Suzuki V Strom 650 XT Adventure Motorcycles - Changing thoughts on ADV and more riding review

[@shanemeek81]

Most capable dual purpose I’ve owned was a Wr250r. Bullet proof reliability, light weight , decent on road and brilliant off it. Yamaha have now unfortunately discontinued them here in Australia due to emissions 😞. A Suzuki DR650 is also one of the best adventure bikes ever built if looking for simplicity, heaps of torque but getting on the heavy side with Antiquated tech. But that’s not such a negative for adventurer bikes. Me personally, if I was to buy another dual sport. CRF300 Rally would be right up there. Another consideration is the Himalayan , but they are also getting on the heavy side , and not quick enough for me on the Highways, but fine if your happy to stick to the speed limits. But that’s all they will do. Oh , and the KTM 390 adventurer is right up there also. I’ve never ridden one , but I’ve owned a 390 Duke and that engine was fantastic for a single. Could only image how good it would be on a dual sports. Pumped out 44hp and was an absolute blast up to 130km.

[@FrederikHolmgren]

Great to hear your thoughts about sizes, weight - and most important what purpose you want the bike for. I've gone from a CBR600RR to a '22 V-Strom 650 XT. I've been into bikes for 25 years and have had many deep thoughts about "the right bike". In my younger years I didn't think must about riding position, but now I dont't want to ride a sportsbike anymore, I don't find it interesting and I am not getting a kick out of extreme power anymore. I tried 1000 cc sportsbike a month ago and gave it some power - of cause it is impressive and so on... But I'm not getting any rush out of it and actually found it a bit irritating to ride. As i'm getting older (just 43) riding is more about enjoying the connection between you, the bike and the nature/landscape - and to do that you have to ride a bike that is so comfortable and enjoyable, that you can melt together with it - and even forget the bike at times. I'm only having one bike, so the V-strom 650 XT is the perfect compromise for me. And also - less is more - If you spend extreme amounts of money on a bike that is super adcanced the bike ends up owning you instead of the opposite. Important to remember that the "showing off" doesn't matter for other than youself - other people don't care. I love your thoughts of going lighter and more simple (CRF300) - and its much more unique than buing a 1250 GSA. I also love the looks of the CRF300 - and maybe I'm also going smaller next time - also fuel economy is important and very imperssive on the smaller bikes (only the bore is small - CRF300 is a big bike in dimensions in my opinion). Sorry for the long message, lots of thoughts here from Denmark. :) Thanks for the video and have a good trip to Iceland!!

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Hi thanks so much for the reply and I love long replies as well :) it's great to get others understanding on things, if you check out the other videos on my channel since the vstrom 650xt I've rattled through quite a few bikes! I had the ktm 390 adv inc dad he sold his gsxr 750 for one, both ended up rejected at 147 and 269 miles for refunds I then got a 1200gs te Rallye but had to part with it for some money shortly after buying it to help a family member such is life an sometimes things end up working out for the better, After that I had a Himalayan but had tons off issues with it from a saftey stand point that went back at 500 miles again for a full refund. The a 300 Rally check out my why goodbye 300 Rally video as I go into why I decided ultimately it wasn't for me. Found it very fatiguing on long road rides once it had been serviced and ran in the character of the bike changed and I found I wasn't enjoying the trail riding. It was then a very tight choice between a vstrom 650xt again or another gsa I actually ended up with an 1150GSA as its been a bucket list bike currently just going through her doing some service work that needed doing :) I often think its still very hard to beat the bikes like the Vstrom 650XT, utterly superb bike that just gets the job done and after going lighter it feels like it's the sweet spot still. The 800 de doesn't interest as I'd always prefer a v twin over the parallel from a personal point of view and the tubless 19 inch front is always sweet on the road. Hope this helps:) but I honestly still think the vstrom is an awesome bike less fatiguing than the smaller stuff and I was actually looking for another till I stumbled on the 1150GSA :) which needs a bit more spannering at the moment than I was expecting as the previous owner had passed away she will soon be back on the open road though. Just in the process of refitting a standard exhaust system and refreshing the fd bearings hope you enjoy the latest video and hopefully should have one out on the standard exhaust setup next week we have constant thunderstorms at the moment. An thanks super can't wait for the trip alot has changed in what we fancy doing mainly itl be through Denmark to see family I've never met (mum is half danish) Then up to Norway and to the Nordkapp and around Iceland bit undecided as to what dad will be getting at the moment (just doing a house move together then we shall know what he's picking) The Vstrom 650xt sure is an awesome very underrated adventure travel bike I wouldn't hesitate to have another :)

[@FrederikHolmgren]

❤️

[@theinspiredrider1096]

Well done, sound is 💯 spot on 👍 Just pop some upper bars on the crf rally, with bar bags attached. For extra squish-able plastics protection if you like 🤷‍♂️ Bonus the bike would be a little less on it side when it falls too 🤔

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Thanks mate :) absolutely over the moon with the sound I was nervous spending as much as I did but I like that it captures the bike of one mic as well which really pleased me as that was my hope bit unconventional where I've mounted it but I'll show that in the next video :) N that's a really good idea! Was actually looking at the upper crash bars think they weigh a fair few kg but cheaper than smashed plastics. Just need Honda to get there at together and bring us more bikes!

