I'm looking at possibily buying a new bike (woohoo) to replace my 1982 Yamaha Seca in the short while and was looking at 2 Suzuki models, the SV650 (non-S as I don't fit on the S) and the V-Strom 650.

I've heard good things about both, but opinions from any owners on here would be nice too.

I'm 6'4" and ride about 45% city, 45% highway and 5% rural roads (broken pavement, rock, gravel, etc).

Prices out here are: $8,100 for the SV and $8,600 for the DL650. (that would be Canadian dollars)

Used for a 2005 is $7,000 with 10,000km, so I'm not sure if it's worth going used or not...

Mike

_________________
2013 Motorcycle Model Guides
2012 Motorcycle Model Guides
2013 ATV/Quad Model Guides


Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Buell, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.

Well, they both have the same motor in them, so basically it depends on what you want to do... Do you want to set it up as touring? If so then the DL is the way to go. If you want performance, then go with the SV. As for the broken road, then the DL is the way to go. Also, it also depends on if you want a fairing or not... They make fairings for the non-S SV, but usually only bikini fairings with little or no wind protection, but the DL has plenty of wind protection...
Wrider
PS GO SUZUKI!!!

_________________
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

I recently made the same decision.

For good vstrom info check out these sites
www.vstrom.info
stromtropper.com

Obviously I was partial to the Vstrom. It has a detuned sv650 motor for more low end grunt. It's got plenty of room and plenty of power to haul whatever you put on the bike. It's also remarkably flickable. I found it handled very similar to my 82 XZ 550 and that's part of what sold me on it. It's also a tall mans bike... I needed lowering dogs at 5'11.5''... the last .5 eluded me

Some people complain about head buffeting at 80+ mph but it depends on your height. To those that experience it there is an $80 fix in a madstad bracket.

I think the V strom is a bit better for rougher areas and conditions, I think the SV is great for that naked sportier feel.

_________________


My Blog

Thanks for the good opinions. I am learning towards the V-strom as I do love to go adventuring out of the city.

My first bike was a cruiser, then all standards after that so I must have been influenced a little by that cruiser.

Even though I'm 6'4" I still am thinking of lowering the bike as I'm so used to the shorter bikes. I've read and saw photos of how easy it is to do, so way not eh?

Tomorrow I'm off to the dealership to resit on them and see if I can decide between the blue one and the red one. I love the red, but I've owned so many red bikes in the past that I'd like something different...maybe..haha

Mike

_________________
2013 Motorcycle Model Guides
2012 Motorcycle Model Guides
2013 ATV/Quad Model Guides


Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Buell, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.

I put the lowering kit on in 45 minutes while installing and then using the centerstand. Lowering the front takes 5 minutes

_________________


My Blog

Wow much did it lower it and how much did it cost? That was my reason for not buying the Strom. I couldn't flat foot it. My 28" inseam barely let me put the balls of my feet down on both sides. I figured 1 to 2 inches would have done the job for me.

_________________
Motorcycle Safety Foundation - USA
Patriot Guard Riders
My Blog
Fire and Iron MC
Fire&Iron Station 281

A centerstand is one major drawback to the SV...the repairs I'm making on it right now require me to tie the back end to a ceiling beam with tie-downs

_________________
SV650 K6 <---Suuper Awsome bike

3/4 inch. Doesn't sound like much but it makes a BIG difference. You can go lower with a different suspension but any lower and you take too much weight off the front wheel. Go more than 3/4 upfront and you risk having your forks hitting the triple tree- supposedly.

So the lowering links were $52 shipped. Takes a 17mm socket and a 14mm wrench to change out. Needs to be on a centerstand or lift though.

_________________


My Blog

Awesome. Thanks for the info!

_________________
Motorcycle Safety Foundation - USA
Patriot Guard Riders
My Blog
Fire and Iron MC
Fire&Iron Station 281

Im only 5'10" with a 32" inseam and even I didn't have any issues with the V-Stroms height, it sinks down a bit when you sit on it. Im seriously looking at an SV1k for my next bike, I find it a bit roomier than the 650 and very comfy.