Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, intelligent and now also beautiful [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT MY 2017 – He reaches the third generation this very lucky globtrotter and does it with almost 15 years of success behind her, the first V-Strom 650 it is in fact Part 2004 and has since been sold in over 170 thousand specimens. Now she grows up, aesthetically, with that little face stolen from her older sister, but not only that. In fact, she also shares the excellent with the 1.000 traction control and the instrument panel, while the transition to Euro 4 is accompanied by an increase in power, given that there are now 2 more horsepower, 71 at 8.000 rpm.

It has excellent qualities of elasticity and readiness at low and medium speeds. This is thanks to a detail that can already be seen from the name of this Suzuki, because perhaps someone will have forgotten it, but the meaning of that "V" of V-Strom is precisely its fidelity to the architecture in a 90 degree “V”., among the many in-line twins on the market.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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All new and now captivating, it completely changes its face and is even more practical

That the small V-Strom is an intelligent motorbike is made clear by many details, as well as by the choices relating to the engine or the horsepower it makes available. For example we find one 12 volt socket and adjustable windshield on three positions, although to move it you need to act on 4 screws and obviously the operation must be carried out with the motorbike stopped. A perfect mix between practicality and emotions, which such a pleasant-to-ride motorbike can offer, also underlined by some of the aesthetic innovations of MY2017.

In addition to LED rear light and a completely revised aesthetic and more captivating, we find in fact a drain that goes down, to make room for the bags optional. The main innovations, evident from the first glance, are all concentrated in the front, with a all new headlight with a unique vertical element, replacing the previous one, double and wide. The beak, which we had already seen on the 2015 "XT" version, is now more integrated and offers a nice chromatic contrast between the lateral portions painted here in grey, while in the center a longitudinal band in black plastic "accompanies" it up to the headlight. Everyone has their say on the paternity of the beak, but the fact remains that it is historically an "invention" of Suzuki, given that it was the first to propose it with the DR-Big of the late '80s.

The spoked rims are very nice, exclusive to this version more suited to off road, which can be chosen in matt black or in this splendid golden finish. They offer the valuable solution of fixing the spokes in a portion of the rim channel specifically created outside the tire support area. No inner tube and tubeless tyres, therefore, with all the associated advantages.

It then debuts instrumentation, as mentioned inherited from her older sister, very complete and mixed analog / digital. In addition to the button on its left, there is a "reference" to the left block, which can be used both to set traction control and to navigate between the various data. The saddle has been revised, but we will see it in detail when we talk about driving, while in the rear area we then find the integrated attachments for the optional side bags, with the right one no longer penalized by the presence of the exhaust, which has dropped into an area that now does not limit the size and capacity of the side bag.

Engine and performance:

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It gains the upgrade to Euro 4 and a couple of horsepower, retains character and efficiency

With the transition to Euro 4 the DOHC twin-cylinder, 90° V-twin, he also earns a couple of horses, rising to 71. The Nm of maximum torque are also 2 more, now 62 Nm at 6.500 rpm, but above all, the engine was revised into more than 60 components, to maintain the same elasticity and guarantee reduced consumption. In this, Suzuki confirms itself among the world leaders, thanks to the many elements and systems adopted to optimize the efficiency of its engines. On the new V-Strom 650 we find for example the anti-friction piston coating to reduce friction with the cylinder, the SDTV injection system (Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve), the dual spark technology and new camshafts. In addition to resulting in very low consumption, all the solutions adopted translate into a delivery of V-Twin that is smooth and smooth, with a fair amount of grit when you push it from over 6 to the limiter zone.

The V-Strom is loved more, however, driving it without excesses, precisely because the engine it responds well right from the bass and helps to exit corners always optimally. It is appreciated gear shift, smooth and precise in the grafts and with a light clutch control, even if of the wire type and without hydraulic servo. The excellent enjoyment and pleasant delivery of the engine are completed by the “Low RPM Assist” system, particularly useful in off-road driving at low speed, as it prevents the engine from suddenly stopping by automatically raising the idle as soon as the clutch lever is released. Traction control, even if the power involved is not that high, it is always a great help to drive peacefully and without worries. It offers adjustment on two levels, but it is also possible to exclude it, but it is never invasive and protects against problems, for example a damp patch behind a curve in a shaded area, or more simply, it allows you to travel safely even under a downpour and with less than optimal grip conditions.

