Impressions from a recent DL650 owner

I've had this bike for three weeks now and first off let me say I'm really loving this bike! While I was considering either DL, I posted in the V-Curious forum with some concerns holding back my purchase, and received a lot of helpful feedback. I thought while it's still fresh in my mind I would do a comparison of what my concerns were vs. what I actually think now that I've been riding and commuting for three weeks, in the hopes that it helps someone else.

Ok then the bike is a 2010 DL650A (new to me, about 5000km (3000 mi.)).

• I was concerned about the height of the bike while a pillion is mounting and my ability to keep the bike steady with a 32" inseam. Well this turned out to be a complete non-issue. The height of the bike is fine, in fact it feels shorter every day.
  
• I was concerned about the top box being an adequate backrest and whether a pillion mounting the bike equipped with panniers and top box would be cumbersome. Well it turns out that it is, but the passengers adapt and after a few tries my wife is much smoother on and off - practice truly makes perfect. My daughter hops on no problem from the first go.
  
• I was concerned that a top box might be too flimsy to be a backrest. What I did not think to ask is which top box makes a good backrest, turns out the OEM top box (which came with the bike) intrudes on the passenger seat and as a result creates some discomfort. And prevents the seat from being removed without removing the top box first.
  
• I thought the bike might be difficult to handle at slow speeds because I had heard that it is top heavy. Turns out I do not find it top heavy and it handles great at slow speeds, tight circles are a breeze.
  
• The throttle on this bike is quite sensitive, in the first two days I was looking for adjustments, but left it alone. Three weeks later I hardly notice it.
  
• The seat had me wondering what kind of torture device I was sitting on and what I had done to deserve it. I know from experience that it's a good Idea to give any new seat and seating position some time. I actually think this seat may be a keeper now that I'm getting used to it - but the jury is still out.
  
• The windshield - yikes, buffeting!! I know experiencing this seems to be hit and miss, but for me it was hit-hit-hit. Anyway I tried washers and that helped some, yesterday I received and installed the Madstad bracket and am still fiddling to find the best position but looks very promising.
  
• I had heard the rear brake is quite sensitive on these bikes, to be honest, unless I really press hard on mine it seems like it's hardly engaging. So no issue in that regard.

Strangely, the things I did not expect seem to serve to endear the bike to me even more as I work to adjust it to my taste and tolerance. So after three weeks, all I can say is what a hoot, great bike, but prepare to make some adjustments to get the most out of it












By strom1356 at 2011-07-21