Never buy a first year bike 
. Not even if it is a Suzuki
. Not even if it is a Suzuki
DE 800 vs DL650
Hi,
I am a devoted 650 fan and have owned for 5 years and its done around 80,000km.
Love the bike but it is getting a bit tired. 2013 model.
Dilemma-keep my 650 until is ready for scrap or change to the 800...(or just buy a new 650)
Things I dont like about the 800:
-21 inch front wheel (this will compromise the beautiful cornering that the 650 is brilliant at with 19 inch front wheel)
-Another 15kg heavier
-Reported noticeable vibration at around 5000rpm (no vibes with the 650)
-Fuel tank looks too big and bulbous
Final question...will Suzuki keep making the 650 or is the 800 a replacement?
look forward to reviews/comments
Peter
I am a devoted 650 fan and have owned for 5 years and its done around 80,000km.
Love the bike but it is getting a bit tired. 2013 model.
Dilemma-keep my 650 until is ready for scrap or change to the 800...(or just buy a new 650)
Things I dont like about the 800:
-21 inch front wheel (this will compromise the beautiful cornering that the 650 is brilliant at with 19 inch front wheel)
-Another 15kg heavier
-Reported noticeable vibration at around 5000rpm (no vibes with the 650)
-Fuel tank looks too big and bulbous
Final question...will Suzuki keep making the 650 or is the 800 a replacement?
look forward to reviews/comments
Peter
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
Right and especially never ever buy a first year motor!Never buy a first year bike
Your 650 should not be 'tired' with those kms. Have you noticed performance degrading recently? Maybe you're just getting tired of it?
My '06 has covered 3x the distance and is as fast as I recall it ever being. If you try to keep until it's ready for scrap, it might just outlive you.
My '06 has covered 3x the distance and is as fast as I recall it ever being. If you try to keep until it's ready for scrap, it might just outlive you.
My thoughts exactly.Your 650 should not be 'tired' with those kms. Have you noticed performance degrading recently? Maybe you're just getting tired of it?
My '06 has covered 3x the distance and is as fast as I recall it ever being. If you try to keep until it's ready for scrap, it might just outlive you.
I was very happy with my 1st year 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200, but to be fair the engine was the last of the air cooled GSXRs, already tried and tested.Right and especially never ever buy a first year motor!
I doubt the 21" wheel will hurt the handling on the street. The suspension seems to be much better than the 650. I'm put off by the tube tires.
I bought a first year 2nd gen KLR (2008). I had no concerns since the bike had been in production for about 15 years. It was mostly a cosmetic upgrade except for the mentioned of "improved rings for oil consumption".I was very happy with my 1st year 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200, but to be fair the engine was the last of the air cooled GSXRs, already tried and tested.
I doubt the 21" wheel will hurt the handling on the street. The suspension seems to be much better than the 650. I'm put off by the tube tires.
Yea the bike burned oil like crazy. 1/2 qt per 1000 miles or so. Forums lit up with all kinds of theories. Came down to the "improved" rings.
Even well established bike platforms can be screwed up by the manufacturer.
My advice is don't be an initial buyer. Let others deal with the teething problems.
I'm happy with my first year V-strom 650. 🤷♂️
I hope to have my new first-year bike with first-year motor at the eastern gathering in Stecoah. It's iffy for sure given the tight schedule, but if it makes it in time I might trade bikes to let a few highly responsible individuals with good standing in the community try it... after washing their hands first.
Hi,
I am a devoted 650 fan and have owned for 5 years and its done around 80,000km.
Love the bike but it is getting a bit tired. 2013 model.
Dilemma-keep my 650 until is ready for scrap or change to the 800...(or just buy a new 650)
Things I dont like about the 800:
-21 inch front wheel (this will compromise the beautiful cornering that the 650 is brilliant at with 19 inch front wheel)
-Another 15kg heavier
-Reported noticeable vibration at around 5000rpm (no vibes with the 650)
-Fuel tank looks too big and bulbous
Final question...will Suzuki keep making the 650 or is the 800 a replacement?
look forward to reviews/comments
Peter
15Kg is a considerable difference.
Not sure if the 21" wheel will make a significant difference with a different frame.
I have noticed the 5000 buzz mentioned in two separate tests.
Given Your stated love for the 650 I would suggest trading for a brand new 650 at this point. .
