Suzuki V-Strom 650 Questions & Answers

SV650 silencer. Not sure if it can be done but the sound from my sons stock 2022 sv650 is music compared to the my vstrom.

I'm happy with the classic Aussie solution: sheepskin.

Yep that's what I've used too. Good ole sheep skin. I bought one of those baby pads and had a seamstress sew 4 strips of heavy grade elastic.

Not bad on dirt roads, its not intrusive and you don't really notice the ABS. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for steep inclines when going downhill on gravel. I have had a couple of scares on gravel which has caused me to lose confidence when descending and I tend to be a bit more cautious these days - probably a good thing. The bike is a 2017 XT version fitted with Shinko 805's which are great for gravel though can be slippery in wet and smooth conditions. .. Nick

Thanks for that Nick, I am using Heidenau Scouts on my F650 GS which are brilliant on both surfaces. I need to upgrade my bike but don't like the idea of ABS on our mountain dirt roads. Someone has suggested, tongue in cheek, that I would only need to remove the ABS fuse. Food for thought. cheers Al.

I have had issues on steeper gravel roads once and so I made the modification found on vstrom.info website. https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,8792.0.html
It took about 2-3 hours to do it properly and mount a handlebar switch. The cost was about $10 all up. I can switch on/off on the fly at any speed. The ABS light will come on when switched off and go off when switched back on. It works perfectly. I found that placing the switch on the left side of the handlebar worked best as your left hand is generally freer than right hand to operate the switch on the go.
I'm using Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres. They are really a great tire for the V-Strom, grippy on road and pretty damn good on gravel inspiring confidence. Not fantastic on soft sand though.

Yes very much so I have the lams bike and can do 160 km on the track.
The other thing is they go round corners very well.

I am 54 years old and prefer comfort. The bike is fantastic for one up, I do 900-1200km a day, no problem. It could do two up but you'd probably get sick of noise and vibrations. Get a 1000 V-Strom. Get some cruise control device as well.

Thank you very thats what I thought

Depending on the budget and application.
If you can afford it, for road touring, Givi Trekker Outback set is fantastic (top box, side cases, bike-specific mounting frame). For off-road, the same top box will do, but I'd go for soft panniers (eg Gearsack) on the side that will survive falls much better than the rigid ones.
For lower budget, I can recommend the largest RJays top box which fits the helmet, wet weather gear, spare parts, food etc. Combined with soft panniers as they are cheaper.

I used the Givi Monokey Cases which are the hard ones and yes they full apart when you hit some thing hard. One of them is now held together with hinges from Bunnings. Being able to lock them was important for me. But can see why soft ones may be a better way to go.

I'm a miser so used givi e22 and the style actually suit strom. I don't like top boxes so bought a ventura pack and frame then retro fitted it to givi frame. The pack is water proof, light and 47lts.

Haven't been to N America,so can't help there.However I think the vstrom would be an excellent choice,I have mine fitted with Givi panniers,and riding with a pillion,I find it has plenty of power,and is a good allrounder.

Get ready to have some fun with that bike...I'm in the midst of a country wide tour...started in early July in Florida, snaked my way to Fargo, ND, turned back down south, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado,Utah, Nevada, California...currently in Tucson, AZ...12,000 plus miles on the trip and not a single issue....perfect bike for touring, I have givi trekker cases, skid plate, crash bars, auxiliary lights, hand guards and top case, etc...having a blast so far, already planing to ride to Alaska next year...Enjoy the ride and be safe.

Thanks for your replies! That's the feeling I've got about the bike. I went to Canada for a weekend trip (675 miles each way) and it was an excellent bike! Ray, it sounds like you are in the midst of an adventure of a lifetime. I've got the Givi hard cases and am planning the trip now. Thanks again!

Sorry Paul,I've no idea.

I think this could be a few things. First, you might check the fuel filter/pump. I believe it's in the tank. I think that would be the easiest place to start. Secondly, you might check the electronic tuning gimo (sorry, don't have the name). Easily replaceable but I believe a bit expensive. Lastly, cheapest: the spark plugs. Hope this helps.

Hello ..i appreciate ur reply..sweet of u. In fact i changed the fuel pump so i a good torque now . The problem is that when am on the highway and I shift gear from 3rd up or 6th down, the minute in press the clutch the engine shuts down so I start the bike easily while it's still running on the highway. I changed the TPS but it still exists ...any way I thank so much for the helo.

