Suzuki DL 650 V-STROM 2009 — Specifications

What drives a manufacturer to offer its big adventure bike in a mid-displacement version? The answer comes down to two words: accessibility and versatility. With the 2009 Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom, Hamamatsu dipped into its catalog for the best possible recipe. The 645 cc 90° L-twin is none other than an evolution of the engine that built the SV 650's reputation. Except here, the camshafts have been reworked, the airbox enlarged, and the reciprocating masses increased to beef up the torque curve in the mid-range. The result: 67 hp at 8,800 rpm and, more importantly, 63.7 Nm available from just 6,400 rpm. It's no powerhouse on paper, but in real-world use, this twin proves remarkably flexible. You can roll through mountain bends in third or fourth gear without ever feeling the engine struggle, and the chain drive paired with the six-speed gearbox accompanies every surge of acceleration with a fluidity that inspires confidence.

On the chassis side, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 borrows the recipe from its bigger sibling with a twin-spar aluminum frame that delivers surprising rigidity for an adventure bike. The 110/80-19 front and 150/70-17 rear tires offer an ideal compromise between highway stability and agility on back roads. The 43 mm telescopic hydraulic fork and the rear monoshock each provide 150 mm of travel, which remains modest for the category. This is the main criticism one can level at this machine: the suspension clearly favors dynamic performance at the expense of comfort on rough pavement. Sensitive backs will remember it after a full day on battered tarmac. The braking, handled by twin 310 mm discs up front and a 260 mm disc at the rear, proves progressive and sufficiently sharp without ever feeling brutal. You're riding a road-oriented adventure bike, not a superbike, and the feel matches the machine's philosophy perfectly.

The riding position is one of the DL 650's true strengths. With a seat height of 820 mm, lower and narrower than the 1000's, average-sized riders can put their feet flat on the ground without stress at red lights. That's a major selling point compared to the Honda Transalp of the era, which the Suzuki outgunned by roughly fifteen horsepower. The 22-liter tank allows for grand touring-length stages, and the adjustable windscreen provides decent upper-body protection once set in position. The dashboard, comprehensive and easy to read, was in fact deemed so successful that the 1000 version later adopted it. At 217 kg wet, the machine remains contained for an adventure bike in this category, and its 189 kg dry weight confirms that this is a nimble mount in all circumstances.

Today, the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom stands as a safe bet on the used market. Its legendary reliability, inherited from the SV engine, makes it a motorcycle regularly found with high mileage and no major mechanical issues. Model years 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2012 can be found at very reasonable prices, and the accessories catalog for the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom remains extensive, from the center stand and handguards to hard cases. The XT version, introduced later, added a few welcome features, and the 2020, 2021, and 2022 updates modernized the package without betraying the original recipe. The new price of 6,499 euros in 2009 already placed this Suzuki V-Strom among the most competitive offerings in the segment. For a rider looking for a machine capable of devouring miles during the week and having fun on country roads over the weekend, the formula remains hard to beat.