RUST magazine: RUST#37

SUZUKI V-STROM 650XT
maybe I need other things too? Then
there are matters like tyre selection
to consider. But for the most part my
feeling is the V-Strom XT is a strong
prospect, so this is not going to be a
mega-build.
AND SO FAR?
So far, since collection from Suzuki GB’s
HQ in Milton Keynes, I’ve ridden the XT
some 800 miles. That’s country roads,
city streets and motorways – and boy is
it a great road bike!
You have to love the engine. It sits on
an easy 80mph all day for motorway
work, revving at around 6000pm,
but being a vee-twin that doesn’t feel
hurried and there’s very little by way of
vibrations. And it’s nimble through the
gears, it leaves everything bar mad-as
couriers for dead when you’re popping
along through the urban congestion,
and with the tallish riding position
(made taller by my speccing the tall seat)
you’ve got a great perch to see what’s
coming.
Do I have a complaint? It could be
louder! Stifled by EU noise regulations
it is whisper quiet so you need to be
absolutely sure that motorists and
pedestrians alike know you’re there. It
does at least have physical presence, it’s
a full-size bike – maybe not super-sized
the way a GS Adventure is – but big
enough to stand above the rest and to
be comfortable for one or two (yeah, the
pillion gets a decent seat too).
First assessment of off-road capability
shows there is room for improvement.
My first necessity is a sump plate
as the exhaust and oil filter sit out
front and lowish and they need a lot
more protection than the existing
plastic cover currently offers. Also the
handlebar-footrest positioning doesn’t
work for standing. I dare say it’ll need
bar risers and a change to a wider offroad
set of handlebars, and I’ll probably
w
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