dl 650 v-strom
 

Does anyone have experience long distance trips with the 650 v-strom?
Thanks for sharing tips.
Pif

Hi,
I've got an 05 DL650. The longest trip I have taken is only about 1000 miles. I have owned many bikes over the last 40years and it is one of the very best for what it is built for. It handles gravel roads much better than I would have thought. It is great on any pavment. And it is comfy. A big tank at almost 6 gallons. It beats a BMW in my book hands down because it is about 100 pounds lighter and the motor is faster. I ride 2up most of the time. It may need a bash plate if you are going to get rough. It is not a single track bike, but neither is a Bmeer.

Bill

Quite a few owners here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/

who may be able to provide answers & advice.

I don't know what your definition of a long trip is but..
I've been riding a wee strom for about 6 months now. The longest trip I've been on is a 2500 mile trip down thru Baja and back to Arizona. I find the bike performs great and the only complaint I have so far is that the bike sits too low for the kind of riding I like. I've added the SW Motech centerstand and skidplate which were essential but lowered the bike even more. I've managed to break the centerstand's lower spring mount and have bashed the skidplate too many times to count. Without the skidplate my exhaust would be trashed.

Two more sources of info on the 650 V-Strom:

http://www.stromtrooper.com (forums)

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Vstrom.html (many links)

Based on limited experience (one ride), I would think the weestrom would be an excellent tourer, at least for one up riding. I'm considering buying one.

Hope this helps.

Mike

I have a '04 DL650 and last summer's total was around 10.000km (well started the season with a 600cc Tenere so that's why low km's...). I've owned a dozen or so bikes in twenty years and must say 650 Strom is right there on top of the list.

Surprisingly strong engine for 650 and a lot lighter than a DL1000. Been touring one- and two-up - no problems at all (me 90kg, wife 55kg + 3 x hard bags). Footpeg-seat distance a bit too short even for a 175cm stump like me; cure is a DL1000 seat (same seat pan but 1" more padding), reupholstering old seat, or a new aftermarket seat (TopSaddlery, Corbin, Bagster etc.). Otherwise the ergonomics are perfectly relaxed. Suspension is OK (for the price that is) and adjustable. Fairing is perfect for touring, specially if added with a slightly bigger screen and handguards.

As Jota mentioned ground clearance is a bit of an issue but if really needed, suspension modifications are possible (I have raising links for that extra inch or so) but then again Strom isn't actually any off-roader but a roadster (gravel or paved - anything goes).

At the moment planning next spring's trip to Tunisia with the Strom. No Sahara rallying across dunes, I'm afraid, but at least the bike takes me through Europe to the borders of desert with 1st class comfort. Marvellous bike and bargain price!

Check my Strom sites at http://www.heikkil.com/strom/englheikki.htm

-heikki-

[This message has been edited by TenereHeikki (edited 04 January 2005).]

[This message has been edited by TenereHeikki (edited 04 January 2005).]

Heikki, would you have any concerns or worries about taking a DL 650 on a RTW trip, of which only about 1000 miles (in Siberia) would be unpaved?

I'm hoping to do that trip next summer, and am considering the 650 V-Strom.

Thanks for any info and advice.

Mike

Roads are not the biggest problem (even though even Russian paved roads - not to mention their gravel roads - are not up to Western standards), but the availability of spare parts is. As 650 is a new design, it is loaded with electronics - everything goes fine as long as they work as intended but what happens if a "black box" breaks in the middle of Siberian tundra? Major problema técnico! Mind you, this is not only V-Strom's problem but concers virtually all new bikes with EFI etc. In TV series Long Way Round Ewan "Obi-Wan" McGregor and Charley Boorman made RTW through Siberia with R1150GS Adventures but they had the full backup of the factory (yeah, and even support vehicles...) in case electronics went berserk or something else happened so it didn't actually look like "ultimate two-man adventure"...

Personally I'd choose something older / simpler: airhead GS, Honda AfricaTwin / TransAlp (guess even the new ones are carburetted?), XT600/DR650/XL650/KLR650 or MZ 660. Probably Strom would function perfectly all the way but still a portion of healthy paranoia is needed.

-heikki-



[This message has been edited by TenereHeikki (edited 05 January 2005).]

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated and I shall very carefully consider it.

Mike

Take the Strom...

