Buying V-Strom 650 as second bike

[mp183]

[krushchev]

congrats!

my brother-in-law got a v-strom 1000 a couple of weeks ago. just broke it in a few days ago. it's quite nice. love the twin sound. it's a rather comfortable ride, a bit tall though. I'm almost jealous.

[oldsport]

Nice.  

I'd probably pick the 650 if I was buying a new bike.

Reminder to self, write this on the blackboard 500 times:
"you're not getting a new bike"
"you're not getting a new bike"
"you're not getting a new b....."

http://www.media.suzuki.com/mc/press_launch/vstrom650/index.htm Click on the Tech Book link for a nice pdf on the 650.

OS

[Gisser]

Saw the V-Strom 650 at a multi-brand dealership yesterday and was put off by how tall & unwieldy it appeared.  But, then, I don't buy into the marketing hype for "adventure tourers"--which seem to be an impractical distortion of dual purpose bikes like the DR650.  All the bad and very little of the good.  Oh, well, different strokes for different folks.

IMHO, best bike on the floor was the SV650 (unfaired).  Didn't like the redesign in pictures, but it's gorgeous in the metal flesh.  Great riding position, too.

Sat on the new Gixxers.  The less said, the better. At least the SV series offer a choice of riding positions.  

Wow, talk about a prolifteration of cruisers.  They look fun, though the only model I'd consider is the aging, chopperesque Intruder 800 for its minimalist approach.  Some of the other bloated cruisers have an ass-pan wide enough to seat two  bikers side-by-side. :nana:

[bbanjo]

I too covet that DL650. It would be the perfect daily driver for me. Of course, a 916 would also be a perfect daily driver for me, but I can't afford the oil changes or the insurance.

Maybe that's how I can justify getting a V-Strom to my Wife  :dunno:

[JamesG]

Both DLs are pretty good bikes. They would be perfect if you never had to get off of it and see how butt ugly they are.
(sorry I have to mention that every time   )

Still, If I lived in a place with REALLY bad roads like New Orleans or if my job required going down dirt roads, I would consider the DL 650 or an Beemer F650. Both of which hit an equal number of branches on thier way down out of the ugly tree.
The Aprilia Caponard is probably the Uber "adventure tourer" bike along with the Duc Multistata but they are high $$$$!

I wish Yamaha would bring the TDM900 here to the US. Not only is it very competent, it actually looks decent.

[mp183]

You guys almost made me reconsider my decison to get the DL 650.
But like the old saying goes "If you want to to be happy the rest of
your life marry an ugly wife".  I think I'll stand with my decision.  My GS don't look too good either with all the dirt and salt all over it.  But it goes
"zoom" and that is what counts.  The main thing for me is to get maximum ride time between breakdowns and problems, I'll think this sucker will give me just that.  I hate Spring, there are a lot of stranges on my favorite roads and it's time to wash the GS again.

[The Buddha]

Wow, talk about a prolifteration of cruisers.  They look fun, though the only model I'd consider is the aging, chopperesque Intruder 800 for its minimalist approach.  Some of the other bloated cruisers have an ass-pan wide enough to seat two  bikers side-by-side. :nana:

But you haven't seen their asses... under 1/2 of it fits even on that seat.
Cool.
Srinath.

[oldsport]

But like the old saying goes "If you want to to be happy the rest of your life marry an ugly wife".

Also: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. AND Beauty is only skin deep.

The DL650 is styled as an "Adventurer" - similiar to the BMW GS bikes.
If it were a car, think "Land Rover" or at least sporting SUV - rarely goes off-road but does have some capability in that area.  

Long travel supension - nicer ride on rough surfaces
19" front wheel works a little better in dirt or gravel
High muffler - out of harms way.
High bars for good leverage (flat tracker!)  :lol:
Nice seat for comfort
Large gas tank for long range

The styling on new bikes mostly suck to some degree in my opinion.  This is one of the reasons I got the GS500 - It looks nice.  I liked the first SV650. The new SV oval tube frame and hump-back gas tank are weird though.