71 and still riding my 2012 Weestrom in the USA, which is basically the same bike with the same great motor. It's not a perfect bike, but what is? You can't beat the value and all-around goodness, reliability, comfort, quiet, handling, economy, and just plain fun that this bike offers. I had a good laugh when you used an old expression, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" I admire your command of the English language, halfway around the world.
Thanks! Happy to hear from you and super glad to hear that you still ride your good old Vee. 👍 When we were young there was no TH-cam, only boob tube. So we are making up for it now I guess. English learnt from what the Brits left behind so it’s got to be half decent, right?. 😉Cheers!
Great down to earth review of the 650strom.I've got a '17 model & have done 22k kms.Yes,a practical choice of motorcycle which I only realised years after getting it.Mine is also only used for road & occasionally dirt track.Thanks for video.
V-Strom 650, "Motorcycle bought with the head, not with the heart". Very true, but if you buy and stick with it, your heart changes and falls deeply in love. The bike does a very wide breadth of duties, very well. It is the best for a "single bike garage". For me it is vanilla ice cream with nuggets of honeycomb inside. Very sweet.
@@bigbearbangalore 13 years and 200000km for me ('06 & '09 models). Best improvement was the availability of ABS brakes from about 2008. Saved my bacon several times!
Super review.. loved it when KU said interceptor is Interceptor ..:).. loved it too when the host said I am not for off roading and love riding on high ways... ☺️😊
Relaxing music and insightful review! I wanted this bike and was waiting for the bs6 but alas the revised price has put me off. Don't know what they are asking 1.40 lacs more for! At this price a sparingly used tiger is a possibility 😎
Thanks! I sold my Tiger 800XC after a memorable 5 years and 36,000 kms, since I wanted to move to a smaller, lighter and less intimidating motorcycle and hence chose the V-Strom. And am very happy with the choice. Cheers!
What a fun bunch of people, and the blues in the back make it even better. If you're in Bengaluru, I would love to have a drink with y'all! I am a noob rider, can use your advice.
You are very kind! Thank you. We are no experts! :-) Just another bunch of noobs having a good time on motorcycles. Catch up we could. Will perhaps arrange a V-Strom Bangalore tea party sometime this summer. Cheers!
Every 4 months for service? I've had my '17 DL 650 for over 5 years and it's never been to a dealer service center. V stroms are easy on valves. After 25k miles I checked clearances and all were in spec. All other maintenance is straight forward. I talked to a service tech and he seen a DL 650 with over 300k miles on original engine. These bikes are hard to beat. Just bought a '22 650 Adventure, before the Vtwin is no more. Long live VStroms!
Yes! Some crazy crap that Suzuki India came up with. Anyway, the warranty on mine is over so now I get it serviced once a year. And you are correct, they are almost bullet proof and can last a lifetime. Long live the V engined V-Strom. Cheers!
Hi! Yes I look forward to seeing the 1050 here. In the present adventure motorcycling world filled with edgy and aggressive designs, the 1050 is refreshingly retro and classy. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Yes sir, agree with you. Suzukis are getting better day by day and i think there are also other Suzuki bikes that i see here in JP and belive they will take the fleet to India. Cheers - Anish
Good review Bosky and Kora, i am looking for an upgrade from my current RE 350CC cruiser. The Part 1 and Part 2 gives a better perception on decision making with your unbiased review but with full load the ground clearance of 150mm for an ADV is a concern to ride on Indian roads.
Thanks. Yes the road clearance is on the lower side when fully loaded but is not a deal breaker. Check out our recent V-Strom ownership review video where we have discussed this issue and a possible solution too. Cheers!
You can find the PART 2 of this review in this link th-cam.com/video/G9Iyk8jA8E8/w-d-xo.html And the latest 27,000 kms review video of 01/05/2022 on th-cam.com/video/67UTTJm5xg4/w-d-xo.html And you can follow us on Instagram instagram.com/artofunwinding/
Excellent review (including Pt. 2) of not just the bike but useful accessories to go with it. Very helpful in making a decision on ny second bike (the first one being the Interceptor). See Muddy hog on my daily walk @ The Tambourine. Would love to ride with you guys sometime. Cheers.
