2013 Suzuki V-strom 650 ABS Owner Review and Walk Around

[@timothyangus954]

I have had my V storm, same version as yours, for 9 years now. In 2018 I rode it two up around the world. 43,000 miles and no reliability issues. Does 260 miles to a tank full, and still use it today.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Awesome!

[@dutchflodstrom5861]

Aaron, Thank you *very* much for this video. We recently sold our bikes (again) and are looking for replacements. For me, I *think* the DL650 ABS (2012 or newer) will be my ride. Watching you video, you have a lot of really common sense, functional mods that I think I will be copying. So far I have only sat on one DL (at 2015) at my local Suzy dealer. I found the ergos perfect. I'm 6'3" (230lbs w/34" inseam). I've been riding for about 50 years now and owned probably about 30 or so bikes. Dirt, Enduro, Scrambler, Street, Touring etc. Loved a bunch of them and wished I hadn't sold a couple. But, I can't help but think that the 'Strom fit's my riding style perfectly. 20% Highway / 20% Rural / 50% City / 10% Offroad. I want an inexpensive, reliable, proven design with an upright, comfortable (all day) riding position, removable hard bags (and optionally a trunk), two up capability, comprehensive instrumentation, good lighting, ABS, injection, water cooling, center stand, good mpg, ability to cruise at 70-80mph. Now... I need to go find a DL to test ride, and then find the "right one" to buy.

[@nfd610]

You should get some type of commission from Adventure Tech, LLC! Since watching your video I've purchased their Fork Brace (I agree, it makes a noticeable difference in overall handling), Peg Lowering kit and will get my LED light kit tomorrow. I like the water bottle holder idea, I'm going to copy that too. I have the Givi engine guards, which are very similar to the Puig, so I think it would fit perfectly in that same position. Great video, with some great ideas. Thanks for the walk around.

[@Reapwhatsown]

Nice bike, and review. I have a stock 2014 650 and really enjoy it too. Thanks for a nice review.

[@tomdennis1474]

Loved the comment "mirror extenders for people with broad shoulders who have trouble seeing behind." Eyes are on your head which is always in the middle.

[@alexsky7694]

Nice Mods. Just bought my V-strom 2012. I will definitely copy couple of your mods. Thanks for the ideas!

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I have a 2015 the same color. Love it. ❤️

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I love this bike. I've wanted one like this for a long time.

[@aaronbehindbars]

If you can swing it, you should try to buy one. The 2nd generation V-strom 650 is probably my favorite of them all, though I could certainly own one off the 2014 or newer 1000s. These 2012-2016 models are getting closer to the prices of the first gen models, so now would be a good time to pick one up. I traded in this bike in the video back in 2016 and have had several bikes in that time period. I am now riding my dad's 2008 V-strom 650 because he decided to transition away from riding. I like the 2008, but after spending all the money I did on these other bikes to only have each of them about 1 year a piece, I wish I had just held on to my 2013. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say...

[@aaronbehindbars]

This bike is a little slower to turn in, and that's a negligible difference. Once you get it turning, it is noticeably more planted and stable. I can get back on power more quickly and carry a bit more speed out of the corners. The suspension has higher spring rates and more rebound damping which also provides better control in bumpy corners. It is impressive how all the small refinements on the Gen 2 really add up to a noticeable step forward in the overall package. It's sneaky too, because it isn't blatantly obvious the first time you ride it. The longer I own it, the more impressed I am with it.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Nice bike. I have a lot of the same mods on my 2012. I've got a video series on my channel about riding it from TX to AK in 2014.

[@aaronbehindbars]

I'll check out your channel. Thanks!

[@paulsmith3487]

Very together unit,good luck!

[@ajanlit6892]

i got same year . Looking for skid plate and new tire just get ready for spring.

[@jackwednesday]

Great combination of add on's. Love those homemade air wings. Great idea. Nice bike.

[@SULTAN-nv2cm]

Thank you, brother, for this great explanation. Please explain how to install the beautiful side bags, thank you.

[@ylism]

Nice looking & outfitted dl650, way better than my k6. Have you noticed any differences in handling with the longer wheelbase over the k6 bike ? Thanks, yl

[@zzxx33mh]

nice review..which to choose as my first Adv tourer Sport.dual purpoe; New Klr or used 2013 VS with 8k on odd..?! 60 on /40 off or vice verca..

