Ahead of RUST #37, which is now just days away from publication, here’s a video update on the state of play with our Suzuki V-Strom 650XT long term project.
It’s proving to be a most excellent street bike, such a wonderful chilled-out ride, and so incredibly versatile, we’d rate it 10/10 for street use; it’s an all-rounder that’s a lot of fun. And with the new aesthetics, and those so-useful and so-bling (tubeless) anodized gold rims, its turning heads – which more than V-Strom 650s of the past did.
So you can read the full story in RUST #37, but in the meantime here’s yours truly trying earnestly to be an effective vlogger (not yet there, eh?)
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
RUST’s top ten road-oriented virtues
1Â Great engine, vibe-free, chilled-out but with a bit of vee-twin character
2 Versatility – great in town (height), great on the motorway (effortless 80mph cruising), great on country roads (plush suspension)
3 Economical – 60-65mpg
4 Comfortable – we’ve added Suzuki’s tall seat, so legroom is excellent, nice sweep of the bars, too, and a decently protective fairing, plus hand guards…
5 Fuel range – yep, at 60mpg it’ll go 250 miles between refuels (400km)
6 Sweet handling – so easy to ride and very assured feedback (check out the alloy frame)
7 12v socket – right there on the fairing so you can power your sat nav or charge your phone on the go
8 Super quiet – almost too quiet. This is stealth motorcycling
9 Clear mirrors – you can see just about everything that’s going on behind you (important on motorways)
10 It’s a big bike – no one would think is a 650, it’s got litre-bike presence
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