2012 650 Adventure-Tourer Shootout - Video

BMW G650GS vs. Kawasaki Versys vs. Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

By Pete Brissette, Apr. 19, 2012, Photography by Alfonse Palaima, Video by Alfonse Palaima & Mike Maez

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Conclusion

When we selected the G650GS, Versys and V-Strom 650 we weren’t fooling ourselves into thinking one of the three might surface as a bike worthy of an around-the-world feat – we’ll leave that to the likes of BMW’s R1200GS or KTM’s 990 Adventure. While we weren’t surprised by the BMW’s dirty prowess, the Versys and V-Strom left good impressions for how well mannered they were when the pavement stopped.

Nevertheless, our 650 Adventure-Tourers are closer to tourer than adventurer, and we suspect the sweeping majority of riders will also see them for what they are: streetbikes.

The $7899 Versys is a streetbike through and through. If we were choosing one of the three as the best canyon carver, a bike that retiring sportbike riders might gravitate to and one that would make a great vehicle with which to assault the daily commute, the Kawasaki is an excellent choice.

However, if you have a wandering spirit and find yourself daydreaming about what might exist on the other end of that unmaintained two-track lane you pass every night on your way home from work, then you might consider the BMW or the V-Strom to better satiate your wanderlust.

If, as Tom says, you’re doing “50/50 street and dirt,” then the littlest GS should register as a top pick for you. And – bonus! – at $7850 it is the least expensive bike, yet includes rider-switchable ABS. A BMW as the cheapest bike? Excuse me whilst I catch my breath…

Holding the Beemer back from scoring higher was its power deficit, not so exciting styling and single front brake/rotor combo where the other two bikes offered better performance from dual front calipers and discs.

It’s the $8300 V-Strom’s competent package, highlighted by its best performing engine and well-rounded rider environment, which came out on top with a best overall score of 82% from our in-house voting (76% for the Versys and 71% for the G650GS). And when you consider for a mere $400 more than the Kawasaki’s price you can have the V-Strom’s refined ABS as standard equipment, the V-Strom is all the more appealing.

Of the three bikes, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS is the best two-wheeled Swiss Army Knife here.

Extra Notes and Observations

BMW G650GS

Wide foot on sidestand good for parking in soft ground or sand

Rear rack contains lockable storage compartment, and is ready to accept accessory top box

Tire valve stems oriented at 90 degrees to rim at base of wheel spoke make it incredibly easy to air up tires

Available accessory center stand a handy feature for parking/working on the bike, but a bit of liability when off-road riding

3-pos adjustable clutch lever; brake lever is fixed

Optional low suspension reduces standard seat height from 31.5” to 30.3”; optional tall seat is 33.1”

Optional heated grips available

No helmet lock

Seat release hidden inside rack’s locking storage compartment; maybe not convenient if accessory top box is installed

According to BMW motorcycle fleet management, G650GS “has a small battery,” so when running heated grips and lights together, be sure to turn the key off when shutting down the bike instead of hitting kill switch to prevent draining battery charge

Metzeler Tourance tires

Observed MPG: 53.8

Kawasaki Versys

Bridgestone Trail Wing tires

3-pos manually (with tools) adjustable windshield

Under seat helmet D-ring hook; maybe difficult to use if helmet D-ring strap is short

No luggage rack, but passenger grab handles are substantial

5-pos adjustment for clutch and brake levers

Observed MPG: 42.8

Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

LCD displays ambient air or time but rider must choose; also has an Avg. MPG reading

Optional tall seat 20mm higher; optional low seat 20mm lower

3-pos manually (with tools) adjustable windshield

Rear rack is top box ready and comes with protective top rubber cover

5-pos brake lever adjustment; clutch lever fixed

Hooks under seat for helmet D-ring

Observed MPG: 43.6 (dash display Avg MPG said 46.4)

By the Numbers
	2012 BMW G650GS	2012 Kawasaki Versys	2012 Suzuki V-Strom
MSRP	$7,850	$7,899	$8,299
Engine Type	Liquid-cooled Single	Liquid-cooled Parallel Twin	Liquid-cooled 90-degree V-Twin
Displacement	652cc	649cc	645cc
Bore & Stroke	100.0 x 83.0mm	83.0 x 60.0mm	81.0 x 62.6mm
Compression	11.5:1	10.6:1	11.5:1
HP (BHP or Rear Wheel)	41.9 rwhp @ 7000 rpm	56.5 rwhp @ 8250 rpm	63.2 rwhp @ 9000 rpm
Torque	36.2 ft-lbs @ 5500 rpm	39.4 ft-lbs @ 7250 rpm	41.0 ft-lbs @ 7250 rpm
Frame	Steel, Bridge-type	Steel, semi-double cradle-type	Aluminum alloy Twin-spar
Wheelbase	58.2"	55.7"	61.4"
Rake/Trail	28.1 degrees/4.5"	25.0 degrees/4.3"	26.0 degrees/4.3"
Front Suspension	Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 6.7"/6.5"(low susp.)	41mm USD fork w/stepless rebound, spring preload adjustable; 5.9"	43mm fork w/preload adjustment; 5.9"
Rear Suspension	Single shock – preload and rebound adjustable; 5.7"/5.5"(low susp.)	Single offset laydown shock w/13-position rebound damping, 5-position ramp-style spring preload; 5.7"	Single shock w/remote 5-way spring preload adjustment, stepless rebound adj; 6.3"
Front Wheel	Cast Alum 19"	Cast Alum 17"	Cast Alum 19"
Rear Wheel	Cast Alum 17"	Cast Alum 17"	Cast Alum 17"
Tires	Metzeler Tourance 110/80 x 19 F, 140/80 x 17 R	Dunlop Sportmax D221 120/70 x 17 F, 160/60 x 17 R	Bridgestone Trailwing 110/80 x 19 F, 150/70 x 17 R
Front Brakes	Single 300mm disc, double-piston floating caliper w/ABS	Dual 300mm petal discs with two-piston calipers	Dual 310mm discs with two-piston calipers, ABS
Rear Brakes	Single 240mm disc, single-piston floating caliper w/ABS	Single 220mm petal disc w/single-piston caliper	Single 260mm disc w/dual piston caliper, ABS
Fuel Capacity	3.7 gal. U.S.	5.0 gal. U.S.	5.3 gal. U.S.
Weight	423 lbs road ready	454 lbs road ready	472 lbs road ready
Seat Height	31.5"; low susp. 30.3"; tall seat option 33.1"	33.3"	32.9"