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SV650 or VStrom650

Joe_13

Joe_13

Calmer than you.
Joined
May 20, 2021
Location
Livermore, CA
Moto(s)
2014 Suzuki VStrom DL1000
"Rudy"
Name
Joe
If you were to have an 2005 SV650 or 2007 Vstrom DL650...
Which one and why?


I'm laboring on this decision. I like my SV alot. But I feel like the Vstrom might be a better fit for my size. I like the way the SV looks. The VStrom is,... a VStrom. They both have the same engine... the SV is sportier, the VStrom is more comfortable.

Mostly to be used for a regular 25 mile commute, and weekend rides.

If you were to have only one... which would it be?


Thanks for your input
 
As per my BARFF handle, I am a huge fan of the SV for the past 20 years. I now ride a 2021 Honda Africa Twin.

I have always been a fan of taller, adv type bikes - and like you I had the dilemma SV vs. DL. If I didn't have the budget for the AT, I would've gone for the DL.

From my years of riding, it is the taller bike that wins for me. Although, I rode a 1987 Honda Magna for a bit, which I really enjoyed.
 
The DL is way, way more comfortable.
The SV is a bit easier to throw around a corner but not by much.
The DL is a much better commuter.
The DL will open up more roads to you. Once you've had goat, you'll never go back.
 
SV. That being said, I don't have one. I bought my Wee for commuting to SF and Alameda from Benicia. Either I-80 or 680/24 etc. Ended up getting a VFR and that's my commuter. Works much better for me.

The Wee felt too wide for splitting. I use a top case on both the Wee and VFR. Also, I'm more of a sport / naked bike rider. Weekend fun rides are either Daytona 675 or Shiver 750. The Wee felt like I was riding a sled or some kind of chopper, like an Easy Rider bike. Yea, I know, it's not. But...

OTOH I can ride the Wee all day long and it's very comfortable. Not so much the VFR. Unless I'm riding back highways up in the foothills. Think 49 past Nevada City, e.g. not an I-80 slab.

Hope this helps.
 
I bought a naked k3 used in '08 so sort of best of both worlds.
Lots of cockpit space and no bulky fairings. I did get the seat custom fitted.

It's perfect for day rides around the state and easier than peddling my bicycles similar distances. I got old. Damn.

It's not the tool to drag 2 weeks of groceries back from the store but I can fit a 6 of tall necks in the tank bag if needed.
Maybe a baguette under the arm too.

After 14 or so years it's still going strong.
I've had it on the "Burma Road" and up to the "High Steel Bridge", both notorious local gravel routes with no upsets.

It *is* supplemented by a second bike with hard bags, so there's that.
 
Have a gen2 SV and love it. Admittedly it was uncomfortable at first, but I then added a TopYokes bar kit and now I can sit a bit more upright and feel much more comfortable for longer rides. The bar kit was a great investment for this bike.

For a while I owned a DL650 project bike. I never got it running, but just pushing around the garage it just seamed much bulkier than the SV. I'm sure it would have been easy to ride, but the SV is so much better on the eyes (this is important, right?) and with the bar kit the SV now has a good compromise between comfort and sport riding position.

My vote is SV + bar kit.:thumbup

51819206415_1dbc0cd6a7_b.jpg
[/url]20190209_102713 by andbike, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
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it used to be that the SV650 engine was tuned to be more sporty than the DL650.

(I rode a 2007 DL650 for over four years)

I rented an SV650 before buying the DL650 - its was fine but I wanted a more upright riding position and more touring options (I never did go touring)
 
dravnx said:
Once you've had goat, you'll never go back.
Click to expand...

Also riding down a set of stairs because of long suspension. :thumbup

seadog said:
The Wee felt too wide for splitting.
Click to expand...

With my AT, I had to adjust to this. Standards, sports and small cruisers get right through the stuff, but man, with the AT I definitely felt it.

I guess you gotta weight the pro's and cons. I love long suspension because I can access stuff I couldn't otherwise.

Also, I can say with certainty, getting both wheels off the ground on the SV650 was not as hard as I thought it was going to be :laughing
 
I owned an '07 naked SV650, and rented a '15 or '16 DL650 for a day.

For freeway and smooth roads at higher speed, the SV works well. For rough and technical roads, and to stay fresh on longer rides, the Vstrom works better.

Joe_13 said:
But I feel like the Vstrom might be a better fit for my size.
Click to expand...

At 6' either bike fits me, but as I got older I now prefer more upright bikes for long distance comfort - I ride better when I'm less fatigued.
 
If you plan on throwing a gixxer front end on the sv with bars, the sv.

otherwise strom strom strom
 
The DL for commuting 'cause you can see over traffic better.
 
Joe_13 said:
If you were to have an 2005 SV650 or 2007 Vstrom DL650...
Which one and why?
Click to expand...
Based on your usage, if it's comfortable enough for you, probably the naked SV650.

Personally for what you've described I'd choose a Versys 650 over either. More fun than the DL, more comfortable than the SV.
 
So, I ended up buying a low mileage '07 Vstrom.

Rode away, and,..... it died about 20 miles off the lot.

Ugh,... I guess the tank had rust in it, and probably mucked the fuel pump.
The dealer intends to "make it right", but really, this bike might be bad mojo. Probably need to reverse the transaction, and wait for the right bike.
- sad face -
 
Or a better test ride or inspection. The DL is a fine bike. You picked the wrong one and it can happen with any bike.
 
davidji said:
Based on your usage, if it's comfortable enough for you, probably the naked SV650.

Personally for what you've described I'd choose a Versys 650 over either. More fun than the DL, more comfortable than the SV.
Click to expand...

What makes the Vesrsys "more fun"?
 
My 07 Wee, bought new, went 72K miles with no malfunctions whatsoever until its starter died. YMMV obviously.
 
My brother has both available to ride. He chooses the V-Strom.
 
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