Just one more point that I've forgotten to mention is that here in the UK there are hundreds of GS's, Africa twins all kitted out for the long way round, Charlie Borman and his mate, but never go anywhere. I'm not knocking them at all, it's the look of the bike they're going for. Cheers again.
My son owned a 2013 same model same as yours and he regularly achieved seventy miles to the imperial gallon, that's near enough four point five litres. (UK) Brilliant bike so I've just bought one two weeks ago fresh out of the box and I'm achieving sixty eight point six miles to the gallon. I've now covered three hundred and Forty miles so it's not yet run in so I reckon it should remain around the same once it's loosened up. Great bike enjoying the journey. Agree with all you've said.
The only “problem” I’ve ever encountered with my DL650 is a tendency to roll off the side stand and fall over. In 52 years as an avid motorcyclist owning scores of bikes, I can remember that happening maybe twice. But it has happened 4 times to my V-Strom in its 25k miles - once to the PO, and 3 times to me. It is something to do with the geometry of the side stand. I am very experienced and careful about this, always leaving it in gear etc, and it just keeps happening. I’ve never seen a bike so quick to “jump” off its side stand. That’s it though. I wouldn’t trade it for any other bike in its category.
To put it into proper perspective, my 2013 DL650 Adventure model makes around 68 horsepower. My first street bike, a 1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III 2-stroke Triple made only 60, and nobody ever accused that bike of being slow. Furthermore, the ‘Strom does it pretty much all through the rev range, where the Kawasaki made its peak HP only in a very narrow band in the upper rev range. I love my ‘Strom, and I do not want for more power.
Love my gen 2 Adventure model. Been riding for 52 years and had around 40 bikes, and it is easily my favorite “bike for the money” of all time. It is a top two or three under any circumstance. I have an SV650 too, just for good measure. That Suzuki 645cc V-twin engine is pure magic.
What an amazing camera you got. Can't think of any mc tyber that beats that. Done both svc's manuals for the V-Strom and the sv 650. The V-Strom is much easier to read and for me to comprend. I will seach for a V-Strom between 2015-2017 with a milage between 24k to 31k. T😃hanks to you it's no brainer :)
Nearly dropped my 650 doing some practice in a parking lot and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough from the embarrassment but went back later to confront my nerves at least you had the balls to show it
After not riding for 20 years I got me 2007 v star 650 for $2400 to get back into it and I'm loving it. Will keep it for sure no matter what I upgrade to.
I own a 2022 DR and a 2008 Vstrom 650 in Southern CA. Vstrom is more suited to most of my riding but I love them both for pretty much the reasons you outline. Great video.
SP models should have chrome top carbs, non SP bikes have the black top carbs. I have had 2 black top carb xjr1300 Yamaha,s and one fuel injection model xjr1300 Yamaha. The carb ones are faster and look better. Fuel economy is about the same. I also had a fjr1300A Yamaha which is faster than the xjr but much heavier. I had a FZ1N Yamaha 20v R1 once as well, very light and very fast. I'm in the uk btw.
One plate should be thicker, and that one will be your base plate then friction then plate so on and so on, as one plate is thicker then the other six, for all the beginner out there.
Hey man, I like it. No one said race with Tesla! lol People upset cause they don't understand English. You said Tesla WANTS to race! If I'm lucky I'll get to buy one soon and maybe I'll see you on the Ozzie roads?
Hi Land Shark, that last comment went before I was finished, so I will continue. Or the ability to transfer weight with the throttle or brakes, provided you not in deep sand😮 which can be stressful at times. The 60 odd hp and delivery is more than you ever need on road or offroad and the connection between the right wrist and the rear contact patch is, well magic. The only Vstrom I ever bought new was the first of the second gen 1000's. My four first gen. 650's have between 28K and 367K travelled, (not all my kms) are in various forms of modification to suit offroad to long road trips. They are just best do it all motorcycles with long term ownership being built on its durability. I wonder if Suzuki will ever redevelop a mid size 90 degree L twin again, or it's gone😢.
Hi Land Shark, The DL 650 is a personal favourite on mine. The only problem I've got is which one of the 4 of them do I choose today, or should I just take the DL 1000a (2014) just for slightly different strom experience? The thing I like the most is front to rear balance and the ability to change it quickly with you riding position
The only problem is are they still making them and are they. Available still for engine parts. Lemay Nelson. Vancouver Washington pacific coast. Northwest. USA.
Im a first time rider at 68 and bought my brother's 650 2000 vstar. I live in a major city, Houston, and always feel it is too slow coming away from a stop for the other traffic. I weigh 180 so maybe because im new to this i could use some pointers.
I was taking a freeway exit and it curves to the right and a car just blew a radiater hose and dumped antifreez in the curve .and that shit is slick as snot on a door knob.went down
Happens. Was leaving work way after hours. Completely empty parking lot. Bike parked on the side of building. Fire it up gear up. Had been looking around the lot whole time. Take off a little quick, having a bit of fun in the empty lot with my fresh clutch job and recent maintenance, as i come up to the corner of the building a big ol suburban comes into view. Someone had rolled into the lot during some moment of distraction, seen we were closed and was speeding along the front of the building annoyed. Just perfectly bad timing. As i was trying to stop, my bike lost traction in the dirty lot and just dumped me. Broke my collar bone and beat my bike up pretty good. But we're both healed and back on the road. Taught me a lot about situational awareness when riding. Stay safe out there. Gear helps but riding responsibly and cautiously helps more. It's always tempting to twist the giggle stick, just make sure it's the right place and the right time.
1st! I was thinking about this as I just recently got into this stuff at 44y. Saying it's always a midlife crisis feels wrong somehow. I've been trying out new stuff every now since being an adult and this is just one of those things. Main thing for me was the possibility of me enjoying nature more and going on solo camping trips on the vehicle pretty much anywhere I want to, from the porch till next to the spot where I put up the tent. Then there's the cruising and perhaps some off-roading, getting to ride in harder environments. I'm not a wrench guy but gaining those maintenance skills (and learning some tech stuff/mechanics) feels interesting and important as well as gaining skills as a rider, managing risks etc etc. It's like opening a new world.
Hi there LS, last week I bought a 1 owner from nearly new, 31,000 kms V-strom 650 and I LOVE it ! It is surprisingly comfortable more than quick enough for me with roll-on power everywhere throughout the rev range, consumption on a trip I just finished today (750 kms roughly) of about 4.2 ltrs/100 kms. We travelled in all sorts of weather and she felt safe, great fun and a 'proper' bike. Can't wait to get out and do more.
Got the gen2 2016 dl650 for a year now, it's my first bike and enjoyed it so far, my fuel consumption is 4.3L/100km , the confort is great, the things I dislike are the clutch lever is a bit hard compared to other bike (might change the cable) and the engine is too linear and not so fun but it's not a sport bike so I guess it's ok. No problems so far and I do my own maintenance
Hi, Thanks for the video, and all the info, so good for someone like me. I would like to know if you have made that video that tells us how you fixed the problem of the seat pushing you forward, causeing some very personal greif. I have just purchased a 2007 model and have the same thing going on. Maybe a link to it.
Two years ago, I bought an 06 with 37k kilometers on it. The bike I sold when I bought the DL was an 2002 SV650 naked. Essentially I traded some HP for comfort and fuel injection. Side note, you can buy a complete set of 70/30 Shinko tires for $200 US. Economy bike for sure!
