AAUUGGHH!! Is anybody actually buying one? [Archive]

texbridge

02-03-2004, 12:33 AM

I can't stand it! I was about to buy another bike [I won't mention the model :lol: ], and now I find I've just got to have one of these things. The idea that it's like my old KLR650 only faster, smoother, has brakes....it's too much to resist. I haven't even tested one and I know exactly how it will feel. Damn. And it actually has wind protection that doesn't make the rider feel like he's been slapped continuously for 299 miles?
But the really big question -- will the handguards from the DL1000 fit onto it? 8) 8) 8)

rider1951

02-03-2004, 09:13 PM

If they don't I'm sure someone in the aftermarket will be making some.

tedder

02-04-2004, 04:07 AM

Suzuki says there will be optional "knuckle guards".

And yes, I'm buying one. Once it ships in the States.

Invisible

02-04-2004, 06:27 AM

I'm buying one.. Waiting for next week. Actually, local dealer in Istanbul says it is already in customs zone.

Probably they are waiting for this month (February), they plan to start selling at the same time in USA and Europe.

I hope I will post my pic here "with my black V-Strom 650" in ten days..
(If I can bear to be alive for ten days :-) . Sometiems time passes so slowly! )

blchandl2

02-04-2004, 08:57 PM

Yes, I am buying one. I have had a deal worked out with my dealer since October. I am getting very impatient though.

eej63

02-07-2004, 12:50 PM

I ordered one from a dealer in Duluth, Mn in Dec, they say it should be here sometime between the end of Feb and the end of March. Sat on an sv-650 last year and thought it would be nice, if it had taller bars and a bigger fairing, and what do you know, they came out with the DL-650. Have not even seen one and the dealer had to ask me what the list price was going to be! Made the deal for 400 below retail. Up here they sell more atv's and snowmobiles, don't think they expect to sell too many v-stroms. So, this is a leap of faith for me, buying a bike without even seeing one. The press on it sounds positive, and I like the concept, so I think it will be a good choice. Currently have a cruiser and find that the riding position is hell on my back and ass after more than a half hour on the road. Hope this one will be better. Now if the 2 feet of snow on the ground whould go away, I could get out and do some riding!

THINK SPRING

rider1951

02-07-2004, 01:46 PM

I think you will really like it. I love my DL1000 a lot. I would have thought real hard about the 650 and was disappointed that they made it a 1000 ccs. I think the 650 will make a great all around bike for those of us who do most of our riding 1 up.

Invisible

02-07-2004, 05:39 PM

Today I called the dealer... Yes, Monday DL 650's will be there and Tuesday or Thursday I will have my first bike!!!

tedder

02-07-2004, 06:55 PM

I just got the first one in Seattle today, put on 20 miles from the test drive and ride home. Pretty sweet.

Pictures and more info soon.

rider1951

02-07-2004, 09:29 PM

Tedder

Good to hear hope you can get out and put somes miles on it right away and report back. My friend is thinking about replacing his SV650. I sure hope he does so I can ride it whenever I want. Hope your weather improves this week like ours is suppose to.

replaced

02-08-2004, 01:33 AM

Howboucha Tedder!
Wow, you are probable one of the first in the US to get one. THat is cool. Would you want to be the administrator for the DL650 Forums?
Send me a note via the board to let me know.
Brendan

RRocket

02-08-2004, 06:16 AM

Odd. They've been in Canadian dealerships for better than 2 weeks now....wonder why the US got theirs later?

Invisible

02-09-2004, 02:12 PM

Today my dealer invited me! Guess why?

It was magnificent to see my black v strom 650 without front tire and packaged. I hate myself because I have forgetten to take my camera..

Tomorrow it will be in my garage but it has to stay there for a few days because it's gonna snow here for several days.

Anyway, I hope tomorrow or Thursday morning some pics of it will be here..

lazeefrog

02-09-2004, 04:27 PM

I took delivery of mine (blue) on 13-Dec-03 in Vancouver, BC. I have no idea why the thing was in so early - I'm not going to complain. So far I have about 1200 kms on it and I am very impressed. I've had to ride it in a bunch of nasty weather (even got caught in the snow once) and find it quite good for all of that. Don't really have time to post detailed impressions, but I really am enjoying it so far.

tedder

02-09-2004, 04:32 PM

Howboucha, thanks for the offer and everything. I'm a little too busy to moderate, but I'll certainly try to contribute.

Now the bad news: I'm one of the first in the U.S. to take delivery, and I'm certainly one of the first to crash one. I had a vehicle merge into me on Saturday (the day it was delivered). I did a little bodysurfing down the freeway.

I'm mostly okay, but the bike is pretty trashed. I'm talking to her insurance company, who will be covering it. If I'm lucky, I might get to buy back a totalled 650. The engine is pristine, and the rear half is pretty nice too.

alyef

02-09-2004, 08:33 PM

I'm mostly okay, but the bike is pretty trashed

Tedder,

Glad to hear you are okay! What gear were you wearing and how fast were you going? How did the gear hold up

Howboucha

02-10-2004, 12:10 AM

Oh my god! That is terrible, but glad you fared well.
Brendan

tedder

02-10-2004, 01:35 AM

I was wearing tons of gear. I don't leave the house with out sturdy steel-tipped boots, Hein Gerike or Firstgear pants over jeans, Tour Master 3/4 length winter coat, and nice comfy gloves. Oh, and an Arai helmet, which never came into play.

