Suzuki V-Strom 650 vs. V-Strom 800 - Helping you choose the best V-Strom for you!

[@davidlane5925]

I've owned the 650XT Adventure and 1050XT in the past. I now ride the 800DE. It is a fantastic motorcycle. Great torquey engine, upgraded adjustable suspension and extremely comfortable to ride. I do wish that the 800DE had spoked tubeless wheels however, tubed is a big oversight. I took a chance and bought one of the first 800DE's available when they arrived in New England and it has greatly exceeded my expectations. My second favorite of the three V-Stroms was the 650XT. If the 800 was not an option, I'd own the 650XT.

[@Andreas_Cologne]

😮You would go back from the 1050 to the 650?

[@davidlane5925]

Yes, the 650XT would fit my personal (solo) riding needs better than the 1050 unless I was only going to ride larger highways or two up.

[@MotoFishy]

I also ride an 800DE and it really is amazing. That said, when I run through the OEM tires I'm going to do a tubeless conversion and solve the tubed tires issue.

[@gizzyguzzi]

@@davidlane5925 if you're only going to ride larger highways or two up, why would anyone buy a V STrom?

[@davidlane5925]

@@gizzyguzzi my answer was in the context of the Vstrom family of motorcycles.

[@PisgahGravelProject]

It should also be noted that the 800 has two features that when combined together make it handle much better offroad than any other V-Strom ever produced. The front axle on the 800 is in front of the fork tube(like a proper offroad motorcycle), whereas the pedigree has always opted for the road-focused design of the axle beimg directly under the fork. Also, since the 800 is a parallel twin in design it is more compact and the engineers were able to make the swimgarm longer and beefier than any of the prior V-Strom models. Those two changes, coupled with a forgiving 3piece modular frame greatly improve offroad handling, suspension action and overall performance. I am coming from the mx and gncc background and have had a T7 and a gen2 Africa Twin. When the T7 first came out, it scratched the inch for many of us. A 700cc twin with decent enough specs for 10k (US$). Part of that bikes allure was its price point. When they became scarce the market dictated uber high prices, both used and new, so the 'value-allure' went away. Now there are much better options in the mid weight adv sector. And while, the longevity and durability is relatively unknown, Id bet good money that it will be uber durable. Suzuki uses the engine, in 4 of its models, the 800DE, 800RE/SE, GSX8S,& GSX8R-I tend to believe the engineers at Suzuki have much faith in a platform that powers 4 separate models. The greatest less talked about feature is the airfilter location on the 800DE. Every prior V-Strom required the fuel take to be removed to gain access to the airfilter. The 800DE-RE/SE-8S all have the airfilter under the seat, which is great for the rider who spends many miles on dusty, dirty gravel roads and who like to maintain their motos religiously. After a year of testing bikes, borrowing bikes, and many hours of intense research i decided to schedule a test ride for the 800DE in July, and was completely blown away with how good it was. So much that i emptied a good chunk of my account and left with one. Almost 6k later, i can report that it is a good bike. Is it perfect? Nope. If there was a perfect bike, we wouldn't have 200 to pick from. The things i domt like about it are 1)lighting-its borderline dangerous at night withput the highbeams on. I would highly recommend aux lights, or very limited night riding. 2)90+ octane required, sometimes in the areas i ride, when i go deep into the mountains, finding 90+ ethanol free fuel is not easy. I use a website called PureGas, and i can map out all of the stations in the area i am going to during the planning stages of my limg trips. 3)aftermarket support is not very good, it is getting better, and the more bikes they sell-the better aftermarket support will be 4)the windscreen is laughable-come on Suzuki-do better 5)(this is subjective)the colorways are not super great- especially for someone who dislikes yellow.-I purchased glass sparkle black/blue and had to get the adventure model(13,000$US) I couldnt get a black one as a base model-base model only came in primer grey and school bus yellow.....5) i dont understand (from a design and engineering aspect) why Suzuki made a bike with all of these features geared towards making the 800DE and offroad baised moto, and then stuck a lame ass 17inch rear wheel on it? The combo should always be (for handling purposes) either 21/18 OR 19/17. I am going to be ordering a set of excel wheels 21/18 and new oem hubs/bearings/rotors and a primary sprocket (to maintain oem final drive ratio) which is going to be very very expensive. I shouldn't have to do that. Suzuki changed 20 or more things about this bike to make it a viable offroad weapon, and then put a little rear wheel on it. It just feels like they 'ran out of time' or 'gave up'-kind of like putting a tubeless 17inch rear on the 1050, but a tubed 21 on the same bike-a 17,000$ motorcycle with 2 different wheel philosophies? That has to be the biggest 'fumble'i have seen it the last 30years of the motorcycle industry-that is wildly unacceptable.