[@pickledoctapus1]

Oxford heated grips...yoshi exhaust and mono lock paniers..handle bar raisers ?

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Very good video, thank you for posting it!

[@westboundNinja1]

future rider here, I have a question. with the side cases can you still lane filter without them costing you room to do so?

[@aaronbehindbars]

My particular pannier setup was pretty narrow, but my cases were pretty small and fairly compromised for what they would carry. It is illegal to do lane filtering where I live, so I can't say how well it it would do. If you are needing to filter and want to carry a lot of gear, a large top box can't be beat.

[@JosRitter]

Thanks for sharing. QQ, does the bash guard need to be removed when changing the oil filter?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Jos Ritter Yes, 4 bolts need to come off.

[@JosRitter]

Hi Aaron, thank you for the feedback. I like your setup. Very informative video.

[@paulsilva3346]

TOURATECH.

[@algesbrek5695]

Also 0 to 60 m p h in 4.5 sec.....not a slow poke !

[@russellbrown9655]

I second the previous review.

[@wildeyestudios5]

Puig (the Spanish company you mention for your engine guards) is pronounced like the word 'push' with a 't' in the middle (putsh), it's a Catalan name

[@aaronbehindbars]

Excellent, thank you for the clarification on that as I have always wondered how it was pronounced.

[@wildeyestudios5]

+Aaron Fink you're welcome. Btw, I've been wondering for some weeks now between the versys and the vstrom. With the stock components do you have any idea of which is the most comfortable for 1h15 trips on highway, curvy roads and big town? Since I'm buying 2nd hand here in Barcelona I may not have the option to try before buying.

[@prepper_nation_h]

+Wild Eye Studios I have a 2012 V-Strom 650 and my riding buddy has a 2009 Versys 650. I am tall with a about a 32-33" inseam and the Strom fits me better. He is short with around a 29-30" inseam and the Versys fits him better. His Versys has a lowering link that probably drops it an inch or so from stock. I've ridden his Versys. It's not uncomfortable, but the ergos are a little more compact than on my Strom, and there is a hard body line that seems to run right where the inside of my knee wants to naturally rest which I found annoying, but it's a minor nitpick and might not even affect someone else's riding position. The Versys engine is very punchy and the chassis is a lot of fun. Its parallel twin felt a little buzzy at highway speeds and numbed my hands a bit. He said he never noticed it until I mentioned it. Now he does but it isn't as annoying to him I guess. Overall, the V-Strom is smoother and more comfy. It's just too tall and too wide between the pegs for my friend to feel confident on it. I'd say the Strom has better wind protection too. Between the two, I'd estimate that the Versys has an advantage on urban streets and in tight twisties, while the Strom is remarkably comfortable on the open highway, in sweeping curves and probably holds the edge off-road. Neither my friend or I have tackled any serious off-road work on either bike since we both have very mild, street-biased adventure tires. But we are always looking for gravel roads and both bikes handle them well, with my Strom seeming a bit more confident. My Tourances are just a little more aggressive than his Trail Attack 2s, but I need new tires this year and am looking at something even more adventuresome, like the Mitas E-07s. Hopefully you can test ride both bikes to compare but just sitting on each bike and checking your ergos will give you a sense of how compatible you are with each one. Otherwise they are both fun, practical, very versatile bikes with each its own strengths.

[@brothermanv]

@@prepper_nation_h Great comparison, Bradley! Thanks so much. I've been considering the two and this really helped. People have complained about the buzzing / numbing even on the next generation. Surprised Kawasaki didn't fix that issue Think I'll go with the Strom since I'll mainly be commuting or routing. So I'd def need comfort. Though sportiness would be nice

[@Larry-hp5pt]

thanks for a great, detailed review. good part info.

[@deepsouthNZ]

Beautiful bike mate, do you still own it?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Not for several years. In 2016, I went to work for a motorcycle shop and suddenly had the privilege of demoing various motorcycles. Shortly after I started working there, a second hand BMW R1200GS really tickled my fancy and I traded this bike in on that. Rode that bike a little over a year and decided I needed one of the new Honda Africa Twins. After a little over a year and after owning a Yamaha FZ09 (MT09) and falling in love with that triple, I traded the Africa Twin and the FZ/MT in on a Yamaha Tracer 900 GT. Last year, my dad decided to give up riding and offered me his 2008 V-Strom 650 so I sold off my Tracer to pay off some debt I had from other motorcycle purchases. One of those bikes was my Honda CRF450L which I recently traded in on a CRF300L Rally. As much as I like V-Strom 650s, I kind of couldn't tolerate the ugly yellow color of my dad's previous bike and just sold it. A smarter man would have kept this 2013 V-Strom and simply used those very generous shop demo privileges to experience many different bikes rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars to own all these different bikes (there were several others I bought and haven't mentioned). Live and learn as they say.

