[coffeecat]

First I took out the 650. I was surprised at how smooth it was. You can hardly feel the engine running and when you accelerate it's electric smooth which is surprising for a V twin. It packs a good punch and can accelerate hard if you push it. Both bikes are very similar since they basically have the same frame and running gear, just different engines and a few little other things. They're easy to ride. The first thing I noticed is that the bike seemed really big. The fairing sticks out in front of the bike and makes it feel big. Once you get used to that though it doesn't operate awkwardly. The clutch pull on both bikes was considerably greater than on my bike which was disappointing. I felt that it was a bit too hard. Brakes were good. After I took out the 1000 I felt more at home though. It has fantastic power, the gearing is better sorted it's roomier and I felt more relaxed riding it. I was constantly stirring the gearbox on the 650 where I didn't have to on the 1000. I hit the rev limiter 4 or 5 times during the test ride on the 650. Didn't even come close on the 1000. The bigger bike is 10% heavier but 33% more powerful. I didn't notice the weight but I certainly noticed the power. The 1000 was a bit rougher below 3000 rpm but nothing to complain about. I'm really glad I had a chance to ride them both back to back. I've read so many glowing articles about the 650 I half expected to like it better. For me though the 1000 has the right mix of power and gearing. Unfortunately it's also more expensive. The 650 almost seemed too sanitary, too smooth. It was less interesting to me but may be a better bike for around town. It's important that I get a bike that will satisfy me for a long time. The 650 wouldn't do that.

 

[hawkeye]

your comments are very interesting and helpful to me
chose 650 as first bike but thinking about the next bike as much as the next ride!

 

[MotoF150]

The V Storm is a great bike it competes with the BMW's and costs half as much, and if ur riding around a fat woman, it can handle that extra weight without much loss in power,or handling.

 

[Larry L]

The more I ride my '05 DL-1000, the more I like it. You won't go wrong with this bike.

 

[Wabbit44]

Yeah, but I get 55mpg on my 2005 650 V-Strom... bet you don't go 300 miles before fill-up on the DL1000! My fuel gauge blinks both at about 275 miles. I am talking city mpg, not hiway. I have yet to take mine out there on an all-day-er, but I am sure it gets awesome mileage.

Lighter, more flickable, better distances... I like my 650. Had my share and fill of litre bikes.

Wish it weren't so dog fugley in the front. They need to get rid of the killer whale front bodywork. It catches too much side breeze and bobbles the bike. Like pushing a zeppelin in front of the bike. I am gonna take off those body parts and take it riding... and they need to get rid of the flip-lip windscreen. Only creates turbulence at higher speeds... more angle, less upright windscreen would be nice. Or keep the flip-lip but increase the angle dramatically. The Katana has a better road feel, less wind resistance, albeit a heavier bike. Just love the upright riding style of the V-strom though.

Stan

 

[TM50]

New Member, I own a 05 Suzuki M50, was looking at trading it in on the V Strom 650 or 1000, whats most important to me is comfort on long road trips, and keeping up with the bigger bikes. I did test ride a SV650, it has the same engine as the 650 V Strom, and im sorry to say, that bike didn't impress me. Im either looking at the Yamaha FZ1, the Honda 919, or the V Strom 1000. Can you guys tell me is the V Strom a good bike for long road trips, long nonstop riding at high speeds?

 

[MagnumForce]

New Member, I own a 05 Suzuki M50, was looking at trading it in on the V Strom 650 or 1000, whats most important to me is comfort on long road trips, and keeping up with the bigger bikes. I did test ride a SV650, it has the same engine as the 650 V Strom, and im sorry to say, that bike didn't impress me. Im either looking at the Yamaha FZ1, the Honda 919, or the V Strom 1000. Can you guys tell me is the V Strom a good bike for long road trips, long nonstop riding at high speeds?

Ask Night_Wolf. He's put a lot of miles on his DL650 "Wee Strom." Is the M50 your first bike, and how many miles did you put on it? Just a heads up because you may get some questions about your riding experience.

