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650 or 1K ?

13K views 55 replies 32 participants last post by  booghotfoot 
#1 ·
I'm reading that the 650 is a better buy than the 1000 because of the lower price and lower Insurance costs.

I like the lower cost of ownership but I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs.

Do you think the 650 has enough power for a cross country trip (99% highway - no passenger - just me and my gear.)

What do you think?
 
#2 ·
Yes absolutely. I have been somewhere in the 230 to 260 lb range in the time I rode my DL650's and never had an issue with power whether by myself, with a pile of crap in the back, with a passenger, or with an oversized passenger and a pile of crap in the back.

The DL650 is, in my opinion, much better than any pre-2014 DL1000's, and the new DL1000 is much like a higher powered DL650 but with much better suspension, brakes, dash, etc.

..Tom
 
#4 ·
Here's how I rank the stroms:
14+ 1000
12+ 650
Pre 12 650
Pre 14 1000
 
#6 ·
I have been riding a 2008 DL 1000 for nearly 4 years now, and just last week also picked up a 2006 DL 650. I am enjoying the 650 so much I wish I had of bought one 10 years ago. In my opinion it is a far superior bike and much more enjoyable to ride. I am 6'1" and 260 lbs. Yes, the 650 is noticeably less torquey and powerful than the 1000 but it has the advantage in every other aspect. I can't speak for the newer generation of vstroms.
 
#7 · (Edited)
The 650 has plenty of power for any kind cross country travel. I have taken both of mine to every state but Hawaii. Along with all USA 4 corners, these bikes have taken me across Canada & all over Alaska. So far, my 2012 has 50,000+ miles & my 2013 has 30,000+ miles. Both bikes have been trouble free. Both are fully kitted with side cases & top box, bash plates, engine bars, hand guards, etc. I usually travel with full camping gear & tools for maintenance & repairs. Typical trips range from 3-5 day long weekends of 1000 to 3000 miles up to 4 weeks & 12000+ miles.
 
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#12 ·
kme - check progressive, and use a local agent. I'm in SA and pay way under $200 a year per bike for full coverage.

Also, in the spirit of the thread -- I'm seriously considering re-entering the Strom world after a two-year hiatus, and I'm looking REALLY hard at the WeeStrom. I previously owned an '05 650 and it was a great machine. In the top three bikes I've owned.

Fuel economy, weight, availability of accessories and parts -- 650 all the way, but no love loss on the 1000; great bike and the re-design was a huge step in the right direction.
 
#13 ·
The 650 definitely has enough juice for extended highway riding at speeds up to around 85mph. I took my '14 on a 2-week trip out West from Boston earlier this summer, taking the highway all the way going and coming at gps speeds of 80-85mph. Did around 500 miles a day on those highway days, except for the last day, when I did just over 900 (to surprise my wife a day earlier than expected). With stock gearing, the engine is revving around 6k at 80, from I remember. So, it's a little busy at those speeds, but as we all know has no ill effect on these bullet proof engines. Gas mileage really starts to drop once over 75mph or so, but still respectable. Mine never burned a drop of oil.
Having said that, I recently picked up '14 Vee2. I still plan on keeping the Glee, though. The 1k is certainly more fun. Much better suspension, brakes, butter-smooth hydraulic clutch, torque. I really like the way it handles. But, the 650 is more practical; better gas mileage, takes 87 octane (vs 90 for the vee2), cheaper insurance. I was able to score a sweet deal on the vee2. Basically paid around the same for it as I did for my Glee a year ago. There are dealers out there trying to dump leftover '14 1000's for as low as $8K. I would not pay the msrp of $12699, though. For not much more, might as well go with the super tenere.
 
#15 ·
When I was bike shopping the salesman tried for 6 months to get me to test ride the new 650, I wanted nothing to do with it because it was a 650. One day I was in the right mood and I took it out. Came back and did the paperwork. These things run way out of their class. I have done 1000 mile days at 90 and the bike just smiled at me. I keep thinking I need something bigger, then I get on it and forget all about it. It carries me and all my gear wherever I want to go at license suspension speeds. Best bike ever build considering the cost.

+1 for the >2012 650
 
#19 ·
Wow, no love for the Vee1?

With the added power of 350cc, and only 50 additional pounds of weight, if the choice were Vee1 vs Wee, I'd go Vee any day. But I'm also a bigger guy (6'2" 230 lbs) so the extra weight is no big deal to me. Would like to get a Vee2 some day, but the CFO says no time soon.

Still... any 'Strom is better than no 'Strom.
 
