The V’s namesake V-twin carries on in the platform for at least another year.

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.

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.

Take a long way home. With a large 5.3-gallon fuel tank the V-Strom is ready to clock many miles before a fill-up. (Suzuki/)

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.

The V-Strom 650XT flaunts spoked gold-anodized rims. (Suzuki/)

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, a handlebar cross-brace, and an engine accessory bar.

Protect the engine, protect the hands. A lower engine cowl and hand guards come standard with the XT. (Suzuki/)

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.

A beaked front end is a classic design cue on the V-Strom. The windshield above the stacked halogen headlight is adjustable. (Suzuki/)

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

The XT Adventure, shown here, features a handful of accessories that aren’t stock on the base or XT trims. (Suzuki/)

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650/XT/XT Adventure Technical Specifications And Price

Also Read: 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R First Look

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