The big DL650 disappointment

[talbertnz]

Gday all,

I'm back in the market for an ADV Bike! (after selling DR650 in Jan.) And had set my mind on the Zuki DL 650 Weestrom.

I rode my mates sv650 and loved the engine but not the "nakedbikeness" ofcourse.

So took an 09 DL for a test ride this Avo from Colemans suzuki and man... it just didnt xcite me at alll!!
1. I dont find it pretty
2. Engine "feel" was boooooohhring compared too SV ( and Gladius)
Its not slow! but just boring, granny car alike... too boring smooth???
3.Exhaust note sounds lame compared to SV and Gladius.
4. felt a tad heavy.
I Realy Realy tried to like it. I know it WILL do everything I want it to do on the practical side of things but THE LOVE JUST WASNT THERE.

Then I had a go on a brand spanking new Gladius wich I Think IS realy pretty And Was Verry Fun to ride.

Mr. Colemans Told me I can take the DL with me for a weekend to see if it will grow on me. Might have to do that....

I went to Bmw dealer and had look at the new f 800cc 650 gs. And that looks good but will brake the bank........:crybaby:

Then there was the older model f 650gs single 650
I couldnt take it for a test ride but it felt realy good between the legs plus it will do what i want it to do but not sure if I want the single cylinder again??

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY SELF AHHAHAHAA

[Edbear]

Take the WeeStrom for the weekend! I loved it and posted a report on it here. Take it out through Coatesville and take the Riverhead - Helensville road...

[trustme]

Scrambler.

[Eddieb]

I've heard they do take a few thousand km's to loosen up and wake up.

[talbertnz]

The gladius i rode was awake tho an they were both 09 bikes

[bart]

The gladius i rode was awake tho an they were both 09 bikes

How could you live with the plastic pretend chrome frame bit on the Gadius though. What were the designers thinking??????:bash:

Otherwise...........nice bike

[timg]

Transalp 650? 2yrs & 26000k down the track I'm still rapt with mine.:love::Oops:

[Ruralman]

Gday all,

I'm back in the market for an ADV Bike! (after selling DR650 in Jan.) And had set my mind on the Zuki DL 650 Weestrom.

I rode my mates sv650 and loved the engine but not the "nakedbikeness" ofcourse.

So took an 09 DL for a test ride this Avo from Colemans suzuki and man... it just didnt xcite me at alll!!
1. I dont find it pretty
2. Engine "feel" was boooooohhring compared too SV ( and Gladius)
Its not slow! but just boring, granny car alike... too boring smooth???
3.Exhaust note sounds lame compared to SV and Gladius.
4. felt a tad heavy.
I Realy Realy tried to like it. I know it WILL do everything I want it to do on the practical side of things but THE LOVE JUST WASNT THERE.

Then I had a go on a brand spanking new Gladius wich I Think IS realy pretty And Was Verry Fun to ride.

Mr. Colemans Told me I can take the DL with me for a weekend to see if it will grow on me. Might have to do that....

I went to Bmw dealer and had look at the new f 800cc 650 gs. And that looks good but will brake the bank........:crybaby:

Then there was the older model f 650gs single 650
I couldnt take it for a test ride but it felt realy good between the legs plus it will do what i want it to do but not sure if I want the single cylinder again??

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY SELF AHHAHAHAA

The answer is called a KTM 990 Adventure - you'll find a good second hand one within your price range

[carver]

Gday all,

I'm back in the market for an ADV Bike! (after selling DR650 in Jan.) And had set my mind on the Zuki DL 650 Weestrom.

I rode my mates sv650 and loved the engine but not the "nakedbikeness" ofcourse.

So took an 09 DL for a test ride this Avo from Colemans suzuki and man... it just didnt xcite me at alll!!
1. I dont find it pretty
2. Engine "feel" was boooooohhring compared too SV ( and Gladius)
Its not slow! but just boring, granny car alike... too boring smooth???
3.Exhaust note sounds lame compared to SV and Gladius.
4. felt a tad heavy.
I Realy Realy tried to like it. I know it WILL do everything I want it to do on the practical side of things but THE LOVE JUST WASNT THERE.

Then I had a go on a brand spanking new Gladius wich I Think IS realy pretty And Was Verry Fun to ride.

Mr. Colemans Told me I can take the DL with me for a weekend to see if it will grow on me. Might have to do that....

I went to Bmw dealer and had look at the new f 800cc 650 gs. And that looks good but will brake the bank........:crybaby:

Then there was the older model f 650gs single 650
I couldnt take it for a test ride but it felt realy good between the legs plus it will do what i want it to do but not sure if I want the single cylinder again??

