Test ride on 650 (currently ride Concours)

[maldds]

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm belittling the 650, but my first impression on a test ride is that this bike is like a "toy" compared to my Concours.  I'd like to get away from the Concours as it is too hot to ride comfortably in the summer, and it is heavy.  I mainly use it to commute to and from work (13 miles each way, all interstate), and generally am a fair weather rider.  My question is really whether or not the 650 would be a good substitute for what I have, or is the 1000 a better fit?  Is my use of the word "toy" just the fact that the 650 is so much lighter and nimbler than the Concours?  Has anyone else gone down in size like I'm considering, and been happy with their choice?  I hope this post is taken in the right context as I liked the 650, but am concerned that it's "too small"?  Thanks for your comments.

[mcho]

For a thirteen mile commute, is a 120 MPH bike too small?

[jorge]

Malds, for 13 miles you could ride a bicycle...no, really what else do you plan to use the bike for? touring? weekend rides? the 650 will feel like a "toy" that is not a dig its a compliment in handling... get off the slab and find some twisty roads and the that "toy" will leave a huge smile on your face... probably bigger than that Kawi ever did!  if you have no plans to alter the route to work or ride any where else then anybike will do...

you'll feel the litre bike more beneath you and it will still feel nimble comapared to the Kawi... test ride both if you can... lots of good used DL 1000's out there...

Good luck, let us know how you made out...

Jorge.

[element]

Its been said before, size matters.  If your over 6-1 - 220#, considering side cases, packng camping gear, riding the interstate with hills/wind and find youself crusing at 75 to 80 then the DL1000 is the bike for you.  But if your just going to putt-putt around than a 650 is all that is needed.

[algentry1]

maldds,

I went from a Sprint ST to a Bonneville and then to the 650 Strom.  I don't miss the weight of the ST...   I don't look for extra weight in motorcycles.  Most of my riding is 2 up, and the V handles it quite nicely.  It has surprising agility and pep.  At highway speeds, it does very well.  I won't ride 120 mph with my wife on the back as I feel responsible for her well being when she's a passenger.  So, more CCs would be wasted on me. One of the reasons I bought it was that it feels like a toy. I like good handling bikes better than sluggish handling bikes.     The 650 engine is very endearing when you're riding solo. I know the 1000 is faster, but I've been there and done that.  Now, I look for something different in a bike. I'm 5' 10" and 183 pounds, and my wife is 5' 2". We don't have any problems 2 up.

Regards,

[maldds]

Thanks for your answers.  I'm  now more convinced than ever that it's time to get a "toy".  Now to get rid of the Kawi and find a good used 650.

[babooka]

trade-in and get a concourse zx14 ...

[maldds]

I'm on a budget, so if you'd like to send me about $10,000, I'd be more than glad to do that.  Seriously though, the Concours does have heat issues in the summer which I would like to get away from.  I won't ride without armored pants and jacket.  The Concours has too much still air behind the fairing for me.  Thanks for the advice, though.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

maldds wrote on 16.10.2006 07:12[/i] I'm on a budget, so if you'd like to send me about $10,000, I'd be more than glad to do that.  Seriously though, the Concours does have heat issues in the summer which I would like to get away from.  I won't ride without armored pants and jacket.  The Concours has too much still air behind the fairing for me.  Thanks for the advice, though.

I rode a Kawasaki Concours for the past 2 years. I am now riding my brothers Wee Strom and the difference is night and day. I love the Connie, the wind protection, the engine and the cost are positives. The V-Strom has become a favorite of mine. Easy to ride, great price, fun to ride. I love it. When my wife recovers from our Connie incident , we will see if the Strom will work two up. If it does well for us, we will be former Connie owners and new V-Strom owners.

PS. ALL ST bikes, BMW GT, ST1300 and FJR like the Connie are HOT in the summer.

[Anonymous]

I currently have both. I am new to the 650 but have 50,000 miles on the Concours. I have been pleasantly surprised at the power of the 650. At speeds below 90 I do not see any real difference in power becaus it is geared much lower. The ability to go on gravel and dirt roads has me thinking about selling the Concours, although I do miss the weather protection.

[Anonymous]

Just traded my 05 Connie on a DL 1000. Will pick it up tomorrow.  I loved the Connie but decided after 13000 miles last year my knees and back wont take it much longer.
The DL has a much better posture and the I am getting it for the comfort more than performance.

I will post a comparison after a few good long rides on the DL.

