Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking

alphadog · 25th August 2019, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

If you havent parted with your money yet, there is a Suzuki dealership in Cochin that will get you the test rides of the GSX S750. They brought down the Busa and V Strom recently from APCO in Kozhikode and can arrange for the same. Let me know, I can share the details of the sales guy with you.

Thank you Neil. However, I have already paid for the Z900 and will pick it up this coming week. I will keep this in mind for the future, ever hoping that there will be a zuki big bike showroom in Kochi.

Cheers!

Vasuki · 27th August 2019, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadog

Thank you Neil. However, I have already paid for the Z900 and will pick it up this coming week. I will keep this in mind for the future, ever hoping that there will be a zuki big bike showroom in Kochi.

Cheers!

Congratulations. Welcome to the Kawasaki Kochi club.

Which colour you are going for?

alphadog · 27th August 2019, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Congratulations. Welcome to the Kawasaki Kochi club.

Which colour you are going for?

Thank you. I found the special edition-red too flashy for my taste, hence went for the black with the green trellis. I abhor the Kawasaki green, thankfully, the black colour version has only a tolerable smidgen of green.

Is there a Kwaker riding group / community in these parts?.

Cheerio!

Vasuki · 27th August 2019, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadog

Thank you. I found the special edition-red too flashy for my taste, hence went for the black with the green trellis. I abhor the Kawasaki green, thankfully, the black colour version has only a tolerable smidgen of green.

Is there a Kwaker riding group / community in these parts?.

Cheerio!

Ofcourse there is. I believe they'll add on the delivery day.

kozhissery · 12th September 2019, 21:21

First Service of 1000 KMS on 06.Apr.2019@APCO Suzuki Service Center, Kozhikode

The service appointment was taken. Before that had ordered radiator guard, hand guards and crash guards from BikeNBiker. Radiator guard was delivered to Trivandrum but others were delivered to service station, which was a wise decision as forgot to take the radiator guard with me.
As the purchase was done at the last minute had to goto the courier office to collect it. Got it by 11am and the service started. The service person Mr. Sajith was very helpful and my sales person Mr. Nandhan worked tirelessly co-ordinating with the courier and even took pains to get the items from courier office.

I'm very happy with the service rendered except that it is very far from my home and they don't have the Suzuki Specific oil.

Checking the angle of Hand guard?

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-img_0885.jpg

After assembly of crash guard/hand guard

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-img_0886.jpg

After assembly of crash guard

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-img_0887.jpg

Cost Break-up

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-first-service.png

aghate · 13th September 2019, 14:42

Hi kozhissery,

I have been following your thread but just never got the opportunity to respond here. Congratulations for the wonderful machine that you have!

I have to admit the more I see your bike in that White-Blue avatar the more it is growing on me. Personally, liked the Golden-Black scheme but this probably looks better in person. Again, thank you for sharing your detailed experience here.

Thanks,

aghate

ashwinprakas · 15th September 2019, 17:14

While returning from Kesavadasapuram to Uloor I spotted a VStrom, black helmet rider, was that you?

kozhissery · 16th September 2019, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by aghate

I have been following your thread but just never got the opportunity to respond here. Congratulations for the wonderful machine that you have!

Thanks aghate. Yellow is quite attractive but better-half did not like it and now I've started liking it better, the major advantage being that it can blend in the crowd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

While returning from Kesavadasapuram to Uloor I spotted a VStrom, black helmet rider, was that you?

If it was between 3 and 5 PM - YES. And you were in?

ashwinprakas · 16th September 2019, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by kozhissery

If it was between 3 and 5 PM - YES. And you were in?

Yes it was.

I was coming the other way on a Black and White KL02 registered P220 with its HL ON.

Don't recall helmet colour as I shuffle between Black, White/Red and White/Green helmets.

Since I have a clearer idea of what you look like I'll wave/flash next time!

kozhissery · 15th October 2019, 07:04

As I was planning to let Beaky stretch its wings sometime during Onam holidays, decided to get it serviced. As part of service (and the trip planned) decided to get the following installed
1. Sump Guard/Skid-Plates (SW-Motech - from BikenBiker)
2. Radiator Guard (SW-Motech - from BikenBiker)

The sad part is that I could not get the "ECSTAR FULL SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL 10W-40 /1000 Ml" and had to be content with "Suzuki Recommended MOTUL 7100,10W40".

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-paid-service-2nd.png

I'm pretty happy with the service rendered by APCO suzuki, except for the distance to get it serviced (nearly 400 odd kilometers one way)

As I had to ride all the way from Kozhikode to Trivandrum in the rains the bike became very dirty and had to be given for a thorough wash back in Trivandrum

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking-img_3048.jpg

Red Liner · 15th October 2019, 10:42

kozhiserrys, do try Amsoil 10w40 metric synth next time. Available on Amazon.

