In 2008 I bought a 2007 V-strom with 11.000km. Today she has 72000km. All those years I never had any problem. The only care she needs is the service that I'm doing my self. Unbelievable reliable motorcycle. Love it.

One of the best reviews I've seen so far! Special thanks for the night shot, the headlights look very good!

Great review.I have 2008 dl650,I have ridden it from Ireland over most of Europe as far as Bosnia,through the Alps to Monaco,The Dolomites.Any problems? I hear you ask.Just 1...I had one brake light bulb burn out,I can live with that..I love it so much I am trading it....for... 2021 650dl xt....Present from me to me for my 65th birthday.I hope to head to Spain when this virus allows..

Wonderfully done. Thank you. I'm trying to decide between a KLR and a 650 Strom . This informative video really helped me decide. I think I'm going for the 2011 Vstrom.

Easily the best review I've seen on the V-Strom, well done. I turned 50 and took up riding (go figure). Anyway I also picked up the 2011 V-Strom for a good price with 12,000 kms (canada eh). In two seasons I've put 21,000 kms commuting, day trips and week long vacation rides to your great country. I also swapped out the stock seat for the gel model and love it. Love the panniers, so expensive here in Canada. Look forward to watching more of your videos.

These "Long term" reviews are part of the reason I chose my wee strom. I have owned my 2007 DL650A for less than a month and couldn't be happier! There are quite a few people who have the older models with over 120,000 miles on their wee stroms. That is amazing. Take care of this bike and it will be a tank for you, taking you anywhere you want to go!

Very nice objective review. I recently purchased a 2007 non-ABS model and really like it. I am used to much more powerful bikes.and often miss that thrust when exiting a corner, but I am still very pleased with this bike's versatility! Nice video!

Thanks, Alan, for a great review. It was very well done and has given me a lot to think about. Being 5' 9" may be an issue though. I will very much look forward to your next edition when you do the farkles segment.

Hi Alan, amazing video. Very informative and straight to the point. I've been debating between getting a Vstrom 650 xt or a f800gs but I think that your video along with the horror stories I've found about Beemer reliability have convinced me of getting the former. Keep riding safe and take care!

A friend of mine in our local BMW motorcycle club purchased his DL650 in 2009 as a left over 2008. I took it for a quick ride at that time and really liked it. He is now 76 and has health issues, so it looks like I'll be taking it off of his hands. Yes, I'm a little excited and can't wait to get it next week. . . . oh, and also yes. . . . It has many "Farkles" on it! lol. Ride safe Alan.

Thank You Alan, for that blog on the Suzuki V-Strom 650, you made in 2014. You've got some great biking roads and scenery which we only get in Scotland. I've seen a 2007 model which I'm considering buying. I know yours was a 2011, but still got a great idea of what to expect. My last bike was Yamaha XJ900s Diversion. Shaft drive. Anyway, great blog and happy riding. Cheers Robin Gibson, From Lincolnshire in the UK.

Great review. I agree with everything you said. I have mine for almost 8 years . I get 55 mpg all the time commuting to work and more like low 60's on road trips. . Bike is easy to work on if needed ( maintenance ), reliable and you can make it a touring bike or dirt bike or anything in between .

Excellent review. Live in Seattle, so can relate to many of your comments.

Very good review, I liked your comparison of the 2012.

Great video thank you, I have the 2014 V Storm, absolutely love it!!! Be safe my man!

Great review! I've got the same bike in the same color but a 2010. I absolutely love it!

