[eduea]

Hi all. I am new here and am about to get my first V Strom.
I've been reading a lot and this is the bike after selling my DR650 some years ago.

I am looking for a used one and the topic mileage vs price always comes up at the end.

Im in Italy so I will talk about euros.

I am between a 2012 adventure with the original panniers, heated grip and so. Basically one owner, father then the son. 58.000km on the clock and maintained by suzuki dealer until 40.000km. This bike has a dent on the tank right in the middle in front of the genitals so to say. The father had an emergency brake and hit the tank with something on his pocket. This is for 3.800 euros, Maybe i could lower 1 or 2 hundreds.

The other is a 2014 with also some accessories and 38.000km on the clock. I liked the bike but the fork is leaking, which is ok just replace seals and oil. But after riding it i noticed the rear cylinder is dirty with oil mist in the back part, towards rear wheel. I was about to close the deal but that really got me down. Asking price is 4.500 euros. I thought this leak could be valve cover gasket but just a guess, i am not experienced with v strom.

So at the end I really don't know what to do. I liked the 2012 one and felt confidence on her, you know when you feel it..lol
But I am also worried if the price is just for mileage and the dent in the tank. Also thinking when I would want to resell it. Would be probably over 100k km and I see ppl really don't want bikes with that mileage.

Does 20.000km makes really a difference here? Or am i being one of those who wouldn't buy a bike with 100k km lol

At the end we just try to get the best deal possible with our money..and here im a bit stuck.

Any comments or motivation are highly welcome.

Attached pics..white is 2012 gray 2014

Thanks

Eduardo

 

[Gert]

As regards milage, have a look the milage of the L2 Glee (2012 DL650) in the signature of V-Tom, before he upgraded.
There are many threads discussing what is considered high milage on a motorcycle. A typical examples Who has a DL650 still running with over... and How old is too old to be reliable?

 

[om28]

I think the asking prices look reasonable, but prices vary from region to region and country to country. For me the 20K km difference would be low on the list, and in no way would be the deal breaker or maker. The oil leak and dented tank would be more of a concern, and could be used to leverage the price. If you like the 2012 and don't mind the dented tank you might go with it. That bike could be a hard sell since the dent will be a deal breaker for many, you may be able to get it for a better price than you think.

As in Gert's links these bikes are fine for a lot more mileage than the bike you're looking at. I was on mine yesterday and was thinking how beautifully it rides with 106K miles/170K km.

 

[Nicad]

Do one or both have ABS?

 

[eduea]

As regards milage, have a look the milage of the L2 Glee (2012 DL650) in the signature of V-Tom, before he upgraded.
There are many threads discussing what is considered high milage on a motorcycle. A typical examples Who has a DL650 still running with over... and How old is too old to be reliable?

Thanks Gert! Will check these

 

[eduea]

Do one or both have ABS?

Both. Yes

 

[eduea]

I think the asking prices look reasonable, but prices vary from region to region and country to country. For me the 20K km difference would be low on the list, and in no way would be the deal breaker or maker. The oil leak and dented tank would be more of a concern, and could be used to leverage the price. If you like the 2012 and don't mind the dented tank you might go with it. That bike could be a hard sell since the dent will be a deal breaker for many, you may be able to get it for a better price than you think.

As in Gert's links these bikes are fine for a lot more mileage than the bike you're looking at. I was on mine yesterday and was thinking how beautifully it rides with 106K miles/170K km.

Thanks.

You are right.
I actually don't care about the dent, just cosmetic to me. But im not sure how much that should influence the price..specially in reselling it.
Im inclined to this one. He wanted 4k, made for 3.8k. Lets see if I manage to negotiate more.

 

[locoblanco]

Regarding ABS, I have seen a few threads here about ABS failure on 2012 models, but not any newer years. Maybe coincidence, but something to consider.
Mileage not an issue, plenty here have 100k+. I'm still low at 45000(miles)

 

[om28]

Thanks.

You are right.
I actually don't care about the dent, just cosmetic to me. But im not sure how much that should influence the price..specially in reselling it.
Im inclined to this one. He wanted 4k, made for 3.8k. Lets see if I manage to negotiate more.

For many a dented tank is a deal breaker, making the bike hard to sell.

Regarding ABS, I have seen a few threads here about ABS failure on 2012 models, but not any newer years. Maybe coincidence, but something to consider.
Mileage not an issue, plenty here have 100k+. I'm still low at 45000(miles)

Good point about ABS problems. The ABS on my 2009 hasn't worked in many years even though the ABS light functions normally. I believe the failure is due to the fact that I went about 6 years before flushing the brake fluid which allowed moisture to build up, possibly corroding something (valve?) in the ABS module. Just my hunch, but just because the ABS light works may not mean the system is working.

