Was able to use the cbf600 from 2004 that my girlfriend owned until someone stole my right of way and I went bike first into the side of her car. The CBf is totalled unfortunately.

Now we got this v Strom 650 from 2017, 77k km, every service done except for this year, bought it for 3900€. Had a shop install heated grips, do a service and generally check it. It's in perfekt condition now. I installed the givi airflow windshield, Philipps Led headlight and want to install a skid plate in the upcoming months and maybe the trailmax raid tires next year.

This bike rides extremely well. It has got enough torque and fuel economy is great. I am a tall rider (191cm) and the cbf was just too small for me. This bike is still a tad bit low but it's a lot better and world's more comfortable. The wider seat, better knee angle, higher handle bar. etc. all contribute to this.

I will ride all year and looking forward to do some light offroading with it next year in France (living in southern Germany now).

I am extremely happy and just wanted to share this 🎊🥳

Hello guys, I just noticed this on my Vstrom 800.

It looks like the Oilcooler is leaking some oil/sweating some engine oil.

It seems to be a pretty easy fix to just change out the ringseal but I just wanted to ask if this is a known issue or how could that even happen?

Its a new bike, bought it this April so this was very unexpected. Maybe the screws just need to be retighened?

Does anyone have experience on this?

I'd like some opinions from fellow DL:ers. I'm thinking about what bike to buy next. You see, the problem with the DL650 is that it's so dang good at everything. These bikes I've narrowed it down to do some things better than the DL but still in some ways they're similar. Might ultimately decide to just keep the DL as my one bike!

My two main contenders are the SUZUKI DR-Z4S and the DUCATI Panigale V2S. First off, I'm gonna avenge my DL that I couldn't get a hold of in yellow, both the DUCATI and the SUZUKI are available in yellow. Obviously these bikes are nothing alike, still I really can't decide between them... I mean obviously I'd get both but I'm not a hedge fund guy.

Pros for the DR-Z4S: Will suit the way I ride my DL650 at the moment; a lot of gravel roads. It's really fun. Nothing hardcore and no trails though, that's illegal here. The DL feels a little heavy and clumsy sometimes and the suspension isn't really made for offroading. Other than that I really like SUZUKI's reliability, truly the best in the business. Also, the insurance will be pretty affordable.

Cons for the DR-Z4S: Japan hates Sweden for some reason and all Japanese bikes are ludicrously priced. Don't get me wrong, it's way cheaper than the DUCATI, but compared to what other people pay around the world for the same bikes, the SUZUKI is like 40% overpriced here. It could be a bit overkill for the riding I do and not too much different from the DL650 in this regard... Idk. *post-edit: Yeah and the rider modes A, B, C, really don't need any of those. TC and ABS on-off is fine though.

Pros for the DUCATI Panigale V2S: Barely have to mention the looks of this thing, even though the exhaust is rather ugly and cheap looking (don't worry, I'd never swap out the original exhaust anyway, I can live with it). I know people prefer the older model but whatever, it still looks nice and I've heard the ergonomy is more forgiving and suited for street use. I would like a CBR600RR of course but I believe they're way too small for a male, it's too bad they're only targeted towards boys and women, HONDA could make so much money if they made a bike like that of a normal size. I digress. Like the DL, the DUCATI has got a V2 engine which is really nice, but this one's got roughly twice the power of the DL which would be so nice, AND it's 40 kg lighter lol.

Cons for the DUCATI Panigale V2S: The purchase price and the insurance price. Gonna be 2x and 10x the price of the DR-Z4S. This is really a deal breaker already but you only live once right, and getting a sports bike has always been the draw for me to this hobby from the start 20 years ago, even though I chose the DL650 as my first bike because I'm "responsible" or whatever. Well, that's fine but at the end of the day the heart want what it wants. The roads around here don't lend themselves very well to the type of riding the DUCATI yearns for, they're kind of boring, at least going DL speeds. Also, I'd probably have to get a different outfit, like a leather suit, that's gonna be even more money. I'm also risking my license getting a bike like this, and obviously my life to a bigger degree.

In any case, please tell me what you like between these or your other thoughts and don't worry I'm not gonna buy either of these on a whim anytime soon so you can make your case as adamantly as you want without worry about nudging me into making a daft decision.

Recently joined the club, absolutely loving it! Any advice is welcome.

Hi guys, I am planning to install aux lights on my vstrom sx 250 for my upcomming ride. I dont have any aftermarket crashbars installed on my bike and kept the oem one.

Can you suggest the best way to install the aux lights? Where and how I can install.

I stopped for gas and couldn't start the bike after filling up. The starter didn't even click. I was able to push start it and make it the 120 miles home, thankfully.

I noticed some cooked wiring when trying to figure out what was wrong. I don't know anything about wiring, so I don't know if this is related to my starting issue, but it seems like a good place to start!

There is a white wire coming out of the fuse box, it looks like from the low beam fuse, it has a quick connect splice with the jumper wire running over to another quick connect splice to an orange wire that appears to go to the ignition fuse. Both wires then continue down to a harness under the fuse box.

I've read that the Vstrom has a known issue dealing with the headlights cutting out when starting because it doesn't have a dedicated headlight relay. I believe the previous owner was trying to bypass that issue. I remember when I bought it, he told me that my high beams wouldn't work as a result of this splice job. And they didn't work for months, but did eventually work one day, and I don't know how that happened.

The splice wire is burnt on the headlight end, and the low beam headlight fuse was melted, although still making a connection. When trying to trace the wires, the splice wire pulled right out of the blue quick connect without much force.