[@deepsouthNZ]

@@aaronbehindbars lol you certainly have had some variety and yeah I would have kept the 2013 too great alrounder, I bought a cb500x brand new my first bike and I thought would be the only bike I would ever need but now I regret it because although its a great bike I now want something more adventury , but am considering a used strom to ride right around Australia on. I think the strom would be perfect

[@davidhill90034]

Thanks

[@algesbrek5695]

Hey ! CHEEP OIL FILTER PROTECTOR IF YOU DONT NEED SKID PLATE... A TIN CAN SHORTENED ,PAINT IT BLACK..CUT A CLUPLE SLITS... CLAMP IT ON! Wala.! 4 times stronger

[@barryhamilton5105]

nice bike and video

[@Hithere-ek4qt]

Great bike but you should have left the original mirrors on. They are much better

[@aaronbehindbars]

What worked for me might not work for you. I like the Aprilia mirrors and now have them on my Honda XR650L. V-strom is long gone...lots of bikes in between

[@spainelt]

Would you have a list of these accessories?

[@spainelt]

I really liked this adaptation that leaves the course of the bigger pedal, I am tall and my legs are very flexed because the pedal is very high, I noticed that you used this kit to lower the pedal, spectacular!

[@ataman63urup]

please tell me the bag in the tank it is on the adapter or on the magnet.. and what model? thanks in advance

[@aaronbehindbars]

It's made by Cortech. This attaches to a ring that bolts to the gas cap ring. I believe they are discontinued. Search for "Cortech locking tank bag" and you may find something.

[@aaronbehindbars]

I found more info, it's a Cortech Dryver small. It looks like you can still buy them, but they aren't cheap. I bought mine on clearance from a local shop for $25, plus I had to buy the locking ring for my bike which was another $20.

[@ataman63urup]

+Aaron Fink thank you for your reply

[@BobDawg173]

What is the difference between this model and the 650xt?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Wire spoked wheels and a beak.

[@11Khalid11]

How much did the modifications cost you?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Hard for me to add it up at this time. Sold the bike 3 years ago

[@carlosandleon]

does it have a 12 volt socket as standard?

[@aaronbehindbars]

No, the 12V outlet was something I added later.

[@infantlightgaming4475]

Does it come with a centerstand

[@aaronbehindbars]

No, you can get one from the Suzuki accessories catalog or aftermarket from SW Motech. Mine had a stand already installed by previous owner.

[@andybryant9105]

and its better than an VStrom 650

[@aaronbehindbars]

The MT09 Tracer (called the FJ09 here in North America) is a great bike and I'm glad you like yours. To say one is better than another completely ignores that different people want different attributes in their bikes. I nearly bought the FJ09, but doing so would have required me to sell my other bike which I adore too much. I also really like my V-strom and the fact it is paid for makes it difficult for me let go. I am also considering a second hand FJR1300. Thanks for your comment and viewing my video.

[@kwak1k]

I know it's a late comment but, you won't get 300 miles to a tank out of a Tracer. You won't be as comfortable on the Tracer. This is more rugged and suited to long distance travel than the Tracer. The 650 twin will run forever.

[@andybryant9105]

I got an MT09 Tracer

[@dullen87]

Dont like it... really not made for touring

[@anthonycook8703]

Pyoog? Pweeje?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Tony Cook Someone commented below that it's a Spanish word and is pronounced "putsh." I never would have guessed that in a million years.

[@a_wise_young_man752]

Why do Americans always start a video by asking us what's going on? As we can't make our responses heard, it seems somewhat pointless.

[@aaronbehindbars]

A_Wise_Young_Man You just made your response...

[@a_wise_young_man752]

But I/we didn't respond to the question concerning our wellbeing.

[@aaronbehindbars]

A_Wise_Young_Man You could have which is contrary to your original point. Your rather obtuse response may be a clear indication of your well-being.