[@Andreas_Cologne]

Usually I avoid reading long comments, but I'm glad that I read yours. Well done👍

[@cranedaddy678]

800de owner here and I 100% agree. Excellent comment. I went out with some friends on ADV bikes this weekend and things got pretty slick. Slick enough most of us turned around. When we were done one of the guys made the comment I ride the best out of all of them but I had the worst tires for the terrain (muddy slick dirt roads on stock tires). It wasn't me. It was the bike.

[@vladimirribar1269]

Very informative comment, thank you. Are you considering 800RE maybe? 19/17 and tubeless..

[@leifhelgeindrevr3108]

It should be noted that the 800 is not a traditional parallel twin. These normally have 180° or 0° cam angle. the 800 has 270°.This makes it have the same characteristics as a 90° V-twin. So the engine behaves exactly like the 650 and 1050.

[@mr1bienvenu1]

For off road you're way better off with a dual sport anyway. The 800 is far too big.

[@honda116969]

650 all day! 70hp is plenty! Hell i ride the CB500X 47HP & that bike kicks ass! To each their own🤷

[@mr1bienvenu1]

That 90 degree v twin has some very long legs. Just bought a 2015 and I was shocked by how smooth that engine is at interstate speeds.😮

[@PeterLoweOne]

Very true! Thanks for sharing!

[@vf5126]

Though not on a budget.. I’m so pleased with my ‘21 650 V-XT-Adv (same color) ..asleep in my garage 🙂 It’s interesting to see Suz show the world they can compete with everyone else, but for me, they already had a winner ~

[@punkrockdidi]

Am I understanding this right,do you own a v strom 650 with a 21" front wheel?😮 Awesome

[@duanestiles4821]

Great job on the vid Peter looking forward to seeing you in the next one

[@tomrandom7091]

Suzuki cheapened out the 800DE ( Aluminum chassis on Vstrom 650 i won't change it for anything ).

[@enrico1856]

Hi are you saying that alluminum chassy is better on the 650? Thanks

[@tomrandom7091]

@enrico1856 It is the better one, rust-proof, solid, strong frame, best rigidity and superior feeling on road. Iron is fine, but aluminum is king

[@enrico1856]

Thank you very much for your reply 😊

[@tomrandom7091]

​@@enrico1856 No worries, i also prefer the V engine vs the parallel, although the new engine is a bit more powerful.

[@enrico1856]

Definitely bro. Would you recommend spoke xt version or the cast wheel reg. 650? I dont do off road so it would be basically for road use. Thanks again

[@kc4sox]

Tubed tires is a no go. Suzuki dropped the ball. I’ll be buying the 650.

[@richardhretczak536]

You better buy 800RE. Tubless 19” front.

[@janSlon-nw1kr]

very happy with my 650 XT 🫡🙂

[@jeremyvi]

Adventure bikes are supposed to be used all around the world, and in some places you will be more than happy to repair a tube type tire.

[@baranyavuz4730]

Easily understandable, very informative comparison. I could have clear ideas about both bikes at the end. Thanks and congrats.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for watching!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Nice!!!! I like the yellow color they have

[@PeterLoweOne]

Me too!

[@enrico1856]

Thanks for your great help. Ride safe brotha❤

[@AzPauly]

Had a V, currently on a Wee..looked at a DE800..beautiful machine, however the tubes are a no-go for me...

[@cranedaddy678]

They already have kits out to convert them to tubeless for a couple hundred bucks. Several ppl on the forums have been running them without issue.

[@winduncan9818]

I don't really think people are cross shopping these bikes. IMO it's cheap used 650 or if new I think it's 800 VS Transalp (IMO the T7 isn't really a direct comparison like the Transalp, just very different) With the weight I think they shoulda just stuck with the 19 inch tubless front. Anyway, I wana see a new DRZ400SM!