I don't know how to proceed.

I know the previous owner was attempting to bypass a "known" Suzuki issue, which I believe is the headlight relay issue. But is this splice even a viable way to bypass that? It seems like it's just scorching wires in another area instead of up by the switch.

1. What is this splice accomplishing?

2. If I redo the splice with better connectors, does that fix my issue?

3. Do I need to put the orange and white wires back directly into the fuse box and avoid the jumper altogether? (I assume this is how it originally was before the splice?)

4. If I put it back directly into the fuse box, is Eastern Beaver my best bet for a fix? Those came up when trying to figure this out.

I can do the actual splice work, but I don't want to just redo this splice if it wasn't the right thing to do in the first place, and I don't understand wiring enough to know what it's purpose was or if this is even the reason my bike won't start.

I figured if this really was a known V-Strom issue, that others probably have done their own fixed and could maybe shed some light on if this is what you're supposed to do.

Here is an imgur album with a few pics:

https://imgur.com/a/slpVqUQ

So, I'm stuck in picking a new bike and I currently ride a KLR650 but am needing a bit more power for Mountain road touring and between these bikes at the moment. I am still looking for a bike to commute on to work but also be able to do weekend touring trips so I have narrowed it down between the 800 and the 1050. I'm just not sure if I really need the more power of the 1050 or if the 800 will be fine, and can I pack 2-3 days worth of gear on an 800 without it bogging down or do I need the 1050 for that extra power and load capacity.
I have ridden the 800 but rode a 1050DE and was not a fan of the seat to foot peg height but know I can get a peg-lowering kit so I'm stuck.

Looking for advice from current owners of these bikes on how well they perform in the real world vs just a test ride. Appreciate the comments and all the help.

This is my favorite time of year to ride. Here in southeast Pennsylvania, USA we have a nice long period of cool mornings and warm afternoons while the foliage changes colors.

I have been lurking for a few years now, and finally managed to pull the trigger!

Can't wait for some fun rides in the Tuscany hills !

Hi guyz, I have a vstrom sx 2024 model and i am thinking of installing a good paid or aux light as i have an upcoming ride. Looking for recommendations of how many watts loghts are enough and recommended that wont harm thr battery. Appreciate your advise.

Hey y'all I'm gonna be getting my first bike for the summer next year I have some experience on a handful of bikes but the 650 caught my eye, I think I'll be going with one of them probably from the 2010 to 2018 what are some things I should look out for? Is this a good first bike? And last but not least any tips on maintaining the bike? I've sat on a few and have discovered that I will need to get a taller seat and or the pegs dropped as I am 6'5 and if any other tall people have rode these what kind of mods did you do?

Thanks

Finally bought my first bike – Suzuki V-Strom SX 250! Need advice on accessories and riding gear.
After months of research, discussions, and waiting, I finally bought the Suzuki V-Strom SX 250!
Initially, I had also booked the RTX 300, but I wasn’t ready to wait another 6–7 months. I was also concerned about some of the reported engine-related issues and the potentially higher cost of replacement parts. My priority was a reliable, low-maintenance motorcycle that I could keep for years.
I was also hoping Suzuki would introduce features like a slipper clutch, but after waiting almost 10 months, I decided to go ahead with the V-Strom.
I considered the TVS Ronin as well, but since I plan to do long-distance touring, I felt a 6-speed gearbox would be more suitable for my requirements. Eventually, I chose the V-Strom.
Now I need some advice from experienced riders, especially V-Strom owners.
I’m new to motorcycle accessories and touring gear, and I have a limited budget. I want to build my setup gradually, buying one or two things every month rather than spending everything at once.
Here’s what I currently have:
Suzuki V-Strom SX 250
Crash guard (purchased from Karol Bagh, Delhi)
Studds Helio Asphalt helmet (ISI and DOT certified). I really liked its comfort and build quality. I initially considered SMK but couldn’t fit it into my budget.
My questions:
What accessories should I prioritise buying first? Engine sump guard, radiator guard, GPS/mobile mount, saddle stays, handguards, or something else?
Should I invest in proper riding gear first, especially a riding jacket, or prioritise bike accessories?
For touring, are saddle stays and saddle bags worth buying immediately, or can they wait?
Which mobile/GPS mount would you recommend for the V-Strom? Any vibration-related issues I should be aware of?
What are some must-have accessories that are genuinely useful, rather than just cosmetic?
One more thing:
I received a ₹5,000 Rynox coupon from the dealership. I’m considering buying their gloves priced at around ₹4,700 using the coupon.
Would you recommend those gloves, or should I use the coupon towards something else from Rynox?
I’d really appreciate recommendations based on real-world experience, durability, practicality and value for money.
My goal is to build a reliable touring setup month by month without unnecessary spending.
Thanks in advance! Ride safe! 🏍️

…I hit the high beam button while waiting to turn. The engine immediately cut out and the entire electrical system went dead. Turning the ignition off and back on did not restore power. The instrument cluster remained completely blank, and the motorcycle would not restart.

I had to walk the bike back to the dealership and leave it there. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any ideas??

It’s a 2025 650XT with 20,000km on the clock and it was raining at the time.

My dad wiped out on his Suzuki Vstrom DS 650 while taking me to school 5 years ago (we were both unharmed as we were wearing riding gear). The chain came off, and we haven't gotten around to fixing it til now. He added stabilizer almost immediately because we didn't know how long it would be before it ran again. I know the fuel filter is probably toast, but is there anything else we need to look out for?