BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Suzuki V-Strom 650

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1150 GS Adventure

Adventure
Suzuki

Suzuki V-Strom 650

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2005
Built von 2005 bis 2024~
RRP
RRP 8.800 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • Comfort
  • Processing
  • Off-road capability
Pros:
  • Comfort
  • High-torque engine
  • Suitable for everyday use
  • Value for money
Cons:
  • High weight
Cons:
  • No need for mixed tyres

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.501 mm
Length :
2.180 mm
Seat :
900 mm
Weight :
287 (max: 460 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length :
2.275 mm Height : 1.405 mm
Seat :
830 mm until : 835 mm
Weight :
213 (max: 415 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 645 ccm
Hub: 63 mm
Hole: 81 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 192 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Maximum speed: 185 km/h
Performance: 71 HP at 8.800 U/Min
Torque: 62 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
488 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)
Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL
Frame type:
Bridges (bridge frame aluminum)
Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 43 mm (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 159 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 19 M/C x MT 2.50 110/80R19 M/C 59V
Rear tyres: 150/70 R 17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brakes ( 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc ( 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc ( 310 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 260 mm)

Cheap never, well mostly

MW driving has never been a particularly cheap pleasure. Although many specimens are around 20 years old and have collected correspondingly many kilometers, these GS are still not a bargain. It must be at least 5,000 euros, top-maintained specimens like our test bike like to scratch at the five-digit. You can understand this: The BMW R 1150 GS, if you don't catch a rocked-out model, is an almost ideal companion for the very big tour.

If you can do without cornering and agility, the GS is the ideal travel moped, where the road can be three steps below perfect.
As I said, a buddy for the good and the bad days.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: used from 5.000€
  • Years built: 1999-2003
  • Availability: good
  • Colors: Adventure in white-blue

Companion for every day

The bottom line is that there is a clear thumbs up for the Suzuki V-Strom 650. At 8,390 euros, it is an all-round successful bike with very good manners, can be used everywhere and is fully suitable for travel.

Suzuki remains true to its reputation for building underrated bikes. Our recommendation for all those who are looking for a fully everyday bike with a very good price-performance ratio: Ride it absolutely test. Rarely has had so much fun with so little effort.

The test bike was provided to us by M.A.S. in Wilster.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 8.390€
  • Used (3 years old): 6.600€
  • Years of construction: since 2017
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: red, yellow, black, blue