 

[Night_Wolf]

EZRidr1 is correct. I do want to know how long and how many miles. Here's some basic info for you. Top speed difference between the Dl650 aka Wee Strom and the DL1000 is 10mph. Yes that is all Top speed on my wee strom is 114.5 and top speed on the 1000 is 125 Most likely your ego is telling you that you need the 1000, but unless you have more miles than I'm betting on you can't ride the 650 to it's limits anyway.

If you don't want to listen to me, listen to damm near every reviewer who has ridden both version of the Strom. Without fail every one of the moto-journalists who have ridden both models will chose the Wee Strom as the better machine. Part of the reason is there is only the aforementioned 10mph difference and the other is the aprox 50lbs less weight. I outfitted mine with aftermarket Givi luggage, OEM engine guards, centre stand, hand guards and heated grips. I have done a 750+ mile day, many 600 mile days and put 18,000 miles on mine for the season just past. I did that with the stock seat and stock shield which are universally reviled, yet I happen to think work extremly well.

New Member, I own a 05 Suzuki M50, was looking at trading it in on the V Strom 650 or 1000, whats most important to me is comfort on long road trips, and keeping up with the bigger bikes. I did test ride a SV650, it has the same engine as the 650 V Strom, and im sorry to say, that bike didn't impress me. Im either looking at the Yamaha FZ1, the Honda 919, or the V Strom 1000. Can you guys tell me is the V Strom a good bike for long road trips, long nonstop riding at high speeds?

 

[TM50]

My M50 is my first street bike, before that I owned a DRZ400S, and a RM250, first when I started street riding I would take short trips less than 40 miles, now im riding with the bigger bikes on all day trips across the state lines, and im having trouble keeping up. I ride with guys that own Hondas VTX 1300 and 1800, Harley Road Kings, Yamaha 1100, For me the V Strom 650 don't have the snot to keep up, but maybe the V Strom 1000 does, I need a bike thats comfortable for nonstop long distance, and easy to handle at high speeds, the Suzuki Dealer told me the V Strom is in the class as a touring bike just like the BMW, but, ( no offence ) when I hear that V Strom engine running, it sounds kinda junky to me, it has that small engine " ding ding" sound. Note: I never rode a V Strom, but I did ride the SV650, its the same engine, right? Thats what im compairing it to, the SV650 has no guts, my M50 is quicker.

 

[Danr]

My M50 is my first street bike, before that I owned a DRZ400S, and a RM250, first when I started street riding I would take short trips less than 40 miles, now im riding with the bigger bikes on all day trips across the state lines, and im having trouble keeping up. I ride with guys that own Hondas VTX 1300 and 1800, Harley Road Kings, Yamaha 1100, For me the V Strom 650 don't have the snot to keep up, but maybe the V Strom 1000 does, I need a bike thats comfortable for nonstop long distance, and easy to handle at high speeds, the Suzuki Dealer told me the V Strom is in the class as a touring bike just like the BMW, but, ( no offence ) when I hear that V Strom engine running, it sounds kinda junky to me, it has that small engine " ding ding" sound. Note: I never rode a V Strom, but I did ride the SV650, its the same engine, right? Thats what im compairing it to, the SV650 has no guts, my M50 is quicker.

I have a C50 that I added pipes, air Intake and had remapped, I ride with the BIG boys too and have no problem "Keeping" up, sure I may give the shifter a work out more then they do. But I didn't want a bike that has a semi automatic transmission as I tease the BIG boys with. From what Ive picked up here on the forum ,it seems the C50 is more comfortable for serious touring. Maybe that is your problem on the M50 the "horrid" seat ? I think your first few words sum it up, your trying to use a "street" bike as a tourer. Vise - Versa a Big boy is a handfull on the street. just my 2 C's

 

[Night_Wolf]

Did you read anything I wrote above??? The top speed difference is only 10mph between the two If the M50 is your first street bike and you can't keep up with your buddies on the VTX 1300 & Harley's find some more friends.

