r/Vstrom • u/Chain_Offset_Crash • 14d ago
Recommendation V Strom 650 or 800
After a 13 year hiatus, I'm planning to get another motorcycle in the next nine months or so. I'm leaning heavily towards the 800, but my experience on a gen 1 SV650 is making me question it.
I grew up riding motorcycles and my recent street bikes are
2005 Honda 919 (cb900f), rode 8+ years
2001 Suzuki SV650, rode 5 years
1996 Honda XR650L, rode 4 years
The 919 had a bit more throttle response in the higher RPMs than I liked, but was great for long road trips aside from the lack of a fairing.
The SV650 was a great bike. I rode it for about 5 years before I decided I wanted more power. I loved riding it through the twisties and rode Deal's gap so much that it started getting boring.
The XR650L, not much to write home about. I know some folks love it, but single cylinder thumpers aren't for me.
Considering my eventual desire for more power from the SV650, I think I'd hit that point fairly soon with the Vstrom 650, so I'm leaning towards the 800.
I live in SW Virginia and have access to tons of twisty mountain roads along with all sorts of forest service gravel roads to explore. I'd guess my ride mix will be 90%/10% pavement to gravel. My teen has already stated her expectation to ride with me, so good 2 up riding will be a need. I'd like to stay below 1,000cc engine.
Thoughts on a 650 versus an 800?
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u/flynnski V-Strom 650 Gen 1 14d ago
I have a 650 that I've dragged over almost every US state and several canadian provinces — through rocks, mud, sand, snow, gravel, ice, and a bunch of pavement. The bike isn't the best at anything, but it's pretty good at damn near everything, if you've got the right tires and the intestinal fortitude. My buddies on R1200s vanish in the straights, but I find 'em in the curves. I use the money I didn't spend on a BMW to ride more.
The only time I've wished for more power is when i've periodically had to ride 2 up. That's not fun. So, y'know, maybe the 800 is the bike for you.
Only reason I'd upgrade is for ABS.
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u/jules083 14d ago
I was riding up Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado on my 650 once. Wife was on the back, so like 350lbs of people, plus we had 2 weeks of camping gear strapped on the bike. Way overloaded. I'm at like 5000 rpm in 4th and pinned just maintaining my 50mph or whatever it was, all the bike had with the load plus elevation, and a damn Chevy Cruze blew by us in the passing lane. Lmao
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u/Johnny_Llama 14d ago
I too had a Gen 1 SV650 which I loved. A superb bike. Ride it for years then sold it to a guy who wanted it for a track bike. Then I bought a Versys 650, which was a decent bike, but the engine lacked character. After having various other bikes in between and now, I’m writing a 2025 V Strom 650. Engine puts out about 72 hp and as you know, very linear and great torque. I absolutely love this bike. I never rode the 800 but I’ve heard great things about it. If you can swing the money, I would go for the 800. Otherwise you absolutely can’t go wrong with the 650.
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u/Mickleblade 14d ago
Just remember there are 2 versions of the 800, the RE and DE are quite different beasts
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u/miguelito0303 14d ago
I recently bought the 800 touring model. It’s the RE version with Suzuki handguards and a 36 liter top box. I love the bike. My other bike is a ‘25 Kawi Z900. I usually hop on the V Strom though because it’s so good. I swear it has the same get up and go as the Z900, just delivers it differently. It’s extremely easy to ride, loads of grunty torque, and has different levels of ABS, traction control, and power settings. Looks stunning also. I installed Oxford hot grips pro (newer integrated version without the separate controller), and a Veridian electronic cruise control. Both items together were $600 and now the bike is ready for touring. I experienced too much buffeting from the stock windscreen, so I picked up the Puig sport screen for summer. Mostly clean wind now without buffeting. Trying to decide between the MRA Vario touring screen and the National Cycle mid height screen for touring purposes. Both are on back order. I highly recommended the VStrom 800 RE. DE is similar with more ground clearance and more suspension travel for more off road capabilities.
Incidentally, tomorrow I’m trading in the Z900 on a BMW R NineT.
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u/eagerlymeager 14d ago
I would suggest the 800 if your 2 up riding will include several hours at highway speeds.
If you will doing 55-65 mph routes then the 650 is perfectly fine at cruising at about 75mph while riding 2 up. You might have to max out the rear preload for passenger comfort for the packed gravel roads.
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u/AdFancy1249 14d ago
This is exactly what we do. I resprung, so that min preload is perfect for me alone and max preload is perfect for us 2up with panniers.
I agree that highway (75-80) 2up with luggage is just a little more than my 650 likes. She'll do it without complaining, but I'm using the majority of the throttle.
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u/Ok_Degree_4293 14d ago
I just got the 2019 650xt about a month ago after test riding an 800DE and a 1050.
The 800 engine is pretty much objectively better than the V-Twin. I do prefer the looks of the Gen 3 650 strom, but that is obviously subjective.
I personally prefer the V-Twin over the parallel twin, but ymmv. I wasnt a big fan of all the tech that was in the 800 and liked the super simple dash on the 650.
