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

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.

Take the 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/)

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.

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

PRICE:	$9,104 (base) / $9,599 (XT) / $10,799 (XT Adventure)
ENGINE:	645cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled V-twin
BORE x STROKE:	81.0 x 62.6mm
COMPRESSION RATIO:	11.2:1
FUEL DELIVERY:	Fuel injection, SDTV-equipped
CLUTCH:	Wet, multiplate
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE:	6-speed/chain
FRAME:	Twin-spar aluminum
FRONT SUSPENSION:	43mm telescopic fork, preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
REAR SUSPENSION:	Link-type shock, rebound and preload adjustable; 6.3 in. travel
FRONT BRAKE:	Tokico 2-piston calipers, dual 310mm hydraulic discs w/ ABS
REAR BRAKE:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 260mm hydraulic disc w/ ABS
WHEELS, FRONT/REAR:	Cast (base) / spoked (XT, XT Adventure); 19 in. / 17 in.
TIRES, FRONT/REAR:	Bridgestone Battlax; 110/80-19 / 150/70-17
RAKE/TRAIL:	25.0°/4.2 in.
WHEELBASE:	61.4 in.
SEAT HEIGHT:	32.9 in.
FUEL CAPACITY:	5.3 gal.
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT:	470 lb. (base) / 476 lb. (XT) / 528 lb. (XT Adventure)
WARRANTY:	1 year, limited
AVAILABLE:	Now
CONTACT:	suzukicycles.com

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com