The MAM Journals- An introduction to the Suzuki V-Strom DL650XT

[@timothyangus954]

I rode two up around the world in 2018. 43,000 miles and no issues. Mine 10 years old and no plans to change it.

[@michaelmam]

A lot of touring 650 owners feel that way . Very popular , but underrated bike .

[@TrustyZ900]

Excellent review. Sold a '17 pearl white DL 650 and bought a new Z900RS. Love the RS, but not too many places to bring gear on long trips. Missed my 650, so today I picked up a new black and blue 650 adventure with factory panniers. I have to say, riding this bike is like sitting in a LazyBoy recliner with handlebars. So comfy. And no matter what people say, this is a handsome machine. Glad I bought one before this wonderful engine is discontinued.

[@PissTakeProduction]

Since when is the 650 VStrom going to be discontinued?

[@TrustyZ900]

@@PissTakeProduction Going to a parallel twin. Upside down forks ,possibly 700cc. No more DL 650 V twin.

[@PissTakeProduction]

@@TrustyZ900 Your right would be worth it to get one.

[@flippy66]

@@TrustyZ900 WRONG. They have introduced the parallel in the 800DE but the V will remain in the 650 and 1000.

[@TrustyZ900]

@@flippy66 Not for long on the SV or DL 650. It's not a 1k , it's a 1050.

[@Arcottocra]

Excellent review! Many thanks for the sensible talk. I have also found that the rear view mirrors of the 650 XT are practical and the view is excellent. I must watch out for the corrosion part - nobody else has pointed this out - thanks again for the heads-up.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you for the feedback ..

[@gkm3838]

Hi. I'm in Australia and just bought one of these. The waiting time so far has been 3 months but I'm expecting it soon. The reason I bought it is that, over the years, I've owned many bikes including two Vstrom 1000's, one after the other. I only sold the second one when I traded it in on a 1200GS. When you ride a VStrom you get to know other riders either personally or through the internet and I've never heard a bad thing said about the WeeStrom's, and I've spoken to and read opinions from probably 100 owners. I'm also getting older and the GS, which I still own, is getting more difficult to manoeuvre so I've opted for the smaller bike. I intend to use the WeeStrom to ride national parks and other lighter off-roads. The BMW will mainly be a road bike for me now. Thanks for taking the time to submit your report. Every bit of new information counts.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment ! I have done a review of the GS as well - I have had one since 2006 and can certainly relate to your comment on weight . It seems to get heavier as time progresses 😂

[@paultuite2052]

Really enjoyed your video. I have just bought a 650 v Strom 👍 regards Paul in Ireland

[@Charles-gm2ig]

What superb review. Some interesting little facts and perspectives.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment 👍

[@phil4986]

Great video. That Nitron rear suspension is great-no digging through the tight spots to adjust anything. Those rims look like spoke tubeless tire rims which is great...no tubes and tubeless tires are tough as heck. Beautiful bike.

[@roadwarrior8560]

rusty spokes are an issue though.

[@luziosalles324]

Without a doubt, one of the best motorcycles ever made in the world. An icon, legend

[@michaelmam]

Underrated but very popular . Good to see they are continuing to make it for 2024 alongside the 800 versions .

[@alfredkwilmshurst901]

Contains a lot of useful information for interested enthusiasts.

[@oldmanV17]

Nice video, a lot of useful information. I'm considering a middleweight for some more distance and back road exploring and really considering the V-Strom 650. Also there really are not any U.S. motorcycle print magazines any more so I make trips to the bookstore to get those ones from across the pond. Nothing like print in your hands.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you found it useful . I make them for fun but obviously hope some do .. 👍

[@patwatters8205]

Very good video Michael,I,v been riding bikes for 50 years ( got first bike when I was 16),I am now on my 2nd V-strom, first was 2008,650DL my present one is 2021 650 XT adventurer ( my present to me for 65th birthday) I love both of them.One add on worth considering,front fork brace,cheap and can be fitted in 2 mins I find it makes a big difference especially at low speed..

