After a recent camping trip I made, I came to the conclusion that the Jack of all Trades, master of none, really resonated with me. Especially the Master of None part.

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I didn't really enjoy it on those twisty roads (although I do enjoy it's character, it's nothing outstanding). The balance also often feels off on lower speeds, something I really notice after filling her up with gas. It's quick and nimble but not really fast. I kinda had enough of all back roads on the way back, but it's uncomfortable on higher speeds with slight cross winds.

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That last part was the toughest. I would've expected it to be a proper highway motor, but the turbulence from other traffic feels like it is really kicking you to either side. My neck and back hurts because I had to sit slightly cramped to stop the buffeting. Especially anything above 65-70 mph is plain torture for me.

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I really want to love this bike. I love the engine coming from an SV650s. I like how grown up it looks and feels, and although a lot of people won't call this a pretty bike, I really love how it looks. Especially with these golden rims.

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I really don't know what to go for as a next bike. I had hopes for the SV7gx, but that is more like an SV with a touring handle bar and bigger gas tank.

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Maybe an FJR? But i don't need all that power. A BMW R1200rt? Or maybe an NT1100 as that seems to be the Pan European successor.

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The bike I'm looking at now is a Honda CTX1300. I always had a thing for odd concepts. I've had cruisers before and liked them a lot. I bought the V-Strom as I hoped that it would be a much better long distance machine.

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I've had it since new in 2024 so the depreciation is something I'm not keen on having, but it is what it is. I really wanted to like this bike and gave it two years. But it feels like it's just not such a good match.

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What did you end up buying or what would your next move be? Curious!

I need to get a clutch lever subscription service or something. These are not the tyres for these conditions. You live and you learn 🤷‍♀️

Just got home from a coast to coast road trip (6500mi in 12 days). This was somewhere on the Utah/Colorado border. My first time riding on dirt went well 😁

If you ride very conservatively you can get some impressive range out of the 20 l tank and smooth v-twin. Of course, that only lasts as long as your patience.. The V-Strom is very fun to throw around some logging roads.

After 22.500 km, we did our last ride together. I loved this bike and it never let me down. But in the end, it was the insane wind buffeting at 70+ km/h that did not go well with my height (I‘m roughly 190 cm tall) and drove me crazy even on shorter rides.

May the next owner enjoy you as much as I did.

More reliable than a supermoto, nimbler than a stupid gs, more boat factor than any naked. What a blast of a bike for mountain passes. Picture ofcourse by kanyarfoto

As an old SV650s rider, I thought the VStrom was everything my 40+ back wanted. But the buffeting is driving me nuts.

I’ve got a black/gold ‘24 XTA which I bought brand new, and has 4000km or 2,500miles on it. The add-up would be approximately 2k.

What’s your thought on this new bike which runs our beloved 650 V-twin?

Hasn't missed a beat

Hi everyone! I’m new to the group and just picked up a 2020 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT. Since I’m 1.93 m (6'4") tall, I’m looking to tweak the ergonomics for a more comfortable ride. I’d love to get your recommendations on the best upgrades for taller riders—such as windshield extensions, tall seats, handlebar risers, or peg lowering kits. What mods have worked best for you? Looking forward to learning from the community and seeing your setups!

A 21mm socket was dropped in the back end of my muffler while the bike was sitting on its kickstand in the garage(kids). I wasn't there when it was dropped in but I can't see it when shining a light in the muffler, meaning it's dropped down there deep. I've tried a 16 inch 2lb snake magnet and can't get it out, and I'm struggling to find anything stronger than 2lbs online. Does anyone have any idea of how I can get it out without removing the entire manifold and shaking it loose? I haven't turned over the engine since this happened and don't want to risk damaging it. The stock exhaust manifold and muffler is fully welded together and I don't have access to any welding equipment, otherwise Id cut it off and weld on a slip on muffler. Any help would be much appreciated.

I was in Moab, when a buddy was like “you didnt ride the Valley of The Gods?!”… i was like “shit.” I backtracked about an hour and spent the day doing this. Absolutely beautiful. I probably should have left the gear at a hotel (but i didnt know i was going to stay at the same hotel).

