My friend Carla King said, “Brent, you should do another review on the V-Strom, one that better addresses commuting and touring. You could do a review at 5,000 and 10,000 miles.”
“Well, Carla,” I said, “let me just do another for 5,000. That ought to be enough V-Strom review for anybody.”
When Carla suggested the second review, I was at 5,000 miles. By the time I’ve gotten around to getting it done, I’ve put another 1,000 on it. So, here is my review of the “next 5,000 miles.” I’ve taken a good look at how I use this bike for commuting, errand running, group rides, and taking the bike on tour.
V-Strom DL650: The Next 5,000 Miles
If you missed the first review, here it is: V-Strom DL650: The First 1,000 Miles.
DBrent
I have a V-Sstrom 1000 and I love it. I was concerned about the 650 because I ride 2 up with the wife about 25% of the time. I really appreciate the Givi comments as I am shopping for a set of them myself and have no experience with them; so thanks much. I have 13K on mine in 2 summers with about 75% of those miles commuting 70 miles a day and the other 25% being running through the Missouri Wine Country. It still runs like it did off the showroom floor so I am very happy with my purchase @ $7,000. I have discovered a much improved ride with the wind shield at the top of the rungs (I am 6′) and the buffeting is nearly unnoticable.
Thanks again for the great report, there aren’t many V-Strom riders that I get a chance to see in the St. Louis area….
Thanks for the thorough review. I am a Suzuki M50 owner thinking of making the leap from cruiser to touring with the next purchase. The V-Strom seems like a great option to consider!
RoudyBob, I am sure you have read on the various forums dedicated to this bike that many have shifted from the cruiser to the V-Strom. It is a very comfortable ride.
Brent
Brent,
I’m right at 4500 miles on mine now. Mirror extenders, Pro-Taper High ATV bars, grip puppies, Cramp Buster and a Suzuki gel seat have been added.
The mirror extenders made the biggest difference in the buffeting for me. The Pro-Taper bars are perfect, less sweep back and a little wider than the stockers. The gel seat adds about another 30 to 45 minutes to my periods between stops. I can now go about 1.5 to 2 hours in comfort. That’s all I want.
There’s no bike on the market today that I would consider trading for my DL650, even at twice the price….although the Kawi Concours is pretty darn comfortable. Can you own too many bikes
Brent,
Thanks for this article. I had read your other one prior to buying my DL 650 2008. I have the same yellow version as you do. I wasn’t too sure about the yellow in the beginning, but I have become used to it now. I bought it in late July, and have just used it for commutting (now tours or really long rides yet). It runs excellently. The only issue I have encountered is that I have some extremely strong cross winds in Colorado. I am not sure whether other bikes handle this any better, but maybe some more experienced riders may know. This is my second motorcyle, with a lapse of about 24 years (I had a Yamaha 650 in college).
Thanks again, Michael
Michael, the DL650 is a pretty good motorcycle. I have had it in some heavy crosswinds, and it handles like many other bikes. It might be a tad more prone to movement because of its heigtht. Extremely high crosswinds will be difficult to handle on just about any motorcycle. Slow down, and ride carefully until you’re out of those high winds.
Brent
Brent,
Thanks for the very insightful articles. I have put over 5000 miles commuting on a 2006 klr650 in the Seattle area in the last 9 months and even though the KLR makes a great urban-assault vehicle, I’ve yearned for something with better power and weather protection, as well as two-up capability. I want to be able to do multi-day tours. I have the KLR set-up with a full set of Givi luggage, progressive springs and a bigger windscreen. I would like to ride Seattle to Taos and back this summer… Doing so on teh KLR seems masochistic.
I too have been stuck on the 1000cc bikes, first looking at the R1100GS (used), which a good friend with an R1150GS desperately wants me to buy, but I don’t want to be a me-too guy, and after finding out that the basic differences bewteen the DL650 and the DL1000 is the size of the engine, plus the better gas mileage, I think the DL650 will be good for me. So far, 95% of my riding has been on pavement, and I don’t really see that changing in the near-future. At 52 I’m more into practicality and economy as well.
I’m 6′0″ and 250lbs and can flat-foot a KLR, so I think the DL650 will fit me perfectly. How is the DL650 for balance? Many report it beig top-heavy, but I can’t imagine that it could be any worse than teh KLR with its massive 6.1 gallon tank.
Thanks again!
Tony
Tony, the V-Strom is a fantastic bike, and the 650 seems to outsell the 1000 about 4 to 1. There’s a reason! The comments about top heavy are usually directed at the 1000. There are a few more engineering differences than just the size of the engine. If you look closely, you will see differences in the handlebars, forks, triple-tree, engine mounts, passenger pegs, and I am sure there are more. The published weight difference doesn’t seem like much, but the 1000 sure feels heavier, especially in the top. The 650 feels very balanced, and its flickability will blow you away. It sure doesn’t perform like a 650. With your size, you’ll probably want to buy a taller seat.
