I picked up my new 800 DE yesterday, unloaded it from thr truck, and rode it to the Eastern Gathering and back home in a little more than 24 hours.
The bike got 57 mpg round trip. Filling the tank full resulted in a calculated 240 mile range displayed.
The first 600 miles is limited to 4500 rpm, but of course I hit 5000 plus rpm a few times. The buzz at 5000 rpm reported by one reporter is mostly imagination. I guess he felt like he needed to find some kind fault even if it was mostly imagined.
IMO,
It feels like a V-Strom when you sit on it. It sounds like a V-Strom too.
Power is what you would expect. Between the DL650 and DL1000, character more like the very refined DL650 than the bruteness of the 1000, just more power everywhere. Fuel mapping appears perfect.
The bike is VERY smooth. With no meaningful vibration the mirrors are rock stable and crystal clear.
Handling is nimble. The bike feels much lighter than its actual weight.
The display is beautiful, simple, and super easy to use.
The postage stamp windscreen results in no discernable buffeting, but I suspect that is because it isn't big enough to do much. Still the ride was comfortable.
The seat sucks as much as or almost as much as any V-Strom seat and will need to be replaced to do long distances comfortably.
It looks MUCH better in person than in the advertisements.
Several folks rode it at the Iron Horse Lodge, and I expect they will offer opinions as well.
For me, it's a total winner. I'm looking forward to trying it on fire roads.
The bike got 57 mpg round trip. Filling the tank full resulted in a calculated 240 mile range displayed.
The first 600 miles is limited to 4500 rpm, but of course I hit 5000 plus rpm a few times. The buzz at 5000 rpm reported by one reporter is mostly imagination. I guess he felt like he needed to find some kind fault even if it was mostly imagined.
IMO,
It feels like a V-Strom when you sit on it. It sounds like a V-Strom too.
Power is what you would expect. Between the DL650 and DL1000, character more like the very refined DL650 than the bruteness of the 1000, just more power everywhere. Fuel mapping appears perfect.
The bike is VERY smooth. With no meaningful vibration the mirrors are rock stable and crystal clear.
Handling is nimble. The bike feels much lighter than its actual weight.
The display is beautiful, simple, and super easy to use.
The postage stamp windscreen results in no discernable buffeting, but I suspect that is because it isn't big enough to do much. Still the ride was comfortable.
The seat sucks as much as or almost as much as any V-Strom seat and will need to be replaced to do long distances comfortably.
It looks MUCH better in person than in the advertisements.
Several folks rode it at the Iron Horse Lodge, and I expect they will offer opinions as well.
For me, it's a total winner. I'm looking forward to trying it on fire roads.