They are very reliable, and if something does go wrong, you can just do what everyone else does, order it shipped in via Fedex/UPS, gets anywhere in the world in a week or so. No matter what bike you ride, they ALL break, and they all will need some parts shipped in - you can't carry OR fix EVERYTHING.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant, thanks for your input also. Would you (or anyone else) have any comments regarding the 650 V-Strom vs the KLR 650 for the trip I described?

Thanks again.

Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 05 January 2005).]

Depends what you want; KLR gets you in rougher terrain but DL certainly gets you from point A to B with comfort and speed. DL seems almost a full-dressed tourer (in a good way, that is) when on the road - enough room for two and luggage, sufficient power / speed reserves and stable handling. For RTW trip with decent roads it'd be DL, for off-road / desert riding KLR.

My previous bike was a Yamaha XT600Z 3AJ Tenere (1 cyl & 47hp, basically like a KLR) but traded it for a DL650 just because needed more two-up carrying capacity, power and comfort for longer trips. Haven't regretted a single day.

It was all true what Grant said about getting practically all the parts you need via courier services, but remember also that a rural Russian version of fine mechanics still is a monkey wrench and small hammer - diagnosing electronic faults can be a major p.i.t.a.

A Brasilian I met rode across Russia on a 1,500cc Suzuki cruiser (which he couldn't pick up), including 3,000km of unpaved roads, so it would be a doddle on a V-Strom. The KLR is an awesome bike, great almost anywhere, but if your heart says "V-Strom" and you aren't going hardcore - off-tarmac is not off-road - go with the Suzuki.

Have fun,
James

ive ridden about 24000 kms on my dl650 around europe. during this time i have gotten to love this bike more and more. on long trips its simply impeccable: no vibrations, adequate wind protection, good seating position. the large fuel tank assures you great range so long as you ride conservatively. the bike is light an deasy to handle, and the engine is a peach with lots of power distributed well throughout the rev range. on tarmac it's a great bike indeed. problems arise when taken off-tarmac where even the least challenging tracks can become tricky affairs. if you intend to do that sort of riding you will have to consider changing your tires as the factory ones are intended for road use only. the engine, oil radiator and exhaust are also very exposed on the 650 (the dl1000 has han extra piece of body which covers these parts) so a good skid-plate is a must.if you wanna know anything else send an email and ill help as best i can.

take care
luca

I own a DL-1000. This is my third bike, Xt600E, Transalp 98 and now DL 1000. have done 14k on it. Ihad it on asphalt gravel and some mud/sand paths.
For asphalt it is great, will haul 2 people as much luggage as you can get on it (I have build my own aluminum boxes) long distance at any speed. I have changed the front windscreen to a bigger screen (givi) and thats practicaly all you need.
For gravel and bas roads you need to get adequate tires. Standart tires will go OK but they are ment for asphalt. In fact my next set of tires will be more offroad oriented possibly Continental TK series.
Also a warning that DL-1000 is very powerfull and for dirt riding you have to be carefull with that.
Early 2002 models clutch basket case problems which Suzuki has mostly changed under warranty. Basically if you have a vibration and rattling at 3500 rpm this is what you hve. It will not break but it will annoy you.

Overall I am very happy with this bike. And looking at the numbers of DL-650 sold it surely is getting quite popular around.

[This message has been edited by Burak Cedatas (edited 21 January 2005).]

france and back
 

I pick mine up tomorrow and set off for south of france the next day for a week or so before heading back to uk, I will let you know how the bike handles touring on tarmac and maybe off roading if I get half a chance when up in the alps.
Took one for a two hour non stop test ride and it felt very comfortable afterwards. Saw 120mph on speedo but buffeting was problem over a ton, maybe adjusting or even replacing screen would cure this.
Very light and managable if ugly but I'm looking forward to adventures on mine already.
Have to sell the R100gs now...!

I have 31k miles on my '04 Wee Strom, and just returned from Prudhoe Bay, AK.
After riding an 1800 Wing, I thought I would be disappointed in the power, not
so, the little bike is very strong. Plan to ride it to TDF around the 1st of November. I have the Pat Walsh skid plate, and Givi bags, and run Metzeler
Tourance tires. Also made the run from Coldfoot to Deadhorse without using
the extra gas. Did have a problem shifting gears when mud got into the linkage.
I started spraying the linkage with TRI FLOW, the same thing I use on the chain.
That took care of the problem.

Thanks Grant for the info on TRI FLOW, this stuff works!

Harold

what about the electrical parts? are they enough strong to do +10000km without any maintainces?

In 31k miles I haven't replaced even a light bulb. It took a sever licking on the Dalton Highway, but like a Timex it kept on ticking! I changed the oil at 12k, never had to add any, I use 10-40 Amsoil.

