Definitely luckier than I was when my 650 V Star hit a massive pot hole that brought me down 3 months ago. I suffered 11 broken bones down my right side that included tibia (tibia nail inserted at op) 2 breaks in fibula, 6 ribs, scapula, sternum and clavicle. The clavicle is a mal-aligned comminution fracture that needs an op to fix, but waiting list in UK is horrendous. Meanwhile I have to endure this massive lump in my collar bone and a substantial amount of pain. I was wearing protection gear too. However, I'm 82 yrs old so I guess I break more easily these days. I'm very sad to end my 65 years of accident free motorcycling on such a low note, but I console myself that I survived! I have almost finished repairing the bike, received the cost of repair from the insurance company (don't worry, my personal labour costs were quite high.) Helmet and leathers insurance are dragging their feet on re-imbursement and the legal team chasing compensation will be waiting to see how permanent my injuries are before attempting a settlement - if any.

man, I needed this video. I am about to become a moto driver. Looking at the first one, I think this is a good choice. I am 1.83cm and 70kg, hope it's enough to handle this toy. thanks for the video.

Totally agree with you I much prefer riding on my own to my rules how I want and at my pace

First gen millennial and I just bought my first adventure bike.

Recently sold my Transalp 650, & purchased VStrom 650 Wow Amazing fun allround bike.

Just did that this morning 😂

Great video, I have the 650 classic. I love it!

Great review mate, I actually never really liked the look of harleys etc and never understood the appeal untill my dad bought one recently and wow they are awesome. I think this would be the best learner cruiser for me!

I have a 2012 version, also 2nd generation. Same color actually and I love this bike. It's affordable, it's fun, I can ride it for days.

The biggest problem with these are that they are so low geard they just scream on the highway more of a in town commuter bike

I am enjoying watching. Thank you

I just got my first bike (a vstar 650) where can I get a seat like that mines covered in chrome studs and it’s not my style . Sweet looking bike keep up the content

I'm considering buying a 2009 V Strom 650, with 55,000 miles on it. Should I be worried about miles?

Romaguera Village

I agree with most points. I owned that version you have, now I have the latest version. Its just that the older version is so ugly in my opinion :) The innocent fairy looking headlights, the shiny plastic, the round and curvy design... dont go with the spirit of the bike ever. First model was loved because of its strong angular design. They also did a good job in the current version but that one in the middle was a poor design experiment.

Destin Harbor

Abigale Mall

Excellent presentation, well spoken , you convinced me

Lowe Road

Silas Point

It's motorcycle cops job to issue tickets. That's their task (traffic enforcement). If they are not, then they are unofficially in trouble. . As for cops being honest.. Yeah, some are but quite a few aren't. I've seen a few cases of less than professional behaviour and corruption. One thing to remember is that a cop is just a human. They make errors, let their own attitude or personal feelings get in the way sometimes. As for stupidity on the road, I've seen plenty (cars driving like idiots tailgating / harassing other motorists and on a bike, you have no shield around you. The throttle is the only advantage (although frowned upon, it is the solution to a problem sometimes). I've even had a crazy guy chasing me down because I looked at him for about 1/2 second. He was on his phone at the time and weaving all over the place. It was a multi lane road and I slowed to assess if it was safe to pass (at the speed limit) as I didn't want to get cleaned up. He took offence and gave chase. I lost him (obeying the speed limit officer) and ducked between some cars in another lane to have him pass making angry gestures out the window. Another time I had a guy in a bmw(not a cop) who was holding 3 (OR 4 ???) lanes of traffic on the pacific freeway. He seemed to want to keep everyone at 80 KPH (in the 110 zone). I managed to get past. He gave chase, passed me at about 130-140 , pulled in front then stood on the brakes. I wasn't sure where the other cars were now and was focusing on his stupidity. We slowed all the way down to about 60 - 70 KPH and the other cars that were doing 80 , passed me. I was now boxed in . I escaped this (legally officer) *maybe in a questionable way* and pulled over at a petrol station to stay off the road for a while. With unpredictable crazies like that, you don't want to be checking your mirrors constantly as they could do anything (hit and run / swerving, etc) I filled up and sat around for 5 minutes then entered the freeway again and got out to the speed limit. This was on a long trip of about 400 Km so I had been on the bike for hours.

Thank you so much for your excellent review. I am going to be "looking" at a well sorted out 2009 on Wednesday here in the States. "Looking" of course will be "Buying" 🤑😎 if the V-Strom is everything people say it is. Was originally looking at an SV-650, but like the practicality of the V-Strom a bit more.

u sound like depression if depression had a voice 😂😂

I bought a Suzuki DL650 2012 for my first big bike and still have it 2.5 years later. Good value, easy to do a basic consumables service at home, proven engine and gearbox, Good on all tarmac environments from urban - twisties - motorways. You can dress it up with luggage and it works great as a pack horse tourer, Strip off the luggage and its good for a weekend rideout. It is not arm wrenchingly powerful but for new riders that is a good thing. I did find it a bit lumpy on the throttle to begin with but you soon adapt with a bit of clutch feathering and gear selection, I could not get on with the givi airflow screen and went for a Puig which is better for me but not perfect. It does feel top heavy to me as well but once on the move its easy to ride.

