The End Of The 650 V-Strom

[The Doctor 46]

I asked Google if the V-Strom 650 was coming to the end of production and this was the answer, copy and pasted.

 Yes, production of the Suzuki V-Strom 650 will cease after the 2025 model year due to new emissions regulations, with sales ending in 2026 in markets like the UK and Europe. The V-Strom 650 is being replaced by newer models that meet the updated Euro5+ standards.
Discontinuation: Suzuki has confirmed production of the V-Strom 650 will end after the 2025 model year.
Reason: The engine platform does not meet the upcoming "Euro 5+" emissions standards that go into effect in 2026 in some regions, such as the UK and Europe.
Replacement: Suzuki is discontinuing the 650 and introducing newer models like the V-Strom 800 to comply with the stricter regulations.

Maybe common knowledge but although I had guessed it (that's why I looked) I didn't know for sure. One day I will sell my 1000 and buy another 650 so now I know what year I'll be getting, used of course.

I just thought I would enlighten those who didn't already know. 

[2112]

Suzuki has sold the tooling for the 650 V-Strom engine to QJ Motors (of China, of course). It lives on in this (see link below) and they've manged to wring an extra 3hp out of it too ! There is a more road going version too but just look at that spec' sheet for £5,999 !!!

https://qjmotor.co.uk/model/2025-qjmotor-svt-650-x-2058

[Phild]

What I noticed about all the fuel stickers on the petrol tanks of the Chinese bikes with stickers on them is they only recommend E5….. 🤔

[2112]

Yes, that seems to be a common thing with Chinese bikes, no idea why mind ? Could be an easy 'get out of warranty' move, being cynical of course...

[The Doctor 46]

2112. Thank you for the link, that looks like a very special bike. I wonder if anybody here has experience at living with one? Do they rust away in front of your eyes? are the engines manufactured with the same (at least) quality control as Suzuki? Do they keep costs down by using anything other than cheap labour?

So many questions but I think I'll be taking a ride to Bodmin in Cornwall to take a look and maybe a ride on one soon, not that I'm ready to change from my 1000 yet but it just looks so good and such good value especially at the cash price.

Shame they don't make it in white, always the fastest colour. 

I wonder what Suzuki would have charged for the 650 V-Strom with the same spec?

[2112]

All good question's Doc', the only one we can have a reasonable guess at would be the Suzuki price. I'd reckon you'd be up around the £9,500/£10,000 mark to be able to get the bike in the showrooms, a price that would make it hard to sell. As for longevity, I'm sure I've read somewhere they have a 3 year warranty. It's not the lightest bike in the world, so using cheaper materials keeps the cost down but doesn't necessarily sacrifice reliability? At the end of the day it's yet another bike in the mix for when it comes around to replacement time. It get's a good review in this months ABR magazine. Descisions, descisions...

[NeilM]

As soon as the SV7GX was released, I looked at the Suzuki UK web site and sure enough, both the SV and the VStrom 650 were gone, so I assume that Suzuki are putting all their eggs into the SV7GX basket. As an aside, how long before there is an 800 version?

I've not seen that QJMoto version. Mind, with the plethora of mid range ADV style bikes pouring out of China right now, it's easy to miss one.

I have no plans to retire my 650, but I might see if there is a QJMoto dealer within riding distance of me.... the biggest issue with Chinese bikes right now.

[Phild]

In relation to warranty’s…… Suzuki have increased their warranty from 7 years to 10 years / 70,000 miles providing the annual servicing is done at a Suzuki dealership.

Normal 3 years warranty, and extended warranty activated on a yearly basis after each dealer service.

[2112]

but I might see if there is a QJMoto dealer within riding distance of me.... the biggest issue with Chinese bikes right now.

A very good point. Out of interest I had a look on the website and the nearest dealer to me was 103 miles away ! That would immediately kill any interest for me.

[Phild]

Poole (74 miles) or Redditch 91 (miles).🤷‍♂️

[2112]

I used to take my former Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 down to Teasedale Motorcycles in Thirsk, which was 70 miles away from home. I used to drop it off on a Saturday and pick it up the next Saturday, or the Saturday after that if waiting for parts... Far from ideal and one of the many reasons I sold the big Guzzi. If only Yamaha did something I like, Ian Bell's is only 1 1/2 mile away!

[The Doctor 46]

A Yamaha dealer opened close to me and not far from the Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda dealer, within no time the Yamaha dealer closed down. I have no idea why   

[NeilM]

My nearest dealer, as Phil found, is PooleMoto in Poole. 

Earlier in the year I had a fancy for a Honda Monkey... or similar. I found out that Bluroc, a Belgian company selling a range of Chinese made bikes, had a Monkey Bike clone called an X-Bongo. They are half the price of a new Honda.

