2012 V-Strom 650

[switchback]

Details are coming out. Bike looks like an improvement over the existing model but doesn't take the next step. Looks like it will be fairly similar in function to the standard Tiger 800.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/06/suzuki-reveals-full-details-on-the-v-strom-650-abs/

 

[toompine]

I like mine better. Mine is a bit rougher around the edges but an adventure bike none the less. Got its maiden voyage over the weekend. 1000 miles in three days, 200 of which were dirt/gravel. Worked great, nothing fell and only tipped over once on the trip trying to cross a snow drift blocking a forest road. I think Suzuki should pay me todesign their next one. Theirs looks much too civil

 

[Venture]

That Orange Wee looks sharp, not bad!

Shame they didn't bump it up to 700-800cc though, it's going to get hard to compete I think. Perhaps the price will be the differentiating factor.

 

[colorider]

That Orange Wee looks sharp, not bad!

Seems like they had a similar orange a year or two back. I like the color! I had a '02 Wing that was about that color - very sharp!

 

[markjenn]

I like it. A lot. A nice evolutionary upgrade, addressing some of the style issues of the old bike and keeping its basic goodness. Hopefully, they improved the challenged aero isses of the old bike too.

Although Suzuki is officially saying TBD on price, someone has sleuthed that they intend to hold the price to $8100 (with ABS), same as the existing model. If so, this remains the screaming bargain in all of motorcycling, more so now with all the improvements. That's less than half the price of a basic R1200GS, $5800 less than the S10, $3100 less than the F650GS (with ABS), and $2800 less than the non-XC (with ABS) Tiger. Compared to the bike we're all waiting for, you do obviously get less bike - less displacement, less power, chain-drive rather than shaft, no traction control, cast rather than spoked wheels - but you also get 100-lbs less weight to pick up when the bike falls over. And when I had my 62-RWHP Strom, there were very few situations where power was a serious issue - the bike could cruise at 90 and keep up with all but the most brave sportbike riders in the twisties. As David Edwards said in his original CW review, "Perhaps the most shockingly competent bike every built."

Only takeaway I see is slightly less fuel capacity, but supposedly better mileage keeps the range about the same. We'll see on this - the old bike was routinely returning mileages in the high-50's range, so it is hard to believe they can do much better.

Some great photos here: http://epio.net/bike/v-strom650/

Nice job Suzuki. If they would build a model with spoked tubeless wheels and more fuel, I'd cancel my S10 order and get one.

- Mark

 

[colorider]

I like it. A lot. A nice evolutionary upgrade, addressing some of the style issues of the old bike and keeping its basic goodness.

Some great photos here: http://epio.net/bike/v-strom650/

Nice job Suzuki. If they would build a model with spoked tubeless wheels and more fuel, I'd cancel my S10 order and get one.

- Mark

Agree 100% - well almost.

Bang for the buck it is still a serious contender, but I'll stick with the extra that the SuperT has to offer - even though it is almost $6K more. You could easily sink half that much into the V-Strom to make it more like the SuperT and you would still have the same fundamental limitations/problems of the V-Strom (chain/top heavy/no TC/etc).

Just my $.02

 

[motocephalic]

I was really disappointed with what they came up with. I have owned 3 DL 650's, so I really like them as the value leader, but was hoping for an 800, which seems to be the perfect mid sized bike. I would have liked to see 800cc, abs, spoked tubeless, 6 gal, upgraded suspension, touring seat, adj windshield, hold the weight down to less than 500#, keep the price down to 10K, and you have the winner. I am really looking forward to the arrival of our bikes!

 

[markjenn]

Bang for the buck it is still a serious contender, but I'll stick with the extra that the SuperT has to offer - even though it is almost $6K more. You could easily sink half that much into the V-Strom to make it more like the SuperT and you would still have the same fundamental limitations/problems of the V-Strom (chain/top heavy/no TC/etc).

Well, I agree....mostly. Certainly if you want a shaft, then the S10 has a huge advantage and TC is a very "nice to have" feature. But I haven't drank the kool-aid that somehow the S10 has re-invented the rules of weight distribution. And 100-lbs lighter is 100-lbs lighter.

The biggest problem with the Strom as an adventure bike has always been cheap suspension, limited suspension travel, and how low-slung it is - all supposedly improved a bit on the new bike. While the S10 will be a bit better in these regards, I'm not expecting miracles. Mostly, I think the extra money for the S10 gets you that big motor that can loaf when the Strom would be pushing.

- Mark

 

[eemsreno]

I was really disappointed with what they came up with. I have owned 3 DL 650's, so I really like them as the value leader, but was hoping for an 800, which seems to be the perfect mid sized bike. I would have liked to see 800cc, abs, spoked tubeless, 6 gal, upgraded suspension, touring seat, adj windshield, hold the weight down to less than 500#, keep the price down to 10K, and you have the winner. I am really looking forward to the arrival of our bikes!

