DL 650 as a 1st bike in twenty plus years? Good Choice?

[jag44]

Gang, I am just getting back into riding after being away for twenty years. I used to drive dirt bikes but now want something for fun on the road. I am 6'4" and weigh 250 lbs. Is the DL 650 a good bike to recut your teeth on? I have sat on it and the FZ1 and the Wee Strom as some of you call it, feels better with my old back. Just want some ideas from people that know and drive the bike.

Mark J.

[DaveJ]

Yes, it is! Go for it and enjoy.

Dave

[jag44]

Dave what does the K5 mean after your DL650? Blue is the color too... :D

[DaveJ]

K4 = 2004

K5=2005

[sammy's pappy]

jag,

I just got back into cycling after a 14 year break. After a lot of searching I ended up with the Wee Strom. I simply could not be happier. It is very comfortable, fast (to me anyway), good handling and just about everybody has only good things to say about it. It is easy to ride and forgiving while getting back into the groove.

Get one and we will go for a ride. Perry Hall is just not that far from Hershey.

Bill

[jag44]

You have a deal there. Hershy is just a hop skip and a jump from Baltimore. Besides, you have some great roads up there. I think the 650 is what I am going to get but I keep looking at the Yamaha FZ1 but it kind of scares me that it might be too much bike for me. I'm 43 and not getting any younger :)

[jag44]

Dah on my part Dave :oops: That makes perfect sense huh. Ok, I never did claim to be a rocket scientist. :?

[Vstealth]

Mark --

Go ride a DL650 demo and see if you can walk
away from it.

:)


Chris

[radon_strommer]

Do it Jagg!!


Where are you shopping? Cycleworld? Pete's? or Ellicot City??

[jag44]

Ok gang I have a shot at a DL650 K4 for $5400.
Color Blue
6300 miles
SW Motech crash bars, Skidplate, Center Stand, Top Box, Tall Cee Bailey's windshield, Handguards and new tires.

Is it a good deal? :?

[Gilk51]

I would say "yes" - it already has a good bit of extras added.
Miles are pretty low.
Make sure it hasn't been wrecked, but I think you may be hooked!

I have several of those Mo-tech things waiting for this weekend to get installed...

BTW, I got my Wee-Strom for my 53-year-old back, too...

Radon, Thanks for the reply - I am looking at a used one down in VA right now. I am looking at all three shops for a new one but I was going to wait until March to buy. Now I found a really nice used one and am really serious about it because it has all the goddies on it. :wink:

[jag44]

Radon , I answered you but came up as a guest.

Chuck, I think your right, I am hooked. I am just trying to figure out all stuff you have to do to transfer it from one state to another and how to get it from there to here with tags, insurance and so on. It also has all the really nice stuff on it already. I will keep you all informed, wish me luck with the wife :shock:

Mark J.

[radon_strommer]

Hey Jag,

I think I know the one in VA you're talking about. (not personally just from web ads) and yes that sounds like a great deal. I've had my strom for exactly a year now and love it.

One piece of advise when it comes to insurance. Make sure they classify it as a Dual Sport! it will save you a TON of money.

[DaveJ]

Hey Jag,


One piece of advise when it comes to insurance. Make sure they classify it as a Dual Sport! it will save you a TON of money.

I couldn't get my insurance company(Foremost) to budge from sport touring catergory. My insurance isn't sky high($477), just not cheap as my 99 BMW F-650 was($138) both full coverage, 250/500 liab and $250 ded. coll. and comp. annual premium, no claims.
I got a quote from Geico and it was almost identical.
YMMV

[radon_strommer]

I did get Progressive to do it and I'm paying $140 for the same coverage on mine. It would have been $700 if they left it the "sport bike" category.

[DaveJ]

I did get Progressive to do it and I'm paying $140 for the same coverage on mine. It would have been $700 if they left it the "sport bike" category.
I went to Progressive's web site and I can get a rate similar to radon's if I cut coverage to the bone with liability down to 50,000/100,000 and prop. damage at $50,000 and leaving my wife and her bike off the quote.It's interesting that they don't list the 650 V-Strom but do list the 1000 V-Strom. I'd be interested if Radon would look up his actual coverages and post later. I personally would not run with only $50,000 property damage limits, but that is a decision everyone has to make on their own, based on their assets to protect,ect.

Thanks Guys, I will try and list it as dual sport. It should wiork because I am friends with my insurance agent. I think I am hooked on this VStrom. Heck it sounds like the perfect toy to get back into the adventure of exploring the world around me. I am working on the wife and the loan but the wife should be pretty easy since I am taking her to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a week starting on the 18th. Nothing like a little sun and sand to make everything ok with her. Then it will be off for a short road trip to VA to get the bike if he will hold it for two weeks. I think it sounds like a plan and heck I used to do that for a living in the military. :D

Jag

[FERGIE]

Gang, I am just getting back into riding after being away for twenty years. I used to drive dirt bikes but now want something for fun on the road. I am 6'4" and weigh 250 lbs. Is the DL 650 a good bike to recut your teeth on? I have sat on it and the FZ1 and the Wee Strom as some of you call it, feels better with my old back. Just want some ideas from people that know and drive the bike.

Mark J.

JAG,

After reading most of the posts, it sounds like you have made up your mind on the VStrom. Let me add another go for it to the list.
I bought my DL650 last May. I too had not rode for over twenty years, back then I was mostly on Enduros. I'm 6'2" 220 lbs. the vstrom fits me well ( you will like the upright seating ), plenty of power for two up and handles just as well as most street bikes when you ride more aggresive.

enjoy!

[MWValley]

I hope I am not beating up the insurance thing but I pay just over $250 a year for my litre Strom policy from Progressive.

100/300 bodily injury
50 property damage
100/300 uninsured motorist
100 ded comp
250 ded colilsion
1000 custom parts/equip with 100 ded
roadside assistance

Seems fair to me. Of course I am an old fart safe rider, MSF coach, and I live way out in the boonies, so it shouldn't cost much to start with.

Ride on!

Jeff

[jag44]

Thanks for all your help gang. I now have a brand new DL650K5 in my garage! I picked it up today and the insurance with progressive was really a great deal. You guys and gals and this site is what made me feel really comfortable with the choice and after today I know it was the right one. Oh, its Blue too.... (Someone told me that was the fastest color) :D

[FERGIE]

congratulations, good choice on color.......
ride safe