Suzuki V-Strom 650

[herbie]

Sweet, love the copper color, what year is your bike? Looks pretty new, never mind 2012 in your signature line. It looks newer than that

[2LZ]

Resurrecting an old thread. Seriously looking at a 2011 VStrom 650 at the moment. I think there was a redesign in '12???? How are you guys liking them at this point???
I hope you surface!

[herbie]

I still like mine, getting ready to put a new chain and sprockets on it along with tires and a oil and filter change. The only thing about it that I don

[Oddball Matt]

Interested in this too, currently have a 1300 XJR towards which I have no interest and only bought it cus it was dirt cheap. I've heard people say the 650 is actually better than the 1000 as the latter is too big and heavy

[herbie]

Originally Posted by Oddball Matt

Interested in this too, currently have a 1300 XJR towards which I have no interest and only bought it cus it was dirt cheap. I've heard people say the 650 is actually better than the 1000 as the latter is too big and heavy

Yeah I've read that too, I think the 650 has plenty enough power and yet light enough to make it enjoyable. I average in the 50's on gas mileage, probably could do better but I'm a little heavy handed sometimes

I'm not sure why my response in the other post didn't have the whole thing show up but the only thing I don't like is the speedometer inaccuracy. Like the China bikes it is off about 8mph at higher speeds. Other than that no complaints.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by herbie

Yeah I've read that too, I think the 650 has plenty enough power and yet light enough to make it enjoyable. I average in the 50's on gas mileage, probably could do better but I'm a little heavy handed sometimes

I'm not sure why my response in the other post didn't have the whole thing show up but the only thing I don't like is the speedometer inaccuracy. Like the China bikes it is off about 8mph at higher speeds. Other than that no complaints.

It depends a bit on the years in question, but the 1000 is only about 30 or so pounds heavier than the 650. I think the real difference just comes down to the center of gravity and physical size of the bike being higher and bigger that makes it more cumbersome feeling.

I have had an interest in the CRF1000 aka Africa Twin because there are still some brand new 2017-2019 bikes out there for about $4000 off MSRP. Now, I am a big guy... I can straddle a CRF450 and think nothing of it. The Africa Twin is a big bike, but the giant fuel tank being up so high and the big 2cyl engine also being fairly high off the ground makes it feel HUGE. My VFR1200 weighs 60lbs more, but is much easier to handle because of how low the weight is in comparison.

Honestly, to you guys considering one of these bikes. If you find one, give it a test ride. the 650 twin is a gem of a motor and makes great torque and just the right amount of power. The bike itself is nicely proportioned, and the chassis is very neutral and comfortable.

P.S. I wish my VFR would average 50mpg lol. I can get low 40's if I sustain a constant speed on the highway. Lead throttle hand though? 30? maybe? I've gotten as low as 23mpg - never left first and second gear through a winding back road. The price of power...

[Oddball Matt]

Problem with me and ADV bikes is I'm a smidge under 5'7 with hairgel and a 30" inseam means I can't flatfoot almost anything other than some custom bikes but I've more or less used to that. I reckon the 650 would be enough for me to do some fair weather gravel roads in the woods and an occasional daytrip to see my friends on the other side of the country.

[herbie]

Dan, it

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by herbie

Dan, it

Hiccups??? ;-)

[2LZ]

Well dammit. We drove all the way down to Rancho yesterday to check out that 650 and they already sold it, even though it's still on the website.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcd...252756949.html

[herbie]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Hiccups??? ;-)

lol

It seems this site doesn't like my I phone

[herbie]

I'll try it again;
Dan, It's funny that you mention those two bikes. I know you own the VFR and you mentioned one time that you would like to have an Africa Twin. Not too long ago a dealer close to me was offering a left over VFR1200 for $9999 and a left over Africa Twin for $8999. Both were steller deals! The africa twin was a huge bike in every way and would make a great commuter and trail bike but was too awkward for me. Now the VFR on the other hand just screamed buy me now! I was tempted but wasn't really in the market yet for a new bike. I still have that bike on my mind though. Want I would like to have is a used 2 stroke bike, I have even been eye balling the new GPX TSE250. We will see I guess

[herbie]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Well dammit. We drove all the way down to Rancho yesterday to check out that 650 and they already sold it, even though it's still on the website.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcd...252756949.html

You may want to keep your eye out for left over V-Strom bikes, they still carry the full factory warranty and usually are a lot cheaper. There was a new two year left over a few hours from me for sale at $5499. I'm not sure if you get those kind of deals in Cali or not.

[2LZ]

Oh....the dealers have great deals here right now.....but then there's the extra costs they refuse to wave. I can get a brand new 2020 Kawasaki Z400 right now for 4295! Then there's dealer prep, documentation, this, that and the other thing, plus then CA DMV, taxes, etc.....and you can add another 1700.00 to that 4295!

I have a few irons in the fire....... We'll see. At least with a used bike shop, its' price, tax and license. That's fine with me.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by herbie

I'll try it again;
Dan, It's funny that you mention those two bikes. I know you own the VFR and you mentioned one time that you would like to have an Africa Twin. Not too long ago a dealer close to me was offering a left over VFR1200 for $9999 and a left over Africa Twin for $8999. Both were steller deals! The africa twin was a huge bike in every way and would make a great commuter and trail bike but was too awkward for me. Now the VFR on the other hand just screamed buy me now! I was tempted but wasn't really in the market yet for a new bike. I still have that bike on my mind though. Want I would like to have is a used 2 stroke bike, I have even been eye balling the new GPX TSE250. We will see I guess

Now Honda has me more interested in another bike. The new Rebel 1100, which takes the Africa Twin engine and puts it in a medium sized cruiser chassis, for 9300 bucks new.

I also agree, it would be fun to have a two smoke to ride around. It would be fun to put that TSE250 engine into a small road bike frame. You can buy the engine itself from GPX, and being so compact it would probably fit into whatever your hear desired.