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Considering Defecting

3K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  HokiesRWee 
#1 ·
I ask for your discretion here. I'm afraid my XR650L may not understand. It's not that we arent happy, we are, but something is missing. She really only likes the dirt roads and trails, while she tries on the highway that part of relationship just won't work.

I've been secretly watching the classifieds and dealerships for a DL650. I've narrowed down to 08-13. I just am not sure which one I'd like yet. Thats why I'm here, I only want to do this once.

My main concerns are the windshield jimmy-buffeting problem. Is this any better in the new models?

To those who have been on both gen's which do you prefer and why (pavement vs dirt road worthiness especially)?

Please try to keep it down, I want to break it to the Honda gently.

Does anyone know if the 13's come in black?
 
#2 ·
I only have a couple hundred miles on the 2013 650. I didn't experience any annoying head vibrating like I have on my '09.... so far. The windshield is in the middle position. I am around 5-8. Lots of info on making the earlier model work. I think smaller windshield and/or madstad bracket. Others prefer the barn door approach.

As far as dirt goes...if you mean hard surface/gravel the strom is okay but of course you won't be riding them with the same abandon as the XR.

white/blue are available for 2013. Suzuki website might be the place to look.
 
#6 ·
+1 on the above. I'm new to the V-Strom but the Touring Screen works great for me in the middle position. I have a 2012 Adventure and it's screen is better than the huge shield and lowers on my Roadstar Silverado cruiser.....Mike
 
#4 ·
I think theres a reason why there is only one thread on windshields and buffeting. Largely because no two people experience wind protection the same way and agree on what works well. I doubt there is a consensus on whether the '12 and newer are any better than the old bikes. Well, maybe from the '12 owners that think the new bike is a total magic carpet by comparison.:green_lol:
You're right to try to narrow it down and only do the purchase once. I could have bought a '12 but chose an '11 for the following reasons.
Most parts and accessories from '04 to '11 will fit. Thats a lot of years of development. It was going to take the '12s some times to catch up, if they do (probably will I think).
I could buy an '11 for less money plus they were giving the bags for $199.
I liked the larger tank on the '11.
I wasn't crazy about the styling on the '12. (not crazy about the earlier bikes either but liked it slightly more.)
That was really about it. I've had no reason to regret my decision. A 12 would have been fine but I'm pleased with the one I have.
 
#5 ·
I went from an XR650 to the DL650 and I have to say I like my wee far better than my old thumper. I do miss the off-road ability of of my Honda, but the wee is more capable in the rough than you might expect, especially with some modifications. The on-road performance is not even in the same league. The ability to load my bike up with gear and go virtually anywhere where there is at least some resemblance of a road on multi-day trips makes the wee the winner. It does this very well, and at an affordable cost.
 
#7 ·
I have a 2006 DL650 that I bought new in 2006 and has over 125,000 miles. I essentialy retired it March if 2012 when I bought my 2012 DL650 which now has about 30,000 miles on it.

The 2012 is better in almost every way and most of the improvements have meant that not nearly as much is required with respect to upgrades.

The larger tank of the earlier models would be nice to increass range, but is a non issue. My average projected Tank range is basically the same with both bikes (267 miles on the 2006 vs 264 miles on the 2012 even though the 2012 has seen a higher percentage of higher speed riding and cold weather riding which both reduce mileage.)

On my 2006 I upgraded the rear suspension with an Elka Setup and did Cartridge emulators and a couple of different spring setups before I got it right for me. I don't see any real reason to do the same on the 2012 as it is much better stock than the 2006 was. My weight is around 245 lbs nowadays.

The stock windshield on the 2012 was way better than stock on the 2006, but I got a Madstad to make it better and so I could use my large GIVI windshield from the 2006 (and in hotter weather I put a smaller stock 2006 Windshield on it.)

The instruments are much nicer. I didn't initialy like the digital speedometer but am used to it. I love the fuel milage readouts and that I can change to MPH when in the USA.

The engine does feel more refined than the 2006 but mine has the same amount of (minor) vibration. It revs 500 rpm less but feels like it has much more midrange torque so pulls quite a bit better.

Even though I understand there is no difference in the brake setup and pads vs the 2006 (apart from ABS) the brakes feel more effective. I can't comment on ABS differences from earlier generations as the 2006 didn't have ABS but it works extremely well on the 2012 and I hate to say has saved my butt a couple of times (once overly enthusiastic riding on my part and another because of an incredbly bonehead move by a car that caught me offguard.)

The 2006 needed the front to be lowered before it was stable in winds, the 2012 doesn't need that and is very stable stock. I oput the Fork Brace from the 2006 on my 2012 after riding iot for a while.