[Anonymous]

Well I have had the Strom over a month and have found it to be everything you could ask for.
The comfort factor is huge. My legs do not feel tucked under and even after a three hour ride I had no knee discomfort. Same with shoulders but I would still like bar risers.
The biggest difference was having air. The fairings on the connie would protect you from the elements, thus making it hot in summer. There is no hint of protection on the Strom. In my opinion it actually is better. You are not missing what the thrill of biking is all about. On the down side, one rock off a gravel truck in front of me hit me in the knee. OUCH.
I do believe the Connie get better milage with about 44mpg where I am 40 to 42 on the DL 1000.
All in all I am happy with the trade.

[YZFFZR]

Quote:

maldds wrote on 15.10.2006 18:44[/i] Thanks for your answers.  I'm  now more convinced than ever that it's time to get a "toy".  Now to get rid of the Kawi and find a good used 650.

 I had my reservations about the Strom 650 but, I finally purchased it last week... I usually ride my Yami Roadstar Warrior or R1 and added the DL to the mix to try to save my wrists a little (CTS). I have to say it, man am I impressed !!!!! I find the 650 lacking nothing for what I am asking of it! It has been a long time since I have ridden anything that felt this natural... I can see why it's in the dual sport lineup, it feels very reminicent of my old XT350 enduro but a lot more streetwise! Absolutely love the thing.

[Preload]

Quote:

YZFFZR wrote on 11.07.2007 19:26[/i] Quote: maldds wrote on 15.10.2006 18:44[/i] Thanks for your answers.  I'm  now more convinced than ever that it's time to get a "toy".  Now to get rid of the Kawi and find a good used 650.  I had my reservations about the Strom 650 but, I finally purchased it last week... I usually ride my Yami Roadstar Warrior or R1 and added the DL to the mix to try to save my wrists a little (CTS). I have to say it, man am I impressed !!!!! I find the 650 lacking nothing for what I am asking of it! It has been a long time since I have ridden anything that felt this natural... I can see why it's in the dual sport lineup, it feels very reminicent of my old XT350 enduro but a lot more streetwise! Absolutely love the thing.

Welcome and greetings YZFFZR, you speak with what sounds like a passion for the weestrom, after coming from a broad range of bikes it is always good to hear that sort of feedback on the 650. Real glad you have taken to it with such an open mind, or should that be open arms by the sound of it . Again nice to have another Strommer aboard the nut house.  

[HJ]

Hey out there.
   Has anyone tried to put a two tooth smaller rear sprocket on the "Wee?"Going one tooth larger on the counter shaft sprocket is close to a four tooth decrease in the rear-a bit much Iam afraid-I`d like to have a bit more "highway legs" without sacrificing the stock gearing set-up that it comes with.Compromising you might say.Thanks ahead of time.HJ.

[PeteAtWork]

One tooth up front is about right. The DL's have very torquey engines. You'll only notice it if you like popping wheelies.

I do some hard dirt road riding on my 650 - WITH the 16T front, and lack of low down grunt isn't an issue, the only change is that I do use 1st now and again now, it wasn't really usable on dirt before that.


Peter
 

[HJ]

Thanks for the input Peter.
   I like the acceleration now present with the stock gearing as it brings back the "boy racer" in me during back road stints but out on the open road it seems like like a seventh gear(yeah..right) might be in order.The bike is a little "rev happy" at freeway speeds north of the double nickel. A one tooth larger CSS would definetly lower the 80mph cruising delima but might negate the snappiness that currently resides within the factory gearing.Can`t have it both ways I reckon.Iam nit picking as it is a joyto ride in all types of conditions.Keep the rubber side down.HJ.

[Strataj]

I ride a 02R1150RT and 05DL650 enjoy them both.  13 miles is just not much of ride to worry about heat from your Connie in my HHO, especially highway miles.  The Wee Strom is my summer bike, the RT has too much protection, not enough air.  For performance the Wee Strom is great, I have no problem keeping up with 1100 + bikes.  Sure they have more speed in the straight away, any monkey can twist a grip.  The bike is good in the corners.

Besides you daily commute, what kind of riding do you do?  Since I have a choice I pick the bike for the ride.  Since most of us can only have one bike, ride that one that fits most of your needs and puts the smile on your face.  It's all about the smile.

Jay

[dcndave]

I had an airhead BMW R100Rt, loved it in the spring and fall, great wind protection, but hated it in the summer. The Wee has more power, shifts better, and lets enough wind through to stay reasonably cool in summer. Plus the MPg on a Wee on reg gas is a bonus. 13miles is just a warm up, my commute is 120 round trip. The Wee has the range I need so I don't have to gass up daily. Add a forkbrace and the ride stabilizes nicely!