650 v 1000

[Tone]

Hi all, I was wondering if any of you have had both a late ( after 2012)650 and 1000? And if there is much more grunt with the bigger engine, also is it  the same engine bored out?, cheers Tony.

[bosnjo]

I had DL650 2012 and now own DL1000 2014.
It depends on what you want the bike for and need for. DL650 is very good bike, capable of everything and very good fuel saver. Also very good commuter. It can be a bit slow riding with pillion and loaded with luggage. DL1000 is very spirited and fun bike. Loads of power, pulls like a train but consumes a bit more (not too much). Very capable bike and with all the power available, you almost can't tell if you have a pillion on the back of the bike. Traction control is good, it helps a lot riding in rainy days. I would never go back to DL650. I use my DL1000 as a daily commuter and for riding around on weekends. Just simply love it.

[Sea-Strom]

Bigger is usualy better but not always necessary. For pillion or lots of touring or for the power - go for the litre. There are loads of riders out there who don't really need a big bike for the riding they do but it's their dosh.... I sold a 1250 to buy the 650. Much better all round for me. I obviously did not need the big bike. The 1000 is lovely though! Might have one one day 

[porter]

Two completely different engines, yes both 90° twins but no common parts. If you're using the bike to commute I'd go for the 650 but if its weekend leisure use the 1000.

[Tone]

Good points, its just that I'm going across France and Spain in the summer, and I just wonder if I need more umph! Although I don't generally ride very fast, bit of an old plodder really, and I very rarely take a pillion, and I really like this bike, I suppose I've answered my own question really.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Test ride both and go from there  I don't think you'd regret either.

I went 2 up fully (over) loaded to the South of France on my Glee. It happy sat at 130kph (c.80mph) and still had more to give if needed. I do sometimes think I'd like more ccs but then I take the Glee on some country lanes and it is superb...

[Barbel Mick]

Tone, I've not ridden the 1000 so can't comment on that but what I can say is the 650 sounds like it will be fine for your needs. I've been up and down the Pyrenese, done 3000 miles round Portugal & Spain, toured Ireland and some of Scotland (more of the last two planned for this year) two up and fully loaded and it's been more than adequate. I miss the speed and power occasionally (just got rid of a VFR800) but the 650 does a great job. The only thing I will say is, you have to think a little more about your overtakes when two up and fully loaded!!

[Hondaman]

650cc has more power & speed that most of us actually need even for spirited public road use.
'Wanting' more oomph for the sake of it, that's another matter ;)

[Sea-Strom]

To put it another way the 650 does 0-60 mph in 3.5 sec! Have you looked at Ferrari speeds? How fast do you want to go? 

[Pedro41]

If you like a relaxed ride ie plodder, taking in the scenery etc-then maybe the 650 route.

If you want a more focused ride perhaps the 1000.

Like someone said, its worth riding both back to back.

This months Ride magazine has a brilliant write up of the 650Xt which they've had for a year-might be worth reading.

[Sea-Strom]

If you like a relaxed ride ie plodder.......

If a 650 is plodder, what does that make a 125? 
650 is a fast bike - most 1000 riders have more power than they need most of the time. Unfortunately, bragging rights kick in all too often with motorcycles - I would say buy what you need rather than what you feel you ought to have! For serious touring - 1000. For anything less, probably 650.

[wurzel]

My brief two days with the 650 showed it to be a brisk light handling and very competent bike, I think it would take you on any trip with plenty of power there, and great economy.

The 1000 is for its size a nimble machine, with oodles of torque on tap at any revs, and can be a very fast  motorcycle on curving open roads in the right hands.

If I was planning a trip abroad riding solo, the 650 is all the bike I would need, two up it will do the job nicely, but that is where the big bike excels.

[mr_diver]

If you rule out the newer generation 1000cc bike, the Older and newer 650cc bikes had a noticeable weight advantage over the older 1000cc.
Yes the 1000 has more poke if your talking standing quarter mile, but in the twisties the 650 is more nimble where the 1000cc can't use all that grunt and you have too throw the extra weight around.

I had a Wee for 60k miles, loved it. Did loads of touring 2up, very over loaded and It never complained. The rear shock needed a spring upgrade which transformed the bike for touring, but the same saggy rear end is a complaint for many for the 1000 also.

I the real world the 650 is the better bike, that didn't stop me looking for a Vee when my Wee died, but If I'd found a good one of each for the right price it would have been a very hard decision to choose one from the other.
I went looking mainly for a Vee as I'd had a Wee as my first big bike, put loads of miles on it, but at the age of 30 having a bigger bike was something I felt I should try. That and we were doing a fair bit of touring 2up and a bit of extra grunt will make for more relaxed cruising.
End of the day I didn't find a good condition Strom for the right price, so I became a traitor and bought an 'onda Varadero. Most of the 650cc bikes from other manufacturers either didn't quite meet my needs or made me physically sick when looking at them (Versys and later Transpalp 700).

At the end of the day it's your choice, we can only give you our opinions.
I truly miss the nimbleness and free revving nature of the my K6 Wee. The Varadero is a fat old girl and nowhere as nimble as the 650cc Strom. There is a fair chance my next bike will be another 650cc V-Strom.

(I ruled out the new 1000cc bike as it's USD forks, Radial brakes, traction control, slipper clutch and various other bits make it significantly different from the older Vee and Wee/Glees)

[Lifebiker]

I have owned a DL650K9 and a DL650LA and now run a DL1000 Desert. The DL650LA is by far the better "motorcycle" but the handling, brakes and power of the DL1000 gives it the edge. If some one waved a magic wand and I had to buy another bike the DL650LA would probably be top of the list, confusing answer I know but the 650 is a better bike to live with.

[mr_diver]

Power corrupts.

Absolute power, corrupts absolutely... I'm buying a Busa.

[Rusty Nuts]

You got the Vara. Mrs D got the 14. You get a busa,  what the hell's she going to get next?

[mr_diver]

A Kawasaki H2R!

Or a turbo fitted to the GSX... only about £1000 for the kit.

[fenderbender]

I have had a 650 for three years, and toured in Europe with full luggage. It is more than up to the job. Like others, I simply don't feel the need for more power than the 650 gives me. It is also a very easy bike to ride. The 1000, which I have ridden, is more potent, sure, but it is much more difficult to ride smoothly in urban conditions.

[vstroman]

As the yanks would say,you can't beat cubes!!