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2012 vStrom 650 niggles...

37K views 102 replies 69 participants last post by  PeteW 
#1 ·
Well, it's been long enough now. We've lived with the bike long enough that the infatuation period is coming to an end. In this time, I'm sure that most of us have come up with a couple little things on our bikes and we would like to see changed. I'm not talking about changes that would require a major redesign, but just the little issues that it would be nice to see Suzuki address.

I'll start with a couple of mine:

kickstand -- the kick stand is not extend far enough forward. Parking on the very slightest of incline, is enough for the bike to roll off the side stand.

rear rack -- the finish is terrible, after just a six week tour, cam straps are wearing to the finish and exposing the white plastic. If they could not put a durable finish on the rack, they should have at least made the underlying plastic black. Also, it could use a few more places to run a strap through.

instrument BG -- The instrument panel would be easier to read it for were on a yellow background like that of my Suunto watch.

I have some more, but I'd like to hear about the little nuisances that other people would like to see changed.

yellow lcg bg:
 
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#2 ·
Nits to Pick -- definitely nothing serious...

Wow, it's a good thing I carefully read your subject line!

I agree with you on the sidestand. I haven't had any issues with the bike trying to roll off of it, but I am used to the sidestand on my old Ninja 650R, which was mounted a little further forward (I think) and it did swing further forward than the one on the V-Strom. I sometimes have to give it a little kick forward just to make certain that it's fully extended.

Another very small nit to pick is the tubing for the passenger pegs is too small of a diameter for me to use my Drift Stealth HD's handlebar mount. I think I can get away with using more rubber shim strips, but I didn't have any old inner tubes lying around to sacrifice.

Finally, I find the horn button a little bit too easily when I'm going to cancel the turn signals. There are at least 4 drivers out there who probably think I'm a complete a-hole!

As you can see, none of these are even really issues. These just make me realize just how good a bike this is. I consider myself very fortunate, because my list of nits to pick for my old 650R was about as minor, but enough to make me trade it in. I still love that bike, but the '12 V-Strom is a much better fit for me now, nits and all.
 
#12 ·
Yes, I most always park w/the bike in gear & sometimes velcro down the front break.

I have no problem w/the panel at night, but wish it had the yellow bg during the day like my watch instead of the grayish green.
 
#7 ·
They might drag anyway... I have not had a chance to experience anything to spirited on mine yet... I am just suggesting you give the motorcycle a chance by executing proper body position in the turns, it is real easy to get lazy on an upright riding position motorcycle...I am guilty of this often!

I thought the side stand thing was just me, I have not been comfortable with the way mine rests on the stand, I constantly check it in fear of the bike falling down, even when left in gear.

No other complaints here in my very short lived ownership, and lack of experience with the V-Strom, or any other motorcycle of this type for that matter.
 
#9 ·
-The egros (shape and/or position) of the Turn Signal switch differ enough from my 2006 that I find it not as comfortable to turn off as my 2006 and on occasion hit the horn.

-I agree about the high beam indicatior being too bright, although I find I have gotten used to it.

-Sidestand is the same as previous models so yes we have to be careful. On the other hand it is in the perfect place for turning the bike around on the sidestand if needs be. I think it needs a detent or something to keep it deployed when moving the bike around the garage.

..Tom
 
#70 ·
Turning bike around?



Hi,i know this is a 2 year old comment,but i have to ask & please excuse if it's an idiot question,but do you mean literally turning the bike round useing the side-stand,like in eg.180degrees?I just know i'm going to regret asking this:mrgreen:
 
#13 ·
Hello, my name is Paul and I am a horn honker.
No other biggies for me, just the horn... beep, dang it, did it again!
 