Do a google search for something called "The Pace" Read It; Live It
You don't have the miles under yer butt to be able to ride any bike at it's limits yet and you think a litre bike will solve your problems

The Wee Strom is an Amazing Touring machine, in the same league as the BMW which costs twice as much. It will easily chew up long distance days in comfort. It has the same motor as the SV in basic trim. The Strom makes less HP, but has a wider powerband so you don't have to downshift when you get out to pass. None of the bikes you mention that you ride with will out sprint the DL650, with the possible exception of the 1800 VTX. I guarantee you the 1100 Star, 1300 VTX & the Harely can't out run the 650 Strom. Yes I have ridden all but the 1800, or have friends that do and we have our friendly "competitions" & bike swaps. Your ego is telling you that you need the 1000, but I know better. Those that want to talk about riding can do just that: Talk; I actually ride my bikes

My M50 is my first street bike, before that I owned a DRZ400S, and a RM250, first when I started street riding I would take short trips less than 40 miles, now im riding with the bigger bikes on all day trips across the state lines, and im having trouble keeping up. I ride with guys that own Hondas VTX 1300 and 1800, Harley Road Kings, Yamaha 1100, For me the V Strom 650 don't have the snot to keep up, but maybe the V Strom 1000 does, I need a bike thats comfortable for nonstop long distance, and easy to handle at high speeds, the Suzuki Dealer told me the V Strom is in the class as a touring bike just like the BMW, but, ( no offence ) when I hear that V Strom engine running, it sounds kinda junky to me, it has that small engine " ding ding" sound. Note: I never rode a V Strom, but I did ride the SV650, its the same engine, right? Thats what im compairing it to, the SV650 has no guts, my M50 is quicker.

 

[QuacktheDuck]

TM that's weird you say the M50 is quicker than an sv. I have an M now and had an sv before...the m50 is not faster.

 

[Night_Wolf]

The SV650 @ 200lbs lighter and almost 30hp more there is no way the M50 is quicker. He doesn't know how to ride yet, or he wouldn't be making that claim

TM that's weird you say the M50 is quicker than an sv. I have an M now and had an sv before...the m50 is not faster.

 

[MagnumForce]

I am under the opinion that TM50 needs a lot more hours and a lot more miles on the street before he can post his opinions as facts. Dirt riding IMNSHO does not make a competent street rider. The only thing dirt riding does is teach the rider how to manipulate the throttle, clutch, brakes, and shifter. Other than that, it's a completely different realm.

 

[TM50]

I didn't mean to piss anybody off, I was just giving my honest opinion, yes im kinda new at street riding, I don't like my M50 because the postion of the foot pegs and the heavy feel of the bike, im used to riding smaller, light weight bikes that I can control with my body weight. I did own a DRZ400S and I felt far more comfortable on the road. I made a mistake buying the M50, and im looking to replace it, and I don't know what kind of bike I want. I want a fast bike thats light weight, easy to control. comfortable and I wanta plant my feet on foot pegs straight down, the only bike im thinking about with Suzuki is the V Strom, but to me it has some faults, the engine isn't smooth, and they come stock with those Bridgestone Trailwing, DEATH tires, had the same tires on my DRZ400, death tires, death tires, those tires should be outlawed, and banned, unsafe, illegal.

 

[Rickster]

Night Wolf, I agree with a lot of what you say about your Wee-Strom (DL 650) it is a great bike, but the difference in power between it and the
DL 1000 can't be measured by just compairing factory claimed top speeds. For one thing, the secondarys will close off in 5th, and 6th gear to keep your speed below an indicated 130 mph. With the secondarys removed my Strom was still pulling at 142 mph indicated, and I've read reports of riders topping the 150 mph mark. Also I can loft my front wheel in first and second gear any time I want just by a sharp twist of my right wrist. And two of those testers you were talking about that deemed the 650 a more rounded bike, also said that if it was there own money they were spending, they would buy a 1000. Your 650 is a great bike, and in some ways it is better than a 1000, but let's be honest, in a drag race, or a roll on, it's not even close to the big Strom. As for the DL 650 being a stronger and more comfortable bike than an M-50. YOU BET IT IS! I own an M-50, and it is a fun little bike to ride in an easy going, laid back kind of way. In a drag race, there are a lot of bikes that will beat it. I've had my "M" doing an indicated 115 MPH, and it will cruse all day at 80. I've never felt it wse under powered when riding with other bikes. Sounds to me like "TM 50" needs to get a few more miles under his belt, but he isn't doing anything most of us haven't done. My advice is, if you want to get a bigger bike, by all means, do get a bigger bike, but don't expest it to make you a better rider, becaus it won't. "EZridr1" You are right, dirt riding and street riding are different, but all the best street riders I know started out in the dirt. Trust me, you learn a lot more than just motor skills.

