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........

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??????

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

[timg]

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

[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........

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........

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.