[@peterhobbs7609]

Looks like a nice little tourer Michael for a reasonable price

[@michaelmam]

Very capable and versatile bikes Peter . 👍

[@volt8684]

My daughter had this engine in a suzuki gladius with genuine suzuki A2 restricted ecu at 33bhp. When I tried it I was amazed it was as quick as my nc750x. Very nice made bike, no corrosion at all on hers and 10 yrs old

[@michaelmam]

Nice bikes . Corrosion is obviously influenced by how much water and the dreaded salt the bike is exposed to , and how frequently they are cleaned . Good to hear that your daughter is looking after hers ! Thanks for watching and taking the trouble to comment 👍

[@kkiwi54]

"Middle weight" in my day was 350 to 500. I was impressed when Norton brought out a 750 as at that time even 650 was considered big (except by the Americans ;)

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for watching . I agree, “middleweights “ appear to be like most of us , slightly bigger than they were …👍

[@flippy66]

5:40 - not rust, it's dirt baking onto the exhaust. This can be cleaned off.

[@maxbikerinside5294]

Grande moto... Concreta e affidabile... Io credimi, ne so qualcosa... 😁😁😁 Chi ha una V-Strom specialmente 650 difficilmente cambia moto.✌✌✌✌

[@muleavenger9772]

Great review with alot od detail. I wonder if you will do the sv 650? I know it is the same engine and that motorcycle.

[@gersonoliveira2638]

Tenho uma v-stron dl 650 2011 uma Mota espetacular

[@Ritalie]

That's a beautiful bike from the side, wow! Looks awesome. You have magazines in the UK? There aren't any magazines in America. They won't allow us to have any reading material here. They claim that nobody will purchase a motorcycle magazine, so we aren't allowed to see them or go near them, and you can't even order them online. Well... You can order one obscure motorcycle magazine online, which I did, but I recall that when I received it, it was mostly all ads, and not much content, which made me sad. No really good reviews. Back in 2002, I used to get Cycle World magazine and it was so awesome, it made motorcycling way more fun, because they had actual magazines with professional test riders.

[@michaelmam]

It is getting tough for magazines over here as well . Most years , some publication gives up . The weekly bike publication here , Motor Cycle News or MCN , is making a bog push to get readers to sign up for the digital publication . Not sure that appeals to me at the moment . We will see . Interesting that you really like the looks of the VStrom . I really rate the bike but am pretty ambivalent about the styling . 👍

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

In Australia they don’t put salt on our roads ( doesn’t get cold 🥶 enough 😂😂 ) Australia we don’t use the charcoal canister crap 💩. One of my bikes the Yamaha TDM 900 and it’s got a Vstrom front end to give it the 19 inch front wheel, as TDM has 18 inch ( 19 for better tyre selection ) I also put a forkbrace on from Canada 🇨🇦 and Calliper adopter from SV racing parts in UK 🇬🇧, then fitted Honda CBR600RR brake callipers and braided lines . Rear shock also the Vstorm ( giving the bike around 10mm more travel front and rear ) almost impossible to scrape the pegs now and also Benelli 1130 pannier racks and semi hard / soft panniers as well . Lots of other stuff but that’s the main stuff .

[@michaelmam]

Good to hear from you 👍 My perception is that Australia is great for the VStrom / TDM/GS style bikes . Off roading in the UK , unless you pick your routes very carefully , can quickly get you into terrain where you wished you were on a dirt bike with lights . Sounds like you have found your way round that .👍

[@Oscar240z]

Good video thanks

[@RobertWilliams-oy9qk]

Thank you Michael! Good video as usual.. Looking to chop in my interceptor and sv650x for one bike that is more "posture friendly" Back is giving me jip. Only decision now is Vstrom 650 or 1000 really. I am also a little vertically challenged at the same height as yourself. Also would the 650 manage two up touring? mmmmmmm decisions.. Stay rubber side down!

