Awesome! You can't go wrong with the Wee-Strom. I have not seen other V-Strom 650 in that color scheme? Looks great! With only 8,000 miles it is barely broken in. I also have spoke wheels on my V-Strom which I prefer but They are hard to keep clean. The Oxford heated grips are my next project. Take care and ride safe. 🏍
@@verbalwidget7267 I will be interested in your opinion of that seat cushion. I've been looking at a Suzuki factory comfort seat that is an accesory for the GSX-S1000GX as it is supposed to fit the GT that I have. But it's about 10 times the price of the cushion.
@@jessegarman7899 as I clean the chain after 3 days of solid work on my 2015 Vstrom 650 XT adventure with factory spoke wheels, I wonder how you knew this?
The world is treating me well, the ragweed not so much! 😂 I did get to go on a ride with my son yesterday. That is always a good thing! Are you about to get the stable of bikes settled out?
@@CalvinBradley that I am, last year a lot of machines came and went. But good deals so I was able to ride and flip without a $$ loss. Looking forward to mellowing with age. 🙈
I love my DL650.. It will cruise 85+ all day long and with a simple sprocket change might even run smoother at the higher speeds - At the end of the day the best bike for any person turns out to be the bike that he/she wants.. I'm loving mine
Well, I just picked up a Gen2 Vstrom 650, as a backup bike. Yes, the motor is stone reliable, comfort so-so and horrible suspension. But there is a 99% chance of it starting every time, and it will get me to work or across the country, and it was cheaper than a DR650. If only it had V1000 forks.
I have the chance to pick up a 2020 650 for $6,700 at my local Triumph dealer. My question to you guys out there that have owned them - at that price is it a good idea to pick it up and then invest the money in a high end suspension kit for better offroad capability? I want something that is offroad capable and comfortable to get me there. For comparison - I'm considering a 24 Transalp, a 23/24 KTM 890 Adventure (reliability scares me), or possibly this bike that showed up at my dealership...the V-Strom 650. Thank you for any replies.
@@verbalwidget7267 suspension is easy to upgrade a bit anyway, I find the suspension on the 1000/1050 too stiff, and the extra weight is noticeable, wouldn't mind having both a 650 and a 1000 but I'd be too tempted to use the power on the 1000.
@@roadwarrior8560 it’s not easy to add USD forks, notice Suzuki did not install the crummy Vstrom forks on the V800 or V1050. Stiffness can be adjusted if you have adjustable forks. The V650 does not. Forks are 1970’s crippling an otherwise great bike. I’ve had V1000 & V1050 and to me the bike feels lighter and more balanced.
God Smacked. What a winner! You have inspired me to do something with my mostly original maroon, gray tanked, sun faded body paneled 2006 KLR. Would love something similar! Well done sir.
@@OneOldManRiding Thanks Frank, it was strangely painless to watch it being loaded up and watch it go away. The SUPER KLR is already posted but that one will be tougher to part with.
I used to run the 4.6 size and the would wear normal, but bad pattern on 5.1 . Same with front 3.25 ran great, 3.00 front was squirrelly offroad and wore out fast.
So last nite l bought 2016 650vstromXT...it drove like a new bike so l had to have it..cannot collect till saturday so l am now drumming my fingers on the table watching this video an wishing saturday would hurry up and arrive...ps..the bike has 30k on the clock and some nice exras..heat grips back box and a few other niceties..horayyy....
Thanks for reply...trying to live in long time sobriety at 62 on a tight budget..l thought now or never to bump up to a real bike..could be l will need to live on TV dinners for the next while...but l am now ready to enjoy the bike..( thanks to my buddy Joe has supported my through this exiting deal). Ps...l have a neat 125 Suzuki GN in good condition for sale..so that should improve my budget..safe riding, and goood luck from ballinteer in ..Dublin@@verbalwidget7267
I’m saving up to buy one. I’ve ridden dirtbikes for a few years and I’m looking to get my bike license in the next 2 years. Till I get my bike license I’m going to turn it into the ultimate dirtbike build.