 

[eduea]

Regarding ABS, I have seen a few threads here about ABS failure on 2012 models, but not any newer years. Maybe coincidence, but something to consider.
Mileage not an issue, plenty here have 100k+. I'm still low at 45000(miles)

That's a good point to consider.
But was it some kind o recall? That I could check online with chassis? Or even in case it fails its covered as a recall?

 

[ratbikerandy]

There are paintless dent removal people that may be able to take care of that dent. The oil mist is probably not a major issue, but it could be expensive to have it repaired. Probably more in labor than parts. 20,000 km (12,000 miles) is not a big difference to me.

 

[blaustrom]

That's a good point to consider.
But was it some kind o recall? That I could check online with chassis? Or even in case it fails its covered as a recall?

I think there was no recall on the ABS issues but do a search and confirm. May be different in Europe than here (US).
I would try to avoid the 2012 because of the ABS concern.
As to the 2014, why is it for sale and what's the sellers explanation of the oil leak? Are you sure the oil dirt is not coming from the chain? An oil leak is unusual!! When was the last valve check done that could be the reason. But without investigating further where the oil is coming from I would not touch it, just in case something else has been messed up. If someone did a sloppy job with the valve check or valve adjustment you always wonder what else was done improperly ....

So if there are remaining doubts, don't be in a hurry, there will be other choices coming.

 

[sr248]

What was he carrying in his pocket that resulted in such a dent?

 

[V-Tom]

I agree with @blaustrom re the 2012 DL650 having ABS issues. MIne did. I never fixed it as I sold it to someone that was going to mainly use it offroad and dint want ABS.
That alone would push me to the later year bike.

Mileage really isn't a factor.

BTW main reason I sold my 2012 DL650 with such low mileage (86,700+ miles,139,500+ km, ) was that I really liked all the changes made to the 2014+ DL1000. (In fact every Strom I sold was because I really liked the improvements made in the newer Strom.

..Tom

 

[eduea]

I agree with @blaustrom re the 2012 DL650 having ABS issues. MIne did. I never fixed it as I sold it to someone that was going to mainly use it offroad and dint want ABS.
That alone would push me to the later year bike.

Mileage really isn't a factor.

BTW main reason I sold my 2012 DL650 with such low mileage (86,700+ miles,139,500+ km, ) was that I really liked all the changes made to the 2014+ DL1000. (In fact every Strom I sold was because I really liked the improvements made in the newer Strom.

..Tom

Yeah. The ABS issue is really a factor. Wasn't aware. What is the issue exactly and whats the fix?

By the mileage you mentioned as being low. I wouldn't care of mileage as you guys mentioned.

This bike could already have had the issue and fixed. Not sure...will ask the guy

 

[eduea]

What was he carrying in his pocket that resulted in such a dent?

No idea.
I think he was just heavy..its not a crazy dent. Didnt peel the paint or anything

 

[Rolex]

The ABS issue seems to come from heat on the pump unit.

Once the problem shows up the fix is replace it or bypass it.

With the oil leak ensure it is not coming from the rear engine mounting bolt.

That has happened on a few bikes and it is not a easy fix.

If you buy the one with the dent keep a eye out for a used tank that is the right colour, between now and when you want to sell you may find the right tank at the right price.

 

[eduea]

The ABS issue seems to come from heat on the pump unit.

Once the problem shows up the fix is replace it or bypass it.

With the oil leak ensure it is not coming from the rear engine mounting bolt.

That has happened on a few bikes and it is not a easy fix.

If you buy the one with the dent keep a eye out for a used tank that is the right colour, between now and when you want to sell you may find the right tank at the right price.

@Rolex Thanks.

If it's the pump not sure how expensive it is but should be ok to fix.

As for the oil leak the guy would need to take to a mechanic and check and let me know. I wouldn't buy without knowing. Can be a you said quite complicated.

As for the tank that's a great idea. I can search for one slowly and find a good deal.

 

[Wee van Cleef]

Two things came to mind. Is the inside of the tank lined or coated? And could the mist be excess oil thrown by the chain.

Not to derail the thread, but I noticed both bikes have a beak. My 2013 doesn't. What is the determining factor?

 

[locoblanco]

ABS pump is expensive, almost $1800 US dollars.