Hello, could you please provide answers for following questions? 1. How’s the spare parts availability? How long do they take to get the spares on placing order? 2. What’s the spare parts price range? 3. How’s the service center workmanship?
Hi! 1. Haven’t changed any parts yet. I’ve run 17,000 kms. And from what I hear, running parts and consumable parts are not a problem. 2. I don’t know price details. And for sure far cheaper than the European brands. 3. So far it’s been just general service and oil changes and the workmanship at Aerolex Suzuki has been super good. Cheers!
hi... I noticed foot rest kind of a support at the booth of saddle stays? Which saddle stays are ... these? I guess that support must be helping to avoid your saddle bags touching exhaust
I didn’t get you…. The stays are SHAD SH36 case mounts. When on short rides I use the pods like in this video to store a few things. Longer rides I use the hard luggage. I have shared the hard luggage details in Part 2 of the ownership review. Although I’ve now moved to Kriega soft luggage.
hi Bosky -- You mentioned in your clip that you have previously used after market exhausts? I am not a big fan of loud exhausts but if one need to spend on exhaust in quest of more subtle exhaust note with little higher bass than stock for V 650 then which exhaust you will recommend?
Hi! I am too not a fan of loud exhausts although several years ago I did like them 😀. From what I have been able to research, there is no suitable ‘subtle’ exhaust for the Vee. All seem too loud and close to a full system types. Arrow & MIVV make street exhausts and am still not convinced that they would be a just subtle increase. I fear that, while they will be several kgs lighter, they may be too loud. So for the moment I plan to stick with the stock system. Am still researching and once I get more information, I’ll share the details here. Thanks.
@@bigbearbangalore yeah I too researched Mivv, Arrow and Akra -- they are around 3.5 to 4.5 Kg lighter and its a full exhaust system and not just slip on.. out of this only arrow has give DB comparison with stock .. it says 84 DB stock and 85 DB Arrow.. MIVV and Akra dont have DB comparison
Hi! Depends on a few variables like road, traffic and time of day. Generally about 110-120 kmph on expressways and downwards as the roads get narrower and busier. Of course there are bursts of higher speeds for a few seconds that I do when conditions permit.
Hi! To put the differences in one sentence I would say that the Versys feels more like a sport tourer while the Vstrom is more like an adventure tourer. Personally I prefer the Vstrom for its engine characteristic that develops good torque thru the rev range, riding comfort and the way it looks. Cheers!
The mounts that you see are the SHAD 3P systems used for the SH36 side cases. I have strapped on the NH4 crash guard bags when I don't use the hard cases.
Indeed. Today I rode the Africa Twin DCT and for a while I did consider saving up money and buying it sometime in 2022 but you see, that was the heart talking. Once I was back home fortunately the head took over and I dropped the idea of the AT and decided to stick with my simple and practical V-Strom 650 for a few more years. Cheers!
Hello Bosky , Planning to book V-Strom . Kindly let me know the must have assecories to be installed . Should I buy Suzuki genuine assecories or go with some other brand. Also is my decision to go with Vstrom around 10 lacs price range ok or do you suggest some other bike . I am not a agressive rider .My main purpose is highway touring & mild city use . Kindly guide.
Hi! Suzuki genuine parts are little cheaper I think and they are good too. However there is a wider choice with other brands. Main accessories recommended are tank and engine guard, metal sump guard, lever guards, side stand foot plate and handlebar risers. At the 10 lakh range this is the best bike overall considering maintenance and parts costs. And the Vee is ideal for super comfortable highway cruising. Best wishes!
