This Japanese Adventure Bike Is Bulletproof And Almost Impossible To Kill
Adventure bikes continue to capture the imagination, even while other motorcycle segments struggle, we continue to see more new ADVs hitting the road (and trail) each year. From small, affordable entry-level options all the way up to exotic Italian motorcycles with superbike engines, there is something for everyone these days. Including a certain Japanese bike that can quite literally appeal to anyone.
A Process Of Evolution
Suzuki is arguably the most frugal brand within the motorcycle industry. Every platform is maximized, then once it approaches the end of its lifespan, it will usually get recycled and converted into something else. This policy of reusing, reworking, and updating has helped them deliver a long list of value-oriented models. Unfortunately, this cost-cutting measure also has a negative side to it.
New models are rather obviously few and far between. Then, when they are rolled out, they are usually a step or two off the pace. This is the current problem they are having with the new V-Strom adventure bike. While good, it isn’t quite as good as its direct rivals, which all actually cost less. Some might go as far to say that it isn’t even that much better than the bike it has replaced.
The 2025 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Is One Of The Most Dependable Motorcycles Money Can Buy
MSRP: $9,299
Although Suzuki has sold both the V-Strom 800 and 650 alongside each other for the last few years, sanity seems to have eventually prevailed, and the V-Strom 650 is now being phased out. It is, however, still well worth considering if you are in the market for a reliable do-it-all motorcycle. The platform got its last meaningful update back in 2017, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you want a proven, dependable motorcycle.
The V-Strom Has A Bulletproof 650cc Twin
Power: 70 Horsepower
The V-Twin doing duty here in the V-Strom is more or less the same engine that came out all the way back in 1999. Over the 27 years it has been in production, this lump has received several incremental updates to keep it emissions compliant, but has not changed all that much on the whole. It has proven to be metronomically reliable, and can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
A Real V-Twin, With Genuine Character
Most motorcycle manufacturers, including Suzuki, are shifting towards more efficient parallel-twins these days. Almost all of these modern twins employ a 270 degree crankshaft in an effort to emulate the desirable characteristics of a V-twin, but nothing beats the original. The tooling for this engine has also long since paid for itself, so it certainly makes a degree of sense that Suzuki are unwilling to let it go. With pretty much all of its torque available from around 3,000 RPM, it packs a decent midrange punch and won’t leave you wanting for more power. The V-Strom is actually way more fun to ride than you might think.
The V-Strom 650 Is The Very Definition Of Versatility
It is not a particularly fun bike to look at, though. The design is at best, dated, and at worst, ugly. It is, however, functional. You get pretty effective wind protection and a comfortable seat, which also just so happens to be pretty low to the ground. With a seat height of just 32.9 inches, it is actually one of the more accessible ADVs for shorter folk. Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of ground clearance. With just 6.7 inches between its exhaust and the ground, it is one of the worst in this department.
In terms of electronic features, you actually get both ABS and traction control as standard, but further than that, it is a fairly simple animal, and that is precisely what makes it so reliable. All the added features you will find on more modern adventure bikes simply add failure points. While the vast majority of these bikes won’t let you down while they are still relatively new, over time, things will eventually start going wrong. The general lack of modern creature comforts also helps keep the weight down. With a wet weight of just 470 pounds, it is pretty light for an ADV. It also wears its weight pretty low, and backs up its eager performance with nimble handling. While not quite as fleet-footed as the SV650, it isn’t all that far off. It might not be the “ultimate” canyon carver, but it’s light, nimble handling make it a rather effective commuter.
All these factors combine to make the V-Strom 650 one of the most versatile motorcycles around. It is fun enough to blast down a canyon road, light and nimble enough to use every day, comfortable enough to tour on, and can handle the off-dirt road shortcut when the mood arises. But, just like any “Jack of all trades”, it really is the master of none. It will do everything well, but isn’t exactly great at any one particular thing.
This Old Twin Just Got A Stay Of Execution
As previously mentioned, the venerable V-Strom will bid us adieu, but the 650cc V-twin has been granted a new lease on life. It just got a pretty comprehensive update specifically for the SV-7GX. Unlike the V-Strom, which just shared an engine with the SV650, it gets both the engine and steel trellis chassis. It promises to be a genuinely sporty little crossover, and is a fair bit cheaper than the V-Strom. As long as you are willing to forgo the mild off-road capability the V-Strom has to offer, the new SV-7GX makes a lot more sense (and in our opinion, looks better, too).
This is a prime example of how Suzuki extracts value from a platform. While there will be some that lament the fact that the newer 800 wasn’t employed here, there is no way Suzuki would have been able to price the model this aggressively, and we are certainly glad to see the old V-twin get a stay of execution.
Source: Suzuki Cycles
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