[r60rider]

I'm considering going from a 2011 DL650 to a 2023. I'm happy with everything about the 2011, but with 120,000 miles I want more reliability for long distance endurance riding, and at 70 this will be my last bike to buy. I looked at a 2023 and it seems that the fairing and windshield are narrower and shorter. How does the wind (and rain, and hail) protection compare to the older model. I also noted that the headlights are still halogen, and instead of two units, there is only one. The 2011 had the best lighting I'd ever experienced. How does the new one shape up?
Finally, I have quick-release saddlebags that require a 1/2" tubular luggage rack and checked out the Givi racks, but wonder what the distance is between the top tube on the rack and the top of the muffler on the right side.

Thanks for the help

 

[Philbytx]

IIRC, They improved the motors on the 2017 model .....but, going forward, nothing too much on the bike after that.

 

[dmfdmf]

What is unreliable about your 2011? They usually are burning a little oil at that age but other than that still solid. If you've done a ton of mods and customizations one option would be to track down a used 2011 with much lower miles and keep rolling. Easy peasy to move all your stuff over without fitment issues.

I went from a 2007 Wee (Gen1B) to a 2014 Wee (Gen2) and never like it as much so I sold it and bought back my old bike last Jan. Main issues were the buffeting, engine vibe at 5K RPM that did not exist on the 2007. I don't know if the buffeting and engine vibes were fixed in the current models but I suspect not. I also did not care for all the electronic doodads on the newer model. As far as the mods and farkles go I learned that after 5 years on my 2007 I had things just right and when I moved to the 2014 I was starting over which was a much bigger loss than I had realized.

I'd recommend seeing if you can rent or borrow a Gen3 Wee (2017+) for an extended ride before pulling the trigger. Maybe you can meet someone nearby with a Gen3 and do a ride swap for an hour or whatever.

 

[Hans471]

I went from a Gen 1 Wee, which I loved for the twelve years I enjoyed it, to the Gen 3 that came out in 2017. There was never a problem with my 2005 bike and I thought it was perfect. Boy, was I glad I traded up! The Gen 3 was just so much better a bike. Felt lighter, had a vastly better engine, better dash, handled better, felt lighter, etc. Amazing how much they had improved that bike! I would NEVER go from a Gen 3 (3017 on) back to one of the previous generations. The Gen 3 is just better in so many ways.

 

[r60rider]

Comparison of wind and rain protection is basically what I’m after. Then the headlights ability to light up the road.

cheers

 

[Gert]

To me, the analogue needle style gauges of the 1st gen models appeal to me more than the newer digital display gauges. The digital display gauges look too much like a computer game and sometimes are difficult to read is brighter light coditions plus to those older riders who may need reading glasses to be able to read the fine print on the digital display.
While the engine peformance on the newer models are deemed better, they are reliant on a lot of electronics to fuction. Like with most computerised motorcycle fuctions, failures require more complex fault tracing equipment, thus the more expensive everything becomes.
While I realise that upgrading one's ride from time to time is necessary for economic and other reasons, I would hang on to the L1 Wee a while longer until the M3 has been proven itself to be just as or more reliable than your current ride. After all, buying brand new / out the box is not cost effective...

 

[om28]

Comparison of wind and rain protection is basically what I’m after.

You and me both, I have a first gen 2009 and the small fairing/windshield of the newer bikes have always been a concern of mine. Unfortunately I have no first hand experience but echoing a few folks here is that the new bikes wind coverage is not as good. Hopefully some will chime in to give you better info.

There are a few things I like better about the the first gen bikes, and figured I would buy a low mileage 2011 (in white) and transfer all my farckles over, as suggested above.

 

[ratbikerandy]

I understand perfectly what you are asking. I have a 2008 with 64,000 miles and am very happy with it and like the dual analog gauges, big dual headlights, good wind protection. Starting to think about age and mileage though.

I have Happy Trails panniers and the will not transfer to the 2017 + model due to where the muffler is. I like the looks of the new model that comes with the factory aluminum SW Motech bags, but they are too high and interfere with getting on/off the bike too much. They also may get in the way with top luggage or duffle bag on the back seat.

For now, I am keeping mine but would consider either a 2012-2016 or a 2017+ without bags and buy the best option for me. The 2nd gen muffler may allow the same luggage as first gen, but not sure.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Very happy with my 2017 DL 650. I wrote here soon after joining that if Suzuki had consulted me during the design phase, this is the bike I would have come up with. No bike is perfect and the Gen3 has its quirks and shortcomings; mostly having to do with long-interval maintenance, like valve shim replacement, coolant change, etc.
I wear reading glasses, but legal to drive without, and I typically do. I can't read the small font on the instrument cluster without squinting for 5-10 seconds, (Gear, Temp, Trip, etc) but I know from memory. The info itself is large and bold enough for me to read easily.
I'm not one to ask about wind buffeting. My '80 Kawasaki KX750E has no windshield or fairing, the 2001 ZX11 I had had full bodywork incl a tuck behind windshield, so the smallish DL 650 windshield is relatively good. Some on the Forum have improved wind buffeting with different mirrors and/ or mirror extensions; Madstad and Givi windscreens are popular fixes, too. Mine came with the factory saddlebags so I can't help there.
My gen has the stacked lighting and is very good. I upgraded to led lo and hi beams, and added led driving lights. Good driving or fog lights have come along way and many good quality units are priced reasonably if you would find the stock lights inadequate.