 

[Rickster]

TM 50 . What problems have you had with the Trailwings? I feel they give excellent wet weather traction, and I have no problem leaning the bike over far enough to touch the foot pegs down. In fact the only place I find them lacking is in cold weather. I know some Strom riders have complained about them, but I think they need to look to ther suspension, not there tires.

 

[Graubart]

Night Wolf

Thanks for your comments on your 650 Vstrom. I too am an M50 owner looking at this bike. I'm not really interested in replacing the M50, just an addition that I can use to do some more serious touring.

Although I am a fairly new M50 owner, I have ridden many miles on various bikes, going all the way back to my Cushman Eagle when I was 13.

My favorite machine of the many I have owned was my 1984 R80RT, but I can't afford the equivalent of that bike in today's market. Yes, I kick my butt for selling it, but what's done is done.

Anyway, the Wee Strom is on my short list and I plan to start looking seriously in the next couple of months.

BTW, business may bring me to Toronto this summer......maybe a cup of coffee is in order.

Bill

 

[Night_Wolf]

You didn't piss me off, but if you want to kill yerself go ahead You state opinions as fact and you don't have enough miles under your butt to back that up yet. BTW many many riders call the Bridgestone Trailwings Deathwings and it's my opinion those comments came from people who don't know how to ride. Funny thing is I took a Pro Rider course on a track given by the school I teach for. My goal for the day was to wear the trailwings all the way to the edge. I was riding within 1/4 inch of the edge and wanted to develope the skills to use all the tire. I can say mission accomplished. BTW @ that same Pro Rider Course saw one of the instructors riding a DRZ 400 with those crappy Trailwings outride me on my Wee Strom (same crappy tires apparently ) a Honda CBRf3i and a BMW 1200gs. Learn how to ride first then come and tell us how you need a 1000cc machine

I want a fast bike thats light weight, easy to control. comfortable and I wanta plant my feet on foot pegs straight down, the only bike im thinking about with Suzuki is the V Strom, but to me it has some faults, the engine isn't smooth, and they come stock with those Bridgestone Trailwing, DEATH tires, had the same tires on my DRZ400, death tires, death tires, those tires should be outlawed, and banned, unsafe, illegal.

 

[Night_Wolf]

I'm a cruiser guy at heart and love my Intruder(s) but the Wee Strom allows me to ride pain free for the first time in years. (was hit by a drunk in 2002) I still own an Intruder, but it's strictly for "posing" Hell yea if you get up this way, I'm sure a coffee can be arranged As it happens I don't live far from the airport and if I'm in town I'd love to get together. Not sure which bike I'll be on however. You can guarantee I will be on a bike tho, as I take my cage off the road in the summer

Night Wolf
Thanks for your comments on your 650 Vstrom. I too am an M50 owner looking at this bike. I'm not really interested in replacing the M50, just an addition that I can use to do some more serious touring.

Although I am a fairly new M50 owner, I have ridden many miles on various bikes, going all the way back to my Cushman Eagle when I was 13.

My favorite machine of the many I have owned was my 1984 R80RT, but I can't afford the equivalent of that bike in today's market. Yes, I kick my butt for selling it, but what's done is done.

Anyway, the Wee Strom is on my short list and I plan to start looking seriously in the next couple of months.

BTW, business may bring me to Toronto this summer......maybe a cup of coffee is in order.

Bill