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY SELF AHHAHAHAA

the new transalp is great!
i have tested it, and have a vid in the wings on it

[Odakyu-sen]

If there's any doubt then there's no doubt.

I am thinking of getting into unsealed-road touring in a couple of years' time and will probably be in a similar situtation of looking for a bike. With both my previous road bikes (Ducati and Yamaha) I knew within the first 3 km that they would be for me. (And almost a decade with each has proved me right.)If a bike just doesn't do it for you, you will know straight away.

Getting back to ADV bikes, I did take a DR650 for a test ride several years ago. Despite the seat, tank and lack of wind protection, that tall spidery bike made a really good impression on me. I haven't taken the more rational choice (the new KLR650) for a test ride yet, but if I do, and I don't get that same sense of (yeah baby!) feeling, then I will probably go for the DR and add the bits I need.

Go with your feelings. If there is no passion, then it's not worth doing.

[shards]

I am a big fan of the Yam XT660 (I have 2). I have also had a KLR650, F650GS and ridden a DR650. I like the "feel" of the XT the most - as has been said earlier, if the bike doesn't gel straight away, it most likely won't ever. There are XT660R's on Trademe at good prices. Try one, that's the only way to find out.

[talbertnz]

Go with your feelings. If there is no passion, then it's not worth doing.


Agreed!!!!

[talbertnz]

I am a big fan of the Yam XT660 (I have 2). I have also had a KLR650, F650GS and ridden a DR650. I like the "feel" of the XT the most - as has been said earlier, if the bike doesn't gel straight away, it most likely won't ever. There are XT660R's on Trademe at good prices. Try one, that's the only way to find out.

tell me how you experience the diffrence between the GS and the XT have they both got some more power over the DR?

comming from the DR I want
1. More comfort--
2. Better onroad capability - I like 19 inch FRONT wheels
3. more power for highway TOURING / 2up, but nothing extreme
4.gravel road ability / light off road ability
5. reliability and fuell economy are also high on the list!

[Morcs]

Just get the 1000?

Its still cheap. The motor is probably still gutless enough to not be scary, but even power for a nana rider.

[shards]

tell me how you experience the diffrence between the GS and the XT have they both got some more power over the DR?

comming from the DR I want
1. More comfort--
2. Better onroad capability - I like 19 inch FRONT wheels
3. more power for highway TOURING / 2up, but nothing extreme
4.gravel road ability / light off road ability
5. reliability and fuell economy are also high on the list!
================================================== ========

The GS and the XT are very similar, the GS perhaps better at longer distance BUT at a price. Similar power output. I believe both have more power than the DR but, of course, this is offset slightly by the lower weight of the DR.

To answer your other questions :-

1) Comfort is subjective but I think the DR is UNcomfortable, the XT is good.
2) Due to heavier weight, I believe GS/XT are more stable on the road. BTW, the XT only comes in 17/21" front wheels. Again, this is subjective, but having had both 19 (on the GS) and 21 (on the KLR/XT), I think the 21 is better on road as well as off.
3) I have never been 2-up on the XT but there are many people who go 2-up on the GS so no problem with power. XT seat appears plenty roomy.
4) Gravel roads better than GS, probably about same as BMW Dakar (21" front wheel version).
5) According to www.xt660.com these things are super-reliable. Fuel economy about 20-21K's/ltr. Not as good as BMW but REALLY depends how to ride.

Overall, when you seem to be paying $10K+ for a very used GS, these are good value at the same price new (not RRP but what you actually pay).

As I said before, get a test ride, that is the only way to decide. If you want to come down to BOP, you can have a go on mine. There is also one at Henderson M/C I believe.

[Winston001]

If there's any doubt then there's no doubt.


Go with your feelings. If there is no passion, then it's not worth doing.

Good advice. That's the beauty of motorcycles - they are different things to different people. Two of my mates ride V-Stroms and like them but for me, they feel bland. A lighter more open muffler would be a good first mod. Whats the point of having a v-twin and not be able to hear it!!

[ducatijim]

I have many times found the relationship between the 'head' and the 'heart' when choosing a bike difficult to reconcile!
Odakyu-sen is very right saying that if it don't ring ur bell you may be better off without it:sweatdrop
However, when expecting a specific ability from a machine, any machine, the head must be called upon......any 'warm,fuzzies' will quickly dissappear if you were to say....try and tour the south island, 2-up, an an Aprillia RX? 550!:bash:
But, the heart would skip a few beats everytime you raise the garage door for a solo, backroads blast upon same mount!:woohoo:
Likewise, you would be obcenely comfy on same tour with a ST1300....but the 42nd traverse would leave you breathless my friend!
I don't have an answer for you, myself, I have found the KT990 to be best compromise of head and heart, however, I am lucky enough to have a DR650 in my shed for...'occasions'!!!!:yes:

[Taz]

Any way just like the SV650 and Gladarse the DL650 and 1000 are thinly disguised road bikes.

