I am wondering If the 2011 650 V strom alternator sufficient at 400 watts. my buddys cruiser has 38-amp system (439W @ 13V, 2000 rpm, 489W max power @ 13V) It would nice if the 650 would do that, is there a reason they don't kick it up

Chet

The problem is insufficient room in the alternator cover for a larger rotor and stator. The wire is packed in there so closely already the stator fails too often already.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

No its not sufficent.................................if you overload it.
So far it seems to do okay with heated grips, gps and heated jacket liner.
It would be nice if it had more power, but it doesn't and isn't going to. I think if you want one that puts out a lot you need to look at a different bike. Triumph Explorer, BMW R1200gs for example.

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Joe S.
'12 Concours
'11 DL650
'10 Tiger1050
'01 HD FXD
'09 HD XR1200
'79 BMW R100

Wow! 400 watts! My KLR650 puts out just under 200 and I ran heated jacket and glove liners coming out of Ruidoso,NM at 30 degrees, 6:00 am, dark, two weeks ago. Everytime the Heatroller kicked in (running jacket and gloves at 50%), the headlight would dim. I ran it on low beam until Roswell and daylight, then turned off the headlight and continued on for 500 miles with both at 100%. Battery survived. What I would have given for 400 watts!!

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Russ
Lakehills, Texas

'04 Wee
'07 KLR 650
'09 FJR 1300

High alternator output is a more recent idea.
The days of old the alternator put out enough to run dim headlights and keep the motor going.
Just because the options for electrical usage has increased doesn't mean the bike is insufficient, you are just asking too much of the design.

if you think you are getting close on output reach down and unplug one headlight instant-- extra 55 watts for heat works well in north of MN
Gearbox

Really not all that recent. My 97 r1100rt has a strong alternatoe ans thats 15 years ago.
Id say its more like an unknown concept to Suzuki.

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Joe S.
'12 Concours
'11 DL650
'10 Tiger1050
'01 HD FXD
'09 HD XR1200
'79 BMW R100

My 97 r1100rt
I'm talking olden days, Brit 650 bikes, and early Japanese. My airhead BMW's had 280 watts. Power to the People!
The 1100RT-P had 700 watts, I think, but when they devised ABS and electronic stuff the power requirement went up a lot and they needed a real electrical source.

My r1100r had an alternator that looked a lot like the one in my Mazda. A lot bigger than the one tucked neatly away in the side of the DL650. I'd rather have a lighter bike.

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2009 DL650 ABS (with touring kit)
2004 Honda ST1300

I'd rather have a lighter bike.

Exactacally! Lighter is mo bettah.
Even the 375 watts of the 04 model can run my grips and Gerbing. Sometimes you have to turn down one or the other to keep the voltage output happy.