Suzuki V-Strom 650
Suzuki V-Strom 650 and 650XT (2025): 70.7 hp V-twin, 213 kg, 20-litre tank, Euro 5 run-out model. Full specs, press reviews and generations.
At a glance
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a 70.7 hp V-twin adventure tourer, known for its reliability, economy and 20-litre tank. Its last model year is 2025: not homologated to Euro 5+, it is disappearing from Suzuki's European ranges. Reviewers praise its ease and versatility, but find its equipment dated.
World press review
Meta-score
9 sources
Press ratings
Manageable, neutral, surprisingly well-damped suspension and a flexible engine; front brakes with a wooden feel.
An excellent sport-tourer with impressive Low RPM Assist; dated LCD dash and limited off-road ability.
Reliable, economical, ideal as a first bike or commuter; exhaust studs and XT spokes need watching.
Easy, agile and capable; price and lack of cruise control could be improved.
A clear step forward in every area at a reasonable price; finish could be better.
Remarkably well-rounded: comfort, well-judged suspension and an effective chassis; engine a little short two-up with luggage, vibration higher up the revs, average finish, non-switchable ABS.
Easy, versatile and comfortable, with a sound chassis and very good original tyres; over-sensitive, non-switchable ABS, finish, no under-seat storage.
Impressive handling, good ergonomics and comfort solo or two-up; linear engine lacking real character, non-switchable ABS, no under-seat storage.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The V-Strom 650XT scores 4/5 from MCN, with 5/5 for the engine and chassis. Visordown, RevZilla, BikeSocial, SoyMotero and Motorrad & Reisen rate it positively, without numeric scores. The tests cover the generation launched in 2017, unchanged since apart from the Euro 5 update in 2021. In France, Moto-Net, Le Repaire des Motards and Moto Magazine tested it at its 2017 launch: all three praise a sound chassis, suspension that is well judged despite its simplicity and a good level of comfort, with Moto-Net calling it “a concentrate of effectiveness in every circumstance”.
What reviewers like: ease of use, reliability, economy, range, suspension and value for money.
What they criticise: dated equipment (LCD dash, no cruise control, tool-adjustable screen), wooden-feeling brakes, ABS that cannot be switched off and intervenes early over bumps (noted by all three French tests), a merely adequate finish according to Moto-Net and Le Repaire des Motards, an engine Moto Magazine finds linear, and limited off-road ability.
The 80/100 overall score rests on the only numeric score available, MCN’s 4/5 for the V-Strom 650XT (2017-2025).
Key quotes
"Suzuki have taken an already good bike and made it great - not because it boasts all the latest tech, but because it does the simple things even better - and that's all that really matters."
"Easy, versatile, comfortable, friendly, practical, reliable, attractive, different, full of personality and restrictable for the A2 licence, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT is a universal motorcycle you will enjoy every kilometre of, making things easier and more natural."
"There is so much to like about Suzuki's mini adventure bike and if you are after a hack to see off a dull commute or a lightweight first bike adventure bike, the V-Strom 650 is a brilliant option."
"Beneath its rather basic, unostentatious exterior, the V-Strom 650 actually hides a concentrate of effectiveness in every circumstance."
"Easy and effective, it does indeed seem able to handle every situation well, without fuss, while proving astonishingly well-rounded and versatile."
"This V-Strom 650 is pleasant, practical, comfortable (solo or two-up) and covers a very wide range of uses."
Pros
- Proven reliability
- Economy and 400+ km range
- Easy and manageable
- Well-judged suspension
- Restrictable for the A2 licence
Cons
- Run-out model (not Euro 5+)
- No cruise control
- Dated LCD instruments
- Tool-adjustable screen
- French price not verified
Our review
Is the V-Strom 650 still on sale?
Not as a 2026 model: the last model year published by Suzuki is 2025, and the bike meets Euro 5, not Euro 5+. According to Visordown, Suzuki GB confirmed in August 2025 that the V-Strom 650 was on its way out. Suzuki has dropped it in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Italy; Switzerland still offers the 650XT, from CHF 9,495. Its availability in France, from stock, could not be checked on the Suzuki France website when this page was written.
On the same 645 cc engine, Suzuki now offers the Euro 5+ SV-7GX.
Which versions?
The V-Strom 650 has cast wheels; the V-Strom 650XT gets tubeless spoked wheels, hand guards and an engine cowl, for 3 kg more. A 35 kW restricted version exists in Switzerland. In the US, the 2025 model year sold for $9,299 (650) and $9,799 (650XT).
How good is the engine?
The 645 cc 90-degree V-twin (81 x 62.6 mm), from the SV650, makes 70.7 hp at 8,800 rpm and 62 Nm at 6,500 rpm. MCN gives it 5/5 for the engine and finds it flexible and endearing; RevZilla praises the Low RPM Assist. In a comparison against the Honda NC750X and Yamaha Tracer 7, MCN nevertheless finds it the least impressive of the three.
How does it ride?
At 213 kg kerb weight, with a 19-inch front wheel and an aluminium frame, the V-Strom 650 is rated manageable and neutral (Visordown), with well-judged suspension (MCN, Visordown). The reservations concern:
- dated equipment: LCD dash, no cruise control, tool-adjustable screen (MCN, RevZilla, SoyMotero);
- front brakes with a wooden feel (Visordown);
- limited off-road ability (RevZilla).
