metrorollah
OWHLY?
There comes a time in a rider's life when he decides that his safety is not best left solely in his own hands. For me that realization came through the advice of one of the only people that I can truly say cares about my safety, and has more riding experience than me. Two months ago I survived a serious crash, and this person of 50+ years of accident free riding had this to say to me, "You know, sometimes, in some situations, you just can't do all the things that you think you can. Sometimes you need some help, and I think ABS might have helped you." One might expect that after a serious crash, a family member might ask you to quit riding, or that they might remind you that you have family responsibilities. My father-in-law did neither of those things. Rather, he gave me the advice of a senior rider, a safe rider who has passed the test, somebody who knows better... somebody who has executed, better than I could, an entire lifetime of injury free riding. I took that advice.
When I looked at the 'adventure' models out there, I decided that I wanted something entry-level. I didn't want a pocketbook breaker. :hail I didn't want a fancy European sex machine. :hand No heavy-weight desert-conquering stump pullers. :shame I didn't want something in racing colors. :drool I wanted something that could compete with those better models, for under $10,000, :dunno and I wanted ABS. :thumbup These requirements left me with only one choice, the reasonably priced yet well-equipped, newly updated and redesigned V Strom 650. :ride
At first glance, you think, "hey, wow, they did a great job of making it prettier." and you wouldn't be wrong. It does look nice, for a Japanese bike anyway. But the changes are much more than skin deep. I've heard from some Suzuki aficionados that the new V Strom 650 basically got a 'Gladius update', meaning that all of its ugly duckling sister's technology updates were transferred over to the more popular adventure configuration for the newest model line. From what I can tell, that's pretty much true. Suzuki has listened to its customers and done away with an ill-placed oil cooler, in favor of a coolant heat exchanger, for one. Other updates are SCEM-plated cylinders, scissor cut transmission gears, a new throttle-body based idle system, a heavier crankshaft, and more low-to-mid range power by way of revised cam profiles. Sounds impressive right? Well, the whole picture is that it has less power, less torque, and less fuel capacity than its predecessor, but... less engine noise, and better gas mileage. It's a more mature bike, specifically its eight years old. Standard anti-lock brakes make it safer, and it was the only choice for me.
Coming from the dealer, my first impression was that the bike is long. Its a stable kind of bike, which is what you might expect from a 19" front and 17" rear wheels. The seat height is perfect for my build. At six feet and 175lbs, I feel right at home on it. I am on top of the bike, not in it, and I can tell it's a v-twin by the space between my knees, plenty. Street cred is not really there however. Riding it home on Pescadero was fun, but not totally captivating. It won't compete with the Versys, for instance, and certainly I don't expect to keep up with a Multistrada ridden by an equally skilled rider. The bike is what you can expect. It's a versatile, off-road capable SV650, but for what it does, you just cant complain. So, lets talk about what it can do.
The V Strom can do anything, and by anything I mean climbing switchbacks on a steep uphill dirt grade with washboards and rain erosion. I mean it will torque up the hill with all the tractor-like efficiency of a big pumping BMW GS. Just set the throttle at 1/8 turn and work the bars in the direction you please. You just can't get that kind of performance out of a street bike. By anything I mean... its perfectly comfortable and stable using the non-switchable ABS brakes successfully down a hill with tumbling round stones and a sandy base. By anything I mean... slamming on the brakes, both of them, on a sandy road shoulder, and having the bike remind you to keep it straight and stop like you mean it. By anything I mean... taking you on a 800 mile round trip with foggy coasts, rocky goat roads, gnarly dirt challenges, twisty canyons, and 80mph highways, while keeping you safe and comfortable. It's a bike that I am happy to own.
Misc pluses:
Beautiful seat, looks expensive.
ABS works wonderfully.
Center stand easy to use.
Windscreen just about perfect height.
Bright headlights.
Great financing, 0% for 5 years.
Great dash! - gear indicator, engine temp, ambient temp, frost warning, two trip meters both with MPG ratings, adjustable illumination. Nice job Suzi!
"Hey, nice bike." often heard.
Plenty of aftermarket support, and Stromtrooper.com for advice.