@@verbalwidget7267No thank you. Your video helped a lot to decide if I wanted to get it or not and the modifications youve done to it are gonna be some of the modifications I’m going to do to mine
Coming from a Honda Varadero 1000 I bought a V Strom 650A brand new last week. Now got 1100 km already. I don't drive off-road. I can confirm that it is a bit less comfortable, it gets a bit wobbly, esp when winds are blowing, at high speeds than the Varadero 1000 and I suppose indeed the V Strom 1000. But I like the comfort at lower speeds, and the handling in the garage, U turns low speed riding or walking, uphill starting up on a bend in the road etc. I am getting older (60 years). The choice is very personal. You compared both for real, so you made your personal best choice. Happy riding!
@@renefeijen5916 enjoy your new trouble free machine, I am pondering a used Vstrom 650 again and sell my DR650 because I’m older than you and my dirt days are winding down.
nicecnc makes one similar to the one you chose.. but dude LED blinkers are where its at.. brighter to be seen... and need to be tucked in a bit when carrying bags! i use the tusk highland X2 soft bags... the nicecnc top plate hase many spots to tie down.. plus can be cut down if needed.. but very light weight and sturdy.. uses the 3 top bolts as well as 2 side bolts..
I actually don't ride that fast on the highway, 70-80 tops. Having all that torque from the bigger motor is what makes it nicer. Have a Vstrom 1050 now and very happy with it.
I've been super happy with Xitomer's line of products for the Dr, I have their chain guard, radiator guard, and engine case savers installed. really nice, feels like high quality, i think i'll get the sprocket cover too
Thanks for this review. I did a search as I'm interested in the Camel Adv easy clutch arm for the KLR, and supposedly there are fitment issues using a Powerbomb header with Camel's clutch cable bracket. Anyways, I had a DR650 with the 790 kit and TM40 carb. The Powerbomb on that bike did indeed reduce the low end response contrary to what dyno charts showed. It was obvious in terms of snap and getting the bike to wheelie. And, rev-out was improved. So there was a shift of power up in the rpm range. My preference was to actually use the stock header to retain the low end snap on that bike. If I had a stock bike I might have felt different. I just got a 1999 KLR, and I'm still learning the bike (only 20 miles on it so far). One thing is for sure, the bomb bulge definitely takes the edge off the exhaust note. On my DR the muting effect was slight but undeniable.
Have had 2 3rd gen 650's. Just bought a '24 1050 DE. Yeah, full of goodies you don't need. Seems to be a good bike. Time will tell. The 650 surely is easier to ride in the twisties. Anyone that craps all over the 650 is smokin' somethin'. They are truly great machines and I was proud to ride them. And to tell you the truth the forks were totally satisfactory for what I put it through and the front 2 pot brakes didn't bother me at all, just had to pull the lever a little harder. I'll miss 'em. Hope I didn't make a mistake.
The DL650 is a good reliable motorcycle, but ... Suzuki refuses to update the bike into the wonderful machine it truly could be. They do the same with a lot of their lineup, The DR650, DRZ400 and DL650 come to mind. They have a take it or leave it we don't care attitude. The V1000 has had USD forks for 10 years? Why not the DR650? If the DR650 suspension is so great, then tell me why didn't Suzuki choose to fit it to the Vstrom 800? That's just my opinion. The 1050 is a very nice machine.
@@verbalwidget7267 Get off of the usd fork bit. You're wearing it out. Seen your same comments on other channels. I doubt you push your 1000 hard enough to make use of them. I guess you like the pretty gold anodizing or somehing. You're a broken record. Toystrom my behind.
Hi DOC650, you are correct sir, if I could only do one thing to Mr T700 it would be the gas tank guy or sure. It carries the fuel lower and with the weight savings of the plastic gas tank it only adds 7 pounds to the bike when full. A must have for the big iron butt Widget guy.
It sure does Rob, lack of fuel capacity caused numerous fuel stops last year just to "make sure" I would have enough to the next town. Those days are gone.
Thank you, Patrick, it works like a charm, zero guessing. The Yamaha Fuel gauge is very inaccurate and makes you think the tank is empty when you still have a gallon or two remaining.