All the best

Sorry,can't help you.Just contact Suzuki Motorbikes and they will direct you to your nearest Suzuki dealer.
So best you go direct.Had a look at a new one today,very tempting.

Cheers

Should be able to with the addition of a lower bracket to hold the muffler, engine, frame and swingarm are all the same

I can only really give my review on the V-Strom. It had no issues crossing Australia, its done just under 100k kms with no major issues and it cheap to fix when things do go wrong (and its easy to source parts..). I believe that the KLR650 would be just as good. Only issue with that bike is its height and its low power.

old link i know. just couldnt resist....
HONDA XR650R. enough said.

Hi Donna,
The LAMS version was introduced for sale in Australia in January 2014.
All 650 v stroms before this are full power versions.
Cheers, Steve

Hi Dave, Just a bit confused - did you mean DL 650 Not GS 650.
What where the circumstances regarding your wheel collapse?
Did you hit something on the road/Trail or did it just happen ?
Never heard of a wheel collapsing randomly but have heard about damage to rims due to collisions with large rocks ETC.
Would like to know how it happened.
Cheers, Steve

Your correct, big mistake, my other bike is a GS650 BMW.
The crash occurred on a DL650. It was on a dirt hwy out of Townsville. Don't recall any severe pot-holes.
The front tyre was not deflated nor rim buckled - all alloy spokes broken. Sudden flight over the handle bars !

Even if you could derestrict and i dont think its as easy as cutting a wire, your bike has lams compliance. You can't change this. Goodluck

Its that easy on a Suzuki gsx650f, Sv650s and dl650 series 1. its one wire from the ecu power select mode. But wire colours are different from model and year of production Mine is A 2013 dl650 lams with ecu marked 11j70 and yes I can have rego changed at RTA.

I know it's an old question but other riders might want to know. Go to your lical dealer, armed with your full licence, proof of ownership (rego papers) & you should be able to order a full powered ecu. Bare in mind that you will be required by law to let the RMS know that its no longer a LAMS bike, although I do this Suzuki automatically does this.
What the other riders have said above is incorrect. The RTA/RMS will remove the learner approved or LA code from the bikes rego details.
Also, If you de-restrict the bike, dont let the RMS know & have a crash, insurance will be invalid & you'll be screwed.

I have a 2014 650 vstrom, does 120 no problem and plenty more in you hate your license. I'm 85 kilos, 5,10 tall .Tried the 1000 more motor than l need .650 cheaper to buy, cheaper on petrol and insurance, plenty quick enough .Go to you dealer and try thr 650, then the 1000, and look at the saving you will make . Look at the second hand market plenty of secondhand bikes around .

Given the info you provided, I would be inclined to go with the 1000.

Ok you are a big bloke, if l was planning two up riding l would have gone for the 1000 cc job

You can buy a smaller seat which is also lower, try boots with thicker soles and a bit of a heel .Could try screwing down the suspension but best check if this will, A help and B not effect the handling.
My new vstrom 650cc is going well, a pleasure to ride after a heavy cruiser, wish l had bought one years ago

When it comes to oil, l always use as per the manufacturers requirements in the service book .The saving of a few bob now may cost a lot later if you have a claim to make on the company and have it refused because the wrong oil was used .play safe

Because I only ride one up, I've put a 16 tooth on all three of my 650 'Stroms. The '09 and '12 seems to actually correct the speedo (as measured by my GPS). I've yet to confirm on my '15 Strom but it's not a concern to me that the speedo is spot on - the gearing is better for my tastes. Good luck!

Maybe try some of the v strom forums around on the web.

Thanks men, I will try the forum, I was a bit lazy and should have registered on one of them instead of asking on this. I appreciate the answers however.
Frank

Just bought a second hand 2012 Vstrom 650 with a Barrett 3/4 exhaust - the one on the barrett website actually - its a very well made exhaust and sounds great, not too loud, just enough meaty v twin sound to make you smile. Can't say if there is more punch as I won't be putting the stock exhaust back on to compare.

Barry my wife and I are 170 kilos between the bike can legally carry more than a Honda Gold Wing actually. The bike is essentially a V Strom 1000 chassis with a 650 motor so providing you don't mind using the gear box on hills or for highway overtaking all good.
Still get 50 mpg two up some say the !000 is better two but we don;t feel the need to upgrade the modern 650 is as powerful as the older 900's