A brilliant review. Thank you! I'm 66 and bought a used SV650 five months ago. I've only ridden 8000 km on it but I've had no problems at all. I wanted a V-Strom but they are so popular where I live that the price for a used one is doubled compared to a same year SV650 with similar milage. I have ridden motorcycles since 1973 but I think this is my all time favourite.
Miss the days of waking up early in the woods and hitting the trails. The last 7 years have been an absolute blast. Love you brother so incredibly proud of the legacy you have created. Looking forward to the next chapter. Best of luck and happy trails!!
As you know I have the base model V Strom. A 2017 I bought as a demo with 1300km on it. I just rolled it over 20 thousand Ks. I bought a KLX230 recently and have been absolutely in love with it. I often think I should sell my reliable V strom. But then I ride the thing. It's comfortable, quiet and capable. It's great for long distance touring. It can handle a light gravel road if need be. I can moto camp off it it very easily with my cheap Givi panniers. My bike is long paid off. I think I will make it more of a sport tourer than a sport adventure tourer. I already took the Givi skid plate off as it made servicing the bike a big pain in the ass. I think I have a perfect garage. a KLX230 for some dual sport riding, my V Strom for touring, and my dads old RD350LC for cafe racing.
Hmm... I'm not sure if I'd classify it as an "upgrade" as you so tactfully implied. Yamaha Tenere 700 MSRP: 13,899 | V-Strom 800 DE MSRP: 13,999 | Kove 450 Rally MSRP: 12,700. Unfortunately Suzuki gave up that nice V-Twin motor in the 800 DE and moved to a ride-by-wire system (I prefer the immediate response and simplicity of analog). I'm having a hard time justifying purchasing a new V-Strom 800 DE when there are other machines available that will likely handle the adventure "better" for less money.
@@RaggedRoadsMoto there are a myriad of options out there these days. It’s a great thing. Still, the 800DE has been the most pleasant surprise this year for us. We can’t get enough of it. Smooth, well balanced, decent fuel capacity and so on. We’re doing a build project with one. Just received an aftermarket “rally” fairing for it with a legit rally tower and upgraded headlights.
Hey, I am not a native speaker, but as far as I could understand, you described the SW Motech engine plate as kind of a toy compared to the OutbackMotortek plate. I considered both for buying, as they are pretty much the same in my opinion. Both have a 4mm aluminium bottom (SW Motech only has slightly thinner sides that are not that important) and solid steel mountings. In the end, I had to buy SW Motech because the OutbackMotortek one is currently out of stock in Germany (and gravel didn't wait). Did I miss some major differences between these products? Yes, Givi or some other brands build some thin stuff, but the SW Motech seems pretty solid to me. Other question: My heel pushes down the kickstand on my 650 when leaning back on slopes, which leads to a engine stop. Did you change the position of the metal that is used to put down the stand?
Hey man! My buddy has an SW-Motech skid plate and it turned into Swiss cheese when he bottomed out in a rock garden. 😅 I’m not sure what the causative factors were, but I can tell you from having abused the hell out of outback motortek products that they will hold up. As for the footpegs, I used a footpeg lowering kit from adventuretech.biz which put me in a better position when standing. I hope this helps!
Great review Brother. My 2008 DL650 lives a pampered 95% street miles life. Great to see the abuse she'll stand lol. Ive a larger CeeBaileys windscreen, new RK chain (OE made 22,000 mi) Plus Ive Darksided my girl - J ride too much to change a rear tire every 120 days. Once its broken in I forget its a car tire & hang 10 in the corners anyhow ! Is yours considered a Gen 3 with all that "Electro Tech" Farkle stuff ? My 2008 lacks it, is it that much of an upgrade to sell this 2008 for ? Im easily satisfied & notoriously cheap ! Thanks- David in Texas
@@psalm2forliberty577 I believe the 2017 qualifies as a third gen but if you have any doubts the Stromtrooper forums will set you straight. Seems like you’ve got a sweet setup for what you do. The tech farkles are just that; “farkles”. Drive your beast until she dies. Probably in like 100,000 KM. lol.
I’ve been riding my buddies heavily customized T7 (pro suspension). If you’ve got the $$$ and HARD off-road is what you want to do, that is the ticket.
What are your thoughts on the indestructible V-Strom 650? Let us know in the comments below 👇
I refuse to call it anything other than a V-Storm
Arguably a much cooler name 😂
A brilliant review. Thank you! I'm 66 and bought a used SV650 five months ago. I've only ridden 8000 km on it but I've had no problems at all. I wanted a V-Strom but they are so popular where I live that the price for a used one is doubled compared to a same year SV650 with similar milage. I have ridden motorcycles since 1973 but I think this is my all time favourite.
Miss the days of waking up early in the woods and hitting the trails. The last 7 years have been an absolute blast. Love you brother so incredibly proud of the legacy you have created. Looking forward to the next chapter. Best of luck and happy trails!!
