2007 650 vstrom VS 2017 or newer

The 2017 engine upgrades definitely make the motor more peppy. 👍

Putting some SV Cams in your Strom might help

Went from 2009 to a 2018…. Very nice, still a 650 but seems more peppy, sounds better. Newer have been reported to be a bit less fairing coverage, no issue for me. Air cleaner same place.

The Gen 3 (2017 and later) motor is a bit stronger as well as a bit more efficient compared to the Gen 1. However, I wouldn't call the difference dramatic, so if it's power you want, you may be a candidate for the liter bike. And yes, the air filter is under the tank in all generations.

This may be useful: Wee vs Wee: 2008 and 2021

ThruST said:

Putting some SV Cams in your Strom might help

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Sounds pricey 🤑 but can you elaborate on that? Does that make it more noticeably peppy? Cost?

Improperly Torqued said:

This may be useful: Wee vs Wee: 2008 and 2021

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This was very useful thank you!

Thebikechick said:

This was very useful thank you!

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Glad it helps. I just updated it with some observations from my first multiday road trip, which I had not yet done on a Gen 3.

Thebikechick said:

Sounds pricey 🤑 but can you elaborate on that? Does that make it more noticeably peppy? Cost?

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It's probably only cost effective if you do it yourself. Basically you install SV cams in the WEE. Search the site there should be several threads about it. Here's one.

ThruST said:

It's probably only cost effective if you do it yourself. Basically you install SV cams in the WEE. Search the site there should be several threads about it. Here's one.

Cam Swap into DL650, Sweet and Easy

:thumbup: I just recently completed the Cam Swap into my DL650 thanks to the help of some capable friends and it is working perfectly as expected, What I did was install the SV650 Intakes Cam Swap, Gen 2 SV650 Intakes on DL650 Intake Side, and Gen 1 SV650 Intakes on the Exhaust Side, Front...

www.stromtrooper.com

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Thank you! That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

ThruST said:

It's probably only cost effective if you do it yourself. Basically you install SV cams in the WEE. Search the site there should be several threads about it. Here's one.

Cam Swap into DL650, Sweet and Easy

:thumbup: I just recently completed the Cam Swap into my DL650 thanks to the help of some capable friends and it is working perfectly as expected, What I did was install the SV650 Intakes Cam Swap, Gen 2 SV650 Intakes on DL650 Intake Side, and Gen 1 SV650 Intakes on the Exhaust Side, Front...

www.stromtrooper.com

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What does this trade off? Presumably low end torque for horsepower?

The SV cam swap may gain you some higher end HP at the cost of low end torque, depending on how you ride this could be of benefit. But I think the main reason your SV650 felt peppier was it was a good deal lighter than your DL.

Personally if you feel the DL isn't peppy enough, you may really need a different bike.

2014 & up 1000 Strom will get ya what youre lookin for. & only around 30lbs heavier than the 1st gen 650

+ waaay better brakes & suspension adjustability

Cheap Pep would be changing the front sprocket to a smaller one, like a 14 tooth. This will have the same effect as shifting from the bigger to smaller front sprocket on a 10 speed bicycle.
Drawbacks: less top speed, slight drop in mpg. A worn chain will wear a new sprocket out faster. Best time to do a sprocket swap is when also changing the chain and rear sprocket, which ain't cheap, but necessary sooner or later anyway.

om28 said:

The SV cam swap may gain you some higher end HP at the cost of low end torque, depending on how you ride this could be of benefit. But I think the main reason your SV650 felt peppier was it was a good deal lighter than your DL.

Personally if you feel the DL isn't peppy enough, you may really need a different bike.

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I love the comfort and fit of the bike (I'm 5' 5" so i have a hard time getting a low enough seat height. And I don't like to lower a bike) and I like being able to carry all my stuff for trips. It would be more fun if it had more pep and better brakes. Those are the 2 improvements I would make. And move the air filter so it's easier to do basic maintenance 🙃

Motorpsychology said:

Cheap Pep would be changing the front sprocket to a smaller one, like a 14 tooth. This will have the same effect as shifting from the bigger to smaller front sprocket on a 10 speed bicycle.
Drawbacks: less top speed, slight drop in mpg. A worn chain will wear a new sprocket out faster. Best time to do a sprocket swap is when also changing the chain and rear sprocket, which ain't cheap, but necessary sooner or later anyway.

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That makes my legs tired just thinking about pedaling in the small front ring all the time! 😆
I don't

mr2mch01 said:

2014 & up 1000 Strom will get ya what youre lookin for. & only around 30lbs heavier than the 1st gen 650

+ waaay better brakes & suspension adjustability

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My friend has a 2014 1000 he's gonna let me ride today to see the difference.

EBC HH pads front and rear will improve the braking👍

Thebikechick said:

I love the comfort and fit of the bike (I'm 5' 5" so i have a hard time getting a low enough seat height. And I don't like to lower a bike) and I like being able to carry all my stuff for trips. It would be more fun if it had more pep and better brakes. Those are the 2 improvements I would make. And move the air filter so it's easier to do basic maintenance 🙃

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I understand the switch from the SV to the DL, I did the same thing (2006 SV650) for the same reason, more comfort and carrying ability.

So to summarize all the ideas here:

Smaller front sprocket
Exhaust
Cam Swap
Front brake caliper upgrade (Honda CBR takeoffs)
DL1050 (I'll add Triumph Tiger 800/900)

I think moving to one of the larger bikes will give more "pep" plus better brakes & suspension. I don't have a solution to the air filter.

Another thing to consider before spending money is that your bike is running correctly. I didn't notice a huge difference in pep between my SV and DL, nor do many people complain of lack of power from the DL650 for what it is.

Same with brakes. When the bike was new the brakes were fine, I added HH pads, maybe a slight improvement. A few years ago I noticed the front brakes were horrible, changed fluid and greased the pins the calipers slide on, big improvement.

Last year I bought a 2012 BMW, it ran OK, or so I thought since I had nothing to compare it to. Slowly worked my way through it to get the maintenance up to date (fluids, plugs, throttle body sync, air filter, etc.) Bike now runs so much smoother with better low RPM throttle response - who knew?