2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and XT Adventure First Look Preview

While word of a new parallel-twin-powered V-Strom 650 has been floating around the internet for a while, it’s now safe to say that 2023 is not the year for the big change. Suzuki has officially announced its 2023 V-Strom 650, and the durable V-twin lives to see another production line.

Related: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE Adventure First Look Preview

Suzuki’s middleweight adventure-tourer continues to rely on its liquid-cooled 645cc 90-degree V-twin engine in a beak-clad chassis for all of its trims, which includes the base model, V-Strom 650XT, and V-Strom 650XT Adventure. This engine can happily chug along at very low speeds, thanks to the low-rpm assist feature, and can smoothly deliver the ponies when asked. The traction control system has three modes of varying levels of intervention: Off disengages all TC features, Mode 1 offers the lowest level of intervention, and Mode 2 is for low-traction surfaces such as rain-soaked roads. The V-twin is still mated to a precise six-speed transmission.

When the reins of the Wee-Strom are pulled, two Tokico calipers grab 310mm discs (front) and a Nissin, one-pot caliper grabs the single 260mm disc (rear) to bring the bike to a stop. ABS is standard equipment at both ends. To limit beak bobbing and back-end bottoming there’s a 43mm telescopic fork with 5.9 inches of travel and a link-type shock with 6.3 inches of travel. Both are adjustable for preload; the rear also includes rebound adjustability.

Related: 2020 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Review—An Exercise in Adventure Purity

The base model keeps a plain-and-simple silhouette, whereas the XT and XT Adventure progressively load on more adventure-ready equipment. The XT features wire-spoked rims, hand guards and lower engine protection. These features are also seen on the XT Adventure, but it adds 37-liter aluminum side cases, handlebar cross-brace, and an engine accessory bar.

Pearl Vigor Blue is a new color for the base model, but arguably the more exciting color is the Pearl Brilliant White with gold-anodized rims to match the gold accents on the beak and tank. The accessorized XT Adventure retains the Glass Sparkle Black of 2022.

Pricing comes in at $9,104 for the base model, $9,599 for the XT, and $10,799 for the XT Adventure.