[dino3310]

tell me how you experience the diffrence between the GS and the XT have they both got some more power over the DR?

comming from the DR I want
1. More comfort--
2. Better onroad capability - I like 19 inch FRONT wheels
3. more power for highway TOURING / 2up, but nothing extreme
4.gravel road ability / light off road ability
5. reliability and fuell economy are also high on the list!

oh you be wanting a DRBIG then:yes:.

the new Tenere looking pretty handsome.
or maybe a secondhand Tiger for better on road.

il'd be thinking
Tiger,
TDM,
Transalp

[Shadowjack]

I went from an XT600 to a TDM850 for all the reasons the OP has mentioned. Gravel roads, touring, Wednesday nite rides, all dispatched with a high degree of comfort. Recently fitted an E07 to the rear - transformed the handling on shingle. A documented 18-19 km/l average over 17,000 trouble-free kms. And I understand the 9'ers are better...
It is heavier than some singles and twins, but so am I. The bike comes with an inbuilt wash-the-cares-of-the-world-away factor. Good luck with the search...

[talbertnz]

I had a test ride on an almost new 09 Honda XL700V transalp this morning and quite liked it but to expensip. I can see why people would buy it its an awsome bike.

Also had a sit on Buell ulyyesyes and was surprised to find it quite comfy and cool looking. also out of budget tho. Anothet out of budget I had not seem before but looked Awsome was the KTM 990 SmT (SuperMotardTouring?) Looks awsome cost $24K its seat is rock hard tho.

after that i went back to the Suzuki dealer and had a sit down/walk around the DL again it just seems so practical its comfy does evrything right, I think I probably will end up buying one. but still got some test rides left to do.
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/14/96953714_full.jpg

[paturoa]

The DL thou is 20kg heaver but has a lot more boogie.

The Stromtrooper forum is a good resource. http://www.stromtrooper.com/

I recently looked at the 650 ABS - but the price is steep!

[Jantar]

Any way just like the SV650 and Gladarse the DL650 and 1000 are thinly disguised road bikes.

Utter rot. The DL650 and 1000 are not thinly disguised road bikes. They aren't disguised at all. They are road bikes. The difference between them and other road bikes is that they can take any road. Try Lake Onslo or Thompsons Track on most road bikes at present and you'll quickly come unstuck, but the DL1000 does them both and the DL650 would find them even easier.

Some people try to treat them as dirt bikes, and that is something they don't pretend to be.

[tri boy]

Ahem. Starts with Sc,...................













ends with rambler.:done:

[carver]

it starts with

trans

ends with alp

xl700v!

[talbertnz]

The difference between them and other road bikes is that they can take any road. Try Lake Onslo or Thompsons Track on most road bikes at present and you'll quickly come unstuck, but the DL1000 does them both and the DL650 would find them even easier.
Some people try to treat them as dirt bikes, and that is something they don't pretend to be.

+1 Hence the name ALLROAD-BIKES

The more I think about what it is I want my next bike to do the more the Dl650 appeals to me.
I realy need to take up Colemans Suzuki's offer to testride the Dl over the weekend and see if I can "fall for it" (not off it tho :lol: )

The only Dl that I find sort of pretty to look at is the new grey one
White one is ok too
Also I want the abs version.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Suzuki-V-Strom650-DL650b-small.jpg

[Crisis management]

I quite like the DL650 too, have a look throught the Aussie two wheels website for info on the round Australia trip two of their journos did on DL's, tons of good advice.

My pick would be a cheaper second hand one so you don't get too upset over damaging the body work, a set of DRZ forks & 21" front, decent bashplate and lighter, better routed exhaust.

Achievable for under 10k I think.

Iain

[Paladin]

+1 Hence the name ALLROAD-BIKES

The more I think about what it is I want my next bike to do the more the Dl650 appeals to me.
I realy need to take up Colemans Suzuki's offer to testride the Dl over the weekend and see if I can "fall for it" (not off it tho :lol: )

The only Dl that I find sort of pretty to look at is the new grey one
White one is ok too
Also I want the abs version.


Snodpete from Westport brought his Wee-Strom up the Big River track near Reefton when we did the SI Invasion ride in May and I think everyone on that ride was impressed that he rode it all the way to the abandoned mine with us. He didn't even have adv tyres on it - very impressive!

