2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650 | Road Test Review

V-Strom 650
That 90-degree V-twin won’t win any beauty contests, but it has won us over with its user-friendly, playful personality. Horsepower and torque are up for 2017. Photos by Kevin Wing.

Because we test so many different bikes, Rider staffers are often asked, “What’s the best motorcycle?” That’s not an easy question to answer, in part because it depends on how the motorcycle will be used and what the rider’s priorities are. What began as a simple question soon turns into a drawn-out discussion about style, performance, handling, comfort, versatility, reliability, price and anything else that influences what types of motorcycles appeal to different people. “Best” really depends on your point of view.

V-Strom 650
The new V-Strom 650 gets styling like the V-Strom 1000, engine updates from the SV650 and traction control.

One motorcycle that checks many of the boxes that are important to touring riders is the Suzuki V-Strom 650. With its liquid-cooled, 645cc, 90-degree V-twin lifted from the popular, budget-friendly SV650 sport standard, the V-Strom 650—affectionately known as the Wee Strom in deference to its big brother, the V-Strom 1000—is a light, affordable adventure tourer that’s been a top-seller in Suzuki’s lineup since it debuted for 2004. In our last full test of the V-Strom 650, back in February 2012 after the bike got its first major overhaul, we said it was “the ideal do-it-all middleweight—peppy motor, rugged chassis, effortless handling, comfortable seating, 250-mile range, reasonable price.” Those are admirable traits, and they still apply to the updated-for-2017 V-Strom 650. But there’s something about the bike that’s particularly endearing, that allows it to punch far above its weight, yet isn’t easy to pin down. You won’t find it in the specs or dyno chart. The V-Strom 650 is built to a price and, on Jett Tuning’s dyno, the new bike made a modest 68.7 horsepower and 44.2 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel.

V-Strom 650
The resin luggage rack has integrated passenger grab handles and sits flush with the passenger seat, which makes it easy to strap on a large duffel or tail bag.

The V-Strom 650 got a significant makeover this year. For much of their history, the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1000 were hard to tell apart visually, but the 650’s update for 2012 and the 1000’s update for 2014 gave them distinct styling, allowing each to stand on its own. Suzuki decided to return to kindred styling for both models, with the 650 adopting the 1000’s rally-style fairing with a prominent beak, vertically stacked headlights and a luggage rack with integrated passenger grab handles. Suzuki has further harmonized the V-Strom lineup in terms of available colors and accessories, and there are XT versions of the 650 and 1000 that feature tubeless spoked wheels and other adventure-ready components.

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V-Strom 650
The 645cc V-twin borrowed from the SV650 makes 68.7 horsepower and 44.2 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel.

The V-Strom 650 has received the same engine updates as the 2017 SV650, with more than 60 changes including new camshafts to boost power, resin-coated pistons to reduce friction, dual spark plugs for better combustion and Suzuki’s Low RPM Assist and Easy Start System. Both horsepower and torque have increased compared to the previous model, and peak torque now arrives at 6,500 rpm instead of 7,500. Also new are a traction control system, instrumentation and handlebar switchgear adopted from the V-Strom 1000, as well as a new exhaust and lighter, 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels. Traction control offers two intervention modes or it can be turned off, but the standard ABS isn’t switchable.

V-Strom 650
Most V-Strom 650s will never leave the pavement, but the bike’s 19-inch front wheel and rugged chassis are suitable for light-duty off-roading. Adding a skid plate and hand guards would be a good idea, and traction control can be turned off but ABS can’t (unless you yank out the fuses). Adding Suzuki’s stylish, 39-liter (total) factory accessory saddlebags costs $865.90.

