GOTCHA! All-new Suzuki V-Strom breaks cover

Spy shots confirm the Suzuki V-Strom ‘700’ is on the way for 2023, replacing the long-serving and much-loved V-Strom 650.

It’s the end of an era. Hampered by new emissions regulations, Suzuki’s bulletproof V-Strom 650 is on the way out.

Thankfully, there’s good news, too, because the bike that’s going to replace it has been spotted while out and about undergoing final testing, ahead of its expected official release at the upcoming EICMA show this November.

Suzuki’s kept remarkably quiet about the bike so far, so at this stage there’s been no official confirmation about what exactly is going to be powering the latest middleweight ‘wee-strom’. That said, the snaps do seem to reveal that it won’t be getting an updated ‘V’ twin motor, and will instead be powered by an altogether different parallel-twin (which is believed to be 700cc). But despite the new engine, the newest version of Suzuki’s mid-capacity adventure bike is still expected to keep its ‘V’ name.

Aside from the motor (and in spite of the camouflage bodywork), there’re a few more bits of key information we can glean from the spy shots. There’s a new squared-off headlight (which sits somewhere between the Katana and V-Strom 1050); improved upside-down front forks; and larger, off-road ready spoked wheels (expected to be a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear). But at this stage that’s about all we know.

Thankfully, it looks like we won’t have to wait long to see it in the flesh, with rumours suggesting it’ll be making its first proper public appearance at the EICMA show in a couple of months’ time.

While the new V-Strom’s plenty to get excited about, there is a big question mark about another iconic bike in Suzuki’s range. The SV650. It uses the same 650cc v-twin motor, and if it’s being phased out in favour of a newer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly parallel twin, it’s fair to assume that the current SV’s probably going to be next on the chopping block. Here’s hoping that Suzuki decides to use its newest powerplant to update its plucky, affordable and always fun naked bike rather than retire it. Our fingers are firmly crossed.

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