The bike's engine performance is more sensitive to a pillion than the Tiger 800xc I was riding before this. So, a fist full of gas will help it along quite well when fully loaded. Also, with a pillion and luggage it requires the correct rear shock pre-load adjustment to retain the neutral handling especially in fast twists. Once that sweet spot is found, the bike behaves quite well. On our public roads and highways here, the optimum and safer speeds have always been in the range of 80-120 KMPH. And this motorcycle can deliver that all day long. Cheers!
I rented the previous generation V-Strom 650 on my visit to the Alps a couple of years ago. Though it can get blown to the weeds if pitched against the Multistrada or 1200GS, it is not appropriate to compare, because they are not in the same cubic capacity, price and weight category. You can take a look at that in this link th-cam.com/video/XUDQjKYfr9U/w-d-xo.html
Hi! Whether it is worth 11 lakhs or not I won't comment. That is for the buyer to decide if it is worth spending this amount on a motorcycle. All I will say is that, at this price point and in comparison to competing brands, this is a good brand and model with a proven reputation for reliability and longevity. And with regards to maintenance costs, the V-Strom being a Japanese brand is quite a bit cheaper than European or American brands in terms of labour and spares costs.
Hi! Am a little over 5’9” and wear a 31” inseam jeans. The seat height is more than preferred but I am ok with it. A few riders have cut the seat foam to reduce height and another one I know has installed a lower seat.
Iam planning to buy 650cc bike especially versys 650 or v strom 650 . Which bike is best . Iam test ride both bikes but just 2 kms in city so I don't understand anything about both bikes. My doubts is which suspension is best and ride quality, reliability, vibrations,maintenance which is best, and comfortable for long rides
Hi! Both are excellent bikes. The Versys is more a tourer for good roads and the Vstrom is also suited for some bad roads. The Vstrom is bigger heavier and more comfortable on long rides and more suited if you carry a pillion. However the Versys costs much less. If budget permits go for the Suzuki else the Kawasaki is good value for money. And in terms of looks the Suzuki in my view is far better looking. Cheers!
Despite... gs 1250 ktm 1290 africa twin yamaha t700 tiger 900... being much more popular ...i bought with my head😉1050 xt vstrom no regrets....from dave
@@rahulksmenon LOL....... It's not you at all. It's me that prefers less WhatsApp in general. And yes, I shall ping when am ready, thanks much. Best wishes. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Oh no, I was just referring to people's judgment of reliability based on bias. If it's Chinese, they say it's "unreliable". Put an Italian badge on the tank, suddenly it's just "temperamental" & "characterful". The V-strom is starting to look dated considering the competition it'll face next year especially from Zhejiang (Benelli QJ) & Hangzhou (CFmoto). But neither can come close to the Suzuki's low kerb weight, which is a major consideration for me because I ride 2-up with luggage. Nonetheless, I hear a complete revamp is in the works for this bike in Hamamatsu involving a brand new 700cc parallel twin engine...
@@kkhalifah1019 Ah OK!! Yes the 650 is dated and that's what makes to reliable and cheap to own and maintain. Good to hear a revamp of the V-Strom 650 is on the cards. It is logical considering that they recently did that to the big brother and launched the 1050. Just FYI Benelli & CF Moto are doing very poorly here. Struggling to survive they are. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Don't take it otherwise sir, I'am just saying Japanese bikes are not boring. Anyway your review was very impressive. I am checking for adventure bikes, v-strom is very good, but tiger is more feature rich and also expensive.
@@das400s I did not sir! And actually, my V-Storm is Japanese and it is not really boring. :-) Yes, the new Tiger is an awesome machine. Had a chance to ride it and I found it very manoeuvrable and non-intimidating. I owned a Tiger 800XC for 5 years before I got myself this V-Strom. Cheers!
Yes. That was the recommended service interval for my Vee. The 6000 miles service interval was just flipped in India to 6,000 kms service interval. And I believe that it has now been revised this year to 1 year or 10k kms interval.
You guys made my soul happy. Great review and a good sense of humour. Love from UK and I am riding Vstrom 1000.