Fuel consumption and maintenance
BikeSocial quotes 60 to 70 mpg in everyday use, about 4.0 to 4.7 L/100 km; with 20 litres, range exceeds 400 km. The owner’s manual specifies an oil change and spark plug replacement every 12,000 km or every year, and a valve clearance check every 24,000 km.
Recalls
2017 and 2018 model year V-Strom 650s and 650XTs were recalled for a fuel pump seal that may leak.
Specifications
| Displacement | 645 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 70.7 hp (52 kW) @ 8,800 rpm |
| Torque | 62 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 213 kg (kerb weight); 216 kg for the 650XT |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.01 |
| Seat height | 835 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 20 L |
| Fuel consumption | 4.2 L/100 km — 100 g/km CO2 (Suzuki Switzerland) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 24,000 km (Suzuki owner's manual) |
| Engine type | 90-degree V-twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, dual spark, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive |
| License | AA2 Restrictable |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 81 x 62,6 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 11,2:1 |
| Fuel system | Dual throttle valve fuel injection (SDTV), 39 mm throttle bodies, cable throttle |
| Valve train | DOHC |
| Max power RPM | 8800 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6500 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric (Suzuki Easy Start) |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Aluminium twin-spar frame |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 25.7 ° |
| Trail | 107 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1560 mm |
| Ground clearance | 170 mm |
| Front suspension | 43 mm conventional telescopic fork, 150 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Link-type monoshock, hand-adjustable preload and adjustable rebound, 160 mm travel |
| Front brake | Twin 310 mm floating discs, Tokico 2-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 260 mm disc, Nissin single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 110/80 R19 |
| Rear tire | 150/70 R17 |
| ABS system | ABS (not lean-sensitive) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | Analogue rev counter and LCD screen |
| Connectivity | None |
| Other features | 2-level traction control, can be switched off, Low RPM Assist (pulling away and low-speed riding), Suzuki Easy Start, 12 V socket on the dash, 650XT: spoked wheels, hand guards and engine cowl |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Upright, wide handlebars (adventure) |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | 3-position height-adjustable screen (tool required) |
The V-Strom 650 offers an upright adventure-bike position with wide handlebars and an 835 mm seat. MCN finds it comfortable, with a soft seat and good protection, but regrets that the screen only adjusts with tools, over 3 positions. Le Repaire des Motards praises a seat you forget about over a full day, and Moto-Net a screen that shields the torso well, without buffeting. A luggage rack and pannier mounts are standard.
Ownership & maintenance
≈ 4.0-4.7 L/100 km in everyday use (BikeSocial)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~430 km (estimated: 20 L tank / 4.7 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 24,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 12,000 km |
| Chain | Clean and lubricate every 1,000 km |
Suzuki’s owner’s manual (Europe) specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year, oil filter replacement every 24,000 km, spark plug replacement every 12,000 km, a valve clearance check every 24,000 km and air filter replacement at 36,000 km. The chain should be cleaned and lubricated every 1,000 km. BikeSocial advises checking the front cylinder exhaust studs and, on the 650XT, spoke corrosion.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki V-Strom 650 | — | 70.7 hp (52 kW) @ 8,800 rpm | 213 kg (kerb weight); 216 kg for the 650XT |
| Kawasaki Versys 6502027 | €8,449 | 67 hp | 219 kg (wet) |
| Yamaha Tracer 72026 | €9,999 | 73.4 hp | 203 kg (wet) |
| Triumph Tiger Sport 6602026 | €9,995 | 95 hp | 211 kg (wet) |
| Honda NX5002026 | €6,799 | 47.6 hp | 196 kg (kerb weight) |
Generations
- V-Strom 650 (DL650)2004 – 2011
645 cc · — · — · 190 kg (dry)
Launch: SV650S-derived engine and V-Strom 1000-inspired chassis, 22-litre tank (according to Visordown).
- V-Strom 650 ABS2012 – 2016
645 cc · 68.9 hp · — · 214 kg (road-ready)
Gladius-derived engine, standard ABS, new bodywork, 20-litre tank; XT version with spoked wheels in 2015 (according to Motorrad).
- V-Strom 650 / 650XT2017 – 2025
645 cc · 70.7 hp · 62 Nm · 213 kg (road-ready)
V-Strom 1000-style beak, SV650 engine, traction control, Easy Start and Low RPM Assist; Euro 5 in 2021 (216 kg for the 650XT).
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V-Strom 650 (DL650)2004 – 2011 Launch: SV650S-derived engine and V-Strom 1000-inspired chassis, 22-litre tank (according to Visordown). | 645 cc | — | — | 190 kg dry |
| V-Strom 650 ABS2012 – 2016 Gladius-derived engine, standard ABS, new bodywork, 20-litre tank; XT version with spoked wheels in 2015 (according to Motorrad). | 645 cc | 68.9 hp | — | 214 kg road-ready |
| V-Strom 650 / 650XT2017 – 2025 V-Strom 1000-style beak, SV650 engine, traction control, Easy Start and Low RPM Assist; Euro 5 in 2021 (216 kg for the 650XT). | 645 cc | 70.7 hp | 62 Nm | 213 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
Fuel pump seal may be twisted during assembly, risking a fuel leak (2017-2018 model year V-Strom 650 and 650XT)
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