Australasian Dirt Bike — January 2018

94 | JANUARY 2018 http://www.adbmag.com.au

uptogetsomesaddletimeaboardthe

latest upper-spec 650XT model, we

leapt at it.

The 650XT features wire-spoked

wheelsinsteadofthestandardmodel’s

castalloys,plusitgetsplasticwrap-

around handguards and a lower plastic

engine cowling. At $11,990, the 650XT

comesata$1000premiumoverthe

standard one but both are available in

LAMS-approved form.

AttheheartoftheV-Strompackage

isawell-provenandmuchloved645cc

90-degreeV-twinwhich,for2017,had

some 60 internal tweaks to improve

performance and meet Euro 4

emissions requirements. Power (52kW

at 8800rpm) and torque (62Nm at

6500rpm) are slightly increased, thanks

to updates that include resin-coated

pistonsandrings,ahigherliftexhaust

cam, larger valves and higher-spec

10-holeinjectorsintheSuzukiDual

ThrottleValve(SDTV)EFI.Suzuki

claims the motor’s fuel economy is also

improved,givingthenowslimmer

20-litretankatheoreticalrange

approaching500km.Ontestthebike

delivered23.5kmperlitre.

InafirstfortheV-Strom650,traction

controlisnowincluded.Itofferstwo

modesoryoucanturnitoff.Modescan

be selected via the left-side

switchblock, and this can be done on

the fly with the throttle closed. Mode

Twoisthemostintrusive,ModeOne

lessso,andwhilewerodemostlywith

theTCSoff,itcouldbeaworthysafety

featureforlessexperiencedriderswho

arestartingoutontheLAMSversion.

ADV TEST I SUZUKI V-STROM 650XT

Tubeless Bridgestone Battlax A40 on

19-inch wire-spoked wheel

Muffl er is lower and leaner to

improve pannier positioning

That’s a fine looking rack if ever

we saw one

The standard DL650 has

been priced at $10,990

plus on-ro s forever

Do this

fi rst ...

There’s a proven path to making the

V-Strom better suited to adventure

riding if you really want to log up serious

dirt miles:

1).TYRES:Replacing the stock hoops

with more off-road biased tyres will

deliver a more confidence inspiring ride

on the dirt.

2).ALLOY BASHPLATE:This is a must for

dirt miles, as the crankcase, sump and

oil filter are in dire need of more

protection.

3).HANDLEBAR AND HANDGUARDS:Fit

an alloy handlebar and risers, mated

with alloy-backbone Barkbusters.

4).GOLD VALVES:Install upgraded fork

springs and Gold Valves.

5).FOOTPEGS:Beefier ’pegs will give a

much more comfortable platform for

long sessions of stand-up riding off-road.

Lengthening the brake pedal will make it

easier to use if you have big feet.