Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom Revisited - Is it the Best all round motorcycle ever built? Orwell Motorcycles

I apologise for the length of this video at the start. Having done over 45,000 miles on my old vstrom I test rode a 2018 model, for sale at Orwell Motorcycles in Ipswich. I had wondered whether a newish Vstrom could replace my beloved Tigga and found that it probably could.
orwell.co.uk/used-bikes-ipswi.... (Link to the bike)

[@TrustyZ900]

Have a '17 DL 650 and had the chance to trade it in on a '22 Z900. I bought the Z and couldn't part with the VStrom.I've been getting used to the 900 and can't believe how comfortable the DL is. 30,000 hard miles on it with 0 problems. It will be with me ,until I can't ride anymore. One is a Corvette and the other is a Cadillac. Long live VStroms!

[@luziosalles324]

It is definitely one of the best motorcycles ever made. A legend.

[@TAYM]

Thanks LS 😁 definitely 😁

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

Yes. Fantastic recipe, brilliantly executed, delivers time and time again. It doesn’t matter if it’s a new or a first gen model. They’re all fabulous. Utter biking perfection, and lowish power takes nothing away from their success. Comfortable, well designed, nicely made, well balanced, torquey, great handling, practical and versatile and utterly dependable. Best of all they’re cheap. Best bike in history.

[@TAYM]

Absolutely 😁 every time I ride one I come to the same conclusion 😁 thanks PC😁

[@timothyangus954]

I have had my 650 V storm for nine years now. Rode it around the world in 2008, two up, 43000 miles and no issues. Does 70mpg and 260 miles to a tank full

[@TAYM]

Yes, absolutely incredible motorcycle 😁 thanks TA 😁

[@veltruski]

I have it, the XT model. At first I wasn't very excited about the power, but after some spirited riding I fell in love. This will let you ride like a maniac if you want because the handling is superb! No chicken strip on the rear tire. I never had this much confidence in any other bike I've ridden. It's strange because you can take this thing off road! And it loves it. It doesn't care as long as you don't take it on single track trails. This is a gem.

[@TAYM]

Totally agree. It is pretty much the only bike you would ever need, well that my opinion, and yours too by the sound of it.

[@veltruski]

@@TAYM exactly, it's not a Hayabusa or some 100 kilo single cylinder dirt bike, but it's practically everything in-between. Any bike could use a bit more power, that's just how we think, but if you start using it as an adventure/happiness machine and enjoy the ride, you can't help but fall in love. At least I can't.

[@TAYM]

Plus, put a scottoiler on and you are just about maintenance free!

[@kkiwi54]

I've had my '22 vstrom for a year and love it. My previous bike, a GSX750F had the best smell ever 😱 😉

[@TAYM]

Excellent 😂😂😂 thanks 😊

[@martinkearney6817]

Just finished a three week 8700 km trip on my 2006 vstrom 650. It never missed a beat! 😁

[@TAYM]

Brilliant 😁 thanks MK 😁

[@rogerdepretto440]

Have DL650 seems to be the best bike I ever owned. Still going strong 💪

[@TAYM]

Mine was too, probably the best bike ever made, certainly in the all rounder class 😊

[@ronfeast932]

Rid myself of a Superduke G.T.and joined Club Enlightenment...very happy member.

[@TAYM]

Marvellous 😊 what a wonderful bike they are 😊 thanks RF 😊

[@ralphcantrell3214]

I’ve been riding for 52 years and have owned around 40 bikes. None were over 800cc, as I’m into light weight, ease of ownership, and nimble handling over massive horsepower. My current primary bike is a 2nd generation DL650 Adventure, and it might be my favorite UJM of all time.

[@TAYM]

Definitely one of the best ever 😁 thanks R 😁

[@roadwarrior8560]

If they'd put cruise control on them rather than traction control it would be more use, great bikes, I've had an AL2 model for 7 years, great bikes nothing better for real world riding. subbed.

[@TAYM]

Totally agree, the do everything bike. Thank you 😊

[@melfzs]

I've owned a 2014 model for six years and 58,000 miles now , me and my missus have been all over the UK on it and never had a problem it's bloody bombproof! And the most comfortable bike we've owned, looking forward to still owning it when we've put 100,000 on the clock 💪, great review. 👍

[@TAYM]

Marvellous, just incredible bikes😊 thank you 😊

[@rokhnroll]

I was debating on a Himalayan, then a 2012 DL650 V - Strom popped up locally with all the extras and decent mileage for the year and I am very pleased with it.

[@TAYM]

A really underrated bike that is virtually faultless.