Thank you. Happy to hear. Cheers!
Thank you Bosky for making me a part of this review, looking forward for more rides and videos 😉
Any time! Cheers!
Thanks for your great review! I'm getting the exact same V-Strom 650 XT with the same colour at the end of the week, used with under 10'000 km. I'm looking forward to riding it in my home country. I was testing a used Tracer 900 GT for almost the same price, but ultimatively decided to pick up the V-Strom as it is just more relaxing to ride (and I don't need all the horse power of the Tracer on our backcountry roads here).
Greetings from Switzerland!
Glad you liked the video. Happy to hear about you getting a Vstrom. You’ll enjoy it’s laid back style and performance. Best wishes.
You old duffers ROCK! I'm glad to see the older generation still seeking adventure and pleasure from motorcycling. I'm 71 and still riding my 2012 Weestrom in the USA, which is basically the same bike with the same great motor. It's not a perfect bike, but what is? You can't beat the value and all-around goodness, reliability, comfort, quiet, handling, economy, and just plain fun that this bike offers. I had a good laugh when you used an old expression, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" I admire your command of the English language, halfway around the world.
Thanks! Happy to hear from you and super glad to hear that you still ride your good old Vee. 👍
When we were young there was no TH-cam, only boob tube. So we are making up for it now I guess. English learnt from what the Brits left behind so it’s got to be half decent, right?. 😉Cheers!
Great down to earth review of the 650strom.I've got a '17 model & have done 22k kms.Yes,a practical choice of motorcycle which I only realised years after getting it.Mine is also only used for road & occasionally dirt track.Thanks for video.
Glad you liked the video, thank you. Happy to hear about your Vee. Best wishes.
V-Strom 650, "Motorcycle bought with the head, not with the heart".
Very true, but if you buy and stick with it, your heart changes and falls deeply in love.
The bike does a very wide breadth of duties, very well. It is the best for a "single bike garage".
For me it is vanilla ice cream with nuggets of honeycomb inside. Very sweet.
Well said! Yes, my heart has grown fonder as I near 2 years of ownership. Vanilla ice cream with nuggets of honey!! Yum! :-) Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore 13 years and 200000km for me ('06 & '09 models). Best improvement was the availability of ABS brakes from about 2008. Saved my bacon several times!
@@MrBenHaynes Wow! I hope to get to 200000 too! Cheers!
Mmm, hokey pokey ice-cream - my favourite ;) 😂
Brilliant, outstanding, in-depth review. I currently own a Z900 but V Storm looks tempting
Thanks. The V is a great machine indeed.
thank Mr Bosky,its great to know about you.I shall be touch for your further suggestions and guidance
Thank you. Looking forward. Cheers!
Super review.. loved it when KU said interceptor is Interceptor ..:).. loved it too when the host said I am not for off roading and love riding on high ways... ☺️😊
Glad you liked it. Cheers!
Excellent review and cheerful video!
These are the contents that add up as cherished memories.
Great stuff Arun, nice to see you all here :)
Glad you liked it! Thanks much. Cheers!
Relaxing music and insightful review! I wanted this bike and was waiting for the bs6 but alas the revised price has put me off. Don't know what they are asking 1.40 lacs more for! At this price a sparingly used tiger is a possibility 😎
Thanks!
I sold my Tiger 800XC after a memorable 5 years and 36,000 kms, since I wanted to move to a smaller, lighter and less intimidating motorcycle and hence chose the V-Strom. And am very happy with the choice. Cheers!
What a fun bunch of people, and the blues in the back make it even better. If you're in Bengaluru, I would love to have a drink with y'all! I am a noob rider, can use your advice.
You are very kind! Thank you. We are no experts! :-) Just another bunch of noobs having a good time on motorcycles. Catch up we could. Will perhaps arrange a V-Strom Bangalore tea party sometime this summer. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Fantastic, looking forward to it if it happens 👌.
