Suzuki DL 650 V-STROM 2004 — Specifications

Who remembers the Honda Transalp, the quiet king of mid-size adventure bikes in the early 2000s? Suzuki, clearly, remembers it very well. In 2004, the Hamamatsu manufacturer drew the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom, a lighter and more accessible version of its big sister the 1000, with a clear ambition: to shake up the hierarchy of versatile road-going adventure bikes. And to say the least, the recipe works. Beneath the characteristic duck-bill fairing sits a 645 cc 90° L-twin directly derived from the SV 650 — that engine everyone loves. Except here, Suzuki reworked the camshafts and enlarged the airbox to beef up torque in the mid-range. The result: 67 hp at 8,800 rpm and, more importantly, 63.7 Nm of torque from just 6,400 rpm. On paper, it doesn't hit as hard as a 1000. In the saddle, it's a different story.

The first impression is immediately reassuring. With a seat height of 820 mm, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 proves far more welcoming than its big sister for average-sized riders. Feet touch the ground, confidence builds, and the 217 kg wet weight is forgotten within the first few meters. The twin-spar aluminum frame, identical in design to that of the 1000, delivers a rigidity that many adventure bikes in this displacement class can only envy. Paired with 110/80-19 tires up front and 150/70-17 at the rear, it gives the machine remarkable agility through tight sequences of corners. In the mountains, on those winding back roads where riding pleasure lives, the 2004 DL 650 V-Strom reveals its full potential. The twin pulls cleanly from low revs, tractors along unfazed in fourth gear, and the six-speed gearbox operates with a smoothness that invites you to ride for hours without fatigue.

The downside lies with the suspension. The 43 mm telescopic hydraulic fork and the rear monoshock each offer 150 mm of travel — significantly less than on the 1000. Suzuki clearly prioritized dynamic efficiency over comfort on rough surfaces. On broken pavement, your back takes the hit. That's the price you pay for this near-sporty stability, more befitting a sport-tourer than a true off-road adventurer. You'll also miss the handguards found on the 1000 version — a detail that matters when venturing onto forgotten trails or riding in cold weather. The braking, however, does the job with precision: two 310 mm discs up front and a 260 mm disc at the rear, with good bite without being brutal. Exactly what's needed for an adventure bike of this caliber.

For long-distance legs, the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom plays the affordable GT card. The 22-liter tank allows for comfortable range, the adjustable windscreen provides decent wind protection, and vibrations remain contained even on the highway, where top speed caps out at 180 km/h. The comprehensive instrument panel — which the 1000 would actually borrow that same year — finishes giving this "little" bike the air of something much grander. The passenger benefits from a welcoming seat and a tool-adjustable rear shock, a welcome touch in this price range.

Priced at €6,499 in 2004, the DL 650 V-Strom offered a value-for-money ratio that was hard to beat. Even today, a used Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom remains a safe bet on the market — robust and inexpensive to maintain. The lineage has endured through successive evolutions, from the 2005 and 2007 Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom to the 2020, 2021, and 2022 versions, not to mention the XT variant with spoked wheels. The range of available accessories, from the center stand to engine guards, allows you to customize it to suit your travel ambitions. For the rider seeking a reliable, agile, and practical road-going adventure bike without breaking the bank on purchase or running costs, the V-Strom 650 remains a no-brainer. Not the most exciting, not the most spectacular, but the one you keep in the garage for ten years without ever regretting it.