Sorry, SV1000 naked and Strom

[JadeRider]

Good day!

I am sorry, I know many people are asking something like this.

I loved the Strom when it was announced last year. I have seen one in my area but never been on one. However, I have sat on a Triumph TIger and I am only on my tip toes, so it concerns me that I would be unable to control it at low speeds, if it is as top heavey as some people say.

Given that, would a naked SV1000 be a good choice?

I would do a combo of metro riding, weekend touring (~250 miles) (sometimes 2-up), ocassional long touring (500 miles)

Would a 650 Strom be able to handle these chores also?

So it is a triple question I guess.

Thanks

The "Strom" is a great two up platform. Even the 650 as I understand. It's a inch or two shorter than the 1000 so that would solve your clearance issue. The SV is much more of a solo "sport bike" kind of deal. Both DL motors are really outstanding and a good deal too. I think for the useage you describe, you can't go wrong with a DL.

TL

[Joe S.]

I happen to own a '03 SV1000 naked with about 6k on it. My dl650 has only been around a couple of weeks so an in depth comparison is not posssible but this is my impression.
The SV 1000 is a much more powerful machine, on the order of about 40 hp based on my personal dyno results and the dyno results I've seen for the 650 Strom. It is a far more explosive power delivery than the Strom also, which you may like or may not. If it is strictly road riding I do like the 1000, if it were dirt road the 650 power delivery rules.
Out of the box the Strom is more comfortable, it has a windscreen, not the best I've experienced but it does have one. I put a quarter fairing on the SV1000 and it does break up the wind but of course it is no goldwing.
Also the seat of the Strom is at least decent, the SV1000 is not. I ended up having it redone on a custom basis and the bike is now quite comfortable for up to over 400 miles a day. I haven't done that long a day on the Strom but I know 200 was acceptable. The strom seat could definitely be improved but as stock goes, its not that bad.
I would say tht the SV runs at a far more relaxed engine speed on the highway. The strom is turning near 5000 rpm at an indicated 65 mph. This does not seem to bother the Strom motor in the slightest and it shows every indication that it will do this day in and day out, but it does sound a bit 'busy' to my ear. Just will take some getting used to.
As an all around bike for the chores you describe the Strom is a better choice if you're going with your head. The SV is a wonderful machine but it is definitely more narrowly focused. You could have a great time with either one and either could do the things you want but I do think the Strom holds an edge if practical things like luggage racks, wind protection and upright seating are significant/

[Lmundy]

I sat on a Tiger too, with the same result. Even though the specs are not that far apart, it just somehow "sits" taller than the Strom. I bought a DL1000 and while I'm not flatfooted in thin-soled shoes, I'm darn close (32" inseam) and in thick-soled boots I leave a whole footprint for the crime lab to investigate. All I can speculate, since I don't/can't have them side by side, is that the Strom has more compliant initial suspension "squish" or a narrower seat-front or some combination of things that makes it friendlier for me than the Tiger - which I'm sure is a great bike (I only sat, didn't ride) but felt like straddling the Empire State Building.

I'd say that if the naked SV1000 interests you, you might look at the DL1000 Strom, because it does have the extra torque and power you'd get in the SV if that's what you're after. The DL650 Strom will go as fast as humans have any business going, it's just spinning a little faster to do that and doesn't have quite the reserve "grunt" of the 1000. The naked SV650 is probably the better comparison to the DL650, since it's the same basic motor.

The 650 Strom is 30 or 40 pounds lighter than the 1000 and that's a difference you can feel around town and in tight spots, so for what you describe as "metro riding" it might serve better; having tried both I went for the 1000 because I think it will be better two-up and on long trips and I don't fight much urban traffic anyhow. The ergonomics are basically the same between the two, basically the same bike with different motors and swingarms although the 650's seat is a hair lower.

Both Stroms are basically fantastic, as you'll see if you read most of the posts here, and for me the bar-peg-seat relationship can't be beat. I don't want to take long trips crouched over, and in traffic I appreciate the greater field of vision I get on the Strom. You need to just go find one and sit on it and imagine yourself doing whatever kind of riding you do (it's OK to make vroom-vroom noises too), then do the same with whatever else you're thinking about, and in each case think about being in that particular seat for the time it takes to cross a state line or two, and my guess is that either Strom will look really good to you. Don't make your judgment based on a different adventure-tourer like the Tiger; it's a different animal. If I had made a judgment of the entire A-T class based on my impressions riding a BMW GS, I'd still be riding my Yamaha.