[@BibtheBoulder]

After years of riding large capacity machines I have seen the light. These bikes are more fun, more comfortable, and so much easier to handle. Oh, and more economical, and can be lifted up if you drop it.

[@TAYM]

And cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain and last for ever 😊

[@PalavraVivaUSA]

This is comforting since I just bought a 2020 vstrom 650 with 400 miles on it!

[@TAYM]

😂😂 brilliant 😁 enjoy the next 40000 trouble free miles 😁

[@stanleylawson9015]

saw this pop up this morning but had to wait to get home enjoying with a cup of tea and a treacle pie , great review of bike

[@TAYM]

Thank you. Very jealous of the treacle pie. It’s been years since I had such luxury.

[@victorherrero4790]

LOL...I saw the video with a cup of coffee and a ham, cheese and avocado sandwich!!! Great review.

[@Paul-kp1tu]

Mr TAYM, you are now my go-to-authority on all things motorcycling. Great review.

[@TAYM]

😂😂😂😂😂 oh no 😂😂 then there is no hope I am afraid 😂 thanks Paul 😊

[@victorherrero4790]

Great review. I have one year with it and it is awesome....reliable all around bike. And I love the dash...tgat hybrid analogue LCD dash for me is great...not like all the huge TFT dash of other bikes. For me it has 3 flaws: 1. No LED lights... 2. No Cruise control 3. No abs switch to turn it off Lets hope that the next Vstrom 650 gen comes with the 1050 design and cruise control!!

[@michaelpuder1749]

Thank you for a great review. And thank you for the palatable music as opposed to the trash which some others play. Blessings.

[@TAYM]

Thanks Michael 😁

[@claretbuck1882]

Cracking review 👌🏻

[@TAYM]

So very kind, thank you

[@adamcurrey2098]

Great review

[@TAYM]

Thanks Andy 😁

[@stevegosbee6691]

I bought the black one. Loving it.

[@TAYM]

Marvellous

[@johnpawson7400]

Got me thinking TAYM. Great review and you speak with a lot of miles on one.

[@TAYM]

I did, I commuted for 4 years to Cambridge on one. 😊 45000 miles plus, all weather, wind, rain, hail, snow and of course sun 🌞 Only things it needed were tyres, chains and sprockets, oh and a battery 😊

[@vf5126]

Really enjoyed your honest and leisurely pace. I’ve a ‘19 Himalayan, and bought a ‘21 V-Strom 650 XT ‘Adventure’ to replace it.. 6 months later, and I’ve decided to keep both. I’d have taken the Himi on the route you did, but a tad longer on a US Interstate ..and I’ve have taken the ‘Wee Strom.’

[@TAYM]

I really must try a Himi

[@vf5126]

@@TAYM Their lower horsepower causes you to partner with it. Lighter weight & shorter wheelbase keeps it nimble on backroads, and impressive torque keeps you chugging along offroad ..with loads of luggage capabilities.

[@Oscar240z]

TC is not needed until you hit loose gravel / diesel / ice etc then it’s suddenly very relevant!

[@jokermtb]

the vstrom 650 has always been a sort of 'goldilocks bike'. It's not great at any one thing, but for most things it's 'just right'..... No matter how many new 'better' bikes I test ride, I still can't seem to part ways with my well modded 2006 !

[@TAYM]

Definitely. Suzuki got it right straight out the box

[@Labgorilla]

Literally just bought myself a 2009 sv650 v strom with 28,000 miles. I so hope it is exactly as you describe it!

[@TAYM]

It will be unless it’s been driven over by a truck and then it might still be 😊😂😂

[@simonhall5086]

I must have missed this video first time around TAYM. Praise indeed for this bike. This new tech is really annoying ie keyless etc. I stopped for a KTM duke the other day & he couldn't get under his seat to check battery terminals because there was no power to unlock the seat! Cheers 👍

[@TAYM]

Yes, exactly, can you imagine the chaos there would be if we were all electric 😂😂😂 thanks BV 😁

[@florme6494]

I still believe the 1st Gen looks the best. It just has something about it.

[@TAYM]

I agree with you. 😊 a much more substantial looking motorcycle

[@ralphcantrell3214]

I consider it the best “budget bike” on the planet, especially if you buy one used. They give you WAY more than the small price would suggest. Sure, you can get a more satisfying mid-sized adventure bike, but you must be willing to pay dearly for it. ANYBODY should be able to afford a lightly used Wee-Strom and they would be compromising very little for a lot of savings.