Every 4 months for service? I've had my '17 DL 650 for over 5 years and it's never been to a dealer service center. V stroms are easy on valves. After 25k miles I checked clearances and all were in spec. All other maintenance is straight forward. I talked to a service tech and he seen a DL 650 with over 300k miles on original engine. These bikes are hard to beat. Just bought a '22 650 Adventure, before the Vtwin is no more. Long live VStroms!
Yes! Some crazy crap that Suzuki India came up with. Anyway, the warranty on mine is over so now I get it serviced once a year.
And you are correct, they are almost bullet proof and can last a lifetime.
Long live the V engined V-Strom. Cheers!
My favorite ride for sure beyond my Indian and Goldwing. Thanks for your video!!
Cheers!
Cheers from Japan, wish you guys see the 1050 version.
Hi! Yes I look forward to seeing the 1050 here. In the present adventure motorcycling world filled with edgy and aggressive designs, the 1050 is refreshingly retro and classy. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Yes sir, agree with you. Suzukis are getting better day by day and i think there are also other Suzuki bikes that i see here in JP and belive they will take the fleet to India. Cheers - Anish
Absolutely love your video.. Its so crisp and refined.. Good info!
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it. Cheers!
Good review Bosky and Kora, i am looking for an upgrade from my current RE 350CC cruiser. The Part 1 and Part 2 gives a better perception on decision making with your unbiased review but with full load the ground clearance of 150mm for an ADV is a concern to ride on Indian roads.
Thanks. Yes the road clearance is on the lower side when fully loaded but is not a deal breaker. Check out our recent V-Strom ownership review video where we have discussed this issue and a possible solution too. Cheers!
Cheers from a fellow Strom owner 😊
Cheers to you too.
Good review, like my stock exhaust too. The one thing I didn't like was the stock seat.
Thanks!
Good one Bosky. Wishing you many more happy miles. Cheers
Thanks sir! Cheers!
Ur channel is cool, very peaceful and purposeful talk.
Thanks! Cheers!
Tastefully reviewed like the vanilla Ice cream !
Glad you liked it! Cheers!
You can find the PART 2 of this review in this link th-cam.com/video/G9Iyk8jA8E8/w-d-xo.html
And the latest 27,000 kms review video of 01/05/2022 on th-cam.com/video/67UTTJm5xg4/w-d-xo.html
And you can follow us on Instagram instagram.com/artofunwinding/
Excellent review (including Pt. 2) of not just the bike but useful accessories to go with it. Very helpful in making a decision on ny second bike (the first one being the Interceptor). See Muddy hog on my daily walk @ The Tambourine. Would love to ride with you guys sometime. Cheers.
Hi! Glad you liked it. Thank you. And am very happy that you spotted the Muddy Hog. :-)
And yes, hope to ride sometime together. Cheers!
Sir it would be great if you could mention the pricing of all the accessories as well
Will keep that in mind next time. At the moment I don’t recall the exact prices. Thanks for the feedback.
How well does it soak bumps on Indian pot holes , ?
Does a very good job but you need to be careful with the rims though when going flat out on such bumps
I find it adequate.
I'm trying to decide on a bike to chose. kTM790 Adventure S or the VStom650xt. This video helps a great deal. Thanks for the great information guys. 👍
Hi! Glad to be of service. Whichever you choose, it will be the right choice for you. Cheers!
Thanks guys. Great job. Good info. God bless. Happy trails.
Thanks much. Cheers!
Great review....love my gen 2 650...great bikes...cheers from oz
Thanks. Happy to hear from another V-Stromer. Cheers!
Awesome video ,very informative, one request ,please do make few more videos onn650's from RE 👍
Thank you. Sure, will plan the same. Cheers!
This is most practical review if v storm. Btw where is this location ?
Glad you like it. That’s near Gorur dam.
Hello, could you please provide answers for following questions?
1. How’s the spare parts availability? How long do they take to get the spares on placing order?
2. What’s the spare parts price range?
3. How’s the service center workmanship?
Hi!
