I didn't participate in the poll as I feel my level of experience isn't high enough to provide valid input "in poll form".

I did feel compelled to throw this out there though... how many issues are in reference to experience with previous bikes ridden? I've read of the issues here with performance but since I am just learning, I'm sort of letting the bike be the teacher... learning to do what "it" does best. Makes me feel like if I change over to another bike at some point in the future that I will judge that bike by how it is NOT like this one.

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2012 DL1000 Red/Black Just getting started.

My 2006 DL650 has over 202,000 km (125,200+ miles) with essentially no issues

RCACS has around 255,500km (158,348 miles) on his DL650 as of the end of january.

There is a report of a rider having over 300,000 km (186,000+ miles) on his DL1000.

Durability isn't an issue with any flavour of these bikes.

The DL1000 has a few little things to correct to make it run better while the DL650 is pretty much ready to go out of the box. The DL1000 issues are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things although cost a little bit of money and not a reason to buy one over the other. I don't think there is any real difference in reliability, just be aware the DL1000 may cost you a bit more than the original purchase price to make it run the best.

Ride them both and see which one you like more and buy it.

..Tom

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Road Toads Charter Member - 2006 V-Strom DL650: 202,000 km 125,500 miles, 2012 DL650 New March 2012 50,000 km


Why Cars don't see bikes (SMIDSY)
SMIDSY detailed report

I haven't bought a bike that I didn't have to do several farkles, Vee included. I have a Suzuki M109R as a stablemate and it has also been thru the process including two different fuel processors. Nothing new to me.
My thoughts were, If I buy the 650 then I will be performing all that is available to squeeze out more power. Why not just buy the 1000 and be done with it? I knew I would be riding two up most of the time and wanted the extra grunt.
After installing the PC it has become the bike Suzuki only wishes it could sell you. I'm happy with it but I will continue to enhance it to my comfort level.

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2012 DL1000 Adventure (Tinkerbell)
PC-V, TRE, CR8EIX plugs, Madstad bracket, Madstad 22" shield, Fork brace, 17/43 gearing, Airhawks, Chinese mirrors, mirror extenders, RDL.

Wera688 has over a quarter of a million miles on his Vee. Quarter-of-a-Million Mile (252,683) K3 write up

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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

As one of the "Vee haters" I feel obliged to point out:

The ECM/ lean running issues are (AFAIK) confined to a specific production run.

Suzuki supplied replacement ECMs as a factory recall for some of those bikes.

I am one of the stupid ones who had an affected bike (used) and never got either the Suz replacement (too late) or a PCIII (to expensive). Many may say that because of that I shouldn't blame Suzuki, but I call BS on that.
I shouldn't have to spend hundreds of $ on aftermarket crap to make my bike run right - IMHO.

Mine's a '10 and ran lean. I think $300 is a pretty cheap mod considering you only do it once. It works out at a couple of bucks a month. Hell, as many will point out, you can live with it quite easily too.

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'10 Vee Adv
Multiple Farkles :
Stebel Horn with Screaming Banshee,Gorilla Alarm, Madstadt Bracket, RichlandRick's fork brace, accessory shelf and mirror extenders, PCV (Get one from b.layton@svracingparts.com) You'll wish you had sooner!, Twin 12v outlets, Twisted Throttle and PC8 Fuse Blocks, Admore Light Bar, GPS and Contour Camera Ram Mount, Bark Busters, 8k HIDS & an Omni-Cruise Throttle Lock.

My K3 Vee is working like a champ. No serious problems. Power Commander works well. LOVE the Galfer Rotors and pads, impressed by their stopping power. Yellow is the fastest colour, by the way...

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1979 GL1000 Goldwing / 1992 Nighthawk 250 - Baby
2003 DL1000 - Priscilla / 1997 Concours - Ms. Piggy
2002 DL1000 - Fluffy the Torque Monster (Deceased)
2003 DL1000 - Freya, Leather Winged Demon of the Night

You got it all wrong. I like the Vee and want to get one but I've read about too m many problems and on several forums, they advise me to get the Wee instead.

I have found TWO that I really like but once I buy them, I really wont' have money left to have anything fixed if needed. One of them has the power commander.

My 05 had a pc3 when i bought it with 24K miles, I did have to replace the seal in the waterpump at 29K, but other than that its nothing but tires and oil

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05 DL1000

With damage I meant stuff like engine failure in any way or some other component that's poorly designed and can create problems.
Bad clutch, on the Suzuki Burgman 650 CVT problems and so on.