[CollingsBob]

2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS Review- Suzuki V-Strom 650 First Ride

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

sounds rather boring

sounds rather boring - either the bike is boring or the reviewer was not in an upbeat mood that day

 

[jeems]

Man, looks like the new strom can't go offroad either...

 

[BillZ]

New looks do not make a new bike. I still love mine.

 

[biker128pedal]

Hey the new Bosch ABS cannot be turned off like the old one could. I'll keep my '09.

 

[marku]

not enought different

I think I was more curious in the rumors about an 800cc. Some of the improvements tweaks sound good but not enought to interest me to think of parting with my farkled 07 that has many k miles left.

Too bad the two reviews I have seen so far did not involve someone able to compare the old and new models (this guy could not remember and Croatia tester was from a DL1000)

Interesting some engine mods, claimed 13 lbs shaved and and claimed 10% better fuel economy on a pretty economical bike. Wonder about the power improvements; guessing probably minor.

 

[V-Storm]

Thanks for posting this - very interesting with nice pix. The bike actually looks really good to me. I will be taking a serious look at these when they come out. My plan is to keep my Wee "forever", but I have a watch list that consists of BMW F800ST, Tiger 800 and new Wee.

 

[CanadianFZ6]

Hey the new Bosch ABS cannot be turned off like the old one could. I'll keep my '09.

Ok, I'll bite... Why can't you just pull the fuse like you do on the Wee classic (to disable the ABS)? I mean the new wee's (Bosch as you call it) must have a fuse too... Will the ABS not come back online when you put the fuse back in and cycle the ignition (again like the old wee)? If that's the case, what if you blow the abs fuse on the new Wee?

Richard

 

[hanno]

sounds rather boring - either the bike is boring or the reviewer was not in an upbeat mood that day

Mark over the second option...

Jet-lag maybe ?

 

[irelage]

I love the new version

The ride on the Gladius is what sold me on the Suzuki V-strom. I was slightly disappointed with the Wee in comparison when I bought one. The engine and mpg improvements are wonderful. Love the more rugged styling. Love the new gauge. If all the aftermarket farkles still attach then I am planning on buying one in the future. Biggest bang for the buck in motorcycles for economical world travel.

 

[jeems]

Ok, I'll bite... Why can't you just pull the fuse like you do on the Wee classic (to disable the ABS)? I mean the new wee's (Bosch as you call it) must have a fuse too... Will the ABS not come back online when you put the fuse back in and cycle the ignition (again like the old wee)? If that's the case, what if you blow the abs fuse on the new Wee?

Richard

I took it the same way as you Richard. It "can't" be turned off means there just isn't a switch from the factory. You have to be able to disable it one way or another (fuse, rig up a switch, strike it with a rock). If the ABS system fails on it's own you still need to be able to brake the good ol' fashioned way. It would be a lawsuit waiting to happen otherwise.

 

[garandman]

According to the Facebook B-Strom page, someone in France has already taken delivery of 1 white 2012.

 

[greywolf]

It looks like there is a UK owner too. New wee test ride (post also submitted to v-strom.co.uk)

 

[rjwinz]

Ooh, a real report from an owner. Thanks for the link.

 

[garandman]

It looks like there is a UK owner too. New wee test ride (post also submitted to v-strom.co.uk)

Suzuki dealer test ride! This is new!

 

[shrike]

I want a 400 SM , So I could spank it, hehehe. I saw one today and man it looks nice for city duty

Anyways, is the new Wee going to be a girlie, like the Tigers had the girlie years?

 

[ozart]

Anyone know if the suspension travel has changed?

 

[greywolf]

Travel for the rear shock has been increased from 5.9 to 6.3 inches

 

[garandman]

The questions I haven't had answered yet are whether the 32 bit ECU is a closed-loop system, and if the alternator putput has been increased.

I believe the DL1000 has had a 32 bit ECU for a number of years? But they also mention oxygen sensors which implies feedback. If it was remappable, that would be very cool.

 

[garandman]