2019 Suzuki V-Strom 650 - 1-Year Ownership Update

[@DailyMotor]

I'm shooting the two-year update on this bike soon, any questions?

[@JC-fz2pv]

Currently in tough internal debate on which bike I want. I have narrowed it down to 2 bikes and the V Strom 650 is on the list. Would you say it is the perfect do a little bit of everything bike for someone looking at a first bike?

[@JohnDenverntman68]

Are you in Canada? I assume those speedo readings are in KPH.

[@Rickmac22]

Yes, explore more about your next bike considerations. I'm close to getting a 1000sx but thought maybe an intermediate step to the v-strom 650 or 800 would be a better idea 💡... Just getting back into riding and focused on developing skill before jumping to power ⚡!!!

[@gili7333]

Has at been worth adding the windscreen deflector?

[@DailyMotor]

I can't remember if I had it in this one, but talked about it in the second ownership update, but I went with a Givi winscreen that was a nice option. Very adjustable, and on the fly.@@gili7333

[@Oscar240z]

I have the same bike and have been riding for 30 years - love the bike and don’t need any more power as I have enough trouble staying below the speed limit on the Strom. Great bikes and NEVER go wrong!

[@hiramw]

Thanks for the video. I love my 2012 V-Strom 650. I bought it new in 2013. I have ridden it through 36 states and counting. It now has almost 103,000 miles on it. It been an excellent motorcycle for me. My favorite upgrades are a Madstad windshield, Oxford heated grips and sw-motech center stand. I really like Continental Trail Attack 3 and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires. I hope yours gives you as many safe, trouble free miles as mine has given me.

[@daveloubser]

I love my Gen 2 650 Strom, very reliable, comfortable. I have done several tours to Europe (Germany/Spain) as well as Ireland and the IOM. I use soft luggage as I only tour once a year and have put just over 41k miles on it.

[@philsince59]

I watch a lot of motorcycle videos and a million V-Strom videos and I must say you did a great job on this one. I also respect all the bikes you mentioned, including the Grom which I would love to have-a motorcycle with a skateboard attitude LOL! I have a 2020 V-Strom xt adv which I love, and I could only afford one bike to do everything. I almost bought a tracer 900 but I wanted that dirt road capability so I got the wee. I can't afford to buy a bunch of different bikes like I do a bunch of different socks, so the wee was it for me and I absolutely love it as it's perfect for everything I want to do. Regarding the tires, I put on Dunlop trailmax missions and they are steady and stable at 100 mph + as well as exceeding any capabilities I will ever have in the dirt. Thanks for the great vid and enjoy that grom!

[@DailyMotor]

Thanks for the kind note! I will remember the Trailmax Missions, that's good to know. I just swapped back to the OE Batllax tires today and had a nice fast ride on them, even in the wet. V-Strom is an excellent do-it-all bike at a reasonable cost!

[@drewmorg.]

Started on dirtbikes/enduros since young. R6 was my first purchased street bike. Huge mistake. Now I'm 15 years older than back then and I'm looking at Strom 650 baby.

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I've been riding for 48 years and I have a 2015 V-Strom 650, it is not at all a beginner bike. It's a great bike though.

[@matthewgarland8516]

I have down sized from the zzr1100 Kawasaki to a 2019 vstrom 650xt and even tho it’s definitely not as fast I love it I have changed a few things on it like tyres bar risers exhaust sprocket and air filter to make it more suited for my riding style and have had a lot of fun with it over the last few years and I am still always itching to get back on it ready for the next ride

[@johnfrye8452]

I have the exact same bike that you have and I am very satisfied. I downsized from a RSTD and appreciate the lighter weight and flick ability of the VStrom. The biggest negative is the access to the air filter and coolant overflow tank.

[@marshallderriek1858]

Owned harleys all my life . Went and bought and older v strom .. I'm old now and just looking for a comfortable light weight bike that will get me around economically .. and reliable .. from friends and KZbin it looks like a good choice.. waiting for the warmer weather to enjoy it

[@mrantone916]

Man these bikes are freaking bulletproof solid and I don’t feel guilty dropping it out off-road I just pick it up and get back to it.

[@timothyangus954]

I have a 2013 model, which in 2018 I rode 2 up around the world. 43,000 miles and no reliability issues. Very comfy, 260 tank range and economical to service.