I have only been a Wee owner for 5000 miles and I may have to ride this to Alaska next month, but I am not a fan, Cheap is the name of their game. I hope there is a chance the Tenere will show up in time, it would turn torcher into pleasure.

 

[motocephalic]

I have only been a Wee owner for 5000 miles and I may have to ride this to Alaska next month, but I am not a fan, Cheap is the name of their game. I hope there is a chance the Tenere will show up in time, it would turn torcher into pleasure.

I have my Canadian Tour set for September, purposely delayed as a result of the late arrival of our bikes. If it does not make it, I will be taking the DL 650 again this year. It is set up to tour rather well so it should not be an issue. I think the 2012 DL 650 will remain the the value bike though. I would just get an older version and save $$$ and be content with it.

 

[eemsreno]

Clem
I would put off my departure date If I could, but there are 3 others going and they all have their vacation times in. Just a week might be the difference I would need to be on a Tenere.

 

[Jakeboy]

The Wee Strom offers great value in a proven, reliable Adventure bike. A serious rider on a tight budget couldn't do better IMO.

I'd ride to hell and back on a Strom. Yeah, they have their faults, but up until now (still is, really), my DL 1000 was the best all around bike I've ever owned.

Good on Suzuki for trying to keep our type of riding affordable for those that can't go the extra bells and whistles right off the bat. ABS is nice. I wish I would have had it on my DL 1000, as I had it on a BMW RT. Fantastic on wet tarmac.

 

[colorider]

The biggest problem with the Strom as an adventure bike has always been cheap suspension, limited suspension travel, and how low-slung it is -

This was probably my main hangup with the V-Strom. It never seemed a problem when riding solo, but for two-up, the suspension was at it's limits most of the time. My wife and I are not large by any stretch of the imagination, and yet, we were hitting the limits WAY too often. It even seemed worse than when we rode two-up on my last TransAlp.

I REALLY do not want this to sound like a bashing of the V-Strom. I owned 4 of them (three 1K's and one 650) and still feel they are one of the best bikes for the money out there.

 

[switchback]

I agree that the V is a great value but I am also sick of the good value argument. I do not know why most ADV bike manufacturers can't charge an extra $500-1000 and provide a good suspension and a little attention to the details. The V is what it was and is probably better now BUT I know how good the 650 engine is and it should have a chassis to match. That said they will sell plenty to the thrifty.

 

[Mondo Endo]

A great bike and value leader no doubt but not a whole lot more than BNG for 2012. I think to compete with the BMW 800 and the new Triumph 800's they should have taken a bigger step and in return would have gotten a much bigger piece of the mid size adv bike market. I wouldnt even consider it compared to the others if looking to buy and I really like Suzukis.

 

[markjenn]

A great bike and value leader no doubt but not a whole lot more than BNG for 2012.

It's all subjective, but seems like a lot more than BNG to me: new engine, new radiator and cooling system, new bodywork, new windscreen, new instrument panel, new seat, new handlebars, new styling, lighter weight, less fuel (unfortunately), new accessory packages, etc. Judging by the spec sheet, probably the only parts that are in common between the old and new models are the frame, suspension, wheels, and brakes, and I wouldn't be surprised if even these have had detail changes. (Ground clearance is up 0.5" so something had to change in the chassis.)

I think Suzuki likes where it is in the market (nearly $3K-30% cheaper than their higher-end competitors) right now. They OWN that gap in the market between the KLR and the F800GS/Tiger 800 with a bike that is differentiated by better performance and more versatility from their only true competitor - the Versys.

- Mark

 

[Boondocker]

I've put 37,000 of the 54,000 miles on my '04 DL650 in last 4 years. The best description of this bike is "shockingly competent". Would I consider a 2012 model to replace my '04? Honestly, I would, though the thought of it bores me to tears. I wouldn't be on this forum if I didn't think the Super Ténéré wasn't my next bike. I'm really hoping for some end of year financial good fortune to augment my M/C savings account.

There are a lot of DL/former DL owners now on Super Ténérés. No surprise given that this 1200cc ADV offering from Yamaha seems to be everything that's good about V-Stroms, only more and better. The "more" part includes the price, so hopefully you get what you pay for. The reliability of my Suzuki is the one thing I don't want to give up. My '08 Yamaha WR250R has been totally awesome for the past year of ownership. I'm impressed with its build quality as I was impressed with my close inspection of the S10.

The thing about the DL650 motor is that it is so well sorted. There are no aftermarket tuners or exhausts that really improve it. So if you ask why Suzuki didn't try to make it an 800cc to compete with the other brands of that displacement, the answer is too simple. Zero R&D for the existing motor that is proven and more than adequate for its chassis. Keeping the price lower is a significant market advantage. If I wasn't willing to budget for the S10, then the 2012 DL650 would be a serious contender knowing that it would be a slight improvement over my current ride.

The lesson I've struggled to learn is that it's better to pay more, even too much, for something you love because there is no such thing as a bargain on something you don't love. And I have a crush on the Super Ténéré.