Stopping by to say "Hi"

2LZ · 03-18-2024, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

RE 650 and SV 650 are similar in displacement, so different otherwise!

SV is like "half of a VFR" and the RE is a classic cafe style bike. Both have attributes to justify choosing it. RE might be more of a break away from the VFR and a whole new experience, but the SV might be more of a smile generator in the Twisties. I suspect the SV will be stiffer, more stable and confidence inspiring.

Having had the loaded-up SV650 (V-Strom-my brother has it now) and the RE, I can tell you the V-Strom would kill the Interceptor. It has lots more power and are completely different bikes. The V-Strom was sweet, handled well, and was fun in the twisties. That said, it was covered with Tupperware and needed a lot of ergo adjustment for me, regarding peg extenders, bars and risers. It was also a royal pain to wrench on. I liked the more naked style of the SV much better because of this reason.
The RE is a true, pure retro-styled bike. It's not fast, BUT the power is completely usable. It's a super friendly bike and is like dancing with an elegant lady in an evening gown, as opposed to mud wrestling with an Amazon. Also, as opposed to many of the newer Japanese bikes, the RE's are designed to be worked on by the owners. All of my RE's are super easy to wrench on. Everything is accessible.

Thumper · 03-18-2024, 12:33 PM

The interceptor has its charms. I like a naked cafe, and the engine promotes low anxiety cruising with rewarding torque in the curves on a twisty mountain road. I rode my brothers Triumph in the 70s and it was a blast.

I did buy a DL1000 VStrom and loaded it up. It took me on a few trips including a trip to Denver. I cruised up to Boulder, then up Boulder canyon (FUN!) past Barker Reservoir to Nederland, then took Peak to Peak highway North towards Estes Park, but headed East down to Lyons (Oskar Blues brewery), and then after break, down to Two Hands Brewing, then back through Boulder to Denver.

The VStrom was fantastic in the long swoopy 70-80mph curves up there, with spectacular mountain peak views in the distance. Worth a trip out there if you have time!

VStromLuggage.jpg

Megadan · 03-19-2024, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Having had the loaded-up SV650 (V-Strom-my brother has it now) and the RE, I can tell you the V-Strom would kill the Interceptor. It has lots more power and are completely different bikes. The V-Strom was sweet, handled well, and was fun in the twisties. That said, it was covered with Tupperware and needed a lot of ergo adjustment for me, regarding peg extenders, bars and risers. It was also a royal pain to wrench on. I liked the more naked style of the SV much better because of this reason.
The RE is a true, pure retro-styled bike. It's not fast, BUT the power is completely usable. It's a super friendly bike and is like dancing with an elegant lady in an evening gown, as opposed to mud wrestling with an Amazon. Also, as opposed to many of the newer Japanese bikes, the RE's are designed to be worked on by the owners. All of my RE's are super easy to wrench on. Everything is accessible.

They are definitely very different bikes, but both of them are fairly easy to work on. The RE is definitely a much much easier bike to work on for sure, but I wouldn't call the SV difficult either. Remove the seat and lift the tank and you can pretty much do most of the maintenance work that would need to be done.

The SV650 is kind of what I consider to be the definition of "motorcycle" if you just want a bike with the right amount of power, weight, and size to suit almost any and every rider. It's quick, but not extremely fast. It has great ergonomics that suit both sporty riding and just cruising around. It makes a great noise, and has been around so long that parts are cheap and easy to get and all of the gremlins have been worked out.

Thumper · 03-19-2024, 11:05 AM

Yeah it's true that DL650 and DL1000 have higher center of gravity and steeper front end geometry. I don't know why I got sucked into the adventure sport craze. The TL1000 might be similar in orientation, but much heavier. At least the DL650 has the same engine.

I rode the DL650, and liked the engine a lot. I can see how it would have good manners and range in a road oriented frame. It would be great on those high mountain highways NW of Boulder, and especially fun in Boulder canyon (better than the DL1000!).