Ride and handling:

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Light and easy to handle, it can be very stable and intuitive when the pace increases

Moving on to the chassis, the new V-Strom 650 is also based on the double beam frame in noble aluminium, a detail that allows you to keep it contained the weight, just over 215 kg in running order (213 the standard, 216 the XT). It is combined with a non-adjustable telescopic fork (it loses the spring preload adjustment compared to the past), but with excellent calibration, which represents a good compromise in the use of the motorbike, while the rear monoshock is easily adjustable in preload, thanks to the convenient control in the area below the saddle on the right side.

Saddle that is new, more comfortable, well padded and covered in non-slip material. It's just placed 830 mm from the ground, while optionally you can have the raised one at an altitude of 850. The braking system works on two 310 mm discs at the front and one 260 at the rear, managed byABS, standard and cannot be deactivated, as usual at Suzuki. The operation is in fact considered optimal both on asphalt and in off-road use, although in this case blocking the rear sometimes has its usefulness, especially on the most extreme routes. On the tire front, the new tire adopted is the Bridgestone BATTLAX ADVENTURE A40, developed exclusively for the V-Strom 650 and mounted on 19" front and 17" rear rims.

As soon as you get into the saddle you appreciate the instrumentation, which is very complete and easily readable, while It's while driving it that the V-Strom 650 begins to convince us, even more than on paper or by observing it still on the side stand. The new small V-Strom confirms itself very balanced, easy to handle and above all it is a bike of substance, which doesn't pay too much attention to frills that may tempt you during the purchase phase, but which prove to be of little use in practice. It is not for nothing that among V-Strom customers there is a high level of loyalty to a product that for many reasons manages to convince over time, including reliability.

It descends quickly into the crease and never becomes demanding, with excellent traction control, adjustable and deactivated even when moving, which allows you to open the throttle with the bike folded or in conditions of reduced grip, without the slightest problem. With the high fairing, aerodynamic protection is good even at motorway speeds. The calibration of the fork is excellent, which has a travel of 150 mm, therefore rather limited for a dual purpose, with a vocation for more road use, even if on a dirt road it does not show major problems.

Price and consumption:

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It remains below 9 thousand, but promises to cost little even after purchase

As seen, the beautiful tubeless spoked rims are confirmed, thanks to the particular fixing on the channel. They are part of the package XT version and you can have black or gold. Other distinctive elements of the setup most suited to off road are the hand guards and the engine guard. Everything is paid for with an increase of 600 euros compared to the standard V-Strom 650, therefore going from 8.390 to 8.990 euros. Also available in a weakened 35 kW version for those with an A2 driving licence (both for the standard and for the XT), the new Suzuki V-Strom 650 can be chosen in this historic color for the Japanese brand, with the yellow Suzuki to make it particularly "visible", or in the more sober black or white. Among the numerous accessories we then find heated grips, side bags or two top cases, of 35 or 55 litres, but also a larger windscreen and a central stand, which is not standard.

As for consumption, when talking about the engine, we said about the many attentions that Suzuki dedicates to understanding efficiency. All this leads to reaching gods negligible values ​​in terms of consumption, which together with the 20 liter tank, make the V-Strom 650 at the top of the category in terms of autonomy. Let's talk about a fact declared 4,1 litres/100 km, which in our test translated into values ​​never lower than 20 km/l, with the possibility of aligning without difficulty with the promised 25 per liter from home, but also to go further by using the motorbike particularly carefully.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Ease of driving, consumption, it remains an intelligent motorbike now with a more captivating aesthetic
We do not like it:
ABS cannot be deactivated for off-road driving

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT MY 2017: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: Dainese Ergotour Gore-tex X-trafit
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex
Helmet: Caberg Xtrace

The on-board footage was shot with a Lampa Action Cam 3, 4K Ultra HD