I was going ~55mph in a 60mph zone when a vehicle changed lanes into me.

My worst injury is a sprained knee; I was certainly lucky. I've got the bike, I'll send pictures after I settle on the vehicle replacement.

The gear held up quite well. The boots are scarred down to the steel toe, and the seams have come apart on the pants and jacket. The armor shows wear (of course), but it only wore through in one spot- in the pants, on the butt. My jeans have a hole in the pocket, but it didn't wear through the main layer.

I was very lucky, and I was able to mitigate the damage too. The bike is pretty trashed, of course. I'm hoping to use that to _our_ advantage, since I can do a teardown on it without being worried. But more on that when I know about the adjustment on the bike.

Cheers all,
-ted

freediverGA

02-10-2004, 02:41 AM

Did the lady wip over into your lane and you had lay the bike down to keep from hitting the car or did the car make contact with you?
I guessing she was busy bullshitting on the phone huh?
It's good you didn't get hurt, your taking it hell of alot better than I would have taken it!!

freediver GA

tedder

02-10-2004, 02:44 AM

She was a nice girl, actually. I think she truly didn't see me in her blind spot.

Pretty much she jumped over into my lane- I didn't have enough time to do much. I'll chat more about the details once the insurance is settled.. sorry :-/

Invisible

02-11-2004, 06:41 PM

That's it.. At last I had my V Strom 650, my first bike...

Here it is...

First of all. Here is ZERO KM DASHBOARD
http://www.ikiteker.org/modules/gallery/albums/album109/100_2397.jpg

http://www.ikiteker.org/modules/gallery/albums/album109/100_2401.jpg

http://www.ikiteker.org/modules/gallery/albums/album109/100_2424.jpg

In the garage now..
http://www.ikiteker.org/modules/gallery/albums/album109/100_2439.jpg

First ride. 55 kms
http://www.ikiteker.org/modules/gallery/albums/album109/100_2440.jpg

arb

02-12-2004, 12:49 AM

Tedder,

That is amazing and too bad. I am guessing you got this bike at Aurora Suzuki and I probably sat on it around 11:30 that morning. I had been talking to the dealership owner about when he was going to get some in and they called me that morning to tell me they had one in. They pulled it out of service while they were prepping it so I could check it out. The weird thing is I went for a ride with some friends on my current bike on Sunday and one of us ended up in a ditch. Bad weekend for riding. Glad to hear you are ok, but what a hassle, and the weather has been so nice this week!

Ride Safe,
Arne

tedder

02-12-2004, 12:51 AM

Arne- they got two in on Saturday, a blue one, and a black one. Which one did you sit on? I took the blue one (I had a deposit on it since before Christmas), around 1pm.

arb

02-12-2004, 01:17 AM

Blue one - yours :)

Arne- they got two in on Saturday, a blue one, and a black one. Which one did you sit on? I took the blue one (I had a deposit on it since before Christmas), around 1pm.

freediverGA

02-12-2004, 02:06 AM

tedder

02-12-2004, 02:22 AM

Nice! It was purdy.

hux

02-12-2004, 10:09 AM

ouch, that sucks a big one. glad yer OK though, the bike can be replaced. This reminds me of one of my golden rules:

Don't ride in the lane next to a cager. In front of, behind, but never beside for any amount of time longer than it takes to get past them. They are oblivious to your presence.

Invisible

02-12-2004, 12:46 PM

great looking bike Istanbul!!! Only 55kms huh? I would have called in sick and put on 100+, if not more!!!

Hey are you guys able to get Nolans new helmet the N101? You look like your wearing a Nolan flip up!

FreediverGa OUT

I had only 1 hour to ride then it started to snow.. That's why 55 kms.

Yes I had a Nolan N101 flip up. No wind inside, no rain inside and clear look in every condition. But sound. Typical flip up, if you ride faster than 100 km/h sound of wind will be your best friend.

And tedder I forgot to say sorry for accident. Keep well.

freediverGA

02-12-2004, 01:49 PM

the N101 isn't available here in the US. I talked to the US Distubtor and won't be for some time. Do you know of any onliine shops that offer the helmet that might be able to order one on Invisible?

FreediverGa OUT

Invisible

02-12-2004, 04:24 PM

I know an online shop but it is in Germany and I do not believe it will be cheap for you.

http://www.louis.de

Nolan N 101 is EUR 274 (Something US Dollars 300)

it is in German but if you use Altavista translate (by babelfish) you can easly understand the site. Actually translation is not good but understandable.

Actually I bought it EUR 260 here in Istanbul.
Maybe it would be good to ask by mail to info@nolan.it
Try Schubert Concept. It is a good flip up helmet..

Outside is 50 centimeters snow and my good, beautiful V Strom sleeps in the garage. I hate this..

freediverGA

02-13-2004, 02:24 AM

Hey I just went and translated the webpage and the color selection kinda sucks.

Hey also guys my local dealer just got a black and two blue DL650 in stock today! Going to tomorrow to check them out!!

FreediverGa OUT