[@jamesrahilly6419]

If you put the adventure tyre, same as the rear, on the front as well, after 2'500km the tyre exterior profile wears smooth and vibration free for highway comfort but still maintains it "pits"/nooks for grabbing the dirt offroad. Amazing combo for this bike.

[@DailyMotor]

I figured that would be the case, and I may do that in the future. Apparently the previous owner wanted to remedy front-end washout offroad.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Charlie, Although I am not a rider, I decided to follow along today just to see how a 'modestly powered' V-twin gets down the road in the year 2021. As an outsider, I have been reminded that the routine acceleration of a humble 650 is still astonishing compared to just about any car on the road. However, I wonder how many of those car and truck drivers even noticed you were around as they went about their daily driving chores in their highly insulated cabins.

[@DailyMotor]

RLH, you just have to twist the throttle and get ahead of them ;D We just picked up a Ninja 250. It'll be interesting to see how that small motor provides grins. Often referred to as the Miata of motorcycles.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@DailyMotor A while back I was in a Honda 'Powersports' dealership shopping for a small outboard motor. They sold everything but Honda cars and Honda jets. I quipped to the salesman - Do you give a 10% discount on a motorcycle if I sign a donor card? He saw the humour but the franchise owner lurking in the background was less impressed.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

upgraded my suspension to some v strom specific kit from Ohlins (front springs with preload and back shock). I can climb kerbs now and barely feel them and the bike is more stable at high speeds. Have a 19 650 also, just yellow :)

[@tenza7545]

I’ll be happy with any bike. I think I’m going to see if I can get one of these. I’ve mostly owned cruisers rode sport bikes not a big fan of them. The bike I miss most is my little KX175 that thing was fun but not very highway capable

[@rickpage27]

Thanks for making the effort. Very useful. I am 100% "that kind of rider who values the experience" more than out and out performance and you have helped me mae up my mind. Right, off to the dealer's. Thans buddy.

[@DailyMotor]

Glad you enjoyed! I'm toying with the idea of selling mine still, so if you're in the midwest and interested, I'd be happy to talk details with you.

[@rickpage27]

@@DailyMotor Sorry - I am in australia! How can you sell after such a recommendation? :)

[@DailyMotor]

@@rickpage27 Ah shoot! Hahaha, mostly testing the waters as I think I'd like to have a more dual-sport style bike like the Honda CRF300L and then get a more street oriented bike. I have the space now, so I'm not in a situation where I need one bike to do it all.

[@rickpage27]

@@DailyMotor Gotcha! Would like to be in your space. :)

[@dl2081]

Running the Michelin Anakee on my Vstrom for the last 7k, great on off road 80/20 tire very stable in the twisty and on the two tracks/fire roads. Great video.

[@frankcastle5294]

On my 4th Vstrom....650, 1000, 1050 and now a new 2021 650. Simply put, the Vstrom line and in particular the 650XT Adventure, might possibly be the greatest motorcycles ever made. There is not one thing they do extremely well but they do everything incredibly well. And unbreakable. Your "speed wobble" the result of a poor choice of tires and the laminar style lip added to the windshield. Stroms hate both. A Givi Airflow will remove most of that.

[@DailyMotor]

As a one-bike solution, it's excellent! And I have done the Givi Airflow and went back to smoother tires and yes it's resolved.

[@KF1]

There's a 2018 Vstrom 650 for sale near me with 25,000 miles on it. Am I correct in understanding that is relatively low miles for this bike? It has the aluminum rims and colormatched hard cases but I don't know enough to specify the submodel or if it matters? Thanks

[@frankcastle5294]

If it has the cast wheels it is the base model. The factory flip open side cases are excellent but the right side case capacity very small due to muffler clearance built into that case. Check age of battery-tire and brake pad condition-when it was fully serviced-how it runs and feels and cosmetics. I have seen Stroms @ that mileage that look and run like new and ones that have been beaten to death and not worth the time and effort to make nice again. 650 Stroms are wonderful bikes in all regards. Whatever you pay for it figure on spending an additional $500 or so to make things right such as front fork springs, etc etc.@@KF1

[@KF1]

Thanks very much! Starting learning more about them and found another option - Champion yellow 2018 650XT, 13,000 miles with the gold spoked rims, heated grips, factory engine mud guard and crash bars, selling with a new set of tires and panniers. Will keep in mind the brake pads, fork seals, service history and battery etc. Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated! If I buy it, I would spend the extra money to take it for an inspection.@@frankcastle5294

[@johnwillard6198]

My 2011 has 28,000 on it and is smooth as new .