1. Haven’t changed any parts yet. I’ve run 17,000 kms. And from what I hear, running parts and consumable parts are not a problem.
2. I don’t know price details. And for sure far cheaper than the European brands.
3. So far it’s been just general service and oil changes and the workmanship at Aerolex Suzuki has been super good.
Cheers!
hi... I noticed foot rest kind of a support at the booth of saddle stays? Which saddle stays are ... these? I guess that support must be helping to avoid your saddle bags touching exhaust
I didn’t get you….
The stays are SHAD SH36 case mounts. When on short rides I use the pods like in this video to store a few things. Longer rides I use the hard luggage. I have shared the hard luggage details in Part 2 of the ownership review. Although I’ve now moved to Kriega soft luggage.
@@bigbearbangalore what I meant that I can see a support at the bottom of saddle stay.. possibly that is helping the luggage to avoid touching exhaust
Hi. I found a positive ride review about Vstrom 650
:-) Cheers!
also you seems to have adjustable gear lever.. can you please share what brand and where to find one?
Rider foot pegs and gear lever from SW Motech.
hi Bosky -- You mentioned in your clip that you have previously used after market exhausts? I am not a big fan of loud exhausts but if one need to spend on exhaust in quest of more subtle exhaust note with little higher bass than stock for V 650 then which exhaust you will recommend?
Hi! I am too not a fan of loud exhausts although several years ago I did like them 😀.
From what I have been able to research, there is no suitable ‘subtle’ exhaust for the Vee. All seem too loud and close to a full system types. Arrow & MIVV make street exhausts and am still not convinced that they would be a just subtle increase. I fear that, while they will be several kgs lighter, they may be too loud. So for the moment I plan to stick with the stock system.
Am still researching and once I get more information, I’ll share the details here. Thanks.
@@bigbearbangalore yeah I too researched Mivv, Arrow and Akra -- they are around 3.5 to 4.5 Kg lighter and its a full exhaust system and not just slip on.. out of this only arrow has give DB comparison with stock .. it says 84 DB stock and 85 DB Arrow.. MIVV and Akra dont have DB comparison
I didn’t understand when you were talking about gas mileage. I am used to miles per gallon in the USA. What are you using, kilometers and liters?
Hi! Yes we use kilometres per litre as the standard of gas mileage measurement here. Cheers!
Hi you mentioned that you don’t ride very hard.. so what is usually cruising speed you maintain in Wee… for long rides
Hi! Depends on a few variables like road, traffic and time of day. Generally about 110-120 kmph on expressways and downwards as the roads get narrower and busier. Of course there are bursts of higher speeds for a few seconds that I do when conditions permit.
Very nice review! Awesome bike. You resemble to Piyush Mishra!
Thanks. And yeah, just check and we do resemble sort of each other. :-D Cheers!
How do you compare now the vstrom 650 and the versys 650 .? thanks ..ride safe
Hi! To put the differences in one sentence I would say that the Versys feels more like a sport tourer while the Vstrom is more like an adventure tourer. Personally I prefer the Vstrom for its engine characteristic that develops good torque thru the rev range, riding comfort and the way it looks. Cheers!
What saddle stays are on your buddy's bike ? Please provide more details.
The mounts that you see are the SHAD 3P systems used for the SH36 side cases. I have strapped on the NH4 crash guard bags when I don't use the hard cases.
@@bigbearbangalore are those SHAD 3P systems and SH36 cases available in India ? If yes, where can I get them ?
@@MototechWanderer Am sorry they are not available anymore. :-(
Had one quick question, I believe the service interval is now change to 6 months instead of every 4 months on the BS6, is that true ?
Yes! That’s what I have been told too.
Where did u source the Shad side cases and mounts ?
From Motoziel Delhi, which is now closed. These mounts & cases are no longer available in India. Cheers!
I was sold at.. the motorcycle bought with the head and not the heart.
