It's probably the most accomplished bike Suzuki have made. I'm spoiled for a low-end grunt with all of my bikes, so was bound to notice it under 3,000 RPM. Most folks though I think will not find this an issue, particularly if they’re used to inline fours and taking off with a little more in the way of revs on the dial.Thanks for the feedback, this is certainly a bike to consider.Cheers.

Thanks, you are right - I misspoke. Nice engine, but not quite up to the spec in the low/mid range of the modern inline four cylinders that are dialed in for more lower and mid-range power. I was getting left under 5,000 RPM easily by the vstrom 800 until legal speeds, when the K5 just came into its own.

Thanks, sludgy! Yeah, semi-active suspension is a whole new dimension.

Yeah it really should cost 3 to 4k max. I mean 25k for a pos bmw or Chinese sourced ktm? Bring it on. Paying a premium bike from a jap brand? Unacceptable, gotta have them almost free.

I think you nailed one of the issues this bike has.For starters it's a great bike, but it would be more complete with an adjustable windshield, even one as basic as on the Vstrom 1050, a center stand, and heated grips as standard. I think the price is reasonable given the spec and quality of the bike having ridden it, the problem is it's a Suzuki and we all have preconceptions that Suzuki's are well made but often cheaper than other brands. I guess as their Flagship model, they feel Justified breaking the $20,000 Canadian barrier. But for that you can get a V100 with semi-active suspension and I suspect in the future the Stelvio With semi active suspension as well.

You bet!

Great question. Certainly it's not as visceral as my z900rs or anywhere near as characterful as the Griso, but it's a lot more exciting than a Vstrom If you want it to be. It does have character when you wind it up. It's light enough that it feels quite sporty; in fact, it's definitely on the sportier end of sport touring, although it's incredibly versatile with that semi-active adjustable on the fly suspension - you can literally make it feel like anything from a plush Goldwing to a capable litre bike. Personally, if I wanted the semi-active suspension, I would give the Moto Guzzi V100 a go before deciding. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Cheers

Done: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e6d6hNh4mb7acqs.html

Valid point: sadly it's the same with a lot of semi faired or compact engined bikes these days. Cheers.

Agree - and already done. Video here. What do you think? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e6d6hNh4mb7acqs.html Cheers!

Yes, the silver one reminds me of the katana. Cheers.

Not having owned a vintage car or motorcycle, I'm not sure what they do with the new fuels. I just went to a vintage car show where there were hundreds of running vintage cars so they must have some sort of solution to the problem. I'm assuming there's an additive of some sort. Here you can buy anything up to 94 octane but as you say that is calculated a different way than you do in Europe and the UK. That probably equates to 99 octane in Europe. However, the highest ethanol free petrol that we can buy here is 92 octane or about 97 in Europe, but that will be phased out shortly and everything will be E5 or E10.Thanks for the feedback. cheers.

That sounds like a master plan! :-)

Couldn't agree more!

Thanks for the feedback. I never felt any tingles in the handlebars at all, just a gentle pulse through the entire bike, although it was very very minor and in my experience can be put down to character: it has two counterbalancers, so I think Suzuki left that in there just to give the bike some soul. It certainly didn't intrude in any way in my riding and I felt it was a positive.But then again I ride a moto guzzi griso and a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 both of which have the same sort of characteristic and I enjoy that. I've had a Suzuki V-Strom, and ridden the Ninja 650. For me the 8R is a natural replacement for the Ninja, but you have to do your thing :-)

@@BlueMarbleRider You are right about character. That may very well be the reason I've had a hard time letting go of both the Ninja and the Vstrom. It's a great time to be a motorcyclist, but too much character is out-pacing my wallet and inventory capacity. Thanks for the feedback and keep the reviews/perspectives coming!

Thanks, Sludgy!

Good to know, thanks. Pretty sure the yellow version is coming in the fall of 2024 - the 2025 model year in Europe.

Fabulous info. The bikes engine is a gem, and very understressed, so I'm not surprised thst TST has found more power. Cheers and thanks for the update.

100% compared to the stock Vstrom 1000 oem stock screen. I can't comment on the 800DE version, except to say Givi usually do their homework before releasing a product.