[@luislaurencio]

Having started on a sv650 with the same engine then getting a cbr600rr and now a mt09 no one needs more power than 74

[@DailyMotor]

Are you happy with the MT09 or would you rather have the MT07?

[@luislaurencio]

@@DailyMotor am happy with the mt09 but i know if it was an mt07 i would be happy as well. I would not change from mt09 to the 07 but wouldnt upgrade from the 07 to the 09 neither. They are both good in their turf.

[@tomaszlandowski344]

What exact model of side panniers do you have on this bike? I am looking for such sport look with right cut for exhaust

[@DailyMotor]

They're the Suzuki cases

[@TheLostBoy01]

can it hold 2 up with panniers and top box filled for 2 weeks trip? and by holding i mean taking over , highway touring situations ecountering. i know it has 70 HP but im not sure if thats enough for regular touring usage. coming from a 40HP motorcycle monocylinder and thinking in getting this vstrom 650. cheers!

[@DailyMotor]

Yes, it will be plenty fine. I've done full days of riding with my wife on the back with all three cases. Just adjust your preload.

[@buckfiden9913]

Fellow V-Strom rider here from Sumpter Twp. I love my 2018 XT, great do-all motorcycle. I use my bike for everything. I live on a dirt road and commute to the city several times a week. I also plan on switching tires, I've heard great things about the Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires. Great video.. subbed.

[@DailyMotor]

Thanks for the comment! Maybe I'll see you out sometime.

[@michelfleck6398]

Trailmax are good tires, 2012 model driver with 52 000 kms on this one.

[@oepolo6317]

Very informative video. Please, let me know what brand your top box is. Looking for something like that for my Wee. Thank you.

[@DailyMotor]

Thanks! It was a large Givi case that I found secondhand. Good luck!

[@oepolo6317]

@@DailyMotor thank you very much!!

[@Rmachine429]

Great video! Have you looked into the Motoz GPS 50/50 tires for the Vstrom? And if so - curious about your thoughts. I really like the "look" of the adv tire albeit I, myself - may hit a gravel road here and there (5% off road use), and so a case of a tire capability i would never fully maximize. I want the great road handling, ability to be effective on multi-terrain (gravel/dirt roads, nothing serious) and have that "adventure" look if you will with the tires. Also - it sounds like you find the suzuki bags hit the mark? Thanks! Roni

[@drewmorg.]

Watching this video again for the 2nd time. I love the way you rip this thing around town, exactly how I'd want to use it. I think a tune and exhaust would really do this bike good. You can see where it hits that dead spot near the top of the RPM when you wring it out. Check out Dale Walker from Holeshot he has a lot of tuned Vstrom videos on KZbin and gets great power out of them.

[@repetitivemotion]

Pirelli Scorpion Trail ll is a better tire for this bike for asphalt and gravel. National Cycle makes a great windshield for VStrom. I’m 6’2” and I use their 2-up shield

[@pro-karavan]

I have the exact bike. Greetings from Russia)

[@kc4sox]

You tried to induce a tank slapper ? 🤔

[@keldonator]

Man I have really started to not like my Grom lol. Stupid tiny seat and uncomfortable placement of my legs. It didn't bother me at first but now it's become so annoying and I've been looking at the V strom as a replacement commuter. My other bike is a drz400s that I seriously love.

[@TR5T]

Being "newish" to riding you do know they sell parts that fit that bike, in fact they have different wind shields.

[@ScottyL789]

Do you hit any parts on the ground leaning on turns?

[@DailyMotor]

If you lean far enough you'll scrape foot pegs

[@TheJirimeixner]

Hi, I have bought the same bike 2019. I experienced the same troubles with wind buffeting. Since replaced it with Suzuki V-Strom 650 Vario Touring Screen ARTIKELNR. 990D0-28K50-SMO - VARIOSCREEN SMOKE my problems have gone. I believe it would work the same way for you :-)

[@DailyMotor]

How is it for overall wind protection? I was thinking of going with something larger for more overall protection.