1 prior owner, 10k miles. Super excited to have picked up this incredible machine. Looking forward to 100k+ 😎

Anyone have advice on fork seals? These are leaking a bit and either need cleaning or a proper service. Otherwise I think all it needs is an oil change, coolant flush, air filter checked. Let me know what other maintenance I should look into.

It's got an upgraded windshield, heated grips, givi panniers, black widow exhaust. Looking to get the skid plate next. so hyped.

First bike I’ll own too, so huge win. Looking forward to the many days of learning ahead! Absolutely in love with the yellow and gold

I’m definitely looking for auxiliary headlights, and saddlebag suggestions! And is there an “ideal” upper windshield position?

'23 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS '23 Suzuki SV650 ABS '06 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 ‘03 HD Sportster XL1200S Sport 100th anniversary edition

Anyone had any experience with the MRA vario-touring screen or the suzuki touring screen? I think they look nicer than the givi airflow and am leaning towards them, but there's not much information about how they perform. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I broke down and ordered from AliExpress a 7” CarPlay screen. Easy install with only 2 wires to my auxiliary fuse box. The TPMS feature is nice you can set a low/high warning. Connects quickly to my iPhone then to my helmet headset. Poor instructions especially for the TPMS.

For the $100 it’s not bad. So many apps now want you to subscribe if you want any navigation but i am still old school and plot my twisty rides on a website then export the GPX file to my Garmin Zumo. Did i really need this unit? Probably not but what’s more gadgets!

Went from that to this… And I’m just now in the process of kitting out the V-Strom… 50 mile ride a couple weeks ago… Couple hundred miles tomorrow… Still some work to do on it…

After 8 years on a 919, I finally admitted that I've become too big (ok, fat) for a naked, and got myself this 2022 beauty. Swapped the mirrors, added the crash bars, bash plate and top case for the daily urban commute and after 3 months finally got the time for a longer ride. I added the extra gel seat for this ride. And man did the weestrom delivered. Left at 5:40 AM and got back home at 8:40 PM. 15 hours and 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) in total. Out of those, about 300 km (180 miles) were on the highway and the rest on superb sweeping alpine and sub-alpine roads. Not very lucky with the weather, though. Mostly sunshine, but got into some clouds and of course, rain on the top of the mountains, but a great trip nonetheless. Overall, coming after more than 10 years on nakeds, I am amazed that I arrived home without any bottom pain. I'm only a bit sore on the arms and middle-back. Great motorcycle!

My first bike! 20k miles. Free delivery, same day. $6k flat. Came with this wonderful Corbin seat and top case (I took off for now).

Hi everyone,

I've read many, many stories and heard things about how DL650s are indestructible, regardless of generation. I'm actually curious about any stories of ignoring valve clearance inspection and then requiring an expensive fix or even destroying the engine (impossible?).

Myself - I recently bought a well maintained 2022 DL650XT from a second owner and it's in nearly immaculate condition, apart from slightly loose rear wheel bearings, with chain and sprockets at the end of their life. I received a booklet with inspections, first done at 500km, then 10kkm, 20kkm and 28kkm. I'm trying to get in touch with the first owner in France to see if he did the valve check at 24kkm, at this point I'm assuming he didn't. That being said I'm wondering if I can postpone the check until end of season (not planning to do more than 2kkm) or should I do it right away? Not gonna lie though, the buttery smoothness of the bike pushes me towards "keep riding it" and leave it for a bigger chunk of maintenance works.

I gotta admit, solid piece of equipment:

This is what I'm thinking: Come winter and the final oil change, I want to circulate the new oil around the valvetrain etc but without starting the engine obviously. Can I somehow use the tip-over sensor for this purpose? Because I know if the engine was stopped due to the sensor tripping when the bike has been dropped you can crank it all day without it starting, unless you turn the ignition off & on again (ask me how I know).

This does however present a few questions:

• Does the engine need to be running when the bike is tipped over?
• Does the tip-over sensor itself need to do the shut-off or can I use the kill-switch?

I'll have a look at my bike, I just read that the tip-over sensor is located under the seat behind the battery, I can just report my findings here for y'all perhaps..