I am toying with the idea of an additional bike for the stable. Does anyone have any first hand comparisons between the two. What will I notice? I hope this isn't a dumb question. Even if it is, I need an answer. Thanks.

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2007 DL650 ABS ( she thinks it's hers, but it's MINE )
2006 GL1800 ABS ( ours )
2001 VLX600 ( spare )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( his )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( hers )
1991 XL250R ( hers )
1983 XR250L ( his )
1974 CB360 ( retired )
All from the same people who
brought to you "PEARL HARBOR"


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Wife has 07 sv and I hav a 08 DL...

SV is faster/quicker
SV "feels" more nimble
DL Carries more stuff....
DL is more comforatable 2 up
DL has more leg room (but her SV is lowered and seat shaved)
DL actually has a gas gage
DL has heat shield on exhaust
SV better for around town
DL better for multiple hour rides
SV lower clearance, gets extremely nervous and scared of gravel
Wife reports SV is comfortable for pillion but DL is better
SV has no luggage rack
SV has tons more aftermarket support
SV and DL share lots of components.. engine is almost identical, handles .. etc same
SV is lighter
Both are great bikes, since you already have a DL I would go with the SV..

Also reccomend you look at the GSX650F

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BitterBorn, thanks for the reply. I am actually thinking of the SV for my wife, I think she would feel better on it. She complains the DL is top heavy ( maybe it's my Givi trunk with 30 lbs. of junk)Not worried about off road, We have dirt bikes for the nasty stuff.

__________________
2007 DL650 ABS ( she thinks it's hers, but it's MINE )
2006 GL1800 ABS ( ours )
2001 VLX600 ( spare )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( his )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( hers )
1991 XL250R ( hers )
1983 XR250L ( his )
1974 CB360 ( retired )
All from the same people who
brought to you "PEARL HARBOR"


Patriot Guard Rider
AMA Member
U.S. Navy Veteran

Sold the SV for the DL. DL is smoother. DL is extremely top heavy compared to the SV....which makes it a bith to move around without, "Almost dropping it...again", to be repeated three feet later...and three feet later...and......

DL is easier to ride and more fun.

When you say the DL is easier to ride...in what way? You said the DL is more top heavy. Which one would be good for the wife?

__________________
2007 DL650 ABS ( she thinks it's hers, but it's MINE )
2006 GL1800 ABS ( ours )
2001 VLX600 ( spare )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( his )
2000 4X4 Rancher ( hers )
1991 XL250R ( hers )
1983 XR250L ( his )
1974 CB360 ( retired )
All from the same people who
brought to you "PEARL HARBOR"


Patriot Guard Rider
AMA Member
U.S. Navy Veteran

with aggressive lean through corners, it feels that either my WEE wants to keep on leaning, or wants to fall down... and its also a bit harder to cancel the lean. it has to work in conjunction with more throttle and my body shifting to the opposite side

I own both of the bikes in ? and find they each have their own benifits yes the sv has way more power but does not have the comfort of the wee and by more power i dont mean the wee is gutless, with the right rider on it the wee is quite nimble in fact i know people who handle a dl like its a race bike and have burned off the rubber from the chicken strips i myself have out cornered some of the other bikes that i ride with on a regular basis. So would i choose one over the other? well that depends on the riding you or the wife will be doing but either one is awsome I.M.P.O.

The SV is more like a Fighter plane. Very light, more flickable and maneuverable in a shorter amount of space because it is always on the verge of instability. Manuvers like a bicycle at very slow speeds. Compared to the DL it is twichy (short wheelbase), not very forgiving and very easy to get yourself into trouble. Great track bike, great street fighter or great for an aggressive rider……and young foolish squids. Poor highway bike. Very uncomfortable over a 30 minute ride. Very Painful after an hour. Dead numb-paralyzed butt after 1.5 hours even with a seat upgrade. Very cramp riding position compared to the DL. Very cheap to buy (Dime a Dozen) and easy to find. Twice the insurance cost of the DL.

The Dl is more of a Cesena. Very stable and forgiving.

Which should you get for your wife depends on the type of riding and her comfort level. Short rides and mostly street, SV. Longer rides or mostly highway, DL. I’ve had the Burgman 650, SV650 and now the DL650. If I had to do it all over again, I’d get the DL650 from the start. It is the best compromise of the three. And the most comfortable, more enjoyable and easiest to ride.

That being said, for the average woman, because of weight and height issues, get her a Burgman 400. Not the Burgman 650. That thing’s a pig. Get the Burgman 400 (65+ MPG at 75 MPH – 65 liters of internal storage). That way you can cruise together on separate bikes. The Burgman 400 “IS” the better commuter too and just as easy and fun as the DL (if not more so)…without the weight and height issues.

Im shocked by people calling the DL topheavy. I just came from an R11GS. Now THAT sucker is REALLY topheavy! By contrast the Wee is peaches and cream.

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2006 DL1000
MC LArrys Footpeg Lowering Kit
Rox Risers
Madstrads With Givi Shield
Givi Topcase
Heated Handgrips
More to come!
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Are you kidding? When a DL tips over it lands wheels up.