It DOES sit very low compared to the likes of DR650 etc BUT he has since put a good bashplate on it to protect all that low hangin pipe malarky and it looks good to go.
There's a pic of it on here post #137:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1129272108&highlight=Snodpete#post1129272108

Good to know that even though it probably isn't suited to a really full-on trail bike type track, it CAN handle offroad to an extent so no way would you be restricted to just gravel backroads!

Maybe PM Pete and have a chat with him?

[Winston001]

The puzzling thing about V Stroms is that you can buy the 1000 for about the same price as the 650. If you are riding by yourself mostly, the 650 is an excellent bike. I understand Suzuki haven't had to bother advertising them much because they just roll off the dealers floors - especially the 650.

Last year the 650 and the 1000 were the same price brandnew. Go figure.

My mates 650 has a high Givi screen extension that is as effective as the screen on my R80 which is saying something.

In terms of resale the V Strom appears to be a good choice, always worth keeping in mind.

[Snails pace]

Have an 07 DL650. With 83k on the clock she keeps going strong. My longest day 1300km and I could still walk at the end of it. I was very happy with it straight off the show room floor but as I was doing a bit of a trip I put emulators in the front. Made a good difference on rough gravel roads. A year ago I put an Ohlins shock in the back and that has really made a massive difference. On the seal it handles much better and in the gravel far more stable. The rear shock was for 2 up riding on rough gravel roads and give me a bit more ground clearance. I have gained about 35mm.
I expect 20km per litre, that is 2 up or solo with panniers etc. My worst is 18 and my best 25. I spend 70% of my time on seal and the other on gravel such as out Raglan way or the top of the Coromandel. Would i take it into the rough stuff no, too bloody heavy. Once she starts to tip just let her go as you will do yourself an injury trying to hold her up.
She pulls my chain but then i am just some one who likes tootling around rain hail or shine.

[talbertnz]

Well I had the Wee for the Wee-kend from colmans suzuki, and took it from Aukl to Matatmata for fathers day yesterday With my better half on the back!

I Was hoping she would realy like the bike.
Turns out it was a 4 hour nightmare for her.... (2hr either way)

It was stunning beautiful day and I thought it would probably warm up as the morning sun rose futher up the horizon. but it didnt it was stinking cold on the bike in our SUMMER bike gear.. 14odd degrees id say max ... but thats not the bikes fault.

I was nicely out of the MAIN wind blast on the motorway Which made the motorway quite comfy. the bike had extra adjustable little windscreen lip added onto the screen wich worked wonders compared to just stock which caused a lot of buffeting.

My GF on the other hand was not having any fun!
She experienced major buffeting and what ever we tried ( movig windscreen lip up and down, me bending forward, backward, stretching right out,) nothing helped! (She/we never had trouble on the DR apart from sore bum and bit cramped 2up)

Then there was the main reason why I dont want this bike:
All the (freeking cold) wind that gets deflected by the front of the bike is being pushed to both sides, comes around the tank sucks past your upper legs and right onto mister pipi :eek5: (who happily retracted to stay warm) ... :cold: and from there onwards travels upwards on your upper body/chest and blows a nice amount of cold air onto your chin :cold: inside the helmet and disapears towards Missus on the back (hence turbulance?)

So this would have been fantastic, if I was single and lived in HOT Northern ozzi, or was born an air/oil cooled cylinderhead of a DR 650.
But since Neither of the above applies to me/us I/we was verry disapointed and very cold!!!

Then when I had a chance to do a quik flick trough a rounabout something (footpeg?) started scraping on the ground well before I was planning to stop leaning over. didnt try again after that.
The seat is better then the DR ofcourse but still not as good as I had hoped for longer distance touring for the pillion (not wide enough).

On the positive The Engine is soooo creamy smooth right from 2.5 to 10k revs, bike handles great on the open highway soaks up bumps, and seemed well behaved on the gravel and grass around mum and dads orchard.
We where doing 170kmh in no time 2up following a nutcase boyracer on the motorway. (anything above 130 made gf head feel as if it was about to snap off tho (buffeting))

The Venture rack was great! in combination with elastic net thing! held all the lugage well.

I was realy hoping this trip would make me want the DL650weestrom..

I Might have to have another serious Look at the new Xl700V transalp.

The Dl is UNFORTUNLTLY : ...off my wish List..... :crybaby: :bye:

PS. Thanks for all the replies I'm not a big KTM fan, dont like the look of the scrambler or tiger and I'm just f***in pickie I guess

[talbertnz]

BTW I had a cold comming up, which is now a major cold from getting stinking cold yesterday voice is gone, snot evrywhere and heavily on the codral trying to soldier on!