[@theinspiredrider1096]

@@adaptableadventurerider True extra kg’s but way upfront…. so will offset the luggage weight at the rear a little. 💡 Plus you get some more grab spots for recovery, or to tie on a pull rope etc. just be aware of what you may need to pull off, if you needed to dewater the engine 💦

[@adaptableadventurerider]

@@theinspiredrider1096 that's a very good point mate n one thing I've been thinking about with the Vstrom getting to the rear cylinder if needs be. All the little things that are pushing me towards the lighter more focused bikes. I'll check that out on the Honda with crash bar routing very good point.

[@AndrewMaxwell-q7y]

I have a Yamaha mt09 tracer which is a great bike loads off extras on it and great fun ! I have been thinking about downsizing to a vstrom 650xt but i am unsure if i would miss the power off the mt09

[@adaptableadventurerider]

I think that's always a difficult one as we all ride very differently for instance I'm more than happy riding about on my 1927 16h 4.9hp and 252lbs or on my current 1150gsa which is much slower than the 1200gs lc I had but more character, totally worth a test ride I'd say to see how it compares an fits with your riding. I've not ridden any of the modern yams just the older stuff like rd350lcs an 250lcs. Good luck with your choice :)

[@neilmackinnon3371]

Check out Itchy Boots and see what Noraly has been up to on a 300 Rally.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Oh yep been watching Noralys stuff since her Himalayan days really good to watch!

[@stewartcavanagh6862]

The Royal enfield hymilian? They go around India and Nepal with no dramas. Plenty of crash protection and panniers. Also little Jerry cans clip onto the front so range should be good.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Indeed that was the number one choice in my book but we ended up with two 390 ktm advs the front suspension won us over and dad had never experienced a bike with a bit of tech on both been very impressed up to now there's a new video on the channel covering them very peppy engines.

[@stewartcavanagh6862]

@@adaptableadventurerider cool I will have a look now!

[@adaptableadventurerider]

@@stewartcavanagh6862 thanks hope you enjoy gonna be doing another video once they are ran in with further thoughts :)

[@volt8684]

@@stewartcavanagh6862 stick with yr honda matey

[@VStrom2019]

I love mine but couldn’t ride it looking through a screen that size. Dark rainy days would be a nightmare with that.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

I was actually looking over the Screen on it John :) quite tall.

[@VStrom2019]

@@adaptableadventurerider that’s good to know. I love my Strom, does everything I want it to then some 👍

[@adaptableadventurerider]

@@VStrom2019 They are brilliant John I've been through a few adv bikes since the Vstrom 650xt my gs 1200 sold the other day and goes at weekend for a Himalayan should be interesting

[@radw9711]

What Navi is that? thanks!

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Hi itl be a Garmin Zumo xt from memory :) before that I had a bmw nav 6 which wasn’t to good unless it was on a BMW. Still actually using the Garmin Zumo xt although I’m looking at a few other options now as I wanna do road book stuff so been looking at Drive mode dashboard I think it’s called :)

[@coconuciferanuts339]

So what bike are you going to take mate!? The 'strom is a great commuter in my opinion.But is also super reliable,comfortable,economical etc.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Hi Dennis thanks for the Comment there's a follow on video on the Channel on my 1200GS Rallye explaining why, was very close between another strom or a gs :) we actually got two ktm 390s but they both got rejected at very low miles.

[@coconuciferanuts339]

@@adaptableadventurerider Thanks for reply.I've got a '17 v-strom650 which serves me well for what I do with it which is very docile to an Icelandic adventure.But yeay,whatever bike you choose mate,good luck.Your vid.is down to earth & I congrat.you for that so look forward to more.Cheers,Den.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

@@coconuciferanuts339 Thanks Den :) glad you enjoyed it can't go wrong with a Vstrom 650xt that's for sure!

[@oswold100]

Eh up cracking vid - on KZbin thre a channel called Harry’s Garage a few years ago he took an old rolls Royce to the arctic circle it’s a great watch you would enjoy it!

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Thanks mate glad you enjoyed :) I'll check that out.

[@EGGZ1983]

You from near Preston?

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Hi Sam nope from near the Peak District :) I lived in Lytham for a few years so my accent has a bit of a tinge to it.