Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen (2012-2016) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen (also known as the DL650, and affectionately known as the “Wee-Strom” or just the “Wee”) made between 2012 and 2016, replacing the original V-Strom 650 1st gen.
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen is a mid-weight, sport touring motorcycle launched in 2004 with a standard riding posture, fuel injection and an aluminium chassis.
The V-Strom 650 has a loyal following worldwide, and the DL650 used to outsell Suzuki’s larger DL1000 two-to-one — though the gap has narrowed as the V-Strom 1000 improved. The name V-Strom combines V, referring to the bike’s V engine configuration, with the German word strom, meaning stream or current.
The 2nd generation V-Strom 650 was a big revamp for the V-Strom 650, even if the engine stayed the same. Externally it got more durable resin body panels, a front fender that gave more cooling airflow to the radiator, and the engine got a more efficient oil cooling system. It retains the same basic engine — a 645cc 90-degree V-twin pushing the same six-speed transmission and chain final drive, but with a few enhancements from the Suzuki Gladius.
In 2017, the 2012-2016 2nd gen V-Strom 650 was replaced by the 2017+ third gen V-Strom 650.
This post was originally published on May 24, 2021, but has since been significantly updated.
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Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd gen Service Intervals
Overall, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd gen has 3500 mile or 6000 km, or alternatively 12-month service intervals.
At every service, change the oil, check or replace the spark plugs, and do a once-over of all the moving parts, cables, and hoses of the motorcycle.
Change the spark plugs every two services, and change the oil filter and air filter every three services.
The V-Strom 650’s valve service interval is every 14500 miles or 24000 km. Note that you don’t need to observe the time interval if the distance hasn’t been travelled. (This was clarified in manuals for later models.)
Make sure you regularly replace the brake fluid as well as the coolant.
Give special attention to the chain of the V-Strom 650 if you ride it off-road.
What you need to service the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen
To do a service on your 2nd gen V-Strom 650, aside from general motorcycle maintenance tools, you need some (or all) of the following consumables.
| Item | Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen Spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Suzuki recommends SAE10W-40 oil that meets JASO T903 standard of class MA or MB, which meets performance requirements for motorcycles with wet clutches. Most oils meet this spec, and Motul 7100 10W-40 is well liked. |
| Oil filter | Oil filter tightening torque is 20 Nm (14.5 lb-ft). The part number starts with 16510-03G00, and there many that are the right part (with different codes). The Hiflofiltro equivalent part is HF138RC (all model years) |
| Spark plugs | Use a NGK CR8EIA-9 as standard. Make sure it’s gapped to 0.7-0.8mm with a gapping tool. Re-torque the spark plug |
| Air filter | The Suzuki part number for the air cleaner is 13780-27G10-000. The K&N part code for the air filter is SU-1002 (all model years). |
| Brake pads | The V-Strom obsessives on Stromtroopers like EBC double hardened pads most of all saying they have stronger bite, fade less, and last just as long (if not longer). You need FA229HH (front left), FA231HH (front right), and FA174HH (rear). |
| Brake fluid | The manual recommends DOT 4 brake fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
| Coolant | You need a coolant compatible with an aluminum radiator, mixed at a 50:50 solution. Valvoline Zerex G05 meets the spec. |
| Chain | To maintain the chain, you need to clean and service it regularly. Use Motul chain paste, or better, the complete Motul chain care kit. |
| Grease | To grease external pivot points you need both lithium soap-based grease and silicone grease. |
Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen.
NOTES:
- Interval: This interval should be judged by odometer reading or number of months, whichever comes first.
- Legend: I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary, R= Replace, T= Tighten
- Hard use: If you use the motorcycle under severe conditions, you may have to service it more frequently (especially the chain and air filter)
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 14.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| Months | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Replace every |
| Engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40) | R | R | R | R | |
| Engine oil filter (HF138RC) | R | ||||
| Air cleaner element (SU-1002) | I | I | R | I | |
| Spark plugs (NGK CR8EIA-9) | I | R | I | R | |
| Valve clearance | – | – | – | I | |
| Fuel line | I | I | I | I | 4 years |
| Throttle cable play (2-4mm) | I | I | I | I | |
| Throttle valve synchronization | – | I | – | I | |
| Engine coolant (Super Long-Life) | 4 years | ||||
| Radiator hoses | I | I | I | I | 4 years |
| Clutch cable play (10-15mm) | I | I | I | I | |
| Brakes (see above for part numbers) | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake hose | I | I | I | I | 4 years |
| Brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | 2 years |
| Tires | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering | – | I | – | I | |
| Front forks | – | I | – | I | |
| Rear suspension | – | I | – | I | |
| Chassis bolts and nuts | T | T | T | T | |
| Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts | T | T | T | T |
Maintaining your Chain on your Suzuki V-Strom 650
Just as the 1st gen is, the V-Strom 650 2nd gen is a classic all-purpose bike that people use for everything from daily commuting to light off-roading. As such, the chain gets a lot of abuse.