As you know I have the base model V Strom. A 2017 I bought as a demo with 1300km on it. I just rolled it over 20 thousand Ks. I bought a KLX230 recently and have been absolutely in love with it. I often think I should sell my reliable V strom. But then I ride the thing. It's comfortable, quiet and capable. It's great for long distance touring. It can handle a light gravel road if need be. I can moto camp off it it very easily with my cheap Givi panniers. My bike is long paid off. I think I will make it more of a sport tourer than a sport adventure tourer. I already took the Givi skid plate off as it made servicing the bike a big pain in the ass. I think I have a perfect garage. a KLX230 for some dual sport riding, my V Strom for touring, and my dads old RD350LC for cafe racing.
Further proof that the only way to justify selling your V-Strom, is to forget to ride your V-Strom. 😂
Great video! Thanks for the shoutout
Thanks for making a great product! 👊
@@RaggedRoadsMoto do you have plans to upgrade (?) To an 800DE
Hmm... I'm not sure if I'd classify it as an "upgrade" as you so tactfully implied. Yamaha Tenere 700 MSRP: 13,899 | V-Strom 800 DE MSRP: 13,999 | Kove 450 Rally MSRP: 12,700. Unfortunately Suzuki gave up that nice V-Twin motor in the 800 DE and moved to a ride-by-wire system (I prefer the immediate response and simplicity of analog). I'm having a hard time justifying purchasing a new V-Strom 800 DE when there are other machines available that will likely handle the adventure "better" for less money.
@@RaggedRoadsMoto there are a myriad of options out there these days. It’s a great thing.
Still, the 800DE has been the most pleasant surprise this year for us. We can’t get enough of it. Smooth, well balanced, decent fuel capacity and so on. We’re doing a build project with one. Just received an aftermarket “rally” fairing for it with a legit rally tower and upgraded headlights.
That’s great to hear! I’ll make sure to check out your build! I look forward to seeing you folks thrashing it around on the trails 👊
I just found your channel, looking forward to what comes next
Brakes on the road are less than desired. Just completed the MABDR on mine. I love my Vstrom. Thanks for your vids.
Thanks for watching! How did it handle the MABDR?
@@RaggedRoadsMoto Crushed it, no issues at all.
Japanese bikes, solid & Realiable!!
You really can’t beat Japanese reliability.
Fun review. Bike looks Mint, so you should get a lot for it.
Here’s hoping 🤣
Have any suggestions for on ADV gear. I really like your channel and would love if you had something like that.
@@justin.emmons More of that type of content to come in the future! 🫶
Hey,
I am not a native speaker, but as far as I could understand, you described the SW Motech engine plate as kind of a toy compared to the OutbackMotortek plate.
I considered both for buying, as they are pretty much the same in my opinion. Both have a 4mm aluminium bottom (SW Motech only has slightly thinner sides that are not that important) and solid steel mountings.
In the end, I had to buy SW Motech because the OutbackMotortek one is currently out of stock in Germany (and gravel didn't wait).
Did I miss some major differences between these products?
Yes, Givi or some other brands build some thin stuff, but the SW Motech seems pretty solid to me.
Other question: My heel pushes down the kickstand on my 650 when leaning back on slopes, which leads to a engine stop.
Did you change the position of the metal that is used to put down the stand?
Hey man!
My buddy has an SW-Motech skid plate and it turned into Swiss cheese when he bottomed out in a rock garden. 😅 I’m not sure what the causative factors were, but I can tell you from having abused the hell out of outback motortek products that they will hold up.
As for the footpegs, I used a footpeg lowering kit from adventuretech.biz which put me in a better position when standing.
I hope this helps!
I just sold my 650 V Strom after 18 years of great service and memories. They just need to upgrade the XT with better suspension
Right?! Just a little firmer and a little more ground clearance. How many miles did you rack up?
Great review Brother.
My 2008 DL650 lives a pampered 95% street miles life.
Great to see the abuse she'll stand lol.
Ive a larger CeeBaileys windscreen, new RK chain (OE made 22,000 mi)
Plus Ive Darksided my girl - J ride too much to change a rear tire every 120 days.
Once its broken in I forget its a car tire & hang 10 in the corners anyhow !
Is yours considered a Gen 3 with all that "Electro Tech" Farkle stuff ?
My 2008 lacks it, is it that much of an upgrade to sell this 2008 for ?
Im easily satisfied & notoriously cheap !
Thanks- David in Texas
@@psalm2forliberty577 I believe the 2017 qualifies as a third gen but if you have any doubts the Stromtrooper forums will set you straight. Seems like you’ve got a sweet setup for what you do. The tech farkles are just that; “farkles”. Drive your beast until she dies. Probably in like 100,000 KM. lol.
This or the Yamaha t7? IU have a few SV650s and LOVED the motor.
I’ve been riding my buddies heavily customized T7 (pro suspension). If you’ve got the $$$ and HARD off-road is what you want to do, that is the ticket.
i like these bikes, tank feels a little weird between the legs for me, and it pitches you forward but otherwise great bike