Indeed. Today I rode the Africa Twin DCT and for a while I did consider saving up money and buying it sometime in 2022 but you see, that was the heart talking. Once I was back home fortunately the head took over and I dropped the idea of the AT and decided to stick with my simple and practical V-Strom 650 for a few more years. Cheers!
the way I see it, the bike is not being washed regularly. The dirt has already caked in the tire rim, the chain rust is a result of poor maintenance.
Thank you for your observation about the lack of maintenance. Cheers!
Hello Bosky ,
Planning to book V-Strom . Kindly let me know the must have assecories to be installed . Should I buy Suzuki genuine assecories or go with some other brand.
Also is my decision to go with Vstrom around 10 lacs price range ok or do you suggest some other bike .
I am not a agressive rider .My main purpose is highway touring & mild city use .
Kindly guide.
Hi! Suzuki genuine parts are little cheaper I think and they are good too. However there is a wider choice with other brands.
Main accessories recommended are tank and engine guard, metal sump guard, lever guards, side stand foot plate and handlebar risers.
At the 10 lakh range this is the best bike overall considering maintenance and parts costs.
And the Vee is ideal for super comfortable highway cruising.
Best wishes!
@@bigbearbangalore Thank you Bosky 🙏
Cheers!
Sir I booked vstrom ,,its arrived in aerolux showroom but lockdown....
Best wishes. Cheers!
How does it do riding with a passenger and a lot of baggage? Is it strong enough for highway mountain riding?
The bike's engine performance is more sensitive to a pillion than the Tiger 800xc I was riding before this. So, a fist full of gas will help it along quite well when fully loaded.
Also, with a pillion and luggage it requires the correct rear shock pre-load adjustment to retain the neutral handling especially in fast twists. Once that sweet spot is found, the bike behaves quite well.
On our public roads and highways here, the optimum and safer speeds have always been in the range of 80-120 KMPH. And this motorcycle can deliver that all day long. Cheers!
I rented the previous generation V-Strom 650 on my visit to the Alps a couple of years ago. Though it can get blown to the weeds if pitched against the Multistrada or 1200GS, it is not appropriate to compare, because they are not in the same cubic capacity, price and weight category.
You can take a look at that in this link th-cam.com/video/XUDQjKYfr9U/w-d-xo.html
Nice content with nice people around
Thank you!
Sir, is worthy for RS 1128000 and service cost (in general and parts change)pls give me an idea
Hi! Whether it is worth 11 lakhs or not I won't comment. That is for the buyer to decide if it is worth spending this amount on a motorcycle.
All I will say is that, at this price point and in comparison to competing brands, this is a good brand and model with a proven reputation for reliability and longevity. And with regards to maintenance costs, the V-Strom being a Japanese brand is quite a bit cheaper than European or American brands in terms of labour and spares costs.
I am 5'8". I test drove this , I couldn't put feet flat on ground. How tall are you? Do you face any problem due to seat height?
Hi! Am a little over 5’9” and wear a 31” inseam jeans. The seat height is more than preferred but I am ok with it. A few riders have cut the seat foam to reduce height and another one I know has installed a lower seat.
@@bigbearbangalore Thanks! Does the engine heat up in slow, city traffic conditions?
Yes a little but not to a level that it starts to bother the rider.
Iam planning to buy 650cc bike especially versys 650 or v strom 650 . Which bike is best . Iam test ride both bikes but just 2 kms in city so I don't understand anything about both bikes. My doubts is which suspension is best and ride quality, reliability, vibrations,maintenance which is best, and comfortable for long rides
Hi! Both are excellent bikes. The Versys is more a tourer for good roads and the Vstrom is also suited for some bad roads. The Vstrom is bigger heavier and more comfortable on long rides and more suited if you carry a pillion. However the Versys costs much less. If budget permits go for the Suzuki else the Kawasaki is good value for money. And in terms of looks the Suzuki in my view is far better looking. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore thank you for your reply and one more question which bike maintenance is low and spear parts and service cost compared to both
I think the maintenance costs are about the same for both.