#14 ·
Doesn't come with center stand. Added the expensive Suzuki one. OUCH!
Doesn't come with lower engine protection. Added the Suzuki one. OUCH!
Temperamental locks on the Trax panniers. (adv. model) Lube and turning the key at different angles has helped.
Trax panniers could have been mounted a little narrower. (adv. model) I might cut and weld but I'm not sure it's worth it for two inches.
Sixth gear is not high enough. I'll learn to live with it.
Could shift a little smoother. Part synthetic oil has helped a little.
Annoying safety switches which I'm afraid are going to leave me stranded. I bent the tang on the kickstand to push the switch in all the way. I think it's fixed. Hope the clutch one doesn't act up.
It's a tad bit heavy for a 650. No fix.
Heated grips and accessories socket should come stock. I bought some aftermarket.
The windshield issue. Haven't tackled that one yet.
Yea the horn button.

I'm really nitpicking on some of these. I really do think it's a great bike, one of the best I've ever owned.
 
#18 ·
I love the bike, no "real" issues just things that might not fit me too well, such as:
Damn horn next to the signals.
Seat is a little high for me (not the bikes fault)
Stock tires are useless on anything other than pavement or really hardpack
Panniers are kind of wide, but they have lots of storage so its a trade-off
Not crazy about the oil-filter location, added Yann's skidplate to take care of that
Some vibes through the handlebars that $10 grip puppies helped with
Same vibes in my kiester on long rides

Really biggest gripe is the stock tires
 
#19 ·
I love it, but since we are nit picking.

I agree on the kickstand. The horn, I thought it was because I'm a noob. I feel better now. :green_lol:

The oil filter is exposed, and unprotected. Remedied with a slightly expensive Touratech engine guard. But really, if Suzuki is gonna put it in the open, they could do a little something to protect it.

That's my .02
 
#21 ·
My nit picks:

High beam indicator light too bright.
Wish transmission was wider ratio, lower 1st and higher 6th
I have bumped the horn a couple times when cancelling the turn signals
Wish footpegs were a little lower and a little forward, I think it would be more comfortable.
 
#22 ·
Nitpicks

Dan Vesel can cure that with his footpeg lowering plates. Over an inch lower and about 1/2 in. forward. Best $50.00 I've spent. Best of all retains your stock pegs and foot levers. I must be an idiot since I have no other complaints. No bike is perfect and all have nitpicks. I don't care how much u spend. In fact, the more u spend the more nitpicks u find. Just sayin.
 
#26 ·
it's not just me?

I am glad to hear that most other strommers are also accidentally hitting the horn! I used to have a gs500 and never had issues with it, now i feel that i hit the horn at least once a week by accident.

only other complaints are that the centrestand should be stock (not $260 from zuki) and the kickstand feels a little flimsy, but a RR kickstand foots makes it feel VERY solid on all surfaces, and will totally resist any kind of rolling even if left in neutral.
 
#29 ·
Yep, as soon as I saw the subject I thought "I honk the horn while canceling my turn signals way too often". That never happened to me with other bikes!

Agree that center stand should be stock equipment. Some kind of undercowling would be nice too, but not as critical as having a center stand (especially for a chain drive bike).

I've never had a problem reading the dash and rarely if ever use my high beams.
 
#31 ·
Horn to close to the indicators.

Too bright high-beam indicator. (Mostly blanked out with a circle of tape)

Far too easy to turn on the hazard lights when dipping the lights at night, and on a dark night, near impossible to see to turn them back on. (Now stuck down with hot melt glue)

Lights stock are adjusted far too high and wide, and adjustment risks cracking the reflectors.

Pete
 
#34 ·
I am so glad that the errant horn beeping isn't just me!

@trobe -- I love the Speed Triple, too. It's my dream bike, but I know if I pulled that trigger, I'd get myself into trouble way too easily!

@pneumatic -- Any chance we could see some of the video from your GoPro?
 
#37 · (Edited)
I have a lot of videos, check out my youtube profile. My DRZ is pretty much the slowest bike on the track, so I have to catch people in the corners and under brakes. The videos are also 720p HD on youtube.
Looks like a lot of fun. I actually got the clenchies when that guy... *ahem* girl went wide at about 1:57...:scared:
 
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