Great video! Thanks for sharing your take on this bike. I've been really eyeballing both the vstrom and the versys. Take care

@alanbenjamin3749

9 жыл бұрын

Both the Versys and V-Strom are great bikes. Did you decide on one of them? If so, I would be interested in your thoughts after you have had the bike for a few months. Ride Safe!

nice riding in a beautiful landscape greetings from a strom rider in the netherlands Henk

Excellent review, thank you

Loooove the bike and the review. I'm 59. Hit 60 this June. Been a trials rider since about age 18...off and on...now at my age I'm tired of falling in ditches and trying to survive riding 12 sections and 2 loops and huffing/puffing. I'm 175lbs 5' 8". Have been seriously considering this bike for waaaay too long. Time to stop researching and buy the dang bike. I love the hard panniers. Don't want soft ones. Tell me what kind of pannier and what model windshield. Thanks. Happy Vstroming.

nicely done review. Thanks

Excellent review. I've had my '11 for a couple years and almost 20k miles and I couldn't be happier. I do long tours and coming from my previous BMW K100LT, the only thing I miss is weather protection. Even that is a trade-off because in warm weather, the LT got hot around my lower legs. I've been following the latest Triumph Tiger 800 XR which has similar characteristics, but I'll have to wait until they've been out a couple years. I want confirmation they'll get real world mid50's mpgs. I won't move to another bike that gets worse fuel economy. Its can't say enough good things about this bike, especially with the larger windscreen and aftermarket seat.

I have the same Strom and the same experience. It's been a great all around ride.

Thanks for taking the time to pull this review together. It's good to hear about the bike from someone who's spent a lot of time on it rather than someone just test-riding one from a dealership. My son recently picked up a 2006 Kawasaki Versys 650, which I've ridden. It's nice, but I'm looking at a 2008 Vstrom 650 so we can go riding together. It's been a while since I've been riding, but I'm looking forward to getting back to it, and the Vstrom feels like a solid option for me.

I've put 150000km on Gen1 WeeStroms and have to say that this video encapsulates the essence of the experience. One bike replaces three, achieves 90% of the litre+ ADV bikes for 50% of the price. If you use one bike for commuting, touring, camping, scratching, back road and firetrail exploring, THIS is it! Suzuki usually update their motors after ~20yrs, considering the SV650 motor's debut in the late 90's. we're about due. Bring on the DL700, Suzuki.

Great review, videos and pictures. Thanks for putting this together. I have a 2006 and love my as well.

Best all round bike on the market.

I forgot to mention , there is a lot of plastic to remove for any service work.

Alan great review thanks. Have you changed your air filter & how regularly ? Mines a 2008 & never off roaded. Has 13,000 & PO said he hadn't changed it. Suzuki manual says first change is @ 18,000 miles. Any thoughts are welcome !

Awesome and very useful review.. thanks for that. and by that... ever thought about narrating a nature documentary? you have the perfect voice for that :P

@alanbenjamin3749

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. No plans for nature documentaries at this point, but I appreciate the comment.

Good honest video.Dl's are a do all bike but master of well I won't say none.

Hi great review, you seem a great guy to go riding with thankyou. Is there any vibration on the bike?

I just bought the 2014 model and it looks fantastic...this is my first bike ever...for some reason i find this model so far the best choice...however i do get concerned once in a while with not being able to put my feet flat on the ground. so far no falls but i am waring my gear just in case. thanks for the review.

@alanbenjamin3749

9 жыл бұрын

Congratulations on purchasing a great bike! The newer models (2014) are very nice. I hope you are enjoying the ride. The V-Strom can take you almost anywhere you want to go.

Nice job

Do you ever wish that you had something bigger, like the bigger v strom 1000? Would the 650 be okay on a long trip through the mountains with a passenger (2 people combined weight of around 360 lbs.)?

Nice review. I just bought the 2014 650DL. I would echo pretty much everything you outlined here. I was curious if you thought the lowering kit had any impact on the handling of the bike.

@alanbenjamin3749

9 жыл бұрын

***** I have not noticed any adverse impacts from the lowering kit. The bike seems to handle the same (before and after). The clearance is about an inch lower which I need to keep in mind if I am riding on dirt roads or off road. When lowering any bike you need to be sure to lower the front (front forks & triple clamps) and the back (lowering links / "dog bones"). This keeps the bikes geometry consistent.

Thanks for the review. Considering this isn't the first time I hear about brake issues, would ss lines help? Have you tried better quality pads?