Maintain your chain regularly. Either use a good-quality (and affordable) chain lube like Motul Chain Paste, which you can take anywhere with you, or use a full on Motul Chain Care Kit to clean and restore a chain.
Suzuki recommends that you maintain your chain regularly according to the following schedule.
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check chain * Correct tension / slack (maximum deflection 20-30mm / 0.8-1.2 in at loosest point) * Adequate lubrication * No excessive wear / damage | Ride (pre-ride check) |
| Clean and lubricate chain | 1000 km / 600 miles |
Damage includes loose pins, damaged rollers, dry or rusted links, kinked or binding links, excessive wear, and improper adjustment.
To measure the drive chain wear on the V-Strom 650, measure the length of 20 chain lengths (21 pins on the chain). The maximum service limit is 319.4 mm (12.57 inches) between the two points. If it’s longer than this, the chain is too loose and needs to be replaced.
If the chain’s maximum deflection is beyond the service limit, you need to adjust the chain tension.
With the vehicle on its side stand, loosen the rear axle nut and the two retainer nuts on each side of the axle. Adjust the chain tension by tightening (or loosening) the chain adjuster bolts by the same amount on each side. Then re-tighten the axle nut (100Nm / 73 lb-ft) and the adjuster nuts.
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen
The manual for the 2nd gen Suzuki V-Strom 650 specifies the following tyre specs.
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 110/80R19M/C 59H | BRIDGESTONE TW101 J | 225 kPa (33 psi) |
| Rear | 150/70R17M/C 69H | BRIDGESTONE TW152 F | 250-280 kPa (36-41 psi) Adjust pressure based on rear load (e.g. when you have a passenger) |
About the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen
The 1st Gen V-Strom 650 was a huge favourite in the adventure travel world for many years with almost no competition other than much more expensive BMWs.
It took the engine from the fuel-injected second generation SV650, detuned it slightly for more midrange, and then put it into an upright chassis.
The 2nd Gen Suzuki V-Strom 650 improved on the 1st gen in almost every way — other than a 10% smaller fuel tank, although that was due to shaving down body weight.
The V-Strom 650 2nd gen has a two-into-one exhaust system that even in stock form has a healthy lump to it. An upright riding posture means you can ride the Wee-strom for days… like the 1st gen, the 2nd gen Wee-strom is huge favourite for people doing the 1000-miles-in-24-hours “Iron Butt” challenge because of its comfort and range (over 250 miles or 400 km), and especially so as it has better engine cooling.
The engine in the V-Strom 650 is a 645cc 90-degree liquid-cooled V-twin, with four valves per cylinder, and intake and exhaust valving each with their own camshaft. It might sound like not much — but it puts 66 horsepower to the rear wheel (some 5% more than the outgoing version, if that’s worth anything), which is enough for freeway speeds — even two-up (thought it might take a bit longer to get there with a passenger and full luggage).
The V-Strom 650 2nd gen gets its engine from the updated block in the Suzuki Gladius. It’s the same, but has a few other tech enhancements like low-friction SCEM-plated cylinders, lightweight single valve springs, dual iridium spark plugs, and an idle speed control system.
The V-Strom 650 2nd gen’s enhancements also include some to enhance the V-twin engine’s pulse while reducing mechanical noise and boosting mid-range torque.
The V-Strom 650 2nd gen, like the first, has a heavier flywheel, giving the engine a character more suited to a tourer.
Suzuki eventually retired the 2nd gen V-Strom 650 in favour of the re-styled 3rd gen 2017 model, including the V-Strom 650 XT.
Manual for the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki V-Strom 650 2nd Gen. You can download manuals for most Suzuki motorcycles from here.