A lot of the SV650 stuff works too.
Misc minuses:
Suzuki's accessories are hokey, not enough options through the dealer.
Plastic bash plate? Come on Suzuki, that's just dumb.
Why can't I just get the black one without all the bags?
Front suspension adequate, that's all.
Rear brake lever adjusted too high from factory.
Swing arm a bit cheap looking.
When I looked at the 'adventure' models out there, I decided that I wanted something entry-level. I didn't want a pocketbook breaker. :hail I didn't want a fancy European sex machine. :hand No heavy-weight desert-conquering stump pullers. :shame I didn't want something in racing colors. :drool I wanted something that could compete with those better models, for under $10,000, :dunno and I wanted ABS. :thumbup These requirements left me with only one choice, the reasonably priced yet well-equipped, newly updated and redesigned V Strom 650. :ride
At first glance, you think, "hey, wow, they did a great job of making it prettier." and you wouldn't be wrong. It does look nice, for a Japanese bike anyway. But the changes are much more than skin deep. I've heard from some Suzuki aficionados that the new V Strom 650 basically got a 'Gladius update', meaning that all of its ugly duckling sister's technology updates were transferred over to the more popular adventure configuration for the newest model line. From what I can tell, that's pretty much true. Suzuki has listened to its customers and done away with an ill-placed oil cooler, in favor of a coolant heat exchanger, for one. Other updates are SCEM-plated cylinders, scissor cut transmission gears, a new throttle-body based idle system, a heavier crankshaft, and more low-to-mid range power by way of revised cam profiles. Sounds impressive right? Well, the whole picture is that it has less power, less torque, and less fuel capacity than its predecessor, but... less engine noise, and better gas mileage. It's a more mature bike, specifically its eight years old. Standard anti-lock brakes make it safer, and it was the only choice for me.
Coming from the dealer, my first impression was that the bike is long. Its a stable kind of bike, which is what you might expect from a 19" front and 17" rear wheels. The seat height is perfect for my build. At six feet and 175lbs, I feel right at home on it. I am on top of the bike, not in it, and I can tell it's a v-twin by the space between my knees, plenty. Street cred is not really there however. Riding it home on Pescadero was fun, but not totally captivating. It won't compete with the Versys, for instance, and certainly I don't expect to keep up with a Multistrada ridden by an equally skilled rider. The bike is what you can expect. It's a versatile, off-road capable SV650, but for what it does, you just cant complain. So, lets talk about what it can do.
The V Strom can do anything, and by anything I mean climbing switchbacks on a steep uphill dirt grade with washboards and rain erosion. I mean it will torque up the hill with all the tractor-like efficiency of a big pumping BMW GS. Just set the throttle at 1/8 turn and work the bars in the direction you please. You just can't get that kind of performance out of a street bike. By anything I mean... its perfectly comfortable and stable using the non-switchable ABS brakes successfully down a hill with tumbling round stones and a sandy base. By anything I mean... slamming on the brakes, both of them, on a sandy road shoulder, and having the bike remind you to keep it straight and stop like you mean it. By anything I mean... taking you on a 800 mile round trip with foggy coasts, rocky goat roads, gnarly dirt challenges, twisty canyons, and 80mph highways, while keeping you safe and comfortable. It's a bike that I am happy to own.
Misc pluses:
Beautiful seat, looks expensive.
ABS works wonderfully.
Center stand easy to use.
Windscreen just about perfect height.
Bright headlights.
Great financing, 0% for 5 years.
Great dash! - gear indicator, engine temp, ambient temp, frost warning, two trip meters both with MPG ratings, adjustable illumination. Nice job Suzi!
"Hey, nice bike." often heard.
Plenty of aftermarket support, and Stromtrooper.com for advice.
A lot of the SV650 stuff works too.
Misc minuses:
Suzuki's accessories are hokey, not enough options through the dealer.
Plastic bash plate? Come on Suzuki, that's just dumb.
Why can't I just get the black one without all the bags?
Front suspension adequate, that's all.
Rear brake lever adjusted too high from factory.
Swing arm a bit cheap looking.
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