[@PeterLoweOne]

I've seen people cross shop these, but not everyone will do that. I'll review a lot more bikes. Stay tuned to see the ones you want to see.

[@mikemills5144]

Is the front tire on the 650 wider? I know it is a taller tire on the 800 but it looks to be narrower too. Also, does the 800 show the gear you are in when the clutch is pulled in? My 1200 Tenere would not show the gear and it drove me nuts.

[@abdulrahmanshaikh9935]

Should i upgrade from a 650xt to 800De…? will it be a big difference….or should i just go for other options

[@slamboy66]

Wish the 800 had tubeless spokes

[@markfrench2951]

TY. Did you tell us weight difference, if any? Do you feel the weight in stopped or slow traffic? And lifting each off the ground after tip over?

[@PeterLoweOne]

Suzuki Canada doesn't list the weight on their website. The 800 does feel a little heavier to me, but I don't know that it would be enough to turn someone from one to the other. Oh, and Macleans discourages me from dropping the bikes, so I don't know what it would be like to pick them up after a tip over 🤣👍 Again, I don't think that one would be exceptionally harder than the other. If the criteria that matters the most to you, are the ones related to weight and picking them up, I'd lean towards the 650. Having said that, most people have a complicated array of criteria that they weigh against each other. Even for me, I LOVE the familiarity of the 650, it just feels a lot like my Versys 650 of the past, but now that I drive a 4 cylinder 950 bike, I think I'd lean to getting the little bit more power of the 800 in a V-Strom. At the end of the day, if you're into this style of bike, there's no way you'd be disappointed with either of them. I'm a huge fan of these.

[@Dan-56]

The Suzuki USA web site shows the 800 weighing 14kg (31-lb) more than the 650.

[@Andreas_Cologne]

I used the 650 for more than 120.000 kilometres and can feel a weight difference (although I was slightly shocked reading about the weight). By the way: Just don't tip over 😂

[@palio78ful]

hi, there are 2023 or 2024? Do you have any information that 650 xt's screen has changed on 2024 models?

[@willidevegt8831]

how is the range difference ? the 650 is a smaller engine but the 800 is more modern engine and how about the tank sizes ?

[@carlosvejar3938]

Hey Pete, how's it going? Have you seen the base V-STROM 800? Do you have a video on it?

[@PeterW961]

Hi Peter. I’m interested in the 800. I have a 1000 now. My question is, does the 650 compare with the 1000 in size or is it smaller? By the way.. I ride with my wife in weekends and on holidays. Thanks for a great video.

[@PeterLoweOne]

The 650 is a little smaller than the 1000

[@emmet753]

650 has longer wheel base than 1050 and 800. That means more space for you and passanger and more stable on highway.

[@Andreas_Cologne]

​@@emmet753 That sounds strange, but my girlfriend was always very happy with the passenger-seat of the 650 (comfortable and plenty of space). She wasn't riding with me on my new 800DE yet... Let's wait and see.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

I upgraded from the 650 to the 1050 and for me (5'9" with 32" inseam) the 1050 feels like the smaller more compact bike, except ground clearance and weight. But handlebar reach, the size of the cockpit and the distance to it yeah, definitely tighter on the 1050. I am pretty sure the pillion has the same amount of space.

[@DirtFishing]

I have owned a couple 650's and I now have a 1000. In my mind the 1000 is a lot better than the 650. The gearing seems to be a lot better for highway riding. I would not go from a 1000 to a 650.

[@BlackArroToons]

Cool Suzuki bikes review, thanks. The one on the right reminds me of the yellow and blue classic Huffy bicycle from the 1980s.

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

I found that the 650 was even a little top heavy for me, What would be the comparison between the V-Strom 650 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I haven't driven the Royal Enfield. I expect it to have noticeably less power. Can't say about how top heavy it will feel. This class of bike is generally a little more "top heavy" due to a high mounted fuel tank with good capacity. I will say that the weight balance feels perfectly fine once underway.

[@s11ane1]

Thanks for the comparison. Would you be able to do a comparison of the two road versions. Cheers

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm going to try to get that as they arrive for 2024. I'd like to do that comparison too. Feel free to subscribe!

[@s11ane1]

Thanks Peter. I’m a subscriber for a while now and I do enjoy your channel, Especially your bike reviews and comparisons

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi Peter

[@chriskneifl3290]

I'd buy the DE if it had tubeless tires and a functional headlight. As it is, I'll keep my 650XT.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I think the headlight is good, but I understand that for certain users tubed tires are an issue. Thanks for watching!