@alanbenjamin3749

8 жыл бұрын

+Luc Laviolette From articles I have read, upgrading the brake lines may help the braking feel. Stainless steel (ss) would be my choice; although I have not upgraded the brakes lines yet. I asked the dealership to upgrade the brake pads the last time I had it in the shop. They talked me out of upgrading the brake pads. They mentioned the stock Suzuki pads are as good as any aftermarket brake pad; seems strange. The next time i have the brake pads done I may use higher end pads just to find out for myself. I have been riding this bike for four years and seem to have become very comfortable with everything about it (the good and the bad).

Thanks. I know this post is old. But do you not use heated grips? I'm wondering because mine has them and I am considering going back to OEM.

Wonderful review, fairly highlighting the positives and the negatives of the bike. I'm enjoying your other videos as well. And hope to be able to visit, maybe even live near, those places myself someday. I also hope you continue posting videos. I do have a question, what is the dial/gauge that appears on your tachometer in some of your videos?

@alanbenjamin3749

9 жыл бұрын

matt cariker Thanks for the feedback. I hope you get the opportunity to ride in the Pacific Northwest. There are some great rides in this area. The dial/gauge on my tachometer is a thermometer. When riding in late fall, winter, or early spring the temperatures can drop into freezing temperatures especially while riding into/over the mountain passes. I like to know if I should expect ice. The gauge I have on the bike is small enough that it does not interfere with the tachometer. fyi - the newer VStrom has a thermometer built into the dash readings.

@HumGuitar

6 жыл бұрын

Nice review and video. I haven't ridden a motorcycle since around 1986 and I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle again. I had a Yamaha 550 Maxim back then that I had bought while in the military stationed in San Diego. When I got out of the service, I rode it back to Michigan. I left in late September and had to cross the Rockies for the first time. Needless to say, I should have started my trip sooner, because at 8pm I started to encounter freezing rain. The wind screen that I had installed was too high and it was starting to accumulate ice, so I was having to lean over to the side as I was riding to see around it. I had to find a motel quick. Fortunately I was able to find one without having a mis-hap. The following morning there was a layer of ice on my motorcycle seat, and I could see from the mountains around where I had stayed that it had snowed in the higher elevations. Fun trip, but I think that I needed a bigger bike. Even though I took my time getting to Michigan, I was sore (neck) by the time I got home. Ended up selling it because I needed money for a car to get through the Michigan winters. I miss the motorcycle and I live in Georgia now, so riding year round is a possibility now. I'm thinking about buying the Kawasaki Vulcan S or Vulcan 900, or maybe the V strom 650 or V strom 1000. I'm 5'11" with short legs. I went to the local dealer and sat on the V strom 650 and was on my tippy toes. The height issue and the power issue are my biggest concerns. I would like to take my wife along on some trips through the mountains, and I don't want to buy the 650 and wish I had gotten a more powerful bike. At the same time, I don't want something too heavy or too powerful for me to handle, as the Yamaha 550 is the biggest bike I've ever ridden. I want the cruiser because of the low seat, power, and cool factor, but I want the adventure bike for the fuel capacity/economy, comfort, and durability. Anyone who has some thoughts or recommendations, your comments are appreciated.

They are nice bikes. I have a K6 it's a little different then your bike, like no ABS , and it has a single plug head that gets great MPG from 57 to 64 + range, it is a little shorter in the seat height as well as over wheelbase, I think it handles a little faster on tip in, but it could be the tire profile ? Over it's a great bike, like you have said ! Thanks for the video. yl

good effort

enjoyed the review question about the lowering link,are you flat footing and did you have to lower the front as well. thankyou

@alanbenjamin3749

8 жыл бұрын

+cyhern1 With the special seat (which raises the height about 2") I still can't flat foot the bike. I did lower the front (triple clamps) in proportion to the rear lowering link. This is important to keep the bikes geometry in-line. I'm considering raising the bike back to original specs. After four years I don't even notice the height issue.

Do an update on the bike now! How many miles do you have on it?

