DL650's lament

[TheIglu]

I've taken my 650 on shit I shouldn't have. Loose silt like sand? NO fuckin way. Rocks? No way.

It'll do it, just like any Harley would. But you won't enjoy it if you have street tires on it.

Sounds like you need a KLR650. Much more capable in the rougher stuff.

[MattR302]

I keep contemplating if I can downsize to 1 ugly bike to do all my riding...and I may add I'm getting a bit old for the torture dirt rides up steep, rocky uphills. Had a XR650L and thumper 650's are not highway friendly enough for me.

Try a newer gen KLR650, should be significantly better on highway than the XLR, and significantly better off-road than the Wee. Then get a second set of wheels

[breakdirt916]

the klr...maybe!

I read a bunch of threads on klr vs. dr vs. xr650L. On pavement, high miles, it's KLR>DR>XRL then for off-road it's DR>XRL>KLR...easier to do plenty of miles on the KLR per the "intarwebs". But the idea of being pinned going up the windy incline topped out at 85mph, with a nice wet noodle wiggle in the bars ~70-90mph (depending on the suspension). makes me uncertain that any big dirty single can replace the street duty performed by a jap 4-cyl 600.

Already been there/done that, regarding the freeway bar boogie with my previous biggie piggy thumper...



but (like most bikes I own) I may try one out a klr at some point if the price is right

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edit: No mom jeans for me!

(start 9:42)



(start 9:42)

Chip is right, I am way too young for that pace!

klr maybe...v strom, no

[Garandman]

Had a KLR650 before I bought my first DL650.

My personal opinion is that a WR250R isn't really worse on the highway than a KLR and the suspension is far superior (and used prices reflect this) . The KLR's seat is a lot better and the stock fuel tank is larger than the WR.

Used to take a lot of trips with guys on R1200GS and went everywhere they did. With road-oriented tires and loaded for a trip you're not going anywhere muddy.

[Garandman]

The later KLR got all "adventury" and gained 25-30 lbs.

[Chippertheripper]

If you only want 1 bike, the closest thing you're gonna find is a 690 or a te610. There is no one bike though, or we'd all be riding it.

[nhbubba]

I like that everide video because he pits the 'strom against a KLR, which is a reasonable matchup. Not against a $20k european superbike machine or some equally massively out of whack comparison. I agree with his conclusions entirely. Although you'll also note that tires and suspension play into even his comparo. IIRC that KLR of his has received some more $love$ than the 'strom he put it up against. I argue these machines are, to a degree, what you make them. Pump some money into the suspension, add a skid plate, and fit with some aggressive 50/50 tires and I bet the 50 lbs vs a KLR matters slightly less.

Naturally the euro 650 class thumper (640, 690) pantses either off road. But then there's cost and upkeep. And I'm not convinced I'd tour on one. Still can't get cozy with the idea of doing 300+ mile days on a thumper, thanks.

KTM needs to make a ~800cc twin V-Strom slayer stat.

Or is Yamaha about to do just that?

[Chippertheripper]

I should've added *with a lynx or some other aftermarket fairing.

I'd rock a strom all day. Mom jeans and all.

[gregp]

As trouble free as DL650's are reported to be, I just encountered my first serious issue. My 2012 DL650A was purchased new, has 9,100 miles on it, and has no electrical modifications. Last Friday, as I left work I noticed that my lights did not turn on when I turned the key on. The high beams still worked fine, but I had lost the low beams. The bulbs and fuses all checked out fine. A quick post on Stromtroopers directed me to a couple of suspect connectors and switches. After removing the seat, tank, and entire fairing (not as tough as I had thought), I found a burnt terminal in a white connector that is located on the left side, on top of the radiator cowl.
The pin had melted into the connector body, so I could not get it out. I ended up soldering in a jumper. Bingo. Low beams are back.
After reading more than I care to about Suzuki's headlight wiring woes,I am disappointed that they did not use relays to power the headlights.
I will be buying an Eastern Beaver relay harness, but that does not prevent or replace the connector burning.

[Tricky Mike]

The later KLR got all "adventury" and gained 25-30 lbs.

And it wasn't exactly light to begin with.
Either way, I'm just here for the mom jeans.

[nhbubba]

I will be buying an Eastern Beaver relay harness, but that does not prevent or replace the connector burning.

Good move, I think. I've had this harness on mine for probably 40k miles now.

