Both your bikes are what I am looking at right now. Subbed found channel thru Nathanthe postman. Really not sure 24 hp will be enough for me. But after all the praise I intend to ride both. I service my daughters sv650 with the same engine and its a superb unit so smooth and creamy. Very easy to work on too. Love the colour of the v strom. I did ride the 1000 but it’s huge and at 64 I want something lighter. I saw them 800 at the nec bike show and it’s weight is ridiculous
The 650 V Strom has been an excellent buy for me, I would have gone bigger, but it ticks all the boxes. Lovely bike to ride, I'm 62 next month and I've put more miles on the Vstrom in 6 months than I have on the others over the years. I love the Himalayan, even chugging around with the misses in the back. It's such a fun go anywhere bike, I just wouldn't tour or put the milage on it like the Vstrom. Some of the mileage people get on the Vstrom engine is amazing, bullet proof and super smooth for a V twin. Thanks for the comments and ride safe ✌️
I owned a 2013 model DL650 ( V-Strom) for 12 months. I would call it a nice bike ( Damned with faint praise?). The brakes were O.K., the overall handling O.K. , power was adequate. It was easy to ride long distances. I put 50/50 tyres on it ( Mitas E07) and rode on dirt roads too. I found the limits of the suspension on corrugated corners. It went where it wanted, unlike bikes I have with better suspension units ( Tiger 800 XCx, DRZ400 E) . The front end also didn't absorb sharp edge bumps well on sealed roads, transmitting shock to my wrists. I did fit aftermarket springs and cartridge emulators, which did improve the situation a bit, but not up to cartridge forks performance. The V-Strom is dirt road capable, but you have to be aware of its limitations. Sudden changes in road surface can catch you out.
I've had my 2012 DL 650 for 6 years and love the bike . No dramas : it just does the job . Mpg wise anywhere between 60-66 miles per gallon ; I dont tend to hang around either . A brilliant bike 😉
I’ve had a first generation VStrom 1000 and a 650. I currently have a 2014 VStrom 1000. The 650 is more maneuverable and easier to handle at low speeds. The advantage of the 1000 is in the suspension and brakes. In most situations you won’t need the extra power. The brakes are sportbike level. It takes a little time to get used to the sharpness of the brakes, but they are definitely an upgrade. The suspension is fully adjustable on the 1000, and it’s a much more sophisticated system compared to the 650. As I’ve gotten into my mid-60’s, I’ve considered moving to the 650 for the ease of handling, but I just can’t give up the braking and suspension advantage of the 1000. As an aside, I average 52-58 mpg on my 1000, so I don’t give up a lot of mileage compared to the 650. The 1000 mileage goes down if you ride at highway speeds of 70 to 80 mph. Below 70 the mileage is very good considering the power of the engine.
Thanks for the Info, the suspension on the 650 is a bit of a pogo stick, and a bugbear that I might address, I am tempted to pick up an early DL1000 as they are quite cheap now. I have been in Spain 15 years now and miss the big capacity bikes I rode in the UK. That said I have to travel 20 minutes to get to good roads, and those 20 minutes have dictated my choice and size of bike. Ride safe✌️
Hi Vasco, It has to be both, it depends entirely on your needs. I can say that the Vstrom is the best bike I have ever owned. I honestly cannot find anything I dislike, It's a joy to ride, it's comfortable has plenty of power, plus I am getting 100km to 4.5 litres combined use. That's close on 63 miles per gallon. I've had super sports bikes that were bonkers fast, but rough for your wrists and back, only really good as a toy. Now the Himalayan, it's an amazing bike also, but it falls short on power for highway use. That's the only gripe I would have with it. If you ride back roads or roads with a 100kph , 60mph limited it's fine. It's excellent off-road. My Himalayan I have put about 3k on it in a year, In the month I have had the Vstrom I have done that already. So it's a personal choice really.
One more point, that could be considered, for me and my level of off-road experience, the Vstrom won't go where the Himmy will go. I took the wife to a lake on the Vstrom and the track was pretty rough, 2 up the centre stand bottomed out on a rut. We have explored some rough trails on the Himmy 2 up.
I can’t wait for Autumn and some mid 20c days to get the gear on and go on an adventure. I know it’s safer with gear on, I’ll invest in some lightweight off road gear with protection for next summer. No excuse but at least I wear jeans gloves and boots. Most ride R1s on the motorway here in shirts vests and flip flops it’s crazy.
Hi Paul, when I ride my scooter xmax250 in Spain I wear skateboard stuff on elbows and knees and mcycle shorts to protect thighs/buttocks. It’s too hot to wear full stuff. When in Rome etc
