Although it might be in the shadow of the all-new 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE this year, the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 will still have plenty of fans despite enjoying no changes for ’23. The V-Strom 650 has a substantial cult following who love the V-twin adventure motorcycle just the way it is.
The 645cc DOHC motor is smooth, making the V-Strom 650 an easy-to-ride motorcycle, even for new riders, as long as they can handle the 32.9-inch seat height. Although it relinquished its title as the most dirt-oriented V-Strom to the 800DE this year, the 650 still works well on dirt roads where the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40 tires on a 19-/17-inch rim combo aren’t challenged.
Impressively versatile, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 works as a commuter bike. Add bags, and it’s ready for a coast-to-coast ride. You can even ride it around town and enjoy how well it swallows up potholes. If you want to go for a sporting ride, it’s more than ready for the twisties, as a pair of 310mm discs with Tokico calipers do a fine job of slowing the 470-pound motorcycle down, and ABS is standard. We have found all this out while testing the Suzuki V-Strom 650.
While the price did poke above $9000 for the first time this year, the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 continues to represent a good value in motorcycling.
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: 90-degree V-twin
- Displacement: 645cc
- Bore x stroke: 81.0 x 62.6mm
- Compression ratio: 11.2:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
- Lubrication: Wet sump
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate
- Final Drive: RK 525 O-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable fork; 5.9 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable shock; 6.3 inches
- Wheels: 10-spoke cast aluminum
- Front: 2.50 x 19
- Rear: 4.00 x 17
- Tires: Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A40
- Front tire: 110/80 x 19
- Rear tire: 150/70 x 17
- Front brakes: 310mm discs w/ 2-piston Tokico calipers
- Rear brake: 260mm disc w/ single-piston Nissin caliper
- ABS: Standard (non-defeatable)
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 61.4 inches
- Rake: 25.7 degrees
- Trail: 4.2 inches
- Ground clearance: 6.7 inches
- Seat height: 32.9 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 5.3 gallons
- Curb weight: 470 pounds
- Color: Pearl Vigor Blue
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Price: $9104 MSRP