If there was no 2012 redsign I likely would still be riding my 2006 but the changes are enough that I find it hard to want to ride the old bike. If prices were similar getting a 2012 or newer is a no-brainer but the earlier generation DL650's are still wonderful bikes!

..Tom
 
#8 ·
.

I've narrowed down to 08-13. I just am not sure which one I'd like yet. Thats why I'm here, I only want to do this once.


To those who have been on both gen's which do you prefer and why (pavement vs dirt road worthiness especially)?
I own an '04 Wee and a '12 ( new generation ) Wee. There is nothing wrong with looking for a Gen I Wee that is a good value. Especially if it has some farkles that you would buy anyway. You can get them with or without ABS, the Gen II bikes are ALL ABS. If your budget is tight you can probably do better looking for a used Gen I Wee. They have always been a great bike.

BUT, if you can get yourself into a 2012 or 2013 ( there are used 2012's on the market already ) you will not regret it especially if you plan to keep the bike many years. Out of the box the new bikes are simply superior in about every way ( headlights are still much better on the old bike! ). The front suspension is not nearly as harsh as the older bikes. Good enough that while I may make an oil viscosity change I don't plan on putting the emulators in it like we did the '04. Rear suspension seems a little better but I don't know why it would be. Brakes are the same, assuming you compare it to a Gen I with ABS. While the fuel tank is smaller I can go just as far per tank as the new bikes simply gets better mileage than the old ones. Windscreen is much better, but I still went aftermarket. Seat is better.....but I still went aftermarket. Gauge package/switch gear is something I like a lot better. Overall the Gen II seems way lighter than the book says it is and I really like how the engine runs. Not just the power, but the response and even the fact it is quieter.

I would be willing to spend quite a bit more to get the new models. They are that much improved in my opinion.
 
#9 ·
It sounds like if you're considering a new bike then money must not a factor?

It was for me so my bike was 8k miles broke in when I got it 2 years ago and it was half the price of a new 2011.

Someday I might buy a new one or might not? I love my wee and everything it can do so I ask why bother?

My .02 about buffeting is that I have a stock windshield on the highest setting and have zero issues with it. The only major change I did was put on bar end mirrors and that got rid of the little bit it had which was tolerable. For reference I am 5' 10" with a 30 inch inseam.

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#10 ·
...my bike was 8k miles broke in when I got it 2 years ago and it was half the price of a new 2011.

Someday I might buy a new one or might not? I love my wee and everything it can do so I ask why bother?

My .02 about buffeting is that I have a stock windshield on the highest setting and have zero issues with it. The only major change I did was put on bar end mirrors and that got rid of the little bit it had which was tolerable. For reference I am 5' 10" with a 30 inch inseam.

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Sounds very familiar. I paid ~half new cost for my '07 Wee in very early 2012.

I sort-of want a WeeII (2012 & up), but not that badly. I like the larger fuel tank of the WeeI models. People I trust here say fuel mileage isn't improved significantly with WeeIIs - not enough to make up for the significantly smaller tank.

Based on what I'd read on this forum I'd expected to have all kinds of buffeting issues but when I got my bike the screen was in the middle setting (I believe), and I thought I felt some buffeting, so I decided to move it down instead of up, and I'm very pleased with the result. Nearly no buffeting - no Madstad bracket, etc. Granted, I don't ride much beyond 60-70 mph indicated, but I notice no buffeting up to those speeds. I'm 6' 4". 34" inseam.

The OP in this thread said they're searching for '08 - '13 (?) models. I'm curious - what do '08s have that '07s (like mine) don't? I searched for '07s and up - to get two plugs per cylinder...
 
#13 ·
Funny.

Thanks for commenting guys...
 
#14 ·
Sorry for the late reply. Got busy and haven't been on.

Reason for the 08 up was alternator output increase. I'm a better to have it and not need it kind of person.

I'm looking for the best dealnfor the price. Money is a factor, but I should have about 5 grand to play with. So I can look to buy used outright or put a substantial down payment on a new one. So I'm just trying to get a feel for what you guys think of how they stack up against each other.

Some great replies. I appreciate them. Would llike more suspension comparisons, that may be a determining factor.

I'll really try to reply before the next lunar phase this time....
 
#15 ·
Some great replies. I appreciate them. Would llike more suspension comparisons, that may be a determining factor.
Greywolf, some months ago, provided his overall assessment of WeeIIs versus original Wee. I know he mentioned suspension. He's probably updated that original post a time or two. I'd trust whatever he said. I can offer nothing of value..
 
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