Suzuki DL650 anyone?

[oggy]

On a ride out to Devil's Bridge last week I came across a few blokes riding Suzuki DL650s on a tour throught the Lakes. I've only seen these things in bike mags and in the flesh they looked rather tasty. I asked the bloke what he thought, an not unnaturally, he seemed to think they were a hoot - plenty of poke, comfy, good engine - from the SV - and well made. A bit more of a road bike than our dear AT, but in many respects, quite a similar beast - I'm almost tempted.... can anyone persuade me otherwise?

[Hagrid]

On a ride out to Devil's Bridge last week I came across a few blokes riding Suzuki DL650s on a tour throught the Lakes. I've only seen these things in bike mags and in the flesh they looked rather tasty. I asked the bloke what he thought, an not unnaturally, he seemed to think they were a hoot - plenty of poke, comfy, good engine - from the SV - and well made. A bit more of a road bike than our dear AT, but in many respects, quite a similar beast - I'm almost tempted.... can anyone persuade me otherwise?

There Big in the states with shed loads of cheap Bolt-Ons available... Well built, simple and reliable... Downside, don't use them on anything rougher than a Fire Road... (Hence the big US following... maybe also down to a lack of available At's out there to )

[oggy]

A bit more of a road bike than our dear AT

I meant TA! - sudden burst of dyslexia

[russh]

Hi,

bike mag. tested the DL, TA, F650GS and XT, see the review here, (pdf) I think the wee-strom came out on top but suffers from bad vibes through the bars, the major criticism of the TA was price,

Russ

[oily]

Nup.
19 inch mag versus 21 wire spoke,no contest
Plus I reckon the fairing belongs on a scooter.
The Weestrom that is.


my 10cents

[rlkat]

I nearly bought one, read every road test going, downloaded reems of info from t'internet but in a mad, rash moment went for a new TDM900 (only lasted a year before I went back to a Transalp).
DLs are nice bikes but they're 98% road and the finish isn't very good, the exhausts soon turn a nice shade of rust and there's no belly pan/fairing to cover it and I think the Transalp looks better!
Other than that, go for it!

rob

[Dessert Storm]

From what I recall of the Bike magazine test (TA, DL650, XT660 I think, and F650GS), the DL was clearly the testers darling, even though the TA was the quickest round the track and also the quickest over the whole long distance test.

Went to look at one, but just too hideous to contemplate IMO.

[Mudwiz]

Lots written on Advrider, but seams much too much road bike for a real dual sport machine.
Could just be me though......

[howiezowie]

I have both Vstrom DL650 and Transalp 650 (and Kawasaki KLE500) in my small rental fleet, and highly rate them both (all).
I can't believe a TA could beat a Vstrom around a track - was it sealed ? The Vstrom will blitz a TA in all areas of peformance on a sealed road - conversly a TA will out-perform a Vstrom on loose surfaces, that's where they have their own strengths and weaknesses.
I don't think either is a great dirt bike - both too heavy with too much plastic - I tell people they are the Subarus of the bike world
If I had to pick between the two (prepare your stake for a burning) it would be the vstrom, because it suits my purposes more often - perfectly happy on gravel roads but not on mud or loose material. The Vstrom is also superior with a passenger - no question.
My opinion for what its worth
H

[russh]

I have both Vstrom DL650 and Transalp 650 (and Kawasaki KLE500) in my small rental fleet, and highly rate them both (all).
I can't believe a TA could beat a Vstrom around a track - was it sealed ? The Vstrom will blitz a TA in all areas of peformance on a sealed road - conversly a TA will out-perform a Vstrom on loose surfaces, that's where they have their own strengths and weaknesses.
I don't think either is a great dirt bike - both too heavy with too much plastic - I tell people they are the Subarus of the bike world
If I had to pick between the two (prepare your stake for a burning) it would be the vstrom, because it suits my purposes more often - perfectly happy on gravel roads but not on mud or loose material. The Vstrom is also superior with a passenger - no question.
My opinion for what its worth
H

Hi howiezowie

I like the analogy to the Subarus.

What's the difference between the KLE500 and the TA? Over here you can pick up the KLE for around £2000 less than the list price of a TA.

On the DL do you find the handlebars vibrate like Bike mag. reported? as I feel you can't always believe what bike journos say, like the TA was faster than the DL on the track