Will the work for a Ladakh trip??
Yes it can. Ensure that you fit the right dual purpose tyres and a metal sump guard. Cheers!
Very nice review! Thanks
🙏🏻
It has very soft suspension
Change of front fork springs etc is what riders do world wide
Yes. It is sprung soft.
Sir do you plan to sell v Strom..am looking for one
Hi! Sorry, I don't have a V-Strom that I am planning to sell. The one I have I plan to keep. Cheers!
interceptor kills everything else with its superb value and practicality, versatility.
So does the Vee
Despite... gs 1250 ktm 1290 africa twin yamaha t700 tiger 900... being much more popular ...i bought with my head😉1050 xt vstrom no regrets....from dave
:-) Happy & safe motoring! Cheers!
Please include the service cost of the bikes too 🙏🙏❤❤
Hi! The paid service costs about 7,000 including oil change. Cheers!
Some times your side face just look like prakashraj 😜
Hahaha! Cheers!
Bro are you there on India Vstrom whatsapp grp
Hi! No am not, by choice. Regards.
@@bigbearbangalore ahh Ok.. we are nice 😂. Do let me know anytime u want to 🙏
@@rahulksmenon LOL....... It's not you at all. It's me that prefers less WhatsApp in general. And yes, I shall ping when am ready, thanks much. Best wishes. Cheers!
This will be my retirement bike
😀 This bike is so calm and smooth and simple, yes, it can be a good retirement bike.
"UNRELIABLE JUNK" - in Italian it's pronounced "TEM*PERA*MEN*TAL".
I am sorry to hear that your experience has not been great. Regards.
@@bigbearbangalore Oh no, I was just referring to people's judgment of reliability based on bias. If it's Chinese, they say it's "unreliable". Put an Italian badge on the tank, suddenly it's just "temperamental" & "characterful".
The V-strom is starting to look dated considering the competition it'll face next year especially from Zhejiang (Benelli QJ) & Hangzhou (CFmoto). But neither can come close to the Suzuki's low kerb weight, which is a major consideration for me because I ride 2-up with luggage. Nonetheless, I hear a complete revamp is in the works for this bike in Hamamatsu involving a brand new 700cc parallel twin engine...
@@kkhalifah1019 Ah OK!!
Yes the 650 is dated and that's what makes to reliable and cheap to own and maintain.
Good to hear a revamp of the V-Strom 650 is on the cards. It is logical considering that they recently did that to the big brother and launched the 1050.
Just FYI Benelli & CF Moto are doing very poorly here. Struggling to survive they are.
Cheers!
Reliable ok
but boring?
not so sure.
Maybe the v-strom is boring but can't say the same for every other Japanese.
Hi! Thanks for the comment and feedback and I respect and accept your view that your experience may be different to mine. Happy & safe riding. Cheers!
@@bigbearbangalore Don't take it otherwise sir, I'am just saying Japanese bikes are not boring.
Anyway your review was very impressive. I am checking for adventure bikes, v-strom is very good, but tiger is more feature rich and also expensive.
@@das400s I did not sir! And actually, my V-Storm is Japanese and it is not really boring. :-)
Yes, the new Tiger is an awesome machine. Had a chance to ride it and I found it very manoeuvrable and non-intimidating. I owned a Tiger 800XC for 5 years before I got myself this V-Strom. Cheers!
My gen 2 is any thing but boring.....look forward to every ride
@@wayneireland5896 Indeed, I look forward too.
6000 km intervals? Are you sure? Oil change is every 12000kms
Yes. That was the recommended service interval for my Vee. The 6000 miles service interval was just flipped in India to 6,000 kms service interval. And I believe that it has now been revised this year to 1 year or 10k kms interval.
I would pick boring and reliable over exciting and nakrebaaz bikes.
Good choice!