I tend to agree. Its a bit of a lottery. I purchased a first year CRF1000L and regretted it. No issue with the engine but fork and shock failure were problematic.Never buy a first year bike
Most of what you like about a bike will be determined when you ride it. Right? I just test rode the Triumph 850. Everyone on the blogs says it is "better" than the 800 that preceded it. I dis-agree, but I am but one. Loving a bike is just a basket full of impressions. Most everyone who rides the 650 loves them. Blemishes and all.
Suzuki has a marine division and I have a personal hunch the engineers tasked with building engines that last also create motorcycle engines in house. That gives me hope that the beta testing has been done before release. Doesn't guarantee perfection however. Honda Corp. got stuck with a vendor supplying bad piston rings that did not manifest for several years. Yamaha has the infamous FJR 1300 (outsourced) transmission part that really tarnished a beautiful bike.
About the 21" wheel. You either love it or deal with it. There is a first test out there by Bennett's Bike. They are riding the new 2023 Suzuki 1050DE and they had a 1050 street with 19" cast wheel to directly compare to. The tester spoke directly to your concern, and I think it a well presented moto journo video.
Suzuki has a marine division and I have a personal hunch the engineers tasked with building engines that last also create motorcycle engines in house. That gives me hope that the beta testing has been done before release. Doesn't guarantee perfection however. Honda Corp. got stuck with a vendor supplying bad piston rings that did not manifest for several years. Yamaha has the infamous FJR 1300 (outsourced) transmission part that really tarnished a beautiful bike.
About the 21" wheel. You either love it or deal with it. There is a first test out there by Bennett's Bike. They are riding the new 2023 Suzuki 1050DE and they had a 1050 street with 19" cast wheel to directly compare to. The tester spoke directly to your concern, and I think it a well presented moto journo video.
This video is the best review I have seen yet of the 800DE. I don't think the 21-inch wheel is anyway a negative on the road.
May need to go to Canada. Hear they already have them!I hope to have my new first-year bike with first-year motor at the eastern gathering in Stecoah. It's iffy for sure given the tight schedule, but if it makes it in time I might trade bikes to let a few highly responsible individuals with good standing in the community try it... after washing their hands first.
2023 V-Strom 800DE
The V-STROMDE is packed with distinctive features aimed specifically at enhancing its ability to more confidently negotiate gravel, country roads, green lanes and camp trails.
www.suzuki.ca
Reviews I've seen say the 21" wheel doesn't affect handling on the road. But:
1. Engine seems to have a buzz around 5000 rpm
2. One of the tires has a tube
Aside from the weight, the bike seems to have a good balance of off-road capability and on road comfort/performance. But if you can live with your 650 for another year, I'd wait and see if they implement some improvements.
My 2012 also has 80K km, still going strong. But I'm trading it for Tenere, I need(ok, want) more suspension.
1. Engine seems to have a buzz around 5000 rpm
2. One of the tires has a tube
Aside from the weight, the bike seems to have a good balance of off-road capability and on road comfort/performance. But if you can live with your 650 for another year, I'd wait and see if they implement some improvements.
My 2012 also has 80K km, still going strong. But I'm trading it for Tenere, I need(ok, want) more suspension.
For comparison The '23 1050DE. LCR says he likes the 21" wheel better than the 19". The big Hephalump and the 650 too in my opinion - suffered from lack of front wheel traction when on pebbly surfaces. Now ya have it... Now ya don't! Weight distribution and geometry will make or break you. The Hephalump is just too porky to be top tier in the class but I have hopes that the '23 bikes are benefiting from further development.
2023 suzuki v strom 1050 youtube at DuckDuckGo
2023 suzuki v strom 1050 youtube at DuckDuckGo
No tubeless street wheels for me. They don’t handle the same I don’t care what anyone says. I get a little tired of my 13 every once in awhile then I remember it’s been payed for since day one, I’m the only owner, and it only has 23,000ish miles on it.
Agree...I have a 95,000 mi. DL1000 and it can still pull a wheelie whenever I ask it to...Your 650 should not be 'tired' with those kms. Have you noticed performance degrading recently? Maybe you're just getting tired of it?
My '06 has covered 3x the distance and is as fast as I recall it ever being. If you try to keep until it's ready for scrap, it might just outlive you.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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