That bronze frame and black body do beautiful too. Both bikes (RE650 and SV650) have proven engine designs. Whatever you decide, you'll be happy. Of course there's always door number 3... a used BMW R65

Megadan · 03-19-2024, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

Of course there's always door number 3... a used BMW R65

A used German vehicle? I'd rather have a horse kick me in the scrotum...

Thumper · 03-19-2024, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

A used German vehicle? I'd rather have a horse kick me in the scrotum...

Yes, it would be a rather boring "new" bike

Dependable though

Megadan · 03-20-2024, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

Yes, it would be a rather boring "new" bike

Dependable though

"Dependable"

You won't convince me on the German stuff. I appreciate them for what they are, but my experience with German bikes is too mixed. The S1000RR is the only one I would remotely consider, and it's not my cup of tea.

Thumper · 03-20-2024, 05:22 AM

I had a R100RT complete Krauser fairing/hard bags. Getting to to points was a pain in the neck, but valves were easy. And it ran like a dream. Definitely a dependable bike. Nice road manners, excellent ergonomics. But it was not nimble like my GS850G (Vetter faired, no bags), and not nearly as much fun.

The more I look at that SV, the more I like it. It screams fun. I think it's going away in favor of a parallel twin closer to 800cc. But they have one exactly like your photo above in stock (2024 model) locally just under $8000

2LZ · 03-20-2024, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

They are definitely very different bikes, but both of them are fairly easy to work on.

Never done a valve adjustment on the rear cylinder, did ya? Worst motorcycle job I did (motor in the bike). Unfortunately, it was mine!

Megadan · 03-20-2024, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Never done a valve adjustment on the rear cylinder, did ya? Worst motorcycle job I did (motor in the bike). Unfortunately, it was mine!

I did on an SV1000 I owned years ago. I would rather do that rear cylinder 1000 times before the front cylinders on my VFR again.

03-18-2024, 12:33 PM	#2
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,289	The interceptor has its charms. I like a naked cafe, and the engine promotes low anxiety cruising with rewarding torque in the curves on a twisty mountain road. I rode my brothers Triumph in the 70s and it was a blast. I did buy a DL1000 VStrom and loaded it up. It took me on a few trips including a trip to Denver. I cruised up to Boulder, then up Boulder canyon (FUN!) past Barker Reservoir to Nederland, then took Peak to Peak highway North towards Estes Park, but headed East down to Lyons (Oskar Blues brewery), and then after break, down to Two Hands Brewing, then back through Boulder to Denver. The VStrom was fantastic in the long swoopy 70-80mph curves up there, with spectacular mountain peak views in the distance. Worth a trip out there if you have time! VStromLuggage.jpg __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
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03-19-2024, 11:05 AM	#4
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,289	Yeah it's true that DL650 and DL1000 have higher center of gravity and steeper front end geometry. I don't know why I got sucked into the adventure sport craze. The TL1000 might be similar in orientation, but much heavier. At least the DL650 has the same engine. I rode the DL650, and liked the engine a lot. I can see how it would have good manners and range in a road oriented frame. It would be great on those high mountain highways NW of Boulder, and especially fun in Boulder canyon (better than the DL1000!). That bronze frame and black body do beautiful too. Both bikes (RE650 and SV650) have proven engine designs. Whatever you decide, you'll be happy. Of course there's always door number 3... a used BMW R65 __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
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03-20-2024, 05:22 AM	#8
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,289	I had a R100RT complete Krauser fairing/hard bags. Getting to to points was a pain in the neck, but valves were easy. And it ran like a dream. Definitely a dependable bike. Nice road manners, excellent ergonomics. But it was not nimble like my GS850G (Vetter faired, no bags), and not nearly as much fun. The more I look at that SV, the more I like it. It screams fun. I think it's going away in favor of a parallel twin closer to 800cc. But they have one exactly like your photo above in stock (2024 model) locally just under $8000 __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it Last edited by Thumper; 03-20-2024 at 10:29 AM.
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