Available from today, the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650 (DL650). The Suzuki DL650, which is currently only available from the Suzuki Big Bike shop on Phahonyothin Road, Bangkok, is directly imported from Japan and will cost on the road 350,000 THB (without insurance).

Interested? It's best to call Suzuki World (Suzuki Avenue), Bangkok Suzuki Big Bike shop for an appointment, the telephone number is 02-939 5700 or 5701

The address is:

Suzuki Avenue
1839/1 Phahonyothin Road,
Lardyao, Jatujak,
Bangkok

On the phone the lady talked about a Promenade Big Bike event, but I forget asking where this event takes place... Anybody have an idea where?

We not sure where the Suzuki Promenade Big Bike event takes place, but you can see, touch and buy the V-Strom 650 at Suzuki Avenue, and we're told that until 25 September 2013 they have a special promotion. For the address see the first post....

Excellent news.

Are you sure the Suzuki V-Strom DL650 has 68 hp? The Kawasaki Versys, which is also a 650 cc twin has only 59.4 hp.

The 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650 (DL650) compared with the 2014 Kawasaki Versys 650 by the numbers

Specs	Suzuki V-Strom 650	Kawasaki Versys 650
Horsepower	67hp (50.5kW) @ 8800rpm	63hp (47kW) @ 8000rpm
Torque	60.00Nm @ 6400rpm	61Nm @ 6800rpm
Weight	214kg	209kg (ABS)

The fuel tank of the Suzuki V-Strom 650 holds 20 liters fuel, while the Kawasaki Versys is 19-liters.

The V-Strom is a very well regarded bike and a good choice to market in Thailand.

From Suzuki GB website

Power: 50.50kW @ 8800rpm (68.00hp)†
Torque: 60.00N.m @ 6400rpm (44.00lb.ft)†


67, 68 or 69 it's more than Versys!

The thing with horsepower is that people look too much to peak performance. What is much more important is the balance in power delivery.

How much power is pumped out at, for instance 3000rpm, according to some this is where the Suzuki V-Strom 650 is the way better machine. Some say it's because of the V-twin engine set-up... others say not...

For the people who would like to know a bit more about the Suzuki V-Strom 650 (DL650) before they buy it, we have uploaded the Suzuki V-Strom Technical Brochure in English language.

You can download or view it by following the following link:

- Suzuki V-Strom 650 (DL650) Technical Brochure (English)

Thanks for that.

What's the opinion on that oil cooler, which seems to be very vulnerable?

I assume that you mean the oil-filter under the front cylinder. The oil-filter is not that easily damaged, problems maybe maybe happen when a owner buys some cheap knock-off oil-filter for his Suzuki V-Strom 650. But likely most owners will not buy cheap no-name oil-filters for a motorcycle like this, also with a cheap no-name oil-filter a damaged other shell of the oil-filter is the least worrying ... more damage is probably done by the oil-filter not accurate filtering the oil.

While I personally never hear of any problems with a damaged oil-filter on a Suzuki V-Strom 650, or any other Suzuki using a similar engine, I know that aftermarket protectors are available... But remember most dirt, grit and stones will bounce on the exhaust before they come even near the oil-filter.

He David,

With your interest in the Suzuki V-Strom 650 I guess you're not in the market for the Kawasaki KLR650 at Red Baron Bangkok...

With the Suzuki V-Strom 650 only being 350,000 THB I can understand you're choice....

Oops!
Oil filter.