Sounds like a great bike!!!  

I just passed 500 miles on my SV650S yesterday and I finally got to wind her up a bit, and I have to agree on your analysis of the engine... very smooth, ample power from 4000rpm all the way to the redline... not peaky at all.

How's your tranny?  I assume that the Vstrom and SV share trannies as well.  I have found on mine that neutral is very thin (i.e. easy to pass over accidentally)... sometimes it is a pain in the arse to find when stopped particularly...  and that there is a false-neutral between 5th and 6th that I hit if I don't shift like I mean it.

Glad you are enjoying the V-strom... and thanks for the review!

The V-Strom 650 looks like an awesome bike. I saw one at the local Suzuki shop last week and thought to myself 'That is gonna be my next bike"

Jsut hearing you describe it makes me want one even more

Quote from: vtlion
How's your tranny?  I assume that the Vstrom and SV share trannies as well.  I have found on mine that neutral is very thin (i.e. easy to pass over accidentally)... sometimes it is a pain in the arse to find when stopped particularly...  and that there is a false-neutral between 5th and 6th that I hit if I don't shift like I mean it.

My tranny is fine.  It took a little time to get used to it.  I had to hit the shift lever twice once in a while to get into 3rd.  It turns out I was not following up with my shift when I was going into 2nd.  I don't have false neutrals.  It's important that you follow up with your shifts.  The GS gears just fall into place and I was really spoiled.  
I was going to get a SV650 but the DL650 came out and I could not resist.  I needed something for distance.  For me the GS is perfect for anything up to about 300 miles.  After that it becomes work.

I thought the Strom650 seat height was 32.3", while the GS500 is 31.1".  Lots of people here raise the GS back-end an inch using a Kat or GSX shock, and don't have complaints about the height.  I had thought that the Strom height would be a bit like a GS500 with GSX-R shock.  In fact, I've thought of adding a better rear shock, paritially to get me used to a higher seat in-case I decide to change bikes (and the Strom650 or F650 are my two favorites for change).

Sounds like the 650 seat is higher than that?

It's no problem going straight and stopping straight.  If you are making turns and are forced to stop suddenly with the front wheel at an angle you feel that you have to hold it up to keep from falling.  If you stop at a funny angle just remember your lean angle is going to be greater since you have reach for the ground.  You will not be able to hold it up and you will go down.  Everyone that is shorter says that they develop a technique when they stop that they just lean on one foot.  That is fine in most situations but there are times that you need both feet on the ground.  There is nothing that you can't get used to, so I got used to it.  If you are 5'10" I would recommend lowering it.   Others that are shorter than 6' say they don't have a problem.  I think it's just denial.  If I dished out 7 grand for a new bike I would try to convince myself that everything is ok.  If you are not going to do a lot of city driving you will be fine.  If you are, trust me get yourself an SV650.

Thanks for the response, I will have to take a closer look at that, especially since my riding is at least 50% city.  My second choice was acutally the FZ6, as the riding position seems to be more relaxed than the SV

Its still ugly.  

I've seen a thread on a DL650 forum about lowering the rearend with longer dogbones, and sliding the forks up in the stanchions. Have you tried it?  There seems to be planty of ground clearance, if off-roading isn't in the plan.

I'm 6'0" so I'll live with the height.
If you want to see ugly find a YZF with Givi bags, it just cracks me up when I see one of those. :lol: