Why do I want a DL650? [Archive]

CRM

14th June 2009, 16:07

After selling my DR650 a couple of months ago i had a ride on my mate his 04
sv650.
Now i have teribly fallen in love with that engine..... but think i'll get bored on a roadbike so have been eying the wee strom.

Tell me why you've got/want one, what you like and dont like.

cheers,

Wondering the same thing - after riding from Invercargill to Whangarei on a road bike (VF700 magna) I'm feeling a little over my hard-core dirt-oriented adventure bike (XR600) and wondering about something that would eat up the road miles but still make it down a track... Vstrom 650 sounds to me like it might be a good being a v-twin etc - either that or the Honda Transalp but they are a little pricier. So I'd be keen to get some feedback too.

Eddieb

14th June 2009, 17:01

On the recent South Island trip we were joined one morning by a Strom. It went on road tyres where DR's & KLR's etc were going on knobblies. Snow, stream crossings, small rock gardens it did it all with ease and sounded good doing it.

If you go through to the video link in my signature it features in one of the video's.

You'd want some protection underneath it though as it's a bit exposed.

Your reasoning is exactly why I bought my big tractor and the size and weight hasn't stopped me going anywhere the guys I ride with go yet who are mostly on DR650's, KLR 650's and the like.

kevfromcoro

14th June 2009, 17:14

Just sold my wee.. went Ausralia. to find some work but it didnt happen
was going to buy a new one over there.
great bike..... mine had road tyres on it.
with a set of good tyres i think it would do anything you wanted.
have a look at.
www.stromtrooper.com

buggsubique

14th June 2009, 17:41

Your reasoning is exactly why I bought my big tractor and the size and weight hasn't stopped me going anywhere the guys I ride with go yet who are mostly on DR650's, KLR 650's and the like.

Ditto67890

Crisis management

14th June 2009, 18:01

The Wee's a great bike but very road oriented, with some serious bash plate provision, suspension work (DRZ front end??) and tyres it is a capable adventure bike. A couple of the Two Wheels journos rode them around aussie for a fund raiser last year and if you track down the articles in Two Wheels there is some good info there.
I looked at it last year but for me it only worked if i could find a cheap cosmetic write off and spent about $5k on it to make a 10k adventure bike. Nice motor, too much plastic, too much stuff to damage below and crap suspension. I did like the indicator switch.

We watch with interest.

Padmei

14th June 2009, 18:11

Seem to be really popular in oz. Those motors sound pretty awesome & watching Snodpete cruise up Big river on his I think with some protection they would be fantastic heavyish adv bikes. They would chew up the miles nicely.

Eddie B I found your GS great due to the low COG compared to top heavy bikes like mine.

bart

14th June 2009, 18:39

This is why you want one.

I was very impressed.

Eddieb

14th June 2009, 18:59

I was too.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLZSKnWF-DM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLZSKnWF-DM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

snodpete

14th June 2009, 19:04

... but then I don't know any better! Several members on here (inc. eddieb and padmei) have been very flattering in their comments (on another thread) about my first real offroad ride - up Big River, though I admit I was pretty impressed with the bike managing that trip OK in the company of 'real' ADV bikes. The next day I rode up Mt Rochfort and dabbled around Denniston and dropped it twice!

What do I think so far? Rode a GS 650 Dakar and a KLR when shopping - really wanted pillion comfort and the Wee had that in spades over the others, also that engine is N I C E. It can go offroad, but I wouldn't want to push the beast any distance. Mud is BAD on the stock tyres; I dropped the pressure to 20 psi on advice from the wise ones for Big River trip - and they were fine.

The bike came with crash bars (essential) and I have got one of these (http://www.bboffroad.com.au/sv1000s.htm) to install so won't get anymore dings in the oil filter (whoops :confused:). The infamous buffeting is an issue (I'm 6'2") - your results may vary. I have installed a MadStad bracket and it's much better (though not perfect) Would like some better hand guards (Barkbusters?).

The Strom's ugly, but strangely appealing - every day I don't ride I feel like something is missing, every time I do ride it makes me smile - you could do worse!

junkmanjoe

14th June 2009, 19:23

[QUOTE=talbertnz;1129258885]After selling my DR650 a couple of months ago .
----------------------------------------------------------------

what was your reason for selling the DR650.
out of interest.

mine handles both jobs fine, road or off road.

Frodo

14th June 2009, 20:09

Vstrom 650 sounds to me like it might be a good being a v-twin etc - either that or the Honda Transalp but they are a little pricier. So I'd be keen to get some feedback too.

I've ridden both, thousands of kms on gravel on the Transalp 650. If you want a more road oriented bike, get the V-strom, much better than the Transalp in all respects. The TA is pretty reliable, but my friend has just clicked over 72,000 problem-free kms on his Wee strom. If you want a more trail oriented bike, get just about any single, it will be better. My Pegaso is much better, for example (and also better on the road).

The Transalp sits in no-mans land. The V-strom is a much better (and cheaper) bike on the road, yet acceptable in lighter trails.

Ruralman

14th June 2009, 20:13

My observations are from riding a Transalp in the past, riding with a 1000cc Strom and currently riding a Tiger but probably going Orange any day now.

The Strom, 650 or 1000, Tigers and Transalps will all do may of these adventure rides - but - at a pace commensurate with their suspension, weight and tyres. In other words if you want to do the rough stuff with any pace (and I mean rougher than just gravel roads) then you will find them quickly limiting. If you are happy just getting there at your own pace, but still being able to raak it up on the good gravel then they are fine.

The Stroms ,like the later Tigers, have alloy wheels which have been know to get bent from hitting large rocks or potholes at pace. The earlier Transalps, Trail bikes and the big KTMs have a real advantage with the larger front wheel on the rough stuff and I find also in their ability to turn on the gravel.

Comes down to how you want to ride and to some degree who you want to ride with
cheers
Bruce

talbertnz

14th June 2009, 21:40

Dont get me wrong I think the DR is an Awsome bike! And the main reason i sold it was I needed the money, but it also just lacks that little power and ehm.. "What was that word again my darling girlfriend?" lack of; COMFORT!! on the highway where I do spend a lot of my biketime...
The SV650 twin engine is sooooooo smooth right from down grunty low to a smooth scream at 10000rpm.
At a 100 kph its like doing 60 kmh in 5th gear on the DR. ....And its got 70 ponies :D...
Yeah yeah I know the DR does EVRYTHING: highway / mud , off road, jumps and will do what ever else you trow at it.
But its a compromise bike! An AWSome one, But for me doing mainly highway and gravel I think I might keep an eye out for a WEE DL

junkmanjoe

14th June 2009, 21:43

arr two up.

yes i agree with you there.
dr650 is one person bike for distance travel.
V-Strom nice looking bike.

luck with your hunting..let us know what you end up with.

JMJ

talbertnz

14th June 2009, 21:56

Padmei

15th June 2009, 07:37

BTW The first Thing I want to do is cut that "cancerous lump of plastic rear mudguard" of!
And yes I two think about the DL as "It aint pretty" but lets be honest neither DR or DL will ever win a beauty contest thats what bikes like this are for
:niceone:

Nup sorry can't be a real bike - not a cable tie in sight:no:

Edbear

15th June 2009, 08:10

See my ride report for my opinion....

Snails pace

15th June 2009, 19:47

Have done a few k on my wee and am looking to add another bike to the stable but cannot find anything that i prefer. Road, gravel, the odd sand road, a touch of snow it will handle comfortably. All these with anakees. Find it really economical at 25k/litre my best riding. The worst was 20k/litre riding at 160kph+ for hour upon hour (States) Tried a GS800 but, for my rides, it was not significantly better for the dollars. Have spent approx $2500 on mods. Added Hyde bash plate (handles kerbs, speed bumps with no problems), emulators in front shocks, Ohlins on the back. Added the emulators and then did a long trip. On my return added the rear shock which has given me about 40mm extra ground cover. trhe rear shock was added to give better suspension when two up, plus extra ground clearance. Would recommend to any wee owner as though it was great on tar or gravel it is far better with the Ohlins. To date no problems with the rims and have hit some serious potholes and ride up onto kerbs with little dropping of speed. Would i take it off road (bogs or real gnarly stuff) no. I'm a lazy bugger and it is far too heavy to pick up. Done my share of man handling bikes out of bogs as a youth. it has had a couple of slides down the road at some speed (80+k) and apart from a few scrape marks the front idicator needed replacing. The last little sleep involved the bike fallen on the left side, rolling over onto its back and then the right side. Fortunately it had hard panniers and a top box on at the time (Givi's) which would of saved from more damage. Other than tires, oils etc no problems. Passed the 80000k mark and heading for 150k.
Not for everyone but if you want a bike that is like the eveready battery it is hard to beat.

Padmei

15th June 2009, 20:10

BTW The first Thing I want to do is cut that "cancerous lump of plastic rear mudguard" of!
And yes I two think about the DL as "It aint pretty" but lets be honest neither DR or DL will ever win a beauty contest thats what bikes like this are for
:niceone:

I'm glad I'm not the only one getting an angry PM from KB about embedded images. I was a bit scared for a mo:mellow:

Woodman

15th June 2009, 20:15

I'm glad I'm not the only one getting an angry PM from KB about embedded images. I was a bit scared for a mo:mellow:

Whats an embedded image?

talbertnz

15th June 2009, 22:21

Yeah :confused: thought I typed a bad word somewhere :laugh:

talbertnz

15th June 2009, 22:23

Whats an embedded image?

an Image in your post.
you can add image by clicking on http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/bgold/editor/insertimage.gif then put in the URL

Woodman

15th June 2009, 22:25

an Image in your post.
you can add image by clicking on http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/bgold/editor/insertimage.gif then put in the URL

So an image is an embedded image?? why complicate things?

talbertnz

15th June 2009, 22:54

:Offtopic::Offtopic::Offtopic::bleh:
Just fancy words us civilised Aucklanders use:bleh:

junkmanjoe

15th June 2009, 22:58

have ya taken any bikes out for a play.

Jantar

15th June 2009, 23:03

So an image is an embedded image?? why complicate things?
An image can be added as either a thumbnail, where the viewer has the option of clicking it to get a high definition pic, or it can be an embedded image where the image is part of the post and there is no discretion for the viewer on whether to have it appear or not. Embedded images are limited to 640 x 480 pixels and 100kb. Thumbnail images can be 8 times this degree of definition.

Paladin

15th June 2009, 23:58

So have Kawasaki mad any inroads into the V-Strom's market with the Versys, or is that model a flop for Kwaka? It seems to look the part!

BMWST?

16th June 2009, 13:27

for the same reason i was looking at africa twins,super ten's and ended up getting a r 100 gspd...i want a nice road bike primarily with SOME off road ability...define nice....some wind protection,relaxed engine performance,good overtaking ability,but twin is max for ease of maintencance.,and thats prolly where the old airhead wins out over the yammie and honda...

BMWST?

16th June 2009, 13:31

So have Kawasaki mad any inroads into the V-Strom's market with the Versys, or is that model a flop for Kwaka? It seems to look the part!

kawasaki shoulda made the klr a twin.... prolly f all more weight for a much nicer engine .....kle 650 twin...mmmmmm

Woodman

16th June 2009, 20:29

Is the DL 650 a better bike than the DL1000. Anyone tried both.??

Padmei

16th June 2009, 20:36

An image can be added as either a thumbnail, where the viewer has the option of clicking it to get a high definition pic, or it can be an embedded image where the image is part of the post and there is no discretion for the viewer on whether to have it appear or not. Embedded images are limited to 640 x 480 pixels and 100kb. Thumbnail images can be 8 times this degree of definition.

How can we add it as a thumbnail cos that would be much much betterer than just a description of the pic

ps Jantar you are my favourite mod

BMWST?

16th June 2009, 20:42

How can we add it as a thumbnail cos that would be much much betterer than just a description of the pic

ps Jantar you are my favourite mod

um there is a description how to do that somewhere recent.....

here it is (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1444041&postcount=1)

Eddieb

16th June 2009, 20:44

ps Jantar you are my favourite mod

Better wipe your nose, it's got some brown stuff on it. What an ass kisser.

Besides that though Jantar has made an effort to come along and explain to us how it works.
It's more than I've seen some mods do and has been done in a informative manner so Kudos to that.

Eddieb

16th June 2009, 20:46

So have you bought one yet? There's plenty of positive response and no 'don't do it!' ones.

XF650

16th June 2009, 21:03

Is the DL 650 a better bike than the DL1000. Anyone tried both.??

Last time I spoke to the guy (workshop manager I think) @ Suzi dealer in Mot, he said he prefers the wee & he's owned both.