Riding the V-Strom 650 again after a few years was like catching up with an old friend—picking up where we left off and never skipping a beat. Suzuki’s press launch for the new V-Strom 650 and 1000 was held in Lake Arrowhead, California. After logging miles on the 1000 during the press ride (read our first ride report on ridermagazine.com), I rode home on the 650, taking Angeles Crest Highway up and over the San Gabriel Mountains, crossing Dawson Saddle at 7,900 feet and savoring the curves and scenery on one of America’s truly magnificent motorcycling roads. I slalomed back and forth, around bend after bend and between rocks that had tumbled into the road, with an ease and grace that few other motorcycles can match. Even though the V-Strom has budget-spec suspension, brakes that aren’t especially powerful and Bridgestone Trail Wing 90/10 adventure-touring tires that aren’t especially grippy, it has a preternatural ability to communicate to the rider exactly what is happening. Riding near the V-Strom’s limit (or the rider’s) feels perfectly natural because the bike never feels skittish or unpredictable.

V-Strom 650
New 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels are lighter than before. Dual 2-piston Tokico calipers have limited bite and power, but feel at the lever is good.

Soon after my solo ride home from the intro, Managing Editor Jenny Smith and I embarked on a two-day, 500-mile comparison ride on the V-Strom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. We headed into the southern Sierra Nevada, to the river-rafting town of Kernville and around Lake Isabella, a reservoir that went from nearly bone-dry to full after one winter of heavy rain and snow. For photos and testing, we spent a fair amount of time riding up and down Caliente-Bodfish Road, a rural two-laner that’s one of the steepest and curviest roads in California. I’ve probably ridden Caliente-Bodfish a couple dozen times on all sorts of motorcycles, and I don’t think I’ve ever gone faster with so little effort than I did on the V-Strom 650. Even with the throttle twisted wide open and slammed closed countless times, diving deep into corners hard on the brakes and stutter-stepping the rear tire over rough pavement coming out of corners, the Wee Strom never threw in the towel. It absolutely refused to give up.

V-Strom 650
Instrumentation and handlebar switchgear are carried over from the V-Strom 1000, and a standard 12V socket is located on the lower left side of the dash (not shown).

Of course, most V-Strom 650 owners don’t treat their bikes like that. There are legions of “Stromtroopers” out there using their DL650s as daily commuters, grocery getters, weekend escapers and long-distance tourers, not as sportbikes in ADV clothing. But part of what makes the V-Strom 650 so special is that it’s the ultimate two-wheeled chameleon—it can be whatever you want it to be, within reason. It will never be a sit-low, feet-forward cruiser, and its 32.9-inch seat height, while average among adventure tourers, still puts it out of reach for many riders with short inseams (the 0.9-inch lower accessory seat should help). And given its modest power output, the V-Strom 650 isn’t the best choice for fully loaded, two-up touring, but it will get the job done.

V-Strom 650
Despite the V-Strom 650’s modest power and budget-spec brakes and suspension, it is as playful as a puppy in the curves. The bike is light, well-balanced, intuitively nimble and communicates to the rider exactly what is going on at the contact patches.

No, the V-Strom 650 isn’t perfect. Its seat could provide better support for all-day riding, its windscreen’s three-way height adjustment shouldn’t require a hex wrench (though the new one is 0.35-inch taller and provides good protection) and hand guards should be standard equipment. But let’s not forget, this is an $8,799 motorcycle. For that price, it can be customized to your liking and still not crack five figures. And for that price you’d be hard-pressed to find a motorcycle that clutches and shifts so effortlessly, that so dutifully obeys every steering input (even with its 19-inch front wheel) and allows the rider to sit so naturally in a comfortable, upright position. Sure, lots of bikes are more powerful and sophisticated (and more expensive), but few are as well balanced and user-friendly as the V-Strom 650.

V-Strom 650
Dodging oak tree shadows on a steep, serpentine section of Caliente-Bodfish Road, which is located on the southwestern edge of the Sierra Nevada. An ideal place to ride a bike like the V-Strom 650.

Having been on the Rider staff for nearly a decade, I’ve had the good fortune of riding and testing most of the street-legal motorcycles made by every major manufacturer, and I’ve found something to love about every single one of them. That experience—riding hundreds of different motorcycles on countless roads over roughly 250,000 miles—doesn’t make answering the “best motorcycle” question any easier. But if you asked me, “If you could own only one motorcycle and you had to spend your own money to buy and maintain it, what would it be?”, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 would be near the top of my list.

