Spied! New Suzuki V-Strom 650… With Parallel Twin Engine?

[advrider]

It looks like the unthinkable is finally happening. More than two decades after its debut, it appears Suzuki is preparing to completely overhaul the V-Strom 650 with a new engine, finally leaving the older V-twin platform behind.

The photos originally ran in Motociclismo, and were apparently taken by Kanyarfoto. You can see an Instagram post from GPOne showing the bike below, or head to Motociclismo for better-quality shots.

Alcune foto spia confermano quanto ipotizzato da tempo, con l'arrivo di un nuovo bicilindrico parallelo che manderà in pensione il V2 da 650 cc https://t.co/8IxesvBIGV #suzuki #vstrom #700bicilindrico #VStrom700

— GPOne.com (@gponedotcom) August 30, 2022

What can we learn from the pix? Quite a bit.

Take a look at those twin headers coming from the front of the bike. Looks like this bike is a parallel twin. Although Suzuki plans to bring its SV650 back for 2023, it seems the V-Strom 650 will be one of the first bikes to feature the new parallel twin engine that Suzuki has been testing and perfecting forever.

Also, take a look at those wheels. While V-Strom 650 models have traditionally come out in cast-wheel configuration first, with spoked wheels added as an accessory (aftermarket or OEM) in the years that follow. Not so here, it seems. And, also note the skid plate on the bike—looks like Suzuki’s already putting together an accessories package.

While the fairing is all taped up in the image above, you can see there’s a sensible high-mounted set of turn signals, looking like they must be LEDs. There’s a square headlight, and a set of luggage strapped down for the weekend; at least, it seems unlikely that the bags on back contain testing electronics.

Looks like this machine is pretty much ready for an Intermot/EICMA tease this year, then, with release in early 2023? We’d like to think so, but maybe it’s going to be a ’24 model. We expect to know more this fall, though.

 

 

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