Usually in the bike world, bigger is generally best – if you get to choose between a 1,000cc or a 650cc bike, you should go large. But not in the case of the Suzuki 650 V-Strom – this is one time when the little guy wins out. The smaller member of Suzuki’s adventure sport range is based around the engine from Suzuki’s SV650 streetbike, and a very good engine it is too. Compact, torquey, and well-mannered, this gutsy little V-twin puts out performance that belies its middleweight capacity.
Suzuki’s mounted this engine in a unexceptional, budget chassis. There’s no flashy bells or whistles here, just straightforward, honest fare: long-travel suspension, an aluminium trellis type frame, triple disc brakes (with optional ABS), and a large, protective upper fairing. But to be honest, this is all the V-Strom needs to make it a genuinely capable all-rounder. Stick in town, and it’s in its element – putting you right in command with its tall viewpoint, while the narrow profile makes traffic-splitting a cinch. Venture onto the motorway, and the screen gives great protection, and the optional luggage can swallow up a heap of luggage. And if you find yourself on a twisty back road, the little DL will be able to keep up with many middleweight bikes that offer seemingly greater performance. It’s a fantastic all-round motorcycle, and many riders have found it a more satisfying, all-round package than the bigger V-Strom 1000.
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