I had a 2012 V650 a few years ago, went through a few other bikes, and looking forward to getting a spoke wheel 2015 adventure model in two days with 8,000 (12,000km) miles on it. Looking forward to going back to the basics. Plan on having it a week put new tires and a few things and ride SW America on it. It will be my commuter to work after that.

first bike was a gsf-250v - nimble and fast, inspires confidence and asks you to constantly push it, eventually wrecked it, put it down before a round-about when a car came out of no-where, L's were just about to expire and decided not to go for the full licence out of self preservation fast forward a decade and wanted to ride again, but with less adrenaline - for the 2nd round of L's the v-star 650 custom looked and felt great with none of that inspiring confidence. As soon as you push there's that unsettling feedback telling you in 101 different ways it's a bad idea, as soon as the heart starts pumping sanity takes over while you ease off the throttle and take in the experience. the vibration of the rumbling v-twin as you guide it through the bends is different from the adrenaline pumping naked but surprisingly just as enjoyable, 6 years on im still enjoying the leaner spec v-star, the only thing i hate about it is paying the CTP

Looks like your shocks compressed just enough for your left peg to dig in brother and has spun ya around 🤷‍♂️

I have a 2014 with 14,000km on it. I really want a Triumph 900 GT Pro. But I just can’t let go of the Strom. I don’t find the Strom very comfortable as the foot pegs are way too high. It’s hard finding a comfortable bike when you own a Victory Vision. That’s a comfortable bike.

W.A. Lams Pdf www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/LBU_DL_B_LAMS_Approved_MC.pdf

Adventure bike, yes. "Entry level" adventure bike? No. Perfect all around adventure bike? Yes, for sure.

Thanks Mate, classic info, I like like Lasers, Louise and Planes too..

Love the channel, I have a 250 vtr so quite a different bike but has the V twin love the sound of them. Split between another jap standard style or a full cruiser

💪🙂👍

🇦🇺😎👍I do 1000 k per week on the big DR 650 every week. I wear one out from new every 2 years. Now they’ve been outlawed for being so wonderful like everything else we enjoy, I just get them reconditioned over and over

2011 model owner here, great ride, lots of grunt but so smooth.

Appreciate sharing it! I think it is all the blame on that water you rode through on the exit. I drive rwd car and whenever I leave car wash, there is almost no grip.. Have to be extra careful and still traction control is going crazy like driving on the snow.. Such thing as TC on the bike would have saved you. I don't think new tires would have changed anything in this situation. Very nice bike though!

I'm picking up a 2009 model with low km this weekend. Getting back into riding after a 20 years hiatus and really looking forward riding around the NSW Far South Coast. Thanks for your review, it helped me make the decision to go with this bike.

Do you know exactly what seat you have on that bad larry?

Get out before someone sees, lol

Splitting lanes is stupid and shows a very rude and careless personality, I don’t care if it is legal, it is a stupid move for a motorist to do.

Thanks great informational video

I agree I've had mine since 2014 and definitely just love it,, I'm trying to remember if anyone knows I would appreciate it but there is a set of brake shoes that all automotive shops have that will fit on a 2013 to 2017 or something VStrom,, I bought a set about 6 years ago but I cannot remember what I ordered, and I live in the southeast of Kentucky and the nearest Suzuki shop is probably $150 mi away,, anyhow if anyone reads this and knows I would appreciate the info

'why this is a school zone, idk. This is the jail' lmao

Hey bud You still got the 650? Would like to see more vids if you are still doing them?

Gen 1 is best 🙂 specifically the pre ABS 650. 18 years on it still did a 3000 mile tour through 7 countries including Switzerland Austria and Germany this year. footage is on my channel if you are interested 🙂 theres a 15 year owners review and more DL650 vids all over the channel 🙂 good luck with the channel fellow #Stromtrekkers #RideFree

I bought one of these bikes after watching your review and I still have it I love this little thing and it has given me know problems whatsoever and I'm not easy on it at times but it's just eats it up and keeps going thanks for the review that's why I bought it.💯👍

I see. 6ft 2. OK then. :)

Great video bro. Enjoyed it. I just came across your channel an this video... how tall are you?

What seat / passenger seat is on this bike? Just purchased a V Star and would love to have something like this!

I'm considering getting a V Strom. My current ride is a BMW r1100rt. It's too heavy for me. I'm 76. Have you ridden an RT? Do you think the V Strom would make a significant difference? My RT weighs about 650 lbs. Cheers!!