V-Strom 650

Small is Beautiful

That simple sentence once summed up the philosophy of the English economist, Sir Carl Popper. Today, it's an ethos that certainly appeals to the motorcycle makers at Suzuki. And even in the US – a country where it often seems everything has to be big – it's a sweet little concept made real that's more than ready for the road.

First Impressions
Suzuki launched their first dual sport bike, the V-Strom DL1000 in 2002, and challenged BMW and Triumph. Aprilia chose to bare their teeth at the time with the Caponord. Now, in 2004, Suzuki has shaken things up again with the launch of a smaller V-Strom version, the 650.

Location: Indian Wells, California. Time: 7:30 a.m. I turn the key and the two-cylinder engine immediately comes to life with a quiet hum. I leave the parking lot of the Miramonte Resort knowing that I'm not in any danger of waking guests at this nice hotel.

After passing a few traffic lights, I turn onto I-10 heading east. The gearbox works smoothly even in the cold conditions. Once on the interstate, I open the throttle and admire the even acceleration of the 90-degree V-Twin.

The windscreen provides good protection and there's no nasty turbulence slapping my helmet. Made wide enough at the shoulders with a lip on the edge, the V-Strom 650's windscreen was carefully designed to reduce wind reaching the rider, and it effectively directs the windblast over the rider's helmet. Another advantage, the screen can be adjusted manually in three steps. You can raise it in the range of 50mm, which sets the angle of the windscreen in a more upright position. ...

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