#20 ·
In the eyes of the beholder I guess, as my previous 2 gen 1000 models I owned and enjoyed, cannot overall hold a candle to the 650 versions as an overall package. But yup any Strom has its merits, they are just fabulous machines.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I have a 2014 V2 (1000) with 27,000 kms on the clock. I am 180, 5'11 and have a wife who comes with me occasionally. When a friend decided he'd like one I put him onto the 650XT just as it was about to be released. He'll never carry a load and he only weighs 160.
My 1000 has more poke and better suspension (and I've put much effort into making it a better proposition off-road) but his 650 proved a great bike on our recent 7,000km central Australia trip.
He had plenty of performance and consistently had almost 15% better economy than I did. (He got 53.5 US or 64 Imperial MPG) and he has a slightly bigger tank. He gets a range of over 250 miles all day/any day.
It also has spoked wheels which may be an advantage on rough ground.

I wouldn't replace my 1000 but I like riding his 650XT very much.
 
#28 ·
At 260 pounds I would say I did not like the lack of passing power of a 650. I'm 6'-4" tall, 38" waist, 51" chest and my old DL1000 limits my passing ability. Its really not a powerful bike at 90 to 100 hp and 550 pounds plus all the luggage and bolt ons you add. There are times I would like to pass a slow truck on a mountain road and don't have the power loaded with camping gear. I would not be happy with less power at all in a twin like a Strom. For touring my old FJR1300 had enough power to me, not too much, not too little. I could always pass when I wanted on my FJR, I could pass when I shouldn't have too, but its fun winding them out sometimes. I switched to the DL1000 since it handled dirt roads and camping better.

But, really.... your the only one that knows for sure. I went through a phase and rode my thumper all over when I was 36 years old. My main bike at the time was a DR650, thats about 35 hp. It was fun actually for a while, I just took my time. I also had heavy fast ST bikes and a KTM950, yet I liked my little thumper for some reason even cross country. But I had options, if i had one bike it would not be a 650 anything. Gotta have a bike with decent power when I need to get somewhere quickly in comfort. But, its all personal preference, some guys get by with a Ural side car rig at 50 mph.

If I was shopping new it would be a DL1000 no doubt, fresh design. The old ones have better forks and gearing for relaxed 75 mph cruising. I can run my old 06 Vee at 4,000 RPM all day in 6th at interstate speeds and its relaxed, easy on the engine, no drama, still has passing power. Decent pull to 90 mph plus in 5th, so you can promptly go around a fast cruising semi truck and get clean air etc....

Ride both as used examples and decide whats good for you. I like to use the same dealer for purchasing over and over again, that way they let me have test rides!
 
#30 ·
I am actively looking for a [another] 2012+ Vstrom 650 but I just saw a brand new 2014 V2 just pop up for $7400 locally. Now I'm not sure which way to go. The 1000 would still be near $10,000 accessorized to my liking. That is the only thing holding me back. A $3000 savings on the 650 = 60,000 miles in gas. That's the only reason I haven't bought the 1000 yet. I already own a '12 Glee so I know what it's capable of and its limitations. I have had no issues riding the Glee 2-up other than my wife not enjoying long rides anymore and falling asleep on the back.
 
#31 ·
...A $3000 savings on the 650 = 60,000 miles in gas.
...
Can't really put my finger on it but something in the:laugh2: back of my mind seems to say you should stick with the 650. :)

..Tom
 
#33 ·
I am looking at buying a Glee over a Vee2 for a few reasons. Big ones are insurance, gas, initial cost, and the overly complicated fueling crap (multiple throttle plates and exhaust restriction plate). As a car and heavy equipment mechanic this is the most complicated crap I have ever heard of on any engine.
 
#34 ·
...
, and the overly complicated fueling crap (multiple throttle plates and exhaust restriction plate). As a car and heavy equipment mechanic this is the most complicated crap I have ever heard of on any engine.
Two throttle bodies and a plate that opens for resonance tuning is complicated? What kind of cars do you work on?

..Tom
 
#36 ·
Secondary throttles are not conceptually unlike CV carbs.. Just that instead of being run by vacuum they are run by computer. Suzuki has used them at least since the first V-Strom. Nothing new there and I think the 650's have them as well.

There are vehicles that have valves that open in the exhaust.. The Porsche Macan S, GTS and Turbo always have at least one, and vehicles with sport exhausts have a second.

Regardless, it all seems to work. There's lots of good reasons to get a DL650 over the DL1000 but calling the systems in the 1000 complicated crap really is a silly one.

..Tom
 
#37 · (Edited)
BTW vee2 1000 is definitely on my shortlist. I don't hate it, I am just listing my reasons why I am not choosing it over a 650.




As far as I know the 650's just have a single throttle plate per cylinder, nothing else. CV carbs use the vacuum created by the slide to add fuel by moving the slide up, this bike is injected. The vehichles you listed are probably not the most reliable and are expensive luxury vehichles not sub 10k motorycles. It really seems that the vee/vee2 motors are great but couldn't meet emissions so they kept on throwing junk on top of junk to make it pass. Vee needs a all new motor/cam profiles to make it pass emissions and reduce clutter. Please list another motorcycle with a system this complicated, I would love to hear about it.
 
#39 ·
All V-Stroms have cable controlled primary throttle plates and computer controlled by stepper motor secondary throttle plates.
 
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