Alan, I'm interested in a review of your farkles (accessories). Especially side cases, 20" Madstad screen, the bag that's strapped to your rear seat, tank bag, GPS mount, power adaptor. Would you buy them again, if not, do you have a recommendation for something else that you think is a better value. Also the things I didn't notice that you find useful for touring. You get the idea :o)

@alanbenjamin3749

9 жыл бұрын

Loren Davis Thanks for the questions. I have not had time to prepare a video on my farkles yet. Here is my quick response to your specific questions: the side cases are Touratech ZegaPro Panniers which are great. They are expensive but are some of the best panniers you can buy. The Madstad screen has also been a great purchase; not too expensive and easy to install. The rear bag on my seat is simply a gym bag (not too exciting). I have contemplated buying a Givi trunk case but so far the gym bag works great. If it rains, I simply cover it in a garbage bag. It looks a little cheap next to my $1,500 Touratech bags but it works. The tank bag is a Motocentric Mototrek magnetic bag. I use the clear map case for my riding notes, routes, maps, etc. The bag is not very big but does hold all my smaller items (camera, water, maps, etc.). The GPS mount is a RAM mount which works well. I am using a Bikemaster 12V power adapter. I only use this on my tours. I mount it to my handle bars and then run the power cord to my trickle charger cable. It works pretty slick, I just have to remember to unplug it at the end of each day to avoid draining the battery. I am adding oxford heated grips this spring....I have had too many early rides where my fingers get numb from the cold & wind chill. I like everything I have on the bike and would likely purchase the same things again. I research everything thoroughly before I purchase it. I recommend checking out product reviews on Motorcycle Superstore, RevZilla, and any Motorcycle specific forums for bike specific reviews (StromTrooper Forum & V-Strom Riders International - for the Suzuki V-Strom). If you have any other specific questions, just let me know.

@LorenDavis

9 жыл бұрын

Alan Benjamin Thank you, Alan I haven't heard of V-Strom Riders International till now or some of the other items you've noted. Cheers,

How often have you had the valves adjusted and who did it and cost.

I was give a 2006 model with 236000kms . The motor sounds fantastic

Which seat did you put on that raises the height?

this bike is just plain good. end of contribution.

Everyone has a 2011-2014 year model, and here I am, looking and thinking of buying a 2004 model that I found..

In 2013 I bought a used 2011 dl650 loaded with 3123 miles on it .I have ridden it all the way to Grand Canyon round trip 3800 miles with no problems. The only thing I would wish for is that they upgraded it to 750 - 800.All the complaints about wind buffeting are stupid, if you dont want the wind buy a car, after all it is a motor cycle.

@alanbenjamin3749

8 жыл бұрын

+George Lee Thanks for the comments. I agree that a 750cc - 800cc would be a nice upgrade. Regarding the wind buffeting, there is a difference between wind and wind buffeting. Wind buffeting is the unnatural and undesirable re-direction of wind that can cause helmet vibration. I enjoy straight-on wind from a naked bike and when touring for hundreds or thousands of miles it is nice to have a little relief from full-on wind. You're fortunate if you have not experienced severe wind buffeting. For me it actually caused blurry vision from the vibration. You don't get that type of effect from normal head-on wind.

How about city commuting? Is the V-Strom 650 any good?

@vladaloshyn5433

6 жыл бұрын

It's great, man. I live in a very busy city traffic area and dl650 cuts the traffic just fine.

Interesting as even after a ride of 500ks I still find the seat comfortable and the screen ok not great but ok. Otherwise great comments.

Nice review. Do you still have it?

@alanbenjamin3749

8 жыл бұрын

Yes, I still have the V-Strom. I commute with it almost every day. I now have over 22,000 miles on the bike and still enjoy riding it.

what kind of windscreen did you mount

@BCBOYS92

7 жыл бұрын

nvm I kept watching. Cheers

IDK ABOUT THOSE TIRES. I DONT DO MUCH OFFROAD.

Found an "11 w/ 3 bags 6k mi for $3600. Deal?