Another 'what bike' thread - DL650 this time....

[Sheepy1209]

OK, only just passed my test, currently using a GPZ500S to get some experience. Most riding is daily commuting, but I'm likely to be doing some 150 mile m-way trips from next Spring, and also my wife will be riding pillion for some shorter trips (100 miles max, not motorway).

I love the Kawasaki, it's got real character and rides well - but it's a bit tatty, and while its Nexxus exhaust makes a nice noise to be honest it feels a bit too agricultural for me.

So: I'm already beginning to look at ideas for my next bike - not in a hurry, but I want to keep my eyes open for deals - new or nearly-new (Suzuki's 0% is the obvious one).

What I need is:

Smooth & quiet engine - early mornings and a loud can don't go together
Flexibility in town rather than top-end
Effective fairing to make motorway cruising OK
Comfortable for a pillion
Upright riding position
Suitable for a newbie (5' 11" tall).

And one more specific - it must be narrow at the rear, and have a decent amount of lock. The GPZ500 only just fits down the path to the back of my house; more steering lock and an exhaust that's tucked in to the side would help. For the same reason, the bike mustn't be too top-heavy.

The one that stands out to me is the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom - I like the look of the SV650, but the faired 'S' version has a sportier riding position that won't suit me.
The Yamaha TDM also appeals, but I suspect it would be too heavy.

If the DL650 turns out to be the one for me, I would need to consider whether to rush and get one under Suzuki's 0% offer, or hang on until they start to appear secondhand. Does anybody have any idea about residuals on this bike, and likely discounts I might get from a dealer?

I'm open to suggestions; the only things to count out are totally nakeds, sportsbikes, cruisers, anything too big/heavy - and anything characterless.

Thanks

[sickpup]

DL650 is top heavy and wide. It's the same as the 1000 but with a 650 engine.

[G]

You mention the TDM would be too heavy you think.

While big heavy trail style bikes can be a bit awkward to manouvre off the bike, when you get on the bike they are usually fine, even riding at slow speed.
I suspect the smaller DL may also be pretty heavy as well.

[kawashima]

I was thinking about same bike in family restaurant 30min ago.
I was looking at bike catalog book.. and thinking about SV650, SV1000, DL650, DL1000, TDM900, W650.
I thought "oh, DL650 is more relaxed position than SV650. I've forgotten this bike." then I saw TDM900 on next page. weight is only plus 1kg 55mm shorter wheelbase. And 150% powerful.
Then which is better DL1000 and TDM900!?!? XL1000 should be too heavy for me...
I was just thinking about same bike! (sorry no advise at all...)

[Sheepy1209]

Weight isn't a problem for me riding - nor is height. It's just squeezing the thing round the back of the house that's the problem.

Really it's width that makes a bigger difference - as I steer the GPZ round a tight corner the aftermarket exhaust scrapes the wall - so I have to physically lift the bike using the pillion grabhandle and shift it over a few inches. For the same reason fixed panniers aren't an option (damn, means I can't have a Deauville...).

Is the TDM really only 1kg more than the DL650? And how top-heavy are these bikes compared to the likes of the Bandit?

I had been considering the TDM850, as it's been around a few years so there's more secondhand choice - but I expected it to be a lot heavier than the DL650.

I'm quite heavy myself (just under 15 stone), I don't know how much difference that makes.

[G]

All the road biased 'adventure tourers' are going to be quite wide - the worst bit is going to be the handle bars - as they are off road style.

Can't really get away from that if you want this kind of bike.

[Sheepy1209]

Hadn't really thought about the bars - good point!

As I say, it's rear width that's the real problem, but I hadn't appreciated that the bars on these bikes are wider.

One reason for asking the question is that I need to decide whether to 'remodel' the back garden (i.e. demolish the shed.....) before changing my bike - I don't have a garage and I don't have room for one.

My list of styles I don't want is more telling - I don't have my heart set on a trailie, but I do want something with a bit of character that I'm not going to get bored with in a hurry.

The GPZ500 has character a-plenty, but is just a bit on the small side for me and does look dated. But it'll get me through the winter so unless there's a top deal somewhere I'm not going to change for the sake of it.

[kawashima]

I found spec site.

DL650(189kg)
https://www.motomap.net/new/new03_15.html

TDM900(190kg)
https://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/tdm900/

[Sheepy1209]

Cheers - neither one is heavy enough to worry me - and both are lighter than a Bandit.

I've decided to hold off until the New Year, maybe March/April time - might be more 2nd hand DL650s to choose from by then - and I'll probably have changed my mind again anyway.....

[dodsi]

Bandits do not feel very heavy though.