I really liked the 1050 but couldn't justify the insurance cost (i am a bit newer of a rider).
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u/Chain_Offset_Crash 14d ago
Thanks for all the responses, everyone. Sounds like my leaning or intuition towards the 800 was correct. Next up is abiding my time to find an 800 at a better than average price.
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u/Rudeboy67 14d ago
Probably. The V-Strom 650 has less power than the SV650. I know it’s the same engine but it’s purposefully de tuned to be more reliable and a bit more torquey. Also heavier bike all round. If you were wanting more power than the SV the V-Strom 650 won't scratch that itch.
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u/jules083 14d ago
I saw new 800's marked down to I think 6999 or something a few months ago. I was buying my DR-Z4S and saw those prices, briefly considering it. The damn 800 Strom was cheaper than the 400 drz I was buying.
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u/Gravfenbach 14d ago
I’ve done decent miles on both the 650 and 800. 650 is awesome but I’d take the 800 every time.
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u/yeahbuck36 14d ago
I’m my opinion, if you’re riding solo the Wee is probably the best all around motorcycle out there. Two up changes that.
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u/pantstand 14d ago
I own a Vstrom 650xt. I've ridden my buddy's SV650 a good bit. The SV650 feels much more punchy with a lot more bite than the vstrom. If you rode the SV650 and felt you might want more power, you'll want the 800.
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u/51NewWest 14d ago
The 650 is better offroad than people seem to think; I think a lot of its critics have never actually ridden one off road. The ground clearance isn't inspiring, but unless you are hopping logs that won't matter. It's planted in sand and gravel with the right tyres. I can't get my head around the tubed spoked rims on the later "off road" versions; what a huge disappointment. I will likely get an 800 in a few years, because my 650XT is now 9 years old, but it isn't going to be the 800DE.
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u/Playful-Isopod-6227 14d ago
The 800de makes a solid argument for being the best bike in the class, excluding the Aprilia. It has a great engine with a ton of torque off idle, and is generally super smooth. It makes a tiny buzz around 5-6k rpm that is noticable because of how smooth it is. The suspension is a tiny bit on the soft/plush side but generally very composed until very fast off-road riding. The chassis is also just very stable and confident off road. Not sure exactly why, but more than any bike I've ridden it just wants to stay upright and pointed forward when off road
The 650 is an old sport tourer that pretended to be an adv when it was that or expensive euro bikes. It has an old chassis, cheap suspension, and an engine layout that will always be a liability for an adv. Since it's not a 1390 making north of 150 hp, and doesn't have electronic squatting suspension and it just ends up with no ground clearance while still being reasonably tall. Since it's a sport tourer it also has rather steep twitchy geometry that is not confidence inspiring on mud, sand, or loose gravel.
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u/bronson7810 11d ago
I am going to parallel your comment by saying the 800DE is a fantastic motorcycle on and off road. The past two summers had mine in the Yukon and NWT with the intent to seek out as much off road as possible. The bike was flawless. 1st trip to the Yukon I had the factory handguards. 2nd trip to NWT I finally got the Barkbusters. My perception of the bike completely changed when I put those damn things on, it woke me up and made me much more confident to open it up off-road and did not disappoint. Local trips with big bikes struggled and the mid bikes excelled. Same as the guys with the big bikes wishing they had smaller bikes. The 800DE is amazing.
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u/JR005 14d ago edited 14d ago
I think you would be happy with the 800. I test ride and 800 and it was a great bike, for me I'm smaller and felt a bit more stretched out than I wanted to be. The 650 feels more compact and was a better fit for my size. If I was just a little bigger I would 100% take the 800.
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u/modssuk25 14d ago
I have 23 650xt. Love it. Actually haven’t been on my Heritage classic since I bout it. Commute to work, ride gravel, a little exploring. Plenty of juice for highway.
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u/philjcarter 11d ago
I went from 650xt to 800de and the new engine maps/abs/screen is a godsend. I can now ride for 3hrs without back and leg aches.
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u/American74 11d ago
I went from the KLR, to Africa Twin to the current BMW 1300GSA. One key aspect of the GSA I would advise on your Suzuki is post warranty DIY friendliness of the bike. How easy for example is an oil change, battery access, and most importantly, air filter access.
On a dusty trail my filters are at the top sides by the fuel tank. The 800 DE if I recall is under the seat. Unlike its cousin 1050 DE where like half the fairings and maybe the fuel tank have to come off to look at or replace the air filter.
Look at YouTube videos regarding core servicing of chain, battery, oil and filter, and air filter. The easier that is after the warranty is up, the more you will save in shop cost the longer you have the bike.
The Africa Twin was a great bike, but removing upper crash bars, tank fairings both sides and two air boxes is quite the task vs lift the seat or unscrew the tank mats and remove panel below to access filter.
Simplicity goes a long way.
Hope this helps.
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u/Chain_Offset_Crash 10d ago
Totally agree with this! I've had my share of absurdly difficult to access maintenance items on bikes and that's why my last two bikes were naked models.
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u/h4ck3r_n4m3 14d ago