There have been many KLR owners who have bumped up to the V-Strom 650 for the same reasons you state. You can find those posts on Adventure Rider and Stromtrooper.
@Tony:
I’m 6′, 240lbs, and the dl650 is the best-fitting bike I could find.
At a dry weight of about 425 pounds, my little Wee feels pretty easy to balance. I live in Seattle and ride year-round, except for that couple of days a year when there’s too much ice on the roads. Rain, wind, sun, whatever. The wind can be a bit tricky, but if I slow down and stop hydroplaning, I don’t get kicked around that bad.
I did get a mid-sized Cee Bailey windshield to stop some of the helmet buffet at freeways speeds. I’ve read that a better helmet than my el-cheapo HJC would also work, but the bigger windshield does a good job of helping skip some of the rain over my head, too.
Matt, thanks for your comment.
Everyone seems to have a different experience with the windshield. I have noticed a big difference with helmets. I used to wear a 3/4 HJC. Then I bought a full-face HJC CL-15. I love it. It is quieter, and the wind seems to flow around it differently.
I no longer own a 3/4 helmet. I ride only with full-face lids.
Brent
I have a 2008 V-strom 650 and have 7435km on it all put the last three months. I commute a lot and it is my main transport. It is a great bike. my bigest problem is wind buffeting since I am 6.2″ hope to put an after market screen this Friday. Otherwise love it.
The buffeting and seat problems are very real and very specific to the rider’s build. I have been riding for 35 years. My DL650 is my first bike with a real windshield. As soon as I got the bike up to 65 on on my first rode I felt like my head was in a blender. Severe vibration would give me a headache within 10-20 minutes. I am tall so there was no position that would bring the air over my head. I am not expecting a bubble of still air but severe turbulence is not acceptable. I mostly remedied the buffeting problem by tilting the the windshield back via spacers on longer bottom bolts and later, a Givi windshield – but only if it remained tilted back.
Likewise the seat. I’ve sat on many MC seats but The DL650 seat would get me to confess to any crime. Maybe it is because I am tall and thin and have very little padding. I remedied this with a Sargent seat.
For some riders these are real issues, so please don’t discount criticisms about the windshield as whining.
Mr. Mike,
Thanks for your comment. I understand that riders of different builds can have a different experience on the V-Strom. I wrote that I have not experienced what they report with the windshield buffeting. That, of course, would be my journalistic observation. I have not referred to their reports as whining.
Ride safe. See you on the highway.
Brent
I just purchased my 2nd 650 V-Strom and can say it has been the best ride to-date of my 44 years of riding.
Gel pad for comfort and a laminar lip takes away the buffeting.
I am 5-11 and have the screen in the middle.
V-Stroms are # 1 for me.
I gave up a BMW for my Strom in 05
33,000 trouble free KMZ.
Test ride and be prepared to buy!
Cheers, Tommy See
I am strongly considering the swap from cruiser to a DP bike and after all the researching, it has been narrowed down to the GS650 and the V-Strom 650. My biggest concern is seat height as I am just under 69″ w/ a 30′ inseam. The Beamer can be lowered to under 30″, has ABS, heated grips, a better warranty and is about the same price as the Zuk. However, it is a Zuk, my cruiser is a Zuk and you could make a strong argument that they are about as good as it gets on two wheels (and it kills the GS in looks). The Beamer has a 5-speed instead of a 6. But you giys already know all that… I know ultimately I need to “try them on” but the 32″ seat (and I didn’t see that it could be lowered) is a big concern. Your time, thoughts, etc are greatly appreciated.
David, the V-Strom can indeed be lowered. Many have done it, but it does affect the side stand or center stand if you have one installed. The only thing that matters here with your physical dimensions is the 30″ inseam. I wear 30″ inseam pants. I cannot flat foot the V-Strom, but I am very comfortable on the balls of my feet with my heels about an inch off the ground. This bike is very light–lean one way or the other and one foot is flat-footed (usually left with my right foot on the rear brake). It may take a little getting used to if you are coming from a cruiser with a low seat. Manufacturer specifications are only one way to compare. Go sit on them. You will find differences. Secondly, the V-Strom uses 87 octane fuel; the BMW uses premium. There are a lot of after-market accessory choices for the Suzuki, not so for the new BMW, which means buying BMW accessories–very pricey.
Good luck in your hunt for the next bike. The right bike for you is the one that turns you on.