I visited my nearest dealer.... in Wiltshire, but he didn't have a bike and didn't send me the email he promised, so that was that for him. PooleMoto on the other hand had a bike in stock, and so I visited, tried it for size and bought it on the spot.

10 miles into my relationship with the Bongo.... it died. I spoke to the service manager at PooleMoto and he was happy for me to diagnose the issue, which turned out to be a dead coil.... not a totally unknown issue. I let PooleMoto know I needed a coil, they said they would order one under warranty, which after a week had still not arrived and so I phoned the Bluroc importer (who are superb) and was told they were aware of my bike, the issue and the requirement for a coil..... but PooleMoto had not ordered the parts.

I spoke to the bloke at PooleMoto that I had bought the bike from and asked when I could expect the parts, he said he would "talk with the service manager and get back to me". I informed him of my conversation with the importer, then politely ripped him a new one.

The parts arrived from the distributor in a couple of days, all the way from Lincolnshire. I fitted them and have coverd several hundred miles since.

Would I deal with PooleMoto again... I would not. Would I recommend them to my worst enemy? I certainly would not. Stay well clear of that shower of shyte is my recommendation. 

I'll wait for AT Motorcycles to get the SV-7GX into the showroom.

[mr_diver]

to be honest South Wales was at one time the place to buy a bike, we were tripping over main dealers for all the big names. and I've worked for a few of them.

M&P went bust back in October - KTM, Piaggio group, Ducati, BWM, Honda, Kawasaki, Harley, Royal Enfield, Benelli
Thunderroad Motorcycles - parent company Completely Motorcycles went bust Nov 2024- Honda, Suzuki, Indian (open again under CMC but only the one showroom of the 3 locations they had before and only Honda now.
Mounts Motorcycles -used to be Yamaha & Suzuki - now just Roya Enfield and some Chinese shiyt

It's sad times for the industry and I know a lot of people that have had a hard time due to closures and redundancies, but just today has a new parts and clothing place opened up in Swansea in the old Busters unit (prior to 2010 when Mark bought M&P's back) by a bunch of the staff made redundant when M&P's went bust - and I hope they do really well.

but it's prime time for the fresh start ups, grab a bit of cash then disappear before they have to deal with warranty issue on the Chinese crap they sell.
Main dealers are having a hard time and the costs are going up, the bikes and servicing is going up and these Chinese bikes are still cheap.

Trust me, I've seen a lot of them, I own one, bought for a laugh, and I promptly broke down, but I wouldn't be relying on it for serious transport this Chinese stuff is crap- I don't think I'll be buying one of the Chinese bikes with an SV engine - the QC is not going to be as good, and the materials will be low grade.

I'l need to entertain the little one next Saturday while SWMBO does the xmas shopping, so ma pop into Jt's in Swansea as it's next to a soft play centre  and take a look at the new Suzuki's

[nigel s]

No official Suzuki dealer left in Norfolk...loads of Chinese....
They are like the mini marts popping up all over selling phone covers and dodgy vapes.....
My advice if you don't want to lose your local dealer..use them.. to get your parts / bits / gear , not off the net to save .45p....

 Too simple 

Ho hum

[Upt North]

A little bit Nigel.
If you don't mind me saying so.
I can't tell you who my nearest Suzuki dealer is, I would think there's one in Newcastle upon the Tyne, but I can't confirm that. But that's a 100 mile round trip to visit a less than interested franchise and pay over the odds for doing so. They'll probably order the wrong part and say don't worry "pop" back tomorrow.
Honda Newcastle can be a good shop for clothing but it depends on the staff that are in that day. It goes from helpful to why are you bothering me.
So yes, maybe a little simple. Just like me.
Upt.

[duck-strom]

On the end of the 650 V-Strom, I bought a pre-registered (73 plate) DL650AM3 back in February from Millenium Motorcycles in St Helens, who are part of MOTO GB Ltd.

I would have preffered to buy from K.C Superbikes Carlisle, my local (45miles away) dealer, but they never called me back after I asked if they could source a new DL650 for me.
Moto GB had a choice of four 74 plates and the one 73 plate on offer for me at the time and three of their dealerships were all vying for my custom.
 
What I was wondering is, who bought the last DL650 to be sold in the UK?

I always remember one of the mechanics at our local bike shop in the late 70's claiming his Norton Commando was the last one sold in the UK.

[2112]

I can't tell you who my nearest Suzuki dealer is, I would think there's one in Newcastle upon the Tyne

Yes, you are correct. It is Mo-Tech (at the east end of the Byker bridge) who have dumped Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Benelli, Piaggio etc to become solus Suzuki dealers. Good lads and they do seem to know their stuff.