The new Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS gets a series of top-end accessories to go with it, and as we found out in our V-Strom test, the new bike is quite a flexible model which will lend itself to different types of riding. Adapted to both touring and urban riding, the new V-Strom accessories range from everything from heated handlebars to a lowered seat and various top cases, luggage options and new graphics.

The V-Strom becomes a comfortable touring model for both rider and passenger with an adjustable seat, a touring windshield with adjustable features for better wind protection, heated handlebars for those braving colder temperatures and a set of side bags and a top case for extra room.

For city riders there is a series of practical features for the urban environment that can be combined with the touring pack for those who like to spend their weekends on quick trips using the same bike. In various markets, Suzuki is offering discounted prices on the new V-Strom to celebrate the model’s 10th anniversary and some of the accessories can be picked up at lower prices. The four kits available are:

Continue reading: New accessories for 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

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Suzuki has released the European price of its new V-Strom 650 ABS model. The updated V-Strom has been on sale since July 1st and costs about 8,499 euros on the European market. As a special launch price, and to celebrate 10 years of the V-Strom in 2012, Suzuki is selling it at 8,190 euros.

How does the Suzuki V-Strom price compare with the competition? It seems the Japanese company is being very sensible about its selling price, making the V-Strom an entry level model in its segment. The Triumph Tiger starts at 8,990 euros, which is less again than the BMW F800GS.

After our Suzuki V-Strom test ride, we’re convinced it’s a good allrounder but competing with the new Triumph bike won’t be easy. And while a slightly different bike, we’ll also be interested to see what kind of price the new Husqvarna Nuda 900R will have. We should think more exclusive, but hopefully a future test ride of it too, will put things into perspective.

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We’ve had the opportunity to test ride the 2012 Suzuki V-Strom in Croatia with our guys from Motoblog.it, and here are our riding impressions of the new Suzuki adventure bike. Since it was first leaked, our Italian colleagues have been friendlier towards the new bike than the views expressed on other English websites about the new V-Strom. They view it in an overall context of what the first V-Strom meant when it was first released and that is our caveat to our test ride should it sound overly positive compared with what else you might read on the net.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS first appeared on the market in 2003, following the footsteps of the bigger 1000cc which had appeared about a year earlier. Over the years the V-Strom has emerged as bike appreciated by all sorts of different riders for its riding dyanmics, the right balance between comfort and a sporty ride, and because it struck the right chord between practicality, fun riding, versatility and a reasonable price.

The Suzuki V-Strom found its success through word-of-mouth rather than any particularly competent or fancy marketing campaigns. You only needed to try to one to be convinced that it was a steady, practical bike. Something was still missing, though - more youthful, sparkly looks for instance. A slimmer, sportier profile and less heavy plastic would have helped. Still, the V-Strom has always been one of the best sellers in its segment and finally in 2011 Suzuki has decided to update the V-Strom.

Suzuki V-Strom test ride live pics

Continue reading: 2012 Suzuki V-Strom test ride

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After the disparaging comments on the internet about the lack of evolved design on the new Suzuki V-Strom, we’ll be taking it for a test ride in Croatia to see for ourselves. The new Suzuki adventure bike is a mixed bag in the style of the enduro-sports-tourer bikes currently on the market and is based on the “Comfortable Adventure Tourer” concept.

We’ll be finding out over the next couple of days whether it’s got the refinement required to compete in this segment, but generally we expect the V-Strom to have solid performance at mid to low revs and its characteristic versatility. In this new generation V-Strom we understand we’ll be getting better comfort, improved wind protection and some other details which should tweak the design a little. Improved fuel consumption should also be a focus.

The new Suzuki V-Strom is being released in time for its 10th anniversary in 2012, and while the new model hasn’t exactly made a big splash at its leaked launch, there’s no denying there’s ten years of steady, modest success behind this bike. We don’t think we’ll be riding a revolutionary V-Strom in Croatia, but an adaptable, pleasing update on the previous model should at least be what we get. No official pricing is available yet, but we understand that the new V-Strom price in Europe will be about 8,400 euros, ABS included. More to come.

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We’d like to say we’re waiting for the official details of the new Suzuki V-Strom to be released so we can get all the big pics and updated specs, but after managing to leak its own new adventure bike, the DL650 V-Strom hasn’t exactly made a splash on motorcycle websites. Are we being unreasonable, though?

Expectations that the new V-Strom would somehow be a radical take on what was a practical bike probably over-evaluated what Suzuki itself had in mind. The teaser campaigns which are all so fashionable at the moment only drum up excitement that then must inevitably be let down and our message to motorcycle companies is - DON’T TEASE THE BIKES. Unless you’re going to give us something that totally blows our socks off, you will have to content yourselves with some comments about new product which border on nasty.

Anyway, the media fortunes of the new Suzuki DL650 V-Strom don’t look good at this stage with words like “boring” and “underwhelming” being used. Exactly what Suzuki plans to do about this situation is anyone’s guess as after the first images were leaked, the website section has since been closed and we’ve heard nothing else. It does kind of pour cold water over any big launch planned. Here’s what the web is saying about the new Suzuki adventure bike:

Continue reading: New Suzuki V-Strom: underwhelming or just misunderstood?

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Here are what we’re hoping are the final teaser pics of the new 2012 Suzuki V-Strom or Suzuki adventure bike. These are the first real images of the actual bike itself and we can make out some of the redesigned features. The front of the bike seems to have been reworked with a smoother look and smaller headlights.

The rear of the new bike is covered with new storage boxes and so we’re guessing that means the whole offroad touring adventure thing will be a focus. The chassis looks new and we’ve been lead to believe that this bike will be entirely different from the outgoing V-Strom, although so far Suzuki is playing the teaser images game and no engine details have been hinted at.

When are we actually going to see the new Suzuki adventure bike properly revealed? The month of June has promised more than one date, but apparently a presentation to the press will take place on June 27, so we have more time to sit back and wait - but hopefully Suzuki will spare us more of its teaser campaign in the meantime.

New Suzuki V-Strom more teasers

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The Suzuki V-Strom replacement rumours are gaining ground with more teasers from the company although no real information is forthcoming. The model will be a new Suzuki adventure bike, described as “middleweight” but currently there is no indication as to whether it will be a 650cc, 1000cc or even an 800cc motorcycle.

It looks like Suzuki will want to compete with the BMW F800GS, the new Triumph Tiger and perhaps even the Ducati Multistrada as so far it’s emphasising the adventure side of things - meaning we think it will probably come with more off-road capabilities. The sport-offroad mix is not always an easy one to juggle, as seen by the current Suzuki V-Strom.

The model could be a completely revised bike with a new chassis, motor and design. So far the teaser images indicate that the new V-Strom (for want of a better description) will be a worldwide launch. The adventure bike should join the growing Japanese segment in enduro road goers, or offroad sportsbikes, after the Honda Crosstourer gets off the ground, too.

Source | A&R

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Suzuki is planning an event to unveil an unnamed model, which apparently could be the next Suzuki DL650 V-Strom according to rumours. The only indication of the model that Suzuki has revealed in a press invitation is that it will be a “new middleweight model” which will be presented June end.

Many have taken this to mean we will see a totally revamped version of the DL650 V-Strom with new design, engine, chassis and brakes. The model hasn’t been updated since 2004 and if a new one is on the way, it’s likely to use the Gladius platform - an acceptable option for V-Strom fans. We’re expecting more teasers before this event comes off, where extra speculation should shed some light on the model in question.

Source | A&R

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