Harold

I'm reviving this thread as I have a 2004 Dl650 with already 50,000 miles on it..

Any experiences here of taking one up to 80,000 miles ??? I might ride this thing to Australia going through Mongolia which will be tough on the old girl.

are there any problems on this machine ? As far as I can tell, it seems to be pretty bulletproof but I was wondering if It was worth swapping the cam chains/valves and rings..

It's been well looked after. Full service history etc but it's starting to feel it's age/mileage.

Cheers, Ted

hi

Ive a 05 with 34k on the clock.... was going to take it round the world but decided to go with a Yamaha TT600RE.
I just feel its too heavy for the tough stuff !!

Needed a few shims at 28k and apart from oil,chain and brake pads shes as good as new.. well with a few scratches lol

cheers
Geordie aka Will

I totally hear you..... I've always taken off road bias bikes travelling, but even in Africa I really didn't need to. I'm a bit tired of the fatigue involved with riding enduro bikes for long long days on tarmac for months on end just so I can feel better for the 1% of dirt tracks, unpaved roads etc.

If we're realistic with ourselves, how much time do we really spend off road and how much more capable is an enduro bike once it's all loaded up ??

There's a lot to be said about 'Just ride what's sitting in your garage' I'd feel different if I was crossing deserts and jungle etc but I'm probably not.

I've got the bike there, it only cost £2000 and it's fully loaded with luggage, crash bars, centre stand etc. It's mega comfortable, got a 250 mile range tank and is frugal.

Would it make financial sense to change it ??? :innocent:

I think that´s the key point. Very few bikes sustain good handling, when loaded to the fullest, and more or less all lightweight offroad-machines will suffer a lot, when you double their allowed weight... :rofl:

But of course the trips, riders, and also peoples personal preferences differ a lot, so there really is no one definite answer here.

The V-Strom is definitely not the best off-road bike, but it´s still much better than a 100% streetbike, and a good rider can actually take it through surprisingly bad places (good to keep in mind, that it does not crash very well, though!) And then you´ve still got its on-road abilities, the fact that it carries weight very well, and known reliability. When you put a heavy load on the bike, that V-twin is still surprisingly sweet on the highway, something that cannot be said of any 1-cylinder dual-purpose bike I´ve ridden. They all feel exhausted.

Maybe I haven´t been to the real tough places yet, and I take these figures totally out of my hat... but for me, travelling around the world has so far been about 80% fully tolerable or good roads, 15% not-so-good, and only 5% really terrible. To me, it does not really make sense to choose the bike because of that 5% (... and I think the V-Strom has been, if not perfect, still ´just fine´ for the not-so-good).

Yeah... I'd love to take it on a massive diet.

The crash bars, sump guard, pannier frames all add weight but as you say, it is well distributed and the seat fairly low compared to my other bikes.

I'd like to improve the suspension but I don't want to spend too much on it.

Maybe a new shock and fork internals...

I went thru many stages.. yes take the strom.. no its too heavy and big

I even bought a little DR250.... then settled for the TT600

I will sell the strom but prob buy another in a couple of years when I have finished my RTW trip.

I just hope I dont go thru the stage of wishing I had brought my strom along lol

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

Unless it's noisy & using oil or the compression is down I wouldn't bother change all those gubbins; I'd take the strom & leave it where if falls if you get a major disaster with it.

I just a bought an XT660Z for a Morocco trip and one of the factors is the relative simplicity - single, screw and locknut tappets - and the fuel economy, but I don't think it aces the strom particularly in that aspect.

Yeah, I think you're probably right Doc...I'll probably leave it.

I 'Might' drop £400 on the full Hagon shock and fork springs package and let it breath with a £200 exhaust and probably spend £100 on bearings and bushes etc.. Only just serviced it with oil, filters and valves clearances etc.

That would have me on the road and rolling for £2500. Not too shabby I think.

It doesn't burn a drop of oil. Engine and gear box aren't exactly crisp and flutter free but I think it's easy good for another 30,000-50,000 miles.

I just to decide where I'm going to point it :scooter:

:thumbup1::thumbup1::innocent:

That differs, some people follow the main route, other go to remote places. Personally I find it easier to go to remote places with a bigger bike because it's easier to carry food, petrol and water.


You are getting there Ted:clap::clap::clap::clap:

hahaha. It's a slow road to find out what the right answer is. It's even longer when there is no right answer..

doh

bier bier