[Jantar]

...
It was stunning beautiful day and I thought it would probably warm up as the morning sun rose futher up the horizon. but it didnt it was stinking cold on the bike in our SUMMER bike gear.. 14odd degrees id say max ... but thats not the bikes fault. ....
Its a nice balmy 9 degrees here at the moment, and after a quick bite of lunch I'm going to hop on my Strom for pleasant 400km blast. I don't find the VStrom to blow cold air anywhere that you wouldn't get on a naked bike. So reading your impressions I'd say it definitely isn't the bike for you.

[Eddieb]

Its a nice balmy 9 degrees here at the moment, and after a quick bite of lunch I'm going to hop on my Strom for pleasant 400km blast. I don't find the VStrom to blow cold air anywhere that you wouldn't get on a naked bike. So reading your impressions I'd say it definitely isn't the bike for you.

I met a gent with Aslan at the cold kiwi who has exactly the same issue with where the draft goes. He made up some sort of clipon soft deflector that sat around the tank just above the thighs to stop that.

[talbertnz]

exactly what I dont want. Having to spend another $3000 on ugly deflectors, seats, and screens to make a bike that is supose to be designed for longer distance touring comfy.
I think that should allready be good! before I fork out 15 grand on a new bike!

Quote I just saw on advrider: ...You cant realy see how ugly the weestrom is when you sit on it anyway... ;)

[Padmei]

Prob the best thing you did Tal, imagine if you bought one in the heat of summer & enjoyed the nice cool breeze as you rode. You prob wouldn't have thought about winter.
Keep on trying other bikes, there's one out there with your name on it. What about a beemer?

[talbertnz]

r1100 1200 etc beemers look scary big
I like the look of the new f650/800 but they are verry pricey

[Eddieb]

r1100 1200 etc beemers look scary big
I like the look of the new f650/800 but they are verry pricey

They do look scary, not once parked next to a v strom though, the size difference isn't much if anything.

[jafar]

r1100 1200 etc beemers look scary big
I like the look of the new f650/800 but they are verry pricey

Have you looked @ the BMW G650 GS ??
$15k new
http://www.bmwmotorrad.co.nz/scripts/main.asp?PageID=26977&ModelCategoryID=71


:whistle:

[Padmei]

r1100 1200 etc beemers look scary big
I like the look of the new f650/800 but they are verry pricey

Go have a try on the 800 at Experience BMW. Great guys & I'm sure you'll like it

[2much]

Don't like the nakedness? put some clothes on her... still the best bike you mentioned there...

http://www.wwwyatt.com/images/sv650sf.jpg

[Kokopelli]

The new F650/2GS is an excellent bike. If my wife's bike didn't have the low seat and the fork tubes pushed through a bit, I'd be riding it more often than just for a warrant or to get new tyres.

Some people rate it over the F800GS. The F650 feels about as quick as my R1150GS and is a lot smoother. It has a nice exhaust note right out of the box.

They appear to be selling really well, but I am sure if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll come across some secondhand bikes. Just make sure all the updates have been done.

[talbertnz]

Yeah Ill just have to make do with my van for now...
I should realy dust off the old ss50 as well and
save up for transalp or beemer.

[jafar]

Yeah Ill just have to make do with my van for now...
I should realy dust off the old ss50 as well and
save up for transalp or beemer.

Or a BIG WEDNESDAY :moon:

[Winston001]

The thing I have always liked about BMW bikes is the engineering. Admittedly my experience is limited to air-heads. The design is so clever and efficient. One shim to release the tank. One nut to release the back wheel. A lot of thought has gone into this.

[dino3310]

heres a good one for ya mate http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=241167212

[thepom]

what about the tdm 900,just about the same specs as the beemer but jap reliability,the computer on the beemer tells it to stop and your buggered but with the jap stuff its not such a prob.....:innocent:

[jafar]

Here are a few more :love:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-239690078.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose//auction-228019934.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose//auction-199322592.htm

[Hinny]

heres a good one for ya mate http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=241167212

They look so good.
Videos of them in action and race results show an extremely well thought out and engineered bike.

[BMWST?]

there is only one way to know if a bike will suit....ride it.The BMW look huge,but once rolling they are very very well balanced.....my ol gs feels a better balanced lighter bike than the KTM 950 i rode......But with about a 1/4 of the engine.:eek5:..
Poor comparison maybe,seeing i rode the KTM for about twenty minutes,but seriuosly try every bike you think of,or suggested.dont be put of by what they look like(like say a v strom)