o3 dl1000 vstrom vs.04

[e.t.998]

okay,i am a noob.But is the 04 that much more desirable for me than an 03?i am 5'9" with a 30 inch inseam(more like 29")i do not care if i am flatfooted while sitting on a bike,as i ride dirt also.when does the windscreen turbulence really kick in,or would it for someone my size?i like the gauges on the 03, better.and i think i might get to take one home for 8k out the door.the 650 i am considering also.thirty pounds is a lot to me and i would primarily ride either bike one-up.thoughts,suggestions welcome.my only road bike currently is a 99 electra glide standard,so i am used to weight (730 lbs).

[Kidder]

While your HD weighs alot more, the CG is a heckuva lot lower than the DL.

The changes on the 04 are the new windshield (an improvement, I understand), different turn signals, mirrors, and different handguards. The 650 has a lower seat that supposedly makes quite a bit of difference for those that are inseam challenged. Go to your dealer and sit on both. Of course, you could always order a 650 seat for the 1000, they're interchangeable.

[rider1951]

I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam. The turbulance for me is a non-issue, noise is another matter. I think for one up riding the 650 would be just find, the motor will be turning more rpms but the rear sprocket is also bigger so you could go with a smaller sprocket to help cruising speeds. If the 650 would have been out in the spring of 2002 I might have got it instead of the 1000. Depending on the price differences between a 03 vs 04 I would have to save at least $1000 on a 03 otherwise I think I'd go with the 04. I like the shield better and I'm still out on the guages until I can really sit on one and study them closer.

[Pauljo]

...is the 04 that much more desirable for me than an 03?... when does the windscreen turbulence really kick in,or would it for someone my size?

I am taller (6'6") and for me the turbulence was annoying at anything over 40 mph - and that accounts for most of my riding. I've seen complaints from folks of almost all heights regarding turbulence with the stock windscreen - and the factory optional "tall" screen has received even worse feedback. But there are various aftermarket solutions available in the $100-$150 range, that work pretty well. So I wouldn't make that a determining factor in your purchase decision - just allow an additional $150 for a potential fix when you are comparing costs.

One other consideration is that the clutch basket issues should be resolved for the '04 models. Some of the '03's were affected, some not. My '03 hasn't really had any problems with that, and I've got over 5000 miles on it now. But some other folks had to have the clutch basket replaced due to an annoying "chudder" at about 3500 rpm.

[e.t.998]

While your HD weighs alot more, the CG is a heckuva lot lower than the DL.

The changes on the 04 are the new windshield (an improvement, I understand), different turn signals, mirrors, and different handguards. The 650 has a lower seat that supposedly makes quite a bit of difference for those that are inseam challenged. Go to your dealer and sit on both. Of course, you could always order a 650 seat for the 1000, they're interchangeable.
i thought the same thing (cg) when i tried to pull up an 04 bmw gs adv
off the kickstand at the bike show.and that was with no fuel in the tank.i told the wife to stop by the suzuki dealer,my buddy is svc mgr there.i told
her to look at the 03 i'm eyeballing.i told her if she thinks that would be something she might want to ride two-up occasionally,that might help me make up my mind.but if i am riding solo on this bike most of the time,i am still going to consider the 650.weight and handling means more to me than power.and if the v-strom truly has any off road manners,which i will
be trying to find out,that 30 lbs makes alot of difference.on the slab,i'm
sure the 1000 would be the ticket for the long rides,which would be done also.it is damn hard deciding between the two and thanks fro the input.

[Kidder]

e.t.998,

The 650 is a stompin' motor. You won't be lacking for power, trust me. I traded my SV650 in for a DL1000. If they would've offered a 650 in 03, I would've bought a 650, no doubt about it.

[Woofy]

Both '04's also have hazard flashers.