Eddieb

16th June 2009, 21:06

yes we all benefit from a nice "Infraction" for being such criminal types and posting super nasty dial up discriminating images

Chill ya grumpy old fecker.

While I don't agree with the rules that earnt us the infraction either thats a discussion thats being held in another part of the site.
All I was trying to say is Jantar followed a set of current rules and had the presense to step in to explain what they were without it turning into a bitch slapping fight to and from the mods like often happens in other areas of the site.

Lets not drag this section down the level of the great unwashed in the other areas, This is the one section i can stand to be in where people take the piss in a nice manner and generally play well together, and I don't feel like smashing some arrogant f**ker in the head everytime i log in.

marks

16th June 2009, 21:12

Chill ya grumpy old fecker.

While I don't agree with the rules that earnt us the infraction either thats a discussion thats being held in another part of the site.
All I was trying to say is Jantar followed a set of current rules and had the presense to step in to explain what they were without it turning into a bitch slapping fight to and from the mods like often happens in other areas of the site.

Lets not drag this section down the level of the great unwashed in the other areas, This is the one section i can stand to be in where people take the piss in a nice manner and generally play well together, and I don't feel like smashing some arrogant f**ker in the head everytime i log in.

which is why i deleted the post - obviously not quick enough for 'fast eddie'

junkmanjoe

16th June 2009, 21:13

i also got a smack on the hand for quoteing a pic....:Police:

Eddieb

16th June 2009, 21:15

which is why i deleted the post - obviously not quick enough for 'fast eddie'

Sorry, maybe that should be grumpy eddie too.

marks

16th June 2009, 21:15

i also got a smack on the hand for quoteing a pic....:Police:

yes but you deserve it

marks

16th June 2009, 21:18

Sorry, maybe that should be grumpy eddie too.

I can blame being old

whats your excuse?

Eddieb

16th June 2009, 21:19

I can blame being old

whats your excuse?

Too much work and not enough play makes Eddie a grumpy boy.

junkmanjoe

16th June 2009, 21:21

yes but you deserve it

you not a very nice man....:bleh:

any way...:Offtopic:....... is this chap that started this thread, whats he decided to get...bike wize....

marks

16th June 2009, 21:31

Too much work and not enough play makes Eddie a grumpy boy.

in that case you're allowed to be as grumpy as you want

you not a very nice man....:bleh:

this is true :yes:

babysteps

16th June 2009, 21:35

My Pegaso is much better, for example (and also better on the road).

End of thread really, I love mine and echo Frodo's comments. A really underrated bike.

talbertnz

16th June 2009, 21:45

Is the DL 650 a better bike than the DL1000. Anyone tried both.??

http://www.jackphelps.com/vstrom/comparison.htm

there you go

talbertnz

16th June 2009, 21:47

any way...:Offtopic:....... is this chap that started this thread, whats he decided to get...bike wize....

Am doing more and more reading and the DL 650 is right op my top 1 list

now I just need to save up:eek:

junkmanjoe

16th June 2009, 22:03

beg steel or borrow.....

you will get it in the end....
thats my plan for my new KTM.....

Snails pace

17th June 2009, 07:17

Is the DL 650 a better bike than the DL1000. Anyone tried both.??

Went for a ride down 22 with a guy on a DL1000. Half way we swapped bikes. The wee is more responsive in the cornering department. Powering out of the corners, no comparison, the 1000 as expected. but with using the gears, a tad more, the wee kept up well. This was 2 up on both bikes. The wee gets best part of 100k more out of a tank of gas.

Jantar

17th June 2009, 08:04

I have owned my VStrom 1000 now for 3 years, and used it for long distance endurance riding, commuting, gravel roads, and adventure rides. I have taken it on adventure rides with sports tyres, and used it on a Southern Cross with adventure oriented tyres. It is a great bike and the best all round bike I have ever owned.

The only bike I have ridden that is better suited to all these purposes is the VStrom 650. As one motorcycle mag commented "compared to the Rushmore-class monumentally Big Baggers.
But here's the thing: As all-around motorcycles go, for the
sheer joy of moving through the air'ot) two wheels, none of
those bikes even comes close to these two, especially the
V-Strom, which may just be the most shoclqngl); competent
machinein the worldtoday."

I will buy the 1000 again rather than the 650, simply beacuse I do a lot of two up touring and the extra 350 cc does make a difference.