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Robert . Glad you enjoyed it ! I have made a video saying how I felt about the bike a year on . I use it as my “winter bike”, which offends some , which I understand because they are far more than that . Very capable and underrated bikes. I liked the 1000 and it is certainly a mile eater but found it a bit big . Currently in the Scottish Highland on a R1250GS . 👍kzbin.info/www/bejne/onuQdoGZoNp3q7s

[@RobertWilliams-oy9qk]

@@michaelmam yes 👍 I have seen it too. Tbh I am thinking the 650 would probably do for myself and my eleven year old.. Altogether great value and usable with decent luggage and with preventative maintenance very robust. Enjoy the Highlands ride safe and remember, everyone is trying to get you!

[@AbheejitBhagwat]

Do well Sir. God bless you🙏 👍

[@pietrovardi9583]

03:31 The exhaust is located on the left side? Weird..

[@clintwilliams5512]

only if you are looking at the bike from the front

[@Ritalie]

Does this have a tall 6th gear? There appears to be a change made in 2023, to the SV650XT version where Suzuki says they added a "tall 6th gear" for low RPM cruising on the highway. One major problem is the older V-Stroms cruised at 60mph at 4,800 rpms, which is way, way too high for long distance touring, because of the significant unnecessary fuel consumption and engine wear. You'd have to reduce about 7 teeth off the rear sprocket to drive in America at 80mph for hundreds of miles if you wanted to actually ride it daily on the highway.

[@michaelmam]

I think it is a good low revs cruising bike . A lot of riders have done huge journeys on them which suggests they agree ? Have fun 👍

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

nice good value bike all that you need and kind on the wallet.

[@denisg4288]

Hi Is it the standard seat height? If so, how do you get on with it. Regards Denis

[@michaelmam]

Yes . 32.9 but quite tapered . I am just about ok with it and it is one of the reasons I chose it . The Yamaha and KTM’s are at least an inch and a half taller ..

[@denisg4288]

@@michaelmam same engine as my SV650 I believe? Good engine. Seems to me that Suzuki aren’t viewed as fashionable at the moment, but anyone that owns one raves about them.

[@paulsire]

Nice bike, not an advocate for AC50?

[@michaelmam]

Hi Paul . I think AC50 is good but try to avoid telling people what exact product to use . Just wanted people to be aware of how quickly the salt gets in and to use something . 👍

[@volt8684]

@@michaelmammy honda nc750 2021 at 6 months was disgusting despite acf50. In contrast my 21 yr old VFR and 17 yr old bt1100 not a speck of rust😊

[@davidrivera1727]

I’ve had a 2016 that I really love now I’m from dream of going through that to 2020 1000. What do you think good bike or should I stay with the 650? Or maybe the 800De Thanks

[@michaelmam]

Not sure where you live David and how accessible demonstrators are ? If you can , try the 1000 and the new 800 DE . All 3 bikes have their merit . kzbin.info/www/bejne/q17IgWyGqL6peLs

[@davidrivera1727]

Thanks I’m in California and it’s not possible to test ride . Mostly ride country roads /badly paved country road and twisty .

[@michaelmam]

@@davidrivera1727 “badly paved and twisty “ - sounds like an 800 DE to me ? Nice problem to have 👍

[@davidrivera1727]

Thanks

[@94SexyStang]

This bike is MUCH smaller in person!!......I'm only 5ft -9" , 180lbs, and felt like a Giant sitting on it! Not a bad thing off-road i suppose.......but On-road it's kind of annoying. So just something to consider, check it out IN person before getting set on buying.

[@chrispekel5709]

It's not small at all, are you used to riding a road king?

[@johnnybloodshoes7401]

I'm 6.0ft and find it's about right and can fit a pillion on just fine.. was the one you tried lowered?

[@maxpfundner2226]

haha wtf.....i´m 5´10 and it doesnt feel small in the slightest.....