2012 Suzuki DL650
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Suzuki DL650 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 6. The most common issue is electrical problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle speedometer is reading higher than the speed as measured by an onboard gps. the difference is approximately +8%. is there a federal standard for vehicle speedometer/odometer accuracy?? the manufacturer states that he warrants the speedometer/odometer to be accurate within 10%. *tr. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
6
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 3 of 3)
ELECTRICAL
4 complaints- • THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS READING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED AS MEASURED BY AN ONBOARD GPS. THE DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY +8%. IS THERE A FEDERAL STANDARD FOR VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ACCURACY?? THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT HE WARRANTS THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER TO BE ACCURATE WITHIN 10%. *TR
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI DL650. AFTER RIDING 360 MILES, OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT
- • HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHEN OPERATIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DID RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE/HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED BY A FLORIDA STATE TROOPER WHO INFORMED ME MY HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. CALLED SUZUKI TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY WERE
“THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS READING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED AS MEASURED BY AN ONBOARD GPS. THE DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY +8%. IS THERE A FEDERAL STANDARD FOR VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ACCURACY?? THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT HE WARRANTS THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER TO BE ACCURATE WITHIN 10%. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (3)
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 DL650 motorcycles manufactured August 30, 2011, to October 12, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the alternator stator may have insufficient heat resistance, resulting in a short circuit of the stator wires.
Risk: A short circuit of the stator wires may prevent the battery from properly charging, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stator, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-572-1490. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A67.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Suzuki DL650
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS READING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED AS MEASURED BY AN ONBOARD GPS. THE DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY +8%. IS THERE A FEDERAL STANDARD FOR VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ACCURACY?? THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT HE WARRANTS THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER TO BE ACCURATE WITHIN 10%. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: UPON PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT AND SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR WITH A TOE LIFT ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE AND FELL DOWN. THE LINKAGE ALLOWED THE SHIFTER ARM TO FALL DOWN AND INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING. USING 20X MAGNIFICATION IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: ABS pump issue, very likely clogged valves, lead to rear brake pedal locked up in disengaged position while riding - no rear brakes. When I was riding at moderate speed, the ABS module engaged after the rear wheel slid a little on a patch of grass. Immediately afterwards I found the rear brake peda
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Suzuki dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Suzuki DL650 — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 6
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Suzuki DL650