Easy now... depends on what you want. The cases are small but good for day touring on pavement or light off pavement. Add a cheap Bestem top case or just lash on camping gear with ROK straps and overnights are good. The plastic belly piece deflects gravel and small rocks only...you do need a proper skid plate if more is desired. The hand guards are good for weather protection, but need Bark Busters for tip over protection. The OEM engine guards are awesome IMO. If you are short from the waist up the touring windscreen will be fine, if you are tall you're likely getting an aftermarket one. I also added Fastest Evo 3 footages for comfort and control standing.
I can't agree that it is an "upgrade", but yes you do get a bigger engine.....better brakes, and better suspension. I could've gotten a new Vee2, but I opted for a Wee2 and I couldn't be happier.
When I bought mine in December 2015 I paid $10,600 out the door. I believe Suzuki had incentives they were giving to dealers at that time. I don't know what's still in effect.
Yes, I got my Wee for $7k. I could have gotten an Adventure at another dealer, a hundred miles away, for $8k; but then I would have to have dealt with an out-of-state purchase and sorting out the tax mess. AND my dealer was just down the street.
Alas and alack. That dealer, a good one as dealers go, gave up his Suzi franchise. They twisted his parts once too often and so he's focusing on other makes.
But as you point out, the factory panniers are seldom the best choice. I wish I'd gotten the crash bars and adjustable windshield, but what's done is done.
I AM glad I didn't give into temptation to get a 1000. Seems like you get a little more weight and a lot more thirst for not much else. The 650 suits me fine...and while that may be a great buy for the package, the package as it is may not be the best.
I have had 2 dl650s and 2 DL1000s. My current ride is a 2014 DL1000a and it is an incredible bike, especially for touring.
I have zero regrets and although, the DL650s are great bikes, I don't think I could go back to a DL650. The DL1000a is that good.
Pretty good review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYlZ_wq_KWY
I got the non-adventure . Mainly, because I didn't want any side bags. But if I did, I would want the slim profile of the OEM bags. I like my bike to maintain an overall slim profile. Some of those other bags stick out way too much, IMO.
I added a GIVI 47 liter top case. And, if I go touring for more than 1 day, I have a big waterproof Ortlieb bag that I will strap down.
If I had to choose again, I really don't know. I guess I would go with the best deal. My 2014 left over was $10,650 OTD. Purchased a couple of weeks ago.
I don't regret going from the 650 to the 1000, especially not since I got a killer deal on it. The 1000 feels a little roomier and more comfortable. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have quite the power I was expecting, but it is generally an excellent bike all around. Everything the Glee does, the V2 does better. (Except fuel economy.) I should have already sold my 650, but when I ride it, I think what a great bike it is, too, so I'm not real motivated. A lot of the comparison will depend on what mods and upgrades are on each one. I think you should be able to get that '14 adventure for around $10K OTD, and 1K less for the standard version. Some have even done a little better than this.
Agree that you should be able to get this price or better. Last December I was able to find several 2014 Adventures in the NW for around $9500, plus licensing and such. They should be cheaper by now.
Suzuki dealers have a secondary market for the unsold past-year models among themselves, so you should be able to find a low price via CycleTrader or CraigsList and bargain with your local guy. The internet is a great thing; it gives us information symmetry with dealers. Bargain hard, and you'll get the deal you want.
No regrets about mine. The Adventure extras aren't a bad deal for my purposes, mostly fart around riding (what trade journalists insist on calling "canyon carving") and light sport touring, almost all pavement except for my 300 yds of gravel driveway and an occasional Forest Service road. I've had to buy more farkles than I'd like to: tall seat, windscreen, center stand, throttle tamer. The bike itself is a great value, with plenty of power, good suspension and brakes, and roomy ergonomics.
I also think you can insist on a test ride if you're over 30 or so. I won't buy a bike unless I've ridden it, and I tell dealers that up front. It's always worked, and I think it positions me well for price negotiation.
Wow- That's a great price. I thought I got a good deal for a non-adventure 2014 at 9700 + tax and reg. This price beats mine my 700 and it is the adventure model to boot.
At that price the bike should fly out of the dealership. I don't understand why they don't
I've been riding a 2012 Wee for the last three years. Just picked up a 2016 V2 standard three days ago. Have done 500 km already and no regrets here. It's a joy to ride. I have also ordered all the bits I need to make it into the touring bike I need it to, and it was still a great deal cheaper than the adventure model here in Australia.
Ditto. I came very close to getting one but then the head gaskets went on my wife's car at only 80,000 miles. That set me back $2000 and I wound up with my 2013 for $5400 and added $1000 in Farkles... still cheaper than the V2 would have been without Farkles. But someday that will change
Since somebody mentioned a fly and ride to WV for a NEW Vee I thought I'd ask.
During engine breakin, aren't you supposed to vary your RPMs for the first 1000miles? And isn't the first service at 600? How do you comply with the break in procedure out of town?
THANKS!
(some are gonna say just ride the hell out of it)
My answer would be that you could still vary the RPM - especially doing a mix of slab and two-lane. There's really nothing magical about 600 miles and could be extended some without dire consequences. My guess is if the Suzuki engineers had been using miles instead of kilometers, it might be 1000 miles anyway. (600 miles is about 1000 km)
Got a non-adventure Vee2 last December for $8275 OTD in Portland. Of course I added a butt load of farkles. I would do it the same way if buying tomorrow. Get the farkles you want only, take some time to think through your riding needs or potential needs.
I've never been on the 650. I can't imagine having less power as I find the 1000 underpowered. It's still a blast to ride though. I reckon thats because it's so easy to ride.
I'm with you on that. Coming from super bikes I don't think I'll ever get used to the lack of power of my V2. I still love my strom but wish it had the power of a Multistrada.
You do the break in with your right hand. Might as well get it out of the way coming home. They don't really describe how you do it. I think it's just a generalization. My rpms usually vary anyway as I'm going down the highway. I didn't bother with the 600 mile service just changed the oil myself, checked steering, chain and motor mounts (keep receipts for oil and filter to show stealership). That can be done in the parking lot with a little creativity. It all depends on the lengths you want to go to.
Okay, would you get a new Vee2 with zero miles and zero farkles for $9K or a used Vee2 with 9000 miles and a ton of nice farkles for $7500? Would you guys be worried about 9000 miles with no way to talk to the previous owner (and I checked the VIN and none of the recalls have been done)?
I would go with the new for 2 reasons:
1. I would want a 1 year warranty and a fixed cost.
2. Buying used is always a crap shoot and I just wouldn't want the headaches.
9k for a brand spanking new VEE 2 is a Great Deal.
$7500 for a used bike with 9K on the clock, that is a very fair deal but not a great deal. If the used bike was $6,000 - $6,500, that might change my mind.
If those were the only two choices I would buy the DL1000a. I wouldn't be afraid of the miles, but I'd take it on an extended ride to fully check it out. Having said that, dealers have plenty of new left over 14's for $1,000 more that you could probably get shipped to you for around $300.
If you can get it for that, ride it out of there fast before the police get there. Lol.
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