 

[TinMan88]

Motorpsychology has a good point I had never heard before. Eyesight and focus between far & near. I like the older analog clocks for ease of use. I have the gen 1 fairing buffeting fixed but the rain pulls into the pocket behind the screen. The new bike is for sure more aero -efficient..

edit: This is hardly a critical write-up but touches on why this bike is so revered Your luggage swap might be a sticking point. I think, if you have the budget for it, the 23 is an upgrade you will enjoy.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650/XT/XT Adventure

Suzuki’s 650 twin doesn’t feature the latest technology, but the V-Strom 650 still makes a compelling case as a bargain do-anything bike.

www.cycleworld.com

 

[Nicad]

For me, on my 2017, the stock seat had to go as well as the stock windshield. With a Russell seat and Givi windshield, I can be comfortable for a long day of riding. I really like the display on the 2017. Great tach, easy to read Speedo and gear indicator. The bike has two headlights top and bottom. Seems to work well.
The horn sucks. I prefer the looks of the previous gen. mine is always smooth at any rpm. I do covet the Tiger of Hans471.

 

[wiki]

I have a 2007 650, and no comparison to the newer models, but I put Beamtech LED bulbs in my headlights, and they are great now. I cannot imagine that the latest models have any better lights than that. (There are quite a few threads in which people have other results swapping to LED bulbs, but I'm super happy with everything, brightness and light pattern)

 

[r60rider]

Smiling! I appreciate all of the info, but I’m trying to weigh spending eleven grand for a new model dl650, and the major factors for me are weather protection and nighttime illumination.
cheers

 

[Philbytx]

Madstad Screen, LED bulbs and/or Supplemental lights.👍

 

[Motorpsychology]

Smiling! I appreciate all of the info, but I’m trying to weigh spending eleven grand for a new model dl650, and the major factors for me are weather protection and nighttime illumination.
cheers

Weather protection isn't any better or worse than what you have now. Mostly you wear it rather than attach it. I was initially confused by your description of the headlights; "... and instead of two units, there is only one..." Just to clarify, there are two separate halogen bulbs, and separate reflectors for lo (H7) & hi (H9) beam, contained in a single housing. Light output and beam spread is good, however many including myself have upgraded to led bulbs. Use Search Community for "led bulbs" for results. Figure on $50-$120 per led depending on quality and vendor. Generally, the higher the led's lumen rating the brighter the beam, and 5000-6200ºK color temperature is considered optimal for "daylight" color

 

[slovcan]

Smiling! I appreciate all of the info, but I’m trying to weigh spending eleven grand for a new model dl650, and the major factors for me are weather protection and nighttime illumination.
cheers

Maybe sit tight for a year and see how the new 800 turns out to be.

Then again, personally speaking, I can see myself getting a smaller and lighter bike as I get older. Well, not smaller, but lighter which likely means a smaller engine. All my bikes but 2 were litre bikes. My first was a Honda 400/4 and the other "small" one was a VFR750F (smaller, but went like stink).

 

[Hans471]

The Gen 3 bike has a different panel, more digital. It has LOTS more information. The voltmeter and gear position indicator are great. As for those big needled gauges, well if your eyes are so bad you need those to see then maybe you should consider glasses! I have trifocals and everything is clear as can be. I could use bifocals but as I work on a lot of small things the tri's help greatly and give me more options .I have never had any issues with seeing the Gen 3 dash and when I see the older big needle things they look like sometime found on a old "classic" back in the day. Give me digital with more information any day!
As I have said before, I have spent seventeen years on Wee's, Gen 1 and Gen 3. (Skipped Gen 2 as I was happy with Gen 1). The Gen 3 bike is just so much better in so many ways. BUT, if you are one of those who like living in the past because you are comfortable with it or just hate change then that is fine for you. Me, give me the latest and greatest if it has advantages and is just not new for new's sake.

 

[Nicad]

Smiling! I appreciate all of the info, but I’m trying to weigh spending eleven grand for a new model dl650, and the major factors for me are weather protection and nighttime illumination.
cheers

You could come up to Canada and buy a used. 2017 and up with low mileage I paid $5300 for mine brand new. Times have changed since then, but here is a very low mile 2019 for $5100 Usd. (About 3000 miles) Probably still has a warranty as Canadian bikes had 5 year warranties. While the ad is in French, they will no doubt speak English. Beats wondering if 11k is worth it

2019 Suzuki V-STROM 650 DL650 | Street, Cruisers & Choppers | Gatineau | Kijiji

LIVRAISON GARANTIE EN 24 HEURES!2019 Suzuki V-STROM 650 DL650Financement 1er, 2e et 3e chance au crédit!Tous types d'échanges acceptés. Contactez-nous en magasin pour connaître les rabais, spéciaux et promotions! Prêt à vous servir, satisfaction garantie!Notre service après-vente, nous en...

www.kijiji.ca

 

[ludafisk]

Comparison of wind and rain protection is basically what I’m after. Then the headlights ability to light up the road.

cheers

The windshield sucks but the Givi replacement is pretty good though not perfect. The headlights are just as bright as earlier models (I have LED lights). I went from a 2007 to a 2017 and am glad I did.

 

[Motor7]

I wear reading glasses, but legal to drive without, and I typically do. I can't read the small font on the instrument cluster without squinting for 5-10 seconds, (Gear, Temp, Trip, etc) but I know from memory. The info itself is large and bold enough for me to read easily.

Simple/cheap fix:

Bifocal Safety Glasses | FullSource.com

Bifocal safety glasses combine reading glasses and safety glasses together to prevent the user from needing to swap glasses. Shop ANSI Z87.1 styles from Bouton, CrossFire & Elvex.

www.fullsource.com

I have been buying these for years......:

Elvex RX-350BR Sonoma Safety Glasses - Glossy Bronze Frame - Brown Anti-Fog Bifocal Lens | FullSource.com

Elvex Safety Glasses on sale at Full Source! Order the Elvex RX-350BR Sonoma Safety Glasses - Glossy Bronze Frame - Brown Anti-Fog Bifocal Lens online or call 904-296-2240

www.fullsource.com