Vstrom 650 opinions/facts

r136dg

0
May 30, 2014
45
2
8
Hello GTR's,
I was going to buy a new Vstrom 1050 but it fell through (long story). Anyways, I'm considering a second hand 650 now and would be grateful for some opinions.
Is there much of a difference (other then the traction control modes) in the 2nd & 3rd generations? Do they hold up well in this enviroment years later. I know the displacement is the same, but is there any power-band differences? Maybe cam profile changes to meet emissions that are relevant. More importantly, was there any suspension changes?
I'm just trying to weed out the better years to look for from veteran riders here who know the bike.
Thank you!
 

DavidFL

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Staff member
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Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Go for 2017 plus. Not before. There was a serious upgrade in 2017.
But most importantly know The bike & owner history if possible.
I sold my 2015 model for 80,000 baht in June with 176,113 kms on the clock.
It reappeared on the market a month later with 55,000 kms & a 100,000 baht price tag.

My Vstrom history




You should be able to get a 2017 model with "low" kms for just on 200,000 baht.
Personally you don't need all the box accessories on your bike & don't have to buy these with the bike.
I guy on this forum recently asked me about a 2014 model for sale with only 38,000 kms on the clock. That's less than 5,000 kms a year; not even 1,000 a month. Too good to be true I thought.
With the 2017 model I bought from an owner who lived by the sea, there is noticeable rust / oxidation on parts that I should have picked up on, & eventually I will need new fork tubes - next year I think.
Having said that, I've clocked 33,000 kms on the bike since February & no complaints. Vstrom 650s are fabulous, tough, reliable, economical machines.
The stock Vstrom suspension is weak, although I know riders here with close to 100,00 kms on their 2015 models still with stock suspension.







 

r136dg

0
May 30, 2014
45
2
8
Go for 2017 plus. Not before. There was a serious upgrade in 2017.
But most importantly know The bike & owner history if possible.
I sold my 2015 model for 80,000 baht in June with 176,113 kms on the clock.
It reappeared on the market a month later with 55,000 kms & a 100,000 baht price tag.

My Vstrom history




You should be able to get a 2017 model with "low" kms for just on 200,000 baht.
Personally you don't need all the box accessories on your bike & don't have to buy these with the bike.
I guy on this forum recently asked me about a 2014 model for sale with only 38,000 kms on the clock. That's less than 5,000 kms a year; not even 1,000 a month. Too good to be true I thought.
With the 2017 model I bought from an owner who lived by the sea, there is noticeable rust / oxidation on parts that I should have picked up on, & eventually I will need new fork tubes - next year I think.
Having said that, I've clocked 33,000 kms on the bike since February & no complaints. Vstrom 650s are fabulous, tough, reliable, economical machines.
The stock Vstrom suspension is weak, although I know riders here with close to 100,00 kms on their 2015 models still with stock suspension.







Jackpot, great info David!
Interesting how I see several dealers advertisements emphasizing that the mileage is real. Red flags right there. Think I will avoid the second hand dealers. Seems just about all of them are in Bangkok anyhow. Another thing I notice is they list bikes they don't even have. I call, they say it was sold, & a couple months later stumble on the same add. I don't get what they hope to accomplish with that. ???
2017 & better it is. Thanks David!
 
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Cruzer

Member
Aug 23, 2019
24
7
3
Go for 2017 plus. Not before. There was a serious upgrade in 2017.
But most importantly know The bike & owner history if possible.
I sold my 2015 model for 80,000 baht in June with 176,113 kms on the clock.
It reappeared on the market a month later with 55,000 kms & a 100,000 baht price tag.

My Vstrom history




You should be able to get a 2017 model with "low" kms for just on 200,000 baht.
Personally you don't need all the box accessories on your bike & don't have to buy these with the bike.
I guy on this forum recently asked me about a 2014 model for sale with only 38,000 kms on the clock. That's less than 5,000 kms a year; not even 1,000 a month. Too good to be true I thought.
With the 2017 model I bought from an owner who lived by the sea, there is noticeable rust / oxidation on parts that I should have picked up on, & eventually I will need new fork tubes - next year I think.
Having said that, I've clocked 33,000 kms on the bike since February & no complaints. Vstrom 650s are fabulous, tough, reliable, economical machines.
The stock Vstrom suspension is weak, although I know riders here with close to 100,00 kms on their 2015 models still with stock suspension.







Absolutely second this, I had a 2017 CB500X which I sold for 105,000 Baht with 65,000kms, it reappeared on FB marketplace a couple of weeks later with 17,000km selling for 120,000 Baht- with all my mods and stickers still on it. While I think buying used is still a viable option, it is good to see the history/know the owner if going that route.
 

r136dg

0
May 30, 2014
45
2
8
Absolutely second this, I had a 2017 CB500X which I sold for 105,000 Baht with 65,000kms, it reappeared on FB marketplace a couple of weeks later with 17,000km selling for 120,000 Baht- with all my mods and stickers still on it. While I think buying used is still a viable option, it is good to see the history/know the owner if going that route.
After weeding out the suspicious characters, there doesn't seem to be many attractive used Vstrom's out there. probably sit tight for the 22's to arrive.
 
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