Unfortunately his larger fuse box / power distribution thing is awful. Avoid. The smaller ~3 circuit one that is all harnesses and inline fuses may be better.

[Stromper]

My DL has been many places it shouldn't have been. In Maine down a mountain on a washed out ATV trail

It crossed a stream up to the tank

got stuck in gumbo mud where it would stand up by itself

There was some paddling involved

[breakdirt916]

sounds like some of y'all are trying to convince the world the mom jeans are actually milf jeans...and yeah, depending on the dress, you'd do it

[feralchimp]

No stock bike I've ever owned, and no bike I've (yet) modded, has ever been as good for me on the highway as my DL650. Well, except the '86 Virago 1100 with highway pegs, but there's a lot of sentimentality baked into that comparo so I'm discounting it a bit.

With the addition of a windscreen this weekend, I'm hoping the CB1100 with Alaskan sheepskin butt pad puts both of those bikes to shame.

[TheIglu]

It's true. It's a mile eater on the superslab.

Jared, one day you'll have to take your old beast for a ride with the Russel Day Long. Oh man.

[Garandman]

No stock bike I've ever owned, and no bike I've (yet) modded, has ever been as good for me on the highway as my DL650. //

Spent a day riding 2 lane state roads in Maine: 60.5mpg actual. And went 300 miles on a tank, putting in 5.3 gallons: 56.6mpg.

[Stromper]

FYI I have a seat concepts on the DL works well and 1/2 the price of others, I am cheap

[TheIglu]

It's like suspension. The best seat you sat on is the best seat you know.

My RDL sits in heaven to the right of the father, for ever and evvvv eeerrrrrrr.

[nhbubba]

Not sure I mentioned it anywhere. I had a problem with my seat concepts DL seat this summer. Had a tipover on an unmaintained road I probably shouldn't have been on. The underwire support bit that makes the back of the rider's bucket portion of the seat poked through the side of the seat cover and through the back of my leathers, into the back of my thigh. Had a nice gouge from it. Nasty, rusty metal too. Was somewhat displeased about that.
Probably going to resort to gorilla tape to patch it.

[breakdirt916]

ugh...now I'm re-thinking this

just had my FZR stolen again...recovered...I started to uglify it with mismatch color fairings and integrating commuter/touring friendly goodies like saddle bags (make it more ugly ), auxiliary lights...but then I thought a DL650 w' a heavy dutier stator (for an excessive amount of lights...some grip heaters...gps), luggage-accessory friendly, tall windscreen, commuting/touring friendly, and built in ugly looks would fit the bill for the year I'm living in this shit neighborhood. Maybe spend 2017 doing more touring instead of going head first into a pile of rocks on a 250 2-stroke death machine.

how low of a price point can I get one?

and I'm guessing clutched wheelies are out?

sample (probably sold):

2007 Suzuki DL 650 V Strom

2007 Suzuki DL 650 V Strom - $2200 (Costa Mesa)



edit 1: motoquest rents them for $65/day

edit 2: motoquest also rents the Africa twin for $100/day

going to try both!!!

[Imbeek]

I doubt your modifications will be very effective in preventing theft.

Potential thief's exhaustive list of important motorcycle features:

1) Can I get it out of here
2) Can I sell it for enough to get more drugs, today.

The end.

[TheIglu]

It'll wheelie.

Buy a fucking garage before anything else.

[RandyO]

but then I thought a DL650 w' a heavy dutier stator (for an excessive amount of lights...some grip heaters...gps)

no such thing,

the only way to get more watts is to put in more windings, space is limited, ya need to wind it with thinner wire, reliability goes out the window

the aftermarket "Electrosport" brand higher output stators are well known for terrible reliability and burning out even quicker than the oem stators

[TheIglu]

It's got more than enough juice for LED lights and GPS/cell phone charging/etc stock.

Randy uses his to turn a windmill against the wind. His needs do not line up with the majority of riders.

The stock headlight is pretty damn good. I'm putting LED driving lights on my crash bars just so I can aim them up and out for cornering lights on our Dragon night runs.

[Stromper]

The community has said NO Vstrom was ever stolen

Susquatch will be doing my shock upgrade, rear end lube and going to try a suck fork oil change

Hoping for a few rides like OAK ISLAND in early July... who's in


MY 1 K will show her pipes to sport bike on Berkshire secondary roads