[@TAYM]

Couldn’t agree more 😁 perfectly said 😁 thank you RC 😁

[@louisegoffin842]

That's a good bike 👍

[@TAYM]

One of the best

[@jessegarman7899]

I have a 2020. Purchased new. Who needs more?

[@TAYM]

Absolutely 😁 thanks JG 😁

[@arc001]

My 2021 has 3400k's on her, the bike is still too new to take on dirt roads which is what I live for. I bought a BMW f850gs in the meantime which is so good I garaged the Vstrom for awhile.. took her out over the weekend and had so much fun on it, now I am in a diemma as to which I should sell, or keep both.

[@TAYM]

Definitely keep both 😊😂😂😂

[@danieldearaujo1077]

Pour oui c’est la meilleure moto à tout faire

[@TAYM]

😊👍

[@TheSirhc1975]

One of, for sure.

[@TAYM]

Thanks CA😁

[@svaralen]

Love it!! Do you think the Vstrom is beginner friendly as a first bike!? Cheers ✌️

[@TAYM]

It is easy enough to ride but it depends what exactly you mean. It’s a physically big bike that easily does over 100mph so it would depend on training and brain cells 😁😂😂😂

[@svaralen]

@@TAYM of course, I am 50 years old passing from maxi scooter to proper motorcycle. Want my first bike ae all rounder as the Strom is. I am 1,83cm high with 110 kg weight ( little beast 🤪). Thought first to take a 500cc, but can't afford in Serbia to change so quikly bikes.

[@TAYM]

@@svaralen then I suspect that the Vstrom would be ideal 😊 there are lots of excellent used models about because they have made them for so long. They are incredibly reliable and do great mileage 😊

[@moha8136]

Own my 2nd Vstrom. Best all rounder, after owning all other Japanese and BMW.

[@TAYM]

An unbeatable motorcycle for just about everything 😊

[@usbackcountry]

When they put a cruise control on it, I'll get one.

[@TAYM]

Good idea 👍

[@seanobrien5520]

Great review,, why the tick marks on the right hand mirror?

[@TAYM]

The mechanic puts them on when they’ve been prepared 😁 thank you 😊

[@seanobrien5520]

@@TAYM thanks for the reply

[@TAYM]

@@seanobrien5520 they are a marvellous bike 😁

[@seanobrien5520]

@@TAYM iv bn doing a lot of research on this bike and I haven't found any thing significantly negative about them , iv bn riding with 40 yrs and as many bikes, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a v strom 650 xt very soon.

[@TAYM]

@@seanobrien5520 there are currently some excellent deals on them to be had at the moment. 😊

[@douglaspeterson7006]

How much vibration do you experience at 120KMH? Thanks

[@TAYM]

There is very little, at least that I recall, at any speed. As I say, I did around 45k miles on one with a lot of motorway miles and I don’t recall ever thinking that it was vibbie 😊

[@douglaspeterson7006]

@@TAYM Thanks for the response. What mototcycle are you riding currently? I love the video.

[@TAYM]

@@douglaspeterson7006 I have a Royal Enfield Classic 500, Kawasaki W800 cafe, Triumph T100 and my winter bike was a Tiger 900 Rally (but that’s just gone to make room for a Thruxton) will look at next years winter bike later in the year 😊

[@douglaspeterson3636]

Thanks again, I am considering a 650 VStrom. I can’t get a test ride anywhere. My current ride is a 2008 BMW F800ST AND associated dual sport bikes. I have owned three BMW 1200 GS’s. I your opinion will the VStrom work for me. I weight 141 lbs. thanks, Doug

[@TAYM]

@@douglaspeterson3636 so you are about 10 Stone. All I can say is that I am 15 stone and it worked for me 😊 never ridden a 1250 gs but have the 800gt. I don’t know where you are based but you might be able to find a used one to try😊

[@VelvetWhore]

It’s yellow !!!

[@TAYM]

Like a banana 😁

[@mrniceguy4920]

just did 2500 k, and yep, it just keeps plotting

[@TAYM]

Start to think about a service at 90,000 😂😂😂

[@colincommander1683]

Mate not yourfault but not a good road test with all that traffic around most of the time you were stoped!,,,😮

[@TAYM]

I guess it’s reality for a lot of people 😁 thanks Colin 😁

[@allenlloyd2662]

you can get an old low millage one so cheap now , ive got a 2005 when i got it there was only 3000 miles on it and stole it at 3300 with full luggage im only down the road from you in bury , if you see a red 2005 thatll be me , say hi if you see me f

[@TAYM]

Excellent motorbike, I will certainly keep an eye out for you.