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Administrator · 04-19-2012, 02:02 PM

Original Article:
2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

bbtowns · 04-19-2012, 04:32 PM

That 17" front wheel on the Versys really doesn't work well off road, but as you said, clearly the GS is the off roader of the group you chose. I've ridden a V-Strom (1000) in several AMA National dual sport events, single track, and the 2006 Alcan 5000. It can do 550 miles of dirt in a day, but requires an aftermarket skid plate before considering any of this (crash bars help too!). I've put a lot of miles on a Versys, it is a better twisty road bike than the Strom, but only by a hair. Good write up guys!

jmdonald · 04-19-2012, 05:57 PM

Manganese. Some people don't even know what that is. Just like "communicative, confident feedback." Below 10 Grand for an all arounder like the Vstrom with ABS sure is tempting. Great choices for the review. MO excels at all things. Keep up the good work.

Beer Baron · 04-20-2012, 05:50 AM

One of the best comparison articles I've read on your site. Great job and excellent photography. The video was okay too.

I went to Bike Week excited to try the new VStrom. I really wanted to like the bike because on paper it was exactly what I was looking for. It just didn't tick the right boxes for me. The Versys on the other hand was a much better overall riding experience. I guess I like the more street focused design better. Having said that my perfect bike would be a Versys with the VStrom motor and instrument cluster.

The Spaceman · 04-20-2012, 06:43 AM

The guys on Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums who have gone from the original 650 to the new one are raving about the improvements. In particular the motor seems to be more powerful and much smoother shifting.

One thing that's really funny is all the kerfuffle about what to call it. The '12 guys want to differentiate their bike from the "old" Wee. There was a huge thread and reader poll on the topic, and because the motor is from the Gladius, the consensus is to call it the "Glee Strom." You can imagine my horror and shame. I'm calling it the "G-Strom," not to be confused with "G-String."

Great writeup, a perfect selection of competing models. The only thing missing was a big wheelie on the VStrom!

sarnali2 · 04-20-2012, 08:43 AM

Nice review, I had a 650 GS as a service loaner while my 1200 GS was getting it's 12k workover last fall. Though the bike was physically small for me I enjoyed riding it well enough. Since I don't have anything to compare it too I can't say how it felt power wise though I didn't find it lacking in any way. My over all impression was that it was a decent enough bike and for someone smaller than me would probably work just fine.

Kevin_Duke · 04-20-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beer Baron

One of the best comparison articles I've read on your site. Great job and excellent photography. The video was okay too.

I went to Bike Week excited to try the new VStrom. I really wanted to like the bike because on paper it was exactly what I was looking for. It just didn't tick the right boxes for me. The Versys on the other hand was a much better overall riding experience. I guess I like the more street focused design better. Having said that my perfect bike would be a Versys with the VStrom motor and instrument cluster.

Glad you liked it, BB! If your perfect hybrid is a Versys with a 'Strom motor, I bet you could find screamin' deals on a non-current Gladius. That's a fun bike that sold horribly. Fits shorter people best.

Kevin_Duke · 04-20-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

The guys on Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums who have gone from the original 650 to the new one are raving about the improvements. In particular the motor seems to be more powerful and much smoother shifting.

One thing that's really funny is all the kerfuffle about what to call it. The '12 guys want to differentiate their bike from the "old" Wee. There was a huge thread and reader poll on the topic, and because the motor is from the Gladius, the consensus is to call it the "Glee Strom." You can imagine my horror and shame. I'm calling it the "G-Strom," not to be confused with "G-String."

Great writeup, a perfect selection of competing models. The only thing missing was a big wheelie on the VStrom!

The "Glee Strom"!

Sorry I wasn't on that photo shoot to give you your required dose of wheelies!

Beer Baron · 04-20-2012, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Glad you liked it, BB! If your perfect hybrid is a Versys with a 'Strom motor, I bet you could find screamin' deals on a non-current Gladius. That's a fun bike that sold horribly. Fits shorter people best.

Thanks for the tip Kevin. I had forgotten all about the Gladius. I'll check them out if I can find any around here.

seruzawa · 04-20-2012, 06:35 PM

There's no reason that someone couldn't travel around the world on a Wee-Strom. If that guy and his wife could make it from Nome, AL to Tierra del Fuego on a 600cc BMW R69 back in 1965 there's no reason that one of these 650s couldn't do it today.

04-19-2012, 02:02 PM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video Original Article: 2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

04-19-2012, 04:32 PM	#2
bbtowns Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 540	That 17" front wheel on the Versys really doesn't work well off road, but as you said, clearly the GS is the off roader of the group you chose. I've ridden a V-Strom (1000) in several AMA National dual sport events, single track, and the 2006 Alcan 5000. It can do 550 miles of dirt in a day, but requires an aftermarket skid plate before considering any of this (crash bars help too!). I've put a lot of miles on a Versys, it is a better twisty road bike than the Strom, but only by a hair. Good write up guys! __________________ What kind of man can abandon his family like that? Seriously, who is he, I'd like lessons.

04-19-2012, 05:57 PM	#3
jmdonald Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 1,224	Manganese Manganese. Some people don't even know what that is. Just like "communicative, confident feedback." Below 10 Grand for an all arounder like the Vstrom with ABS sure is tempting. Great choices for the review. MO excels at all things. Keep up the good work. __________________ Secede.

04-20-2012, 05:50 AM	#4
Beer Baron Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 24	One of the best comparison articles I've read on your site. Great job and excellent photography. The video was okay too. I went to Bike Week excited to try the new VStrom. I really wanted to like the bike because on paper it was exactly what I was looking for. It just didn't tick the right boxes for me. The Versys on the other hand was a much better overall riding experience. I guess I like the more street focused design better. Having said that my perfect bike would be a Versys with the VStrom motor and instrument cluster. __________________ Dan 1984 Honda Nighthawk cb650sc

04-20-2012, 06:43 AM	#5
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,391	The guys on Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums who have gone from the original 650 to the new one are raving about the improvements. In particular the motor seems to be more powerful and much smoother shifting. One thing that's really funny is all the kerfuffle about what to call it. The '12 guys want to differentiate their bike from the "old" Wee. There was a huge thread and reader poll on the topic, and because the motor is from the Gladius, the consensus is to call it the "Glee Strom." You can imagine my horror and shame. I'm calling it the "G-Strom," not to be confused with "G-String." Great writeup, a perfect selection of competing models. The only thing missing was a big wheelie on the VStrom! __________________ "Israel remains fully committed to peace and to the solution of two states for two peoples." Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, 3/21/13 Last edited by The Spaceman : 04-20-2012 at 08:21 AM.

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04-20-2012, 08:43 AM	#6
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,644	Nice review, I had a 650 GS as a service loaner while my 1200 GS was getting it's 12k workover last fall. Though the bike was physically small for me I enjoyed riding it well enough. Since I don't have anything to compare it too I can't say how it felt power wise though I didn't find it lacking in any way. My over all impression was that it was a decent enough bike and for someone smaller than me would probably work just fine. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV

04-20-2012, 06:35 PM	#10
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,399	There's no reason that someone couldn't travel around the world on a Wee-Strom. If that guy and his wife could make it from Nome, AL to Tierra del Fuego on a 600cc BMW R69 back in 1965 there's no reason that one of these 650s couldn't do it today. __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!