StromTrooper banner

New v strom

5K views 37 replies 16 participants last post by  Hank122 
#1 ·
Looking at the new dl650 and wondering if the price difference is worth the extra for the XT model ?

I will admit I love the look of the XT but not enough to spend 2k more if it's only for that reason.

In the near future I'll be heading off around Aus on this bike .
Although I'd like to say I'm going to go off-road I doubt it will be a regular thing mainly just highways some dirt roads and a few tracks here and there.

Any input will be appreciated
Thanks
 
#6 ·
Yes I've seen a few for 11k but then they say plus Orc which is about 1400 or so I've been told.

I bought a 2015 DL650 Adventure.
Thanks for taking the time for the detailed answer Cro59
Over here in Aus we don't get the same as you we get
bark busters
Crash bars
Spoked wheels
A plastic looking protection guard
and a good looking beak .
I don't think there is anything else.

Cheers rumchaser.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I bought a 2015 DL650 Adventure, mostly because I'm new to ADV bikes and wasn't familiar with all of the aftermarket accessories. If I could roll back a few months then I would just get the base model and equip it myself. As noted above, the spoke wheels are the one thing the XT gives you that sets it apart from the base and Adventure models.

Here's my take on the OEM accessories:
- Crash Bars/Engine Guards: Good upgrade. These have proven very sturdy so far. I'm new to dirt so these have been tested way more times than I care to admit.
- Add on windscreen: The stock windscreen didn't do much for me, but the Vario Touring screen provided with the Adventure model works well for me at 6'0" with minimal buffeting.
- Rear Luggage Rack: OK as far as it goes, but frankly if I have to buy a $100+ adapter to fit whichever top case I select than what good does this rack do? Might as well just choose the top case and buy a rack that fits. Plus this rack is pretty small.
- Pannier Racks: The racks seem pretty good and durable, but due to their size they aren't compatible with most of the luggage I've looked at. Again, this means I'm spending extra money on an adapter kit. I'd rather have one of the more "standard" racks like Happy Trails or SW-Motech that seem to fit a wide range of luggage.
- Panniers: Personally, I am completely unimpressed by the OEM Luggage. The aluminum is so thin I could cut through them with a decent knife and the locks are a total joke. A lot of us get hard luggage for the security aspect. This luggage gives you the illusion of security without actually keeping your stuff safe. Anyone with a screw driver could pop these locks in about two seconds. Plus, the cases and mounting system will not hold up in a major drop. If you have even a minor accident with these cases then expect your gear to be scattered across the countryside. Once these cases get bent in the slightest then forget about waterproofing--dry bags are a necessity. I ended up replacing these with Mosko Moto bags.
- Skid plate and hand guards: Oh, wait a minute, Suzuki doesn't provide these as standard on their ADV bike. WTF? Just as well, really, because the OEM versions are pretty flimsy. Enduro Guardian and Barkbusters for me.

Long story short, other than the spoked wheel, none of the OEM accessories are worth the extra cost. Even the ones I like (crash bars & windscreen) can be replaced by any number of aftermarket choices. I love my V-Strom and my advice is buy a base model as cheap as you can and shop around for the aftermarket accessories that match your riding style and budget.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Suzuki Australia have dropped the price of the XT to $11,495 on the road, all charges and 12 months rego included. We bought one four weeks ago for that price. If your dealer is asking more then contact Suzuki Aus. To me they were the best value for money around at that. They were $12995 on road before that.

I like the look of the XT and we are very happy with the bike.:smile2:

PS. Ours was fitted with a Radguard that we did not ask for nor pay for, so I am not sure if that is a standard feature now or not.

Coops.
 
#14 ·
One thing not mentioned so far in replies to your post... spoked wheels ARE much stronger, possibly a consideration dependent on the amount of, and seriousness of, your off road riding.
Personally I find spoked wheels a PITA to keep clean, and prefer the alloys, not a fan of the beak at all either but that's just my personal taste....

So Id be swinging towards a standard and accessorise to taste as previously mentioned here, but thought worth pointing out the strength in spoked.. may be relevant to your riding.
 