@@BlueMarbleRider yea unfortunately I wasted money the oem tall windshield. Still get bugs on my face shield. I have a cheap Amazon extension I'm going to try first before I decide on the money for the givi

Used to have a W650. Miss it. Very different bikes, no doubt the RS is more capable.

Yes it is paved.

Interesting comparison. What were your takeaways about the differences?

@@BlueMarbleRider comfort for one on a long ride. The build quality and reliability. I also much prefer the look of the green and gold Z650RS. My shorty wife can also flat foot the Kawasaki where she couldn’t the Interceptor even with it being lowered. Yeh Kawasaki also has much more power and mine is the LAMS version which is nobbled somewhat.

My wife has never ridden, and just enjoys the back. The TL1000R was an interesting bike - not too many around.

650? 1000? I'm pretty sure anything before 2016 in North America is free of Euro 4 (they do have emissions, but not to that level). Moto Guzzi stopped producing the Griso 1200 SE in 2016 as they couldn't make the big 1200 block compatable with the Euro 4 specs.

Agree 100%. There are those that just see motorcycling as speed and power (and fair play to them), but I like the variety. That 350 classic is gem and puts a smile on my face straight away. I've always liked the Hyabusa - it's one of those bikes that you can ride like a pussy cat (so smooth) or open it up and feel your retinas detaching. :-)

Too funny. It's always the way isn't it? Best not to wash them if you're going to sell them, I always think:-) Beautiful bike, BTW. Lyle would not endorse you selling it. Don't much care for the latest model myself: it's lost some of that steampunk-art deco look that the snorkel provided on the R9T. Enjoy. Cheers.

Agreed. The latest version looks like it could be from any manufacturer if you ignore the drivetrain. Very generic styling, definitely lost its industrial-art vibe.

Thanks - there are few local subs now. Cheers.

Thanks for sharing: Loved my 12 Vstrom 650 too. I really enjoy how relaxed I am on the big 1000 Strom. The other bikes in the garage are exciting, but the 1000 strom is a really great cruise. Cheers.

Northwest Bay Logging Division, Nanoose. This is 155 main. There are 3 bridges on it, before it turns right and crosses the Englishman River. This is the first bridge. Cheers.

Yes, it's not easy!

Yes, it's bad isn't it! Back when I had the 650 I used a madstad, but I'm sure their are better solutions now - check out the forums. Cheers.

Based largely on your video (and a few others that confirmed), I ordered the Givi Airflow for my 650. Also a peg lowering kit and a gel pad. I’m dedicated to making this darned bike enjoyable for long distances.

I guess it depends how they are mounted, but they are distinctive. I have just upgraded to 8K now, (4K per lens), so the quality is roughly equivalent to a Go Pro/Ace Pro.

Great to hear. Love the fact you are both out on the bikes. Cheers.

Great to hear you're getting your license. The UK is similar to Norway - probably for the best. Here in Canada, you can jump on any bike (yes a Ducati V4S/BMWs1000RR/Kawasaki H2R) and take a round the cones parking lot test. Then you ride for a few weeks with a friend with experience (full license), then take a short road test. Then you are considered a motorcycle rider. It's like putting a kid in canon, shooting them out, and expecting them to fly safely. Yes, agree, while the SV and Vstom share the same motor, they are quite different.

@@BlueMarbleRider I got my license at monday morning, while it was raining a little. during this week, I've already done like 500 km on my V-Strom, and it's insane how comfortable it is compared to the SV650. I just need a small tank bag for easily accessible stuff, like credit cards and I'm good btw, the US and Norway might have similarities for the test, but we have to do hours of training with an instructor, going thru 3 levels of skill mastering, incl. a 3 hour session on a track for experience, a 6 hour session with an instructor on public roads as a "long trip" experience, and so on. in total, we have to pay about $3k for our license also, we have 3 levels of the license. A1 for 125cc and max 11 kW power, A2 for 35 kW power and max power of 0,2 kW/kg weight of the bike, and A, which is no restriction each level has age restrictions as well, so A1 is 16 y/o, A2 is 18 y/o, and A is a little more complicated, because it is 24 y/o, but we can "upgrade" from A2 after 2 years to A as well, meaning someone who got their A2 when they turned 18, they can upgrade to A when they're turning 20, but as far as I remember, they have to be 21 y/o to actually be fully unrestricted