Photo: original image by autoevolution
We've just met up with the 2015 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT ABS at the Japanese automaker's EICMA stand and let us tell you one thing: this bike is not perfect. During the press conference, Suzuki told everybody how the front beak directs air towards air ducts. But in person, it looks more like a design exercise than anything else, as the dusts are blocked. Don't believe us? Check out our live photos.
Another thing we discovered is that it will be very tough to do the spring preload adjustment with winter gloves. The space around the back mounts for the foot pegs is very tight. It's not all bad news for the V-Strom though.
Suzuki has finally heeded what countless riders have been telling for years now: there can be no such thing as a real adventure bike to venture off the road safely with cast wheels. The 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS brings back the good-old wire spokes to the off-road game and with them, a massive increase in the usability of the bike in places where asphalt is not present and will most likely never be.
The wheelbase and other figures are unchanged, so the main differences are the wire wheels and the beak. Why Suzuki felt like a GS or Multistrada beak was one of the best additions is still shrouded in mystery.
We published an editorial on the “beak thing” and you can read more there. Basically, Suzuki replaced the small “Voldemort nose” of the base version with a “Cyrano de Bergerac nose”, most likely to make the new V-Strom look more like some of the more coveted machines.
Engine tweaks for better fuel, such as camshaft and timing revisions promise better fuel economy and longer range as Suzuki claims. Still a 20-liter (5.3 US gal) tank for a 650-er is a great feature, especially when planning to venture far from the main inhabited areas.
The 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS doesn’t have any fancy features, as Suzuki obviously aims to keep the price down. With the beak and the more compliant wheels, the little Strom is likely to draw in more customers. They’ll bring home the same 645cc 90-degree injected v-twin with a manual 6-speed transmission and chain final drive.
One of the neat features is a LED alarm light which warns the rider of possible road freeze. It works in conjunction with the temperature display and adds to the overall safety. Other handy feats for the 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS must be mentioned. The windscreen is adjustable and comes with 3 positions. It was shaped in the wind tunnel so it will provide better protection. Embossed aluminium panniers are on the house, just like the crashbars.
The 2015 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT ABS is a most welcome return to the world of real adventure bikes, hopefully a good sign that its 1,000cc sister will join the party, too. Until then however, if you’re in for a fancy on-off commuter/tourer/daily bike, ready some $10,399 (US price).
Suzuki has finally heeded what countless riders have been telling for years now: there can be no such thing as a real adventure bike to venture off the road safely with cast wheels. The 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS brings back the good-old wire spokes to the off-road game and with them, a massive increase in the usability of the bike in places where asphalt is not present and will most likely never be.
As far as dimensions go, the 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS is pretty much the same with the standard ABS model for 2015. This means an 835 mm (32.9 in) height which might make keeping the bike straight when stopped a bit difficult for riders with a shorter inseam. The curb weight is 215 kg (474 lb), marginally superior to the standard V-Strom 650 and in the ballpark of other machines can brag on, as well.
The wheelbase and other figures are unchanged, so the main differences are the wire wheels and the beak. Why Suzuki felt like a GS or Multistrada beak was one of the best additions is still shrouded in mystery.
We published an editorial on the “beak thing” and you can read more there. Basically, Suzuki replaced the small “Voldemort nose” of the base version with a “Cyrano de Bergerac nose”, most likely to make the new V-Strom look more like some of the more coveted machines.
Engine tweaks for better fuel, such as camshaft and timing revisions promise better fuel economy and longer range as Suzuki claims. Still a 20-liter (5.3 US gal) tank for a 650-er is a great feature, especially when planning to venture far from the main inhabited areas.
The 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS doesn’t have any fancy features, as Suzuki obviously aims to keep the price down. With the beak and the more compliant wheels, the little Strom is likely to draw in more customers. They’ll bring home the same 645cc 90-degree injected v-twin with a manual 6-speed transmission and chain final drive.
One of the neat features is a LED alarm light which warns the rider of possible road freeze. It works in conjunction with the temperature display and adds to the overall safety. Other handy feats for the 2015 V-Strom 650 XT ABS must be mentioned. The windscreen is adjustable and comes with 3 positions. It was shaped in the wind tunnel so it will provide better protection. Embossed aluminium panniers are on the house, just like the crashbars.
The 2015 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT ABS is a most welcome return to the world of real adventure bikes, hopefully a good sign that its 1,000cc sister will join the party, too. Until then however, if you’re in for a fancy on-off commuter/tourer/daily bike, ready some $10,399 (US price).
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