[@HLMM_KE]

This is good in-depth review. I would go for the 800 because of the additional power/torque I presume.....but I wis it had a 19inch wheel instead of the 21inch. I also love the higher riding position for my height. (6.0).

[@PeterLoweOne]

Do you wish it had a 19 because you feel it would handle/ride better? Because to me, if the engineers make it ride really well with the 21, I kind of like to have that. This isn't a knock on your comment at all, but I think sometimes I see people wanting a specific spec because they perceive it'll give them some advantage, but in reality, the bike already gives them the advantage. This is still common in the car world. There are reasons to not have low profile tires, but often people will want higher profile tires in the comments section on KZbin because they perceive the ride of the vehicle will be too rough, when in reality, the car has been designed well enough, and equipped well enough to provide an improved ride over previous generation vehicles that happen to use higher profile tires. Just my two cents.

[@HLMM_KE]

@@PeterLoweOne I get it Peter. Sure, your assessment of my comments is correct and on point. I have a 500cc bike, with 17inch both front and rear. Handling onroad is fantastic but off road is a bit unpredictable. I 'feel' like the 21inch is too 'offroad' and I would want to settle for the 19inch front......however, as you have put it, probably the 21inch is already ok and will be alright. My first bike was a 250cc with a 21inch front tire....but I am not sure I can remember how it handled very well, I was young and not keen on detail. I took a 5year break from riding and came back on a 500 cc, 17/17 which I still have. The power is a bit underwhelming hence the desire to go up to 800. Thank you for your insight into the matter, it's helpful....sometimes our perception may sway our thinking.

[@rodneybutler7939]

GREAT VIDEO !!!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@kuladeeluxe]

Paid $7500 Cdn for a brand new 650 IN 2018. Hard to beat that. The 800 is double that after tax.

[@oldogshudnobetter498]

MSRP?

[@PeterLoweOne]

Up to date pricing can always be found at www.suzuki.ca I rarely post pricing as it can update, and my videos won't reflect that change.

[@oldogshudnobetter498]

@@PeterLoweOne thanks

[@brunoanselmi384]

Senza dubbio meglio la collaudata e magnifica V Strom 650 ! Motore affidabile e indistruttibile telaio in allumini eccellente ecc. Peccato non sia stata aggiornata esteticamente e con qualche aggiunta tecnologica tipo fari Led,TFT, Forcella Up down ecc. La nuova 800 è anonima e si va a scontrare nel mercato con almeno una decina di concorrenti anche Cinesi che sono belle e costano molto meno ,per esempio la Kove 510 !

[@DaveJBL]

Shoul've just put fully adjustable suspension on the 650. Oh, and cruise control. That'd be the perfect bike for taller old farts like me.

[@dazid1]

650 All-day long, I don't even like the look of the 800.

[@sgomez3047]

800 shouldn't even be called a "V"- Strom. 🤢

[@PeterLoweOne]

Suzuki is backtracking on their V stands for V twin, and claiming that it's always stood for Versatile. What I would say is that the V-Strom name has GREAT reach in the motorcycling world and people know what that name means as far as what the bike is all about. I wouldn't let a naming tradition keep you from considering a pretty fantastic bike.

[@rodneybjornstad9016]

Ha! You’re right I missed the obvious I owned the 650 twice Totally most amazing engine for me to date I had left a super smooth Honda v4 so I was pre spoiled . Could not believe a twin could be that smooth

[@Samuel10463]

So much BS talk in the first two minutes.

[@MrKing1961]

650xt for me hands down. 800Tube tires no thank you. This is not 1970, This is 2024, I will not buy the 800 for 1/2 price. No,NO,NO🚳

[@gizzyguzzi]

When you talk about riding 'with passenger', you really mean weight, right? So how much gear you have, how fat you are. If you weigh the same as 2 people the 650 won't cut it?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I weigh about 175. If you're twice my size, you'll lose some playfulness on the 650. If you're 220 or 250, it'll still be fine. It's a personal choice.

[@gizzyguzzi]

no. yellow lilghts are more like the sunlight / firelight, work better for the human brain/eye. White light is not. You've got it backwards. Yellow is what our eyes evolved with.