THINKING HARD ABOUT DL650

[PAULIBIKER]

I have been trying to sell my SV1000 Naked(see post in classifieds) for about 2 months now. A buddy of mine really wants a DL 650. I figured "kill two birds with one stone" and trade SV for DL and sell it to my buddy right. Well the more I talk to him the more I want a DL650 for myself. Here are some of the bikes that I have owned.

Hondas
*1983 VT500 Ascot
*1984 Nighthawk S (two of them)
*1988 Hawk GT
*1994 VFR
Yamahas
*1980 SR500
*1989 FJ1200
*1991 Seca II (two of them)
Kawasakis
*1991 ZR750 Zephre
*2000 ZRX1100
Suzukis
*2000 SV650 Naked
*2003 SV1000 Naked (current bike)

Every bike had something about them that I liked. Has anyone here owned the same bike or bikes and have a opinion they would like to share. I believe that I really need about 4 bikes, R6 for track, Vmax for cruising, ST1300 for touring, & a dirt bike of some sort. Unfortunatly, my wife does not see it that way. I can have only ONE bike. I has to cruise, tour(with the wife), and do a little sport riding. I believe the DL650 will fit most of my needs. I am in the beginning stages and have not ridden one. Any information is greatly appreciated. THANKS Paul

[Howboucha]

If you plan on doing alot of touring and two up riding, I would go with the 1000. It's not as flickable but is a great bike.

[Imagine]

Paul,

I have a '03 Kawasaki Z1000. Its very similar to your SV1000. I'm lucky enough to have an understanding wife that will allow me to keep more then one bike.

Back on topic, the DL650 is a great do it all bike. Its very light and flickable, the motor is good, its fairly comfortable, and its a lot of fun. Since you've owned an SV650 then you are firmilar with the motor on the DL650. However, its got a little more mid-range power and isn't quiet as snappy as the SV650. Its got plenty of power to pull you along, but you won't be winning any races in the process. I was worried that the power on the DL650 would be boring after spending a couple years on the Z1000, however it hasn't been the case. Granted its not the rush that the Z1000 is, its still a lot of fun and a lot more legal at the same time.

The handling is different then the Z1000. The DL650 is more flickable and has softer suspension that soaks up the bumps a lot more. It seems effortless to get it into corners, but you don't have the throttle there to really rip you out of corners like the Z1000 does.

I guess what I'm getting at is, the DL650 is a very sensible do it all bike. It won't provide a serious rush like the SV1000 or Z1000 will when the power hits, but it has plenty of kick to still have fun. If you don't need the "rush" of the big motor and prefer light and flickable then the DL650 is the ticket. However if you DO want that rush my suggestion is this... Keep the SV1000 and buy the DL650 as a second bike/commuter, or maybe look into a DL1000.