Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
DL650 - Worth waiting for spoked wheels?? DL650 - Worth waiting for spoked wheels??
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By Grant Johnson

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Aug 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 16
DL650 - Worth waiting for spoked wheels??
Hi all,

I have been looking for a while at used DL650s for 2 up touring, maybe South America. Obviously the vast majority of used examples are fitted with the cast wheels. The spoked are only on newer ADV styled models.

Anyone care to comment on whether the spoked wheels are worth limiting the pool of used examples? I understand 2012+ is preferable but is the wheel type a deal breaker?

I can't get over the impression that cast wheels belong on the street... (old thumper rider).

Thanks!
__________________
'96 1200 Bandit
'16 Tu250X
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Aug 2018
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
For two-up, presumably not hard and fast off-road, I expect the cast wheels will be fine. Having said that, DL wheels are known to be soft and dent relatively easily - good news is they can usually be banged back out again!
You have to balance cost against risk. Newer costs more, BUT is also likely to be in better shape/lower mileage, OR go cheaper and risk a dented wheel. And be sure to ride appropriately! Remember much of South America is PAVED. You only go off-road by choice.
YOUR decision!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Dec 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Ireland, West Coast
Posts: 23
Also ride a 650DL and yes the cast wheels are soft.

Met the mother and father of a series of Potholes on a dark road in Baja last year, managed to avoid all but the last one....bang.....bent front rim. Tyre held up but both sides of the rim got it. Tried to straighten it but with not much success as I was afraid if it cracked I would be in a worse position being just south of nowhere.
Now it looses about 4psi on a 250 mile riding day and the bars dont vibrate. Covered another 2000mls this year with the same rim....just remember to keep the pressure up.
Safe travels.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2019
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
One thing people often miss is that the spoked wheels on from-2015 X or XT DLs are tubeless – common on flagship advs, unusual on a lower spec bike.
For a travel bike I would choose TL over tubed any day.
Not really bothered if it's spoked or more commonly cast. As Grant says, ride for the conditions and they'll last.
I suspect if you took a hard hit one dark night (as emasen describes), spoked TLs will still dent and, being TL, will possibly lose the seal too.

Some recent comments from Adv:

'The cast wheels on both the 650 and 1000 vstrom are tough, very tough. I put my wee strom 650 thru hell (two up, packed like a mule thru South America on mostly back roads) and they fared beautifully.

if you’re using the strom for its intended use then cast wheels are great! But if you heavily modify your bike and ride aggressively then they don’t last long.
I’ve personally bent 3 fronts and 2 rears over the last 200k miles. Now I only run XT wheels without issues, jumping it is common.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Sep 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: England
Posts: 55
cast wheels
Having ridden on some appalling roads in India and Canada, I did manage to dent the rear wheel in Kazakhstan. Secondhand cast wheels are cheap whereas if you dent a spoked wheel its toast. I crashed a R100RS in France many years ago and was grateful I had changed the wire wheels for cast items. I was able to ride home with a twisted front wheel whereas the spoked wheel would have collapsed.
__________________
Tim & Sue Angus
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yamaha XT 600 SM / Enduro wheels for sale Zergman TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 19 Feb 2015 13:02
No More R100gs Wheels elray245 BMW Tech 7 1 Nov 2014 18:37
spoke wheels vs mag wheels for offroad robson Tech 4 10 Jun 2014 15:54
Sydney to Germany - the African way BikingMarco Ride Tales 320 23 Sep 2012 11:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:42.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top