I think it looks pretty good. I like it better than the 650 change this year. The windscreen is tiny though; it will need an aftermarket for sure. My main concern in buying one would be the aforementioned mechanical issues; hopefully, those will be addrssed as well as a new look.

__________________
06 V-Strom DL650

It amazing how peoples taste differ.
I myself liked the new DL650 styling and hate the concept Vee's sharply defined edges and general bling-bling styling.
IMHO, the pointed beak effect even looks odd on the almighty Ducati.

And to think that Suzuki has to figure out what will sell before they even start scratching out the prototype.
Pleasing us buyers is a difficult market task indeed.

__________________
A "Commuter" not an AdvTourer.
Currently Commuting On: 06 Harley XL1200C, 06 DL1000, 07 GS500F, 2 mopeds, and a pair of sneakers.

You're right, everyone has their own tastes. My 65 year-old sport-bike-only riding friend likes the 04-11 look better than the 12. I kind of do too, even though it's dated and ugly to begin with.

I think the 2014 concept look will get a few buyers if they like the bike as a whole. And to me, that means updating the mechanicals as well, which I am sure they will do. One small detail I do not care for is the double set of hangers welded to the right side of the frame; one for the muffler and another for the passenger pegs. Seems like they could have thought that out a bit more and cleaned up the look.

__________________
06 V-Strom DL650

Two item come to mind...
1.) So I should have at least eight and a half more years of riding left in me.

2.) I'll assume the actual production bikes will have numerous tweaks in their construction for the sake of "mass production" as compared to the somewhat patched together concept/prototype units that are currently floating around the media.

When the actual production bikes hit showroom floors at our local dealers it's gonna' be a blast to go hands-on.
I'll be there!

__________________
A "Commuter" not an AdvTourer.
Currently Commuting On: 06 Harley XL1200C, 06 DL1000, 07 GS500F, 2 mopeds, and a pair of sneakers.

Well you should. He's probably on the verge of 66 and he just picked up his new ZX-14 a month ago. I think he feels like he's just getting started. I hope I can test ride it!

__________________
06 V-Strom DL650

I am currently in the market for a new Vee, and I do not like the looks of the beaked version. Inverted forks mean nothing to me, nor do radial mounted brakes. If the seat height was lower (which I doubt), I would consider waiting for one.
It seems that they are taking the model towards the "GS/Multi" direction, and I do not like that.

USD forks do not need a fork brace. In my experience the front end on the old V-Strom (650 and 1000) was weak from a braking and fork flex standpoint. Congrats to Suzuki for the USD forks AND 4-piston calipers with ABS.

I've never heard of anyone using a fork brace on an USD fork. From what I know, the fork braces began to be popular, in the after market accessory market, in conventional forks in the late 1970s and 1980s to improve handling and overcome basic design flaws in the suspension. V-max owners often outfitted these. V-Strom owners have generally praised the fork brace. In the dirt realm, some peopel have found mixed success with fork braces on air cooled XR series bikes.

I had a fork brace on an XR400R and it was insufficient. The front end would still follow a rut or slide on a log when crossing at a 45 degree angle, though not as bad as without the brace. The solution was two-fold: 1) improve my skills, 2) buy a more modern bike with USD forks. My KTM 300XC with USD forks can cross ruts and downed trees at angles that would have slid out my old XR400R even with the fork brace. The modern forked bike on the same trail with same rider made a nice difference in the subjective feel of the front end. It did NOT make me any faster however.

As far as braking, the old 2-piston calipers were so damn anemic on the V-Strom for emergency braking on the road IMO. Try riding a BMW R1200GS, Multistrada, or even a new generation V-Max (6-piston calipers) and you will immediately see how confidence inspiring properly outfitted motorcycle brakes can be on a truly modern bike.

__________________
current: '12 DL650 Adv black, '08 KTM 990A w/19" Excel front wheel & Renazco, '09 Sherco ST 2.9 Trials motorcycle; Sold: '07 Wee

There is no reason for a fork brace on a USD fork. The design itself makes for a better relationship between the two sides.

__________________
Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Boy that's some ugly bike. Very disjointed in my opinion and the beak is gross. Same motor w no changes. Coming out in 2014 I hear. I think I like the old one much better.

I love the bike except for the beak, but that would not stop me from buying it. I LOVE the color combo, the low exhaust and the look.

__________________
2003 DL1000

Previous bikes;
2003 FJR1300
2005 Concours
2007 Vulcan 900
1981 BMW R100S
1981 CB750

CLICKY HERE TO SEE MY RIDE IN TEXAS HILL COUNTRY FM337