£2500-£7000
It’d be rude not to mention the bike which the DEs replaced. The V-Strom 650 is widely considered a brilliant ‘little’ bike, that’s long been regarded as a smart choice by bikers who approve of its usability, versatility and exceptional value for money.
There is a slightly more off-road leaning XT variant, but the standard one’s the better choice if you’re going to be sticking to the Tarmac. It’s not the roomiest ride, and if you’re on the taller end of the spectrum you might find the pegs a little too close for comfort, but aside from that it’s the consummate all-rounder, with its decidedly budget suspension and brakes, and long-in-the-tooth SV650-based V-twin engine punching way above their weight.
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Popular with riders new and old, happy pushing on or cruising, the Suzuki is still an excellent choice if you’ve no interest in tackling the rough stuff. Ride one and it becomes easy to see why Suzuki’s sold so many of them over the years.