[@gfranco1971]

Have read a lot of peoples opinions on this and the over all winner seems to be the Givi Airflow windshield hands down

[@DailyMotor]

@@gfranco1971 Hmmm. Alright, maybe I'll try that one. I'd like to get a new one for this year. It'll help for longer trips.

[@DailyMotor]

@@gfranco1971 Just ordered the Givi! Will report in a few months.

[@gfranco1971]

@@DailyMotor Look forward to it. Happy riding!

[@movieedits5725]

the wind protection is helarrrrious

[@ham7357]

Starting to wish I would have got this as a first bike instead of my 750 shadow cruiser.

[@kyled6007]

Sell it and get this ! I’m looking at getting one of these for my first bike because I’m on the taller side

[@kyotosal]

You could try the 1050 for more excitement but it sounds like you want a sport bike like a Ducati..........Sal : )

[@albertmashburn6030]

it is called smooth

[@blakethom]

i bet the speed wobbles are from the top box that’s why it didn’t do it this ride cuz you didn’t have the top box on

[@DailyMotor]

Ahhh good point!

[@KF1]

How or why does a top box induce speed wobbles? I'm new and that sounds pretty concerning

[@McMike]

Nice vid. I own an Aprilia Pegaso Strada 2006 and was thinking to change it with something newer... But can't make my mind... Vstorm 650, cb500x,nc750x,Versys 650 or a....r1200rt. 😁 Mostly I ride on tarmac, maybe less the 5% on dirt roads.

[@DailyMotor]

If you have a strong budget, go R1200rt. If you're very practical, NC750X. If you're in the middle, test ride a Versys 650 and a Strom. I rode both and didn't care much for the Versys.

[@McMike]

@@DailyMotor the '15 RT is around 9-10.000 euros. Will have to test them all as soon as posible. Thanks for your opinion. ✌️

[@MegaMikeArnold]

Never road one but speak to virtually anyone who's ridden a (2010+ MY) r1200rt and they'll tell you often that their search for the perfect streetbike ended with justone ride.

[@McMike]

@@MegaMikeArnold I had the same feeling when I first tested the RT. I still have to wait until I can afford one, but one day I will definitely succeed.

[@haydenpruitt5199]

Hey man I live in Michigan as well by Mason I have a fully built dr650 for adventure riding I don't know if you'd like to put that in your video or something it's not 100% done but it never will be lol I have about 15K in the bike :/ 🤔 lmao

[@haydenpruitt5199]

At this point I'm probably should have got a different bike

[@gili7333]

I’d like to hear from anyone that has used a much smaller screen as I’d like just clean air hitting my helmet.

[@DailyMotor]

I did run a few weeks with the windshield off, that was nice clean air. Unfortunately any sort of screen on the Strom creates dirty air on or above the helmet

[@martinmullins280]

I’d like to own your V Strom

[@DailyMotor]

Hit me up, [e-mail]

[@barryhughes1612]

Tracer 900 is ok but not as comfortable or nice to ride as the V Strom 650

[@mrniceguy4920]

4000 miles in a year?? better call it a 4000 mile review

[@bradhorne6552]

I would have no problem owning this bike , I just hate the look!!! I much prefer the older model looks... Just can't stand beaks!! Why are manufacturer all doing beaks... So damn ugly , fab bike in my opinion... Pity, fab bike.. but you still have to like what you see... That's half the joy of bike ownership 😂

[@jackvliet]

Yamaha, honda and kawasaki are not doing beaks?

[@keldonator]

For me it's KTMs diamond shaped headlights I can't get over lol, sooo ugly. Too bad too cuz the bigger 790cc+ KTMs seem like they actually have decent engines.

[@kemimoto_official]

Hi there, This is Kyra from Kemimoto. We've emailed you back and please check it out. Thank you and look forward to hearing back!

[@kuladeeluxe]

Get a Tiger 900 or 850

[@allanhughes7859]

Dont give up the day job for god sake !!!! if you want to go fast get fast tyres or a fast bike there is nothing on this plannet that does everything IS THERE WHAT A WASTE OF TIME YOU ARE !!!

[@DailyMotor]

Hey are you okay?

[@allanhughes7859]

@@DailyMotor YEP I AM OK ARE YOU OK ?

[@DailyMotor]

@@allanhughes7859 Doing great. Still have the Strom!

[@keldonator]

Some people's kids.

[@mckerrowcity]

Who hurt you ?