After having my 2017 DL650 for almost a year and putting 3000 miles on it, I have concluded that it is too top-heavy, too tall, and too heavy for me (5 ft 7" 50ish female newbie rider). I'm also just a little too small for it, having to reach for the handlebars and leaning forward instead of sitting upright. Wish I'd figured this out before I farkled the hell out of it but... I didn't.
So, any suggestions on what bikes I should look at? One fellow Stromtrooper raves about his Honda CB500X, so I will look at that. Thanks.
I test rode a very low km (1700) 2015 a few weeks ago because my wife was interested in it. She also finds the Wee to top heavy and tall, she currently rides a 650 V-Star cruiser. The BMW was a good fit for her, lighter, lower with a lower C of G. It has some great features and an excellent instrument display and seemed to have enough power but I couldn't take it out on the highway as it wasn't insured at the time. We didn't buy it because the price was out of line for its age despite having very low mileage. It also had been dropped a few times with minor damage to the right side crash bars and turn lights. The guy selling it was the second owner and only put 200 km on it in two years while he was attempting to get his motorcycle licence. He couldn't pass the first stage of the driving exam (parking lot test) so lost interest. The worst part about this bike is it was neglected from lack of use. If the right used F 700 comes along my wife will likely get one.
The 2019 model CB500X has a 19” front wheel and a longer suspension travel than the 2013-2018 models - resulting in a seat height about 2” higher than the older models.
Several bikes come to mind. Suzuki SV650 (Dry Wt ~365 lbs.), Yamaha FZ07 (Dry Wt ~360 lbs.). The biggest thing to consider sounds like ergonomics. Use the following web app to check how well you fit on most any bike out there. Click Here >>> Motorcycle Ergonomics It's a great program that lets you compare an contrast many different bikes. Example readouts are shown below. Good Luck!!! :thumbup:
I have a V2 and also a Versys X300 for me to use on our fire roads. It is a little lower and a lot lighter but still a great adventure bike. I weight 210 and it has no problem propelling me down the interstate at 75 mph.
My 5' 4" wife has no problem pushing it around the garage and driveway and riding it. She can even get it off the ground pretty easily. It is 385 lbs. There are a good number of female owners on our X300 forum.
It's funny, I was actually considering the Versys X300 before I got the DL650. If your wife can get it off the ground, that's great! Means I should be able to, as well.
That's a reasonable bike if you are not touring - bit more capable off pavement ...same seat height, lighter bike but less power and not as good fuel mileage due to the higher rpm needed.
You'd be fine with either ...there are more used CB500x out there.
New Kawasaki Z400 is worth a look. Peppy for a 400. I made the switch to a Honda NC700X 2 months ago. Love it! Weight is down low because the gas tank is under the seat & the cylinder head is almost horizontal. 3 things I noticed right away: Way more low-end torque than my Vstrom 650. Much more flickable since the center of gravity is down low. Also, if I were to drop the Honda I can easily pick it up. Those days are over with the Vstrom. I was 50 when I bought it new. 62 now & I can't pick it up when I drop it. So I went shopping on Cycletrader. There are some new leftover NC700X going cheap. Mine was $4997. Some are much less. Mine's a keeper. The Iron Giraffe will be sold soon.
Something to consider for lowering a VStrom is the need to shorten the side stand. All too often I read of lowering but not addressing the side stand which can now leave the bike too upright and easy to tip over.
I don't really think dl650 is heavy and top heavy bike, try my tenere xt660z if you want find out what is top heavy bike
I can understand though v-strom is too tall and too heavy for you to move around in the garage, because when riding it's very light and nimble.
Maybe keep it and take some training on your v-strom? it really helps.
I appreciate the suggestion. I agree that when riding the V-Strom, it IS very light and nimble. It's those moments when I am not riding it (or riding slow) that give me trouble. You're right that courses would help. I have before done low-speed drills in empty parking lots (thanks to Motojitsu on Youtube). Suppose I need to get back to it...
V-Stroms are quite heavy, I think. I'm a big, tall guy, and still in reasonably good health, thankfully, and getting one off the ground would push me pretty hard, at nearly 60 YO.
The CB500X appears much lighter.
If you've been able to handle a V-Strom, for awhile, I suspect handling a CB500X would be a breeze. Some of the other, smaller, bikes that have been mentioned sound like good candidates too.
I think the CB500X is @ 430 lbs? So not AS lightweight as a Kawa Z400 (a darling 368 lbs), for example, but I think the CB's weight is carried lower, as well, so... that would help me.
I think what bmwguy said makes a good bit of sense. You may be able to add all the lowering items
And a set of riser adapters to pull the bars back toward you a bit.
If the lower seat and rear suspension bones get you near 1 1/2 inches or more lower ride height -
would this be a game changer your looking for ???
The fact that you could actually touch the ground when stopped (with both feet) might make that
top heavy feeling go away..
I know on my 2017 it feels top heavy until you get it rolling. Even just a few miles an hour.
And I keep mine fully gassed up most of the time. If you don't ride long distance very often
you could opt for keeping the tank lower on gas. to help with the weight issues.
These are great bikes -so try to keep what you got and make the changes to get it lower.
I think what bmwguy said makes a good bit of sense. You may be able to add all the lowering items
And a set or riser adpaters to pull the bars back toward you a bit.
If the lower seat and rear suspension bones get you near 1 1/2 inches or more lower ride height -
would this be a game changer your looking for ???
The fact that you could actually touch the ground when stopped (with both feet) might make that
top heavy feeling go away..
I know on my 2017 it feels top heavy until you get it rolling. Even just a few miles an hour.
And I keep mine fully gassed up most of the time. If you don't ride long distance very often
you could opt for keeping the tank lower on gas. to help with the weight issues.
These are great bikes -so try to keep what you got and make the changes to get it lower.
Thanks for the ideas. I agree, once you get the 17 DL650 rolling, it's great. I honestly don't want to lower the seat and change the suspension because on the one hand it might help, but on the other hand, it does not address the bike being (for me) top-heavy and heavy in general. Also, if I do end up switching bikes, then that is even more money I have sunk into the bike.
All suggested Bikes seem to be viable candidates. Whenever possible try to get a test ride, as this will tell you if the bike will fit to you.
The 2017 650 has indeed a slightly forward oriented seating position when compared to the 2016 Model. I had my time to get used to this position, however, now I like this setup as it allows for a more dynamic driving style.
Haha, Macdoc, I knew you would say something like that. I sat on CB500X the other day- just sat on it. Liked the smaller size. Saleslady tried getting me on the 750, and I told her I am trying to get away from that bigger (to me) size. Honestly, just keeping all my options open right now, including possibly keeping the DL650 for now. But thanks for all the CB500X help.
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