Motul just does not cut it anymore unless its an emergency fill.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 15th October 2019, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by kozhissery

for a thorough wash back in Trivandrum

Where is this washing place? I do not have a pressure wash at home, so may need their services when I visit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kozhissery

As I had to ride all the way from Kozhikode to Trivandrum

Nice! How enjoyable was the ride in our two-lane traffic?

kozhissery · 15th October 2019, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Liner

kozhiserrys, do try Amsoil 10w40 metric synth next time. Available on Amazon.

Motul just does not cut it anymore unless its an emergency fill.

Sure I'll try that. During my recent service I did use Suzuki Oil which was available at Super Suzuki, Gurugram (I used their service during my recent trip to North India)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Where is this washing place? I do not have a pressure wash at home, so may need their services when I visit.

It is at Vettu Road (Almost opposite to Sainik School, at Kazhakuttom) - Shop name is Lainas Car Wash/Detailing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Nice! How enjoyable was the ride in our two-lane traffic?

Better than riding through Bangalore. I did the to trip during early morning so it was easy but while coming back I had tough time, still lot better than what I faced recently while doing my North India tour.

ethanhunt123 · 15th October 2019, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Motul just does not cut it anymore unless its an emergency fill.

Really ? Bunch of my Z800/Z900 buddies are perfectly happy with Motul7100 ... wonder what experience you had with it ?

CrAzY dRiVeR · 15th October 2019, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

Really ? Bunch of my Z800/Z900 buddies are perfectly happy with Motul7100 ... wonder what experience you had with it ?

I guess everyone starts with Motul by default. Pretty sure Ramana would have done the same too!

But Amsoil seems to be getting good feedback from Versys owners as compared to the Motul. Not that Motul is bad, but many feel Amsoil is better.

I'm also planning to switch soon.

12th September 2019, 21:21	#50
kozhissery BHPian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 470 Thanked: 2,515 Times	Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking First Service of 1000 KMS on 06.Apr.2019@APCO Suzuki Service Center, Kozhikode The service appointment was taken. Before that had ordered radiator guard, hand guards and crash guards from BikeNBiker. Radiator guard was delivered to Trivandrum but others were delivered to service station, which was a wise decision as forgot to take the radiator guard with me. As the purchase was done at the last minute had to goto the courier office to collect it. Got it by 11am and the service started. The service person Mr. Sajith was very helpful and my sales person Mr. Nandhan worked tirelessly co-ordinating with the courier and even took pains to get the items from courier office. I'm very happy with the service rendered except that it is very far from my home and they don't have the Suzuki Specific oil. Checking the angle of Hand guard? After assembly of crash guard/hand guard After assembly of crash guard Cost Break-up Last edited by kozhissery : 12th September 2019 at 21:23.
	(6) Thanks

13th September 2019, 14:42	#51
aghate BHPian Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Pune Posts: 243 Thanked: 670 Times	Re: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking Hi kozhissery, I have been following your thread but just never got the opportunity to respond here. Congratulations for the wonderful machine that you have! I have to admit the more I see your bike in that White-Blue avatar the more it is growing on me. Personally, liked the Golden-Black scheme but this probably looks better in person. Again, thank you for sharing your detailed experience here. Thanks, aghate
	(1) Thanks

15th September 2019, 17:14	#52
ashwinprakas BANNED Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Kollam Posts: 2,018 Thanked: 6,647 Times	Re: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking While returning from Kesavadasapuram to Uloor I spotted a VStrom, black helmet rider, was that you?
	() Thanks

15th October 2019, 07:04	#55
kozhissery BHPian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 470 Thanked: 2,515 Times	Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking As I was planning to let Beaky stretch its wings sometime during Onam holidays, decided to get it serviced. As part of service (and the trip planned) decided to get the following installed 1. Sump Guard/Skid-Plates (SW-Motech - from BikenBiker) 2. Radiator Guard (SW-Motech - from BikenBiker) The sad part is that I could not get the "ECSTAR FULL SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL 10W-40 /1000 Ml" and had to be content with "Suzuki Recommended MOTUL 7100,10W40". I'm pretty happy with the service rendered by APCO suzuki, except for the distance to get it serviced (nearly 400 odd kilometers one way) As I had to ride all the way from Kozhikode to Trivandrum in the rains the bike became very dirty and had to be given for a thorough wash back in Trivandrum Last edited by kozhissery : 15th October 2019 at 07:23. Reason: Added photo
	(1) Thanks

15th October 2019, 10:42	#56
Red Liner Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,276 Thanked: 18,722 Times	Re: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - A foray into the world of adventure biking kozhiserrys, do try Amsoil 10w40 metric synth next time. Available on Amazon. Motul just does not cut it anymore unless its an emergency fill. Last edited by Gannu_1 : 15th October 2019 at 15:49. Reason: edited
	(1) Thanks