The control panel clearly showed my speed and the engine’s rpm from the identically sized round gauges. All of the warning lights sit above a digital LED display panel that lives in-between. This shows fuel and temperature levels, with a digital odometer at the bottom and a clock up top.

The rest of the controls are standard Suzuki fare. The cable-operated clutch has a non-adjustable lever requiring only a light pull to activate. Throttle operation is in the same league, and the multi-adjustable front brake lever responds to two-finger braking. Full marks also to the V-Strom’s mirrors for doing more than showing more than my shoulders, and, for the most part, being vibration free.

All too soon my day with Suzuki’s new V-Strom 650 was over and I was not ready to quit. I was very impressed and feel a real desire to see this bike do well.

I love big horsepower motorcycles, with ultra-trick suspension and mind-blowing performance. But, I also spent years riding motorcycles around the world. And for that I needed simple, reliable and economical machinery that could carry me to my desired destination in comfort, while carrying enough luggage to sustain my travels.

I needed a bike that could be fun in the twisties when my gear was in camp, and a bike that would deal with the daily commute when I stopped to earn more travel coupons. If only they had made the Suzuki 650 V-Strom back then.

The fact that Suzuki Australia have released this model at a very attractive $9,990 sticker price makes nearly every other machine in this class look very expensive indeed.  Much of the opposition charge thousands more and only give you an asthmatic single cylinder engine, clearly these machines are no match for the DL650.

Editor Trev previewed Suzuki's new 650 V-Strom late last year

Trev also tested the DL1000 on its launch two years ago