1st Ride DL 650 ABS

[MKO]

I have always loved that wee motor ever since test driving the SV650 when it first came out. That naked bike was a blast and the ergos were decent. I always liked the fairing and style of the Sv650s, but didn't fit on it. I bought the DL1000 because I thought bigger would be better and it had just won Cycle World Bike of the year. Having 100 hp is nice, but there seems to be a lot of advantages to the smaller smoother wee 650 motor.

I'm going to send this thread to my son who is trying to decide between the DL650 and the FZ6. He and his wife tried both on for size at the Long Beach MC show, but hasn't made a call yet. He is about my height but carrying about 70 less pounds. He handled my V1k with no problem, but I think the Wee-Strom will fit even better.

Here's what I am lusting after

 

[twowheelnut]

The Wee has a 1" thinner seat than the big 'Strom. I suppose Suzuki wanted to make the seat height less intimidating to those with shorter inseams. But the seats are interchangeable. My personal recommendation: Get the factory gel seat and top it off with a piece of sheepskin for breathability. The gel seat is about the same height as the big 'Strom's stock seat, but a bit wider and very comfortable for long distances - I spent a solid month on my big 'Strom last summer and had no complaints at all with that seat setup:
-Uwe-

Thanks for this... I didn't know. I checked out the 1000's seat and yeah, it makes a difference! I have a couple of gel pads from my Wing that I'll toss on tomorrow and see how it feels. 200 v 400 bucks? I can use that to pay for some of the new FJR cans! :good:

 

[kindofblue]

Got my heat gun out and denuded the bike of all the warning stickers, but should I nix the stripe on the tank, too?

I'd say keep the stripes. They look good to me!

 

[kindofblue]

The Wee has a 1" thinner seat than the big 'Strom. I suppose Suzuki wanted to make the seat height less intimidating to those with shorter inseams. But the seats are interchangeable. My personal recommendation: Get the factory gel seat and top it off with a piece of sheepskin for breathability. The gel seat is about the same height as the big 'Strom's stock seat, but a bit wider and very comfortable for long distances - I spent a solid month on my big 'Strom last summer and had no complaints at all with that seat setup:
-Uwe-

Thanks for this... I didn't know. I checked out the 1000's seat and yeah, it makes a difference! I have a couple of gel pads from my Wing that I'll toss on tomorrow and see how it feels. 200 v 400 bucks? I can use that to pay for some of the new FJR cans! :good:

TWN, It's my understanding that the Suzuki gel seat is a bit higher than the V1000 seat. Oneida Suzuki sells them for $142!

 

[Reg# 43897]

I love my wife's Wee-Strom. I use it more than she ever does!

John.

 

[twowheelnut]

The Wee has a 1" thinner seat than the big 'Strom. I suppose Suzuki wanted to make the seat height less intimidating to those with shorter inseams. But the seats are interchangeable. My personal recommendation: Get the factory gel seat and top it off with a piece of sheepskin for breathability. The gel seat is about the same height as the big 'Strom's stock seat, but a bit wider and very comfortable for long distances - I spent a solid month on my big 'Strom last summer and had no complaints at all with that seat setup:
-Uwe-

Thanks for this... I didn't know. I checked out the 1000's seat and yeah, it makes a difference! I have a couple of gel pads from my Wing that I'll toss on tomorrow and see how it feels. 200 v 400 bucks? I can use that to pay for some of the new FJR cans! :good:

TWN, It's my understanding that the Suzuki gel seat is a bit higher than the V1000 seat. Oneida Suzuki sells them for $142!

I was able to borrow one for a few hours. Yuk. No, double yuk! I'll be seeing Bill Mayer shortly.

 

[kindofblue]

The Wee has a 1" thinner seat than the big 'Strom. I suppose Suzuki wanted to make the seat height less intimidating to those with shorter inseams. But the seats are interchangeable. My personal recommendation: Get the factory gel seat and top it off with a piece of sheepskin for breathability. The gel seat is about the same height as the big 'Strom's stock seat, but a bit wider and very comfortable for long distances - I spent a solid month on my big 'Strom last summer and had no complaints at all with that seat setup:
-Uwe-

Thanks for this... I didn't know. I checked out the 1000's seat and yeah, it makes a difference! I have a couple of gel pads from my Wing that I'll toss on tomorrow and see how it feels. 200 v 400 bucks? I can use that to pay for some of the new FJR cans! :good:

TWN, It's my understanding that the Suzuki gel seat is a bit higher than the V1000 seat. Oneida Suzuki sells them for $142!

I was able to borrow one for a few hours. Yuk. No, double yuk! I'll be seeing Bill Mayer shortly.

TWN,

What didn't you like about it? I was thinking I'd get one to give myself some added seat height (along with MCL lower peg brackets).

I'm flyin to Dallas on Sat to pick up an 06 Wee with 4k miles. Never dropped, Leo Vince can, VStrom handguards, a Madstad windshield bracket (they think), and I got it for $5200! :yahoo:

Looking forward to exploring some of the dirt roads here in NM.

 

[twowheelnut]

The gel holds heat and that's a bad thing. Too, it's still too low for me and I could stand to move back a bit more. Honestly, it's more me than the seat. That is why I do better with custom v. stock seats. Gotta be my skinny ***.