#28 ·
#33 ·
Got one an XT also from Hornsby Suzuki for $11700 with a 40 liter Shad top box. Since then added a centre stand $300 and 25 mm lowering links $100 and Strombrace $90 all fitted myself plus power pickup and gps holder for $30. Regarding the OEM screen I just added a wunderlynch wind spoiler works great.
 
#34 ·
I got mine with a few Demo k`s on it .

This saved me heaps with all the extras and a good (what I wanted $$$), trade in price for my 2014 Tiger 800XCSE

I "would not" have bought the showroom blue standard 2015 model, with mag wheels and no extras .



Took the demo out ,LOVED IT , love that paint and trim scheme , made them a offer they just didn't refuse (so it took a bit of Fast Talking to get the right deal for ME).
Demo wasn't for sale ,but I took it home that afternoon ...yippy ,bye bye Tiger ...

I arranged a couple of items at the `right price` (heated grips and centre stand fitted).

Stand will be on by the time I finish this forum chat, along with its first service check (I'm well over the 1000k but did my oil and filter a week back ), It was fine ,I checked with the service manager first.

Heated grips be in well before winter ,I hope
 
#35 ·
scoti49 would be interested in your reasons for getting out of the Tiger, generally they get very good reviews but only after you live with a bike for some time do you really get to know it. :yesnod:

Cheers, Wanderlost.
 
#37 · (Edited)
I can explain (you did ask)!

Why I got out of Triumph ..

Far from being an inferior bike ,the three late model Tigers I had over the last 5yrs or so, were very very well made and great to ride ..

Expensive to buy ,yes ,but one pays for quality and the Poms certainly have a great product in Triumph.

My first Tiriumphs a 500 and 650 twin came with Drip trays ,new ones don't drip/dribble/leak/run out any oil .

My first late model Tiger 1050 was a Burnt Orange (to me Gold ) with about 12,000km on it .

It did me till about 25,000km , I traded it on a brand new Crystal White 1050 with paint matching panniers as standard .

My first brand new bike for many a year .
Rode it all over the place, till I had done about 11,000km .

I was at AJ`s Shepparton Victoria Au getting some stuff for my 1050 when I spotted this Volcanic Black 800XCSE , just in .
A large crowd of perspective buyers were around it ,soon to be including myself .

I got hold of Tom AJ`s owner (who is a great bloke ) , he and I made a very very fast deal on my 2014 1050 .

Much to the discus of two other lookers ,,I had bought it .

AJ`s had a standard Tiger 800SE that I rode ,liked it , was impressed with its easy handling and nippiness.

Bottom line was a brand new SEXC (very different) ,new rego, new tyres ,no need for a service for another 10,000km.

No more checking those darn valve shims or getting new tyres and it needed 12mths rego .

I left my 2014 1050 bike there ,picking up the XCSE a few days later .

The little 800XCSE was lighter and so much more responsive on back roads, dirt and logging tracks .

Fast as anything, including the 1050 (top speed I tried was just a shade lower than the 1050) .

Fun fun fun ,that's what it was like ,brakes were fantastic (my new DL650, not so good ) ,pulling away in 6th gear was like having an auto box .

My son took it to Sydney for a run with his mates and actually (on the way ), called into Bathurst and did the Mount Panorama V8`s race track .
He was impressed, I wasn't!!

I'm now pushing 73 and have knackered knees and need to slow down a bit ,this little pocket rocket is good for me ..I might just keep my licence ??

It was funny I really like a white motorbike ,they can be seen by motorists and they didn't make a SEXC in White (block only) .

As the Volcanic Black was so nice I purchased a Crystal white tank and trims ,sticking the Black tank and trims away,wrapped up and brand new .

I also got a Saddleman seat from the US of A

So when I trade the XCSE in on the Suzuki ,XCSE looked brand new ,with new tank refitted along with trims and new seats (kept the Saddleman ).


Well somebody did ask !!!!

I recommend the New Fly by Wire Tiger 800 .
Of course I took one for a Demo ,so different from the 2014`s ,very expensive though .
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top