V-Strom 650
A relaxed, ride-all-day seating position, decent wind protection and a 250-mile range makes the V-Strom 650 perfect for touring. And with an MSRP less than $9,000, it won’t break the bank.

2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Specs

Base Price: $8,799
Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
Website: suzukicycles.com

Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 90-degree V-twin
Displacement: 645cc
Bore x Stroke:  81.0 x 62.6mm
Compression Ratio: 11.2:1
Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: 14,500 miles
Fuel Delivery: DFI w/ SDTV & 39mm throttle bodies x 2
Lubrication System: Wet sump, 2.7-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain

Electrical

Ignition: Electronic
Charging Output: 390 watts max.
Battery: 12V 10AH

Chassis

Frame: Cast aluminum twin-spar, cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 61.4 in.
Rake/Trail: 25.4 degrees/4.2 in.
Seat Height: 32.9 in.
Suspension, Front: 43mm stanchions, adj. preload, 5.9-in. travel
Rear: Single link-type shock, adj. rebound & preload (remote), 6.3-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 310mm discs w/ 2-piston calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 260mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast, 2.50 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast, 4.00 x 17 in.
Tires, Front: 110/80-R19
Rear: 150/70-R17
Wet Weight: 467 lbs.
Load Capacity: 448 lbs.
GVWR: 915 lbs.

Performance

Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gals., last 1.1 gals. warning light on
MPG: 87 PON min. (low/avg/high) 41.0/46.9/58.5
Estimated Range: 248 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,400

9 COMMENTS

  1. Three new ‘Stroms (’09, ’12, ’15) and over 160 000 kilometers has taught me the Wee doesn’t display excellence, but it’s still an excellent bike. The brakes are just okay, as too the suspension. The ergonomics are better than okay for my 5’10” 190 pound body. The seat is better than my Beemer, Honda VFR, or any other bike I’ve owned over the fifty years I’ve ridden. And the engine? A jewel. I’m fortunate that the ‘Strom isn’t my only bike, but if I had to have only one, there’s no doubt it would be my first choice – hands down. Everyone should be so so lucky to own one.

  2. I bought a Wee Strom in 2017 and put a Russel seat, GiVI crash bars and a GIVI screen on it and gave it to my son to use for a 8000-mile ride. He on the Strom and I on my St1300. Effortless! I have been riding it a lot as well. A wonderful bike it is. I added a happy trail highway bar and foot pegs and it is now the feet forward highway cruiser for my aging knees. You can’t beat this bike for the money!

  3. I’m on my second Wee-Strom, it’s a 2017 and it’s definitively an improvement over the first generation. I agree that if I only had one bike it would be a DL650. I’ve owned 29 bikes and presently also have a DR for the dirt. I’ve added a wind spoiler to the top of the wind screen and it makes the air flow over my head, it works great. I recommend it.

  4. I understand what first commenter meant by “I am fortunate it’s not my only bike” (not really too difficult to comprehend). The Wee Strom is a nice bike that does everything well enough and is better than the sum of its parts – but there are times it’s nice to have a specialised bike for a particular ride you’re planning. And isn’t it FORTUNATE for those of us who can afford that luxury? You’re welcome Thomas

  5. “”I understand what first commenter meant by “I am fortunate it’s not my only bike” (not really too difficult to comprehend). The Wee Strom is a nice bike that does everything well enough and is better than the sum of its parts – but there are times it’s nice to have a specialised bike for a particular ride you’re planning. And isn’t it FORTUNATE for those of us who can afford that luxury? You’re welcome Thomas””

    Perfect response Sir. Some people just dont get Multiple bikes and having to choose one over the other if you could only have one. Yep, fortunate enough to have more than a few to choose from. Love all my SV’s and Little Stroms…..

  6. I have several motorcycle buddy’s who own multiple bikes. I own a 2018 weestrom XTA and a 2012 Bmw rt. Can’t beat the RT for long trips, but truth be told enjoy the wee more often on local rides which includes gravel roads and 2 tracks. Both are the right bikes at the time!

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