Considering 'Upgrading'

[Hoggins]

Hi All,
Firstly, and purely in case the 'Present Mrs Hoggins' is reading, I am purely at the consideration stage only - I've had my wee only 5 months, and am more than happy with it!

But, its a K5 model, and as such has few bells and whistles, namely ABS is missing.  Avoiding the argument over ABS being necessary or not (I'm in the 'it is' camp), I'm wondering if perhaps the 1000 might be a worth a look at?

Looking around, there seem to be reasonable deals on 2015 DL1000's out there, and I'll be looking to take a test ride soonish to get a feel, but looking for opinions here - Having sat on the 1000, it actually felt smaller than my 650 - Assuming they may have done some work on seat height perhaps, or width?

Has anyone here made a change from a 2005ish 650 to the 2015 onward 1000 (or 650 for that matter)? Barring the 'its newer', much improved?  I hear the braking on the 1000 is spot on?

For information, most of my riding is done as a commute (So lots of filtering / slow traffic... and no I'm not getting a bergman!  ), in most weather (we will see the sun soon, right?!)

Cheers,
Hoggins

[old git]

I've never ridden the 650 but the 2016 V-Strom 1000 works for me in most situations. Brakes are good, as is handling (if a bit slow at changing direction). Fueling is good, power is adequate and the engine is really tractable. Doesn't have the stomp of a Multi-Strada or a big KTM  but it doesn't have the price tag either. Comfy for rider and passenger and after a year and around 9k miles it's been 100% reliable. If toys are your thing, its got TC and abs. Weather protection is non-existent and that's about it. I would recommend

[porter]

I have a 15 Veek. Agree with old git 100% but my bike is a weekend only bike and your looking to mainly commute. I'd soon get fed up with this bike on a commute,  big, tall, heavy and  lumpy at low revs. I'd prefer the 650 for the daily grind.
Ps any 650 strom I've sat on felt lower,  smaller and lighter had my 1000

[vstroman]

Have you tried the new 2018 1000 Porter? I wonder how it rides compared to your 2015? I read somewhere that there are supposed to be 60 or so upgrades/improvements over the 2014 Veek.

[porter]

No I've not tried the new one. I'm going to down size with the next change (in size if not cc) so was avoiding a test ride. Though if I could get the deals you blokes get in the rest of the uk I'd be tempted.
With the new ecu and the tre my Veek now runs good but its still a big v twin. You need a certain amount of revolutions to smooth it all out and that is typically 500 -1000 rpm more than a three or four cylinder engine. So traffic becomes tiring quickly.  Just my opinion by the way.

[Gert]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning a K5 Wee!!. Make a list of the pros and cons of each model. I would rather have the extra (saved) bucks in my pocket, to spend on what I whatever I fancy, than spend it on a bike with upgrades that are a nice to have.
Big question, which is easier to work on for the DIY person? The more electronics translates to more that can go wrong.
Let's face it, ABS is great if you are new to motorcycling, where as must of us older riders never had ABS back then. You could become so reliant on the ABS function and the day when you get to ride a non-ABS motorcycle or the ABS fails... what a wake up call that would be when emergency braking.
Another fact is most riders always wonder if there is another bike that would better suited to their needs. Updating can be counter productive, safe your bucks until buy exactly what you really want to or unless you absolutely have to.

[chris1200]

Well I have an 08 wee (with ABS admittedly) and would never consider changing it for anything that has even MORE "Stuff" on it. As it is I can do 99...where's the percent key on this bloody thing?...ahh there it is, ...99% of work on it myself with no problems and have total faith in it. I hate "Stuff" on bikes. Gear indicators, hill start for god's sake! where will it end, that's what I ask myself!!! ...where's my pills?

[tallpaul]

 

[Hoggins]

  (Posts, plural!) - It's odd, I'm never constantly looking for other cars, but for some reason I constantly find myself looking at other bikes... I'm a bike man whore!

Met a mate for a coffee in a local bike dealers yesterday lunchtime, silly mistake. Shouldn't have sat on that Tiger explorer. Luckily the PMH (Present Mrs Hoggins) and her deathlike grip on the purse-strings is there to reign me in

[old git]

I know the feeling Hoggins. I thought I'd need to spend money on a new car at the turn of the year but it turned out a £300 repair was all it needed. Having been resigned to spending £10K plus on a car and getting a very welcome reprieve I ended up buying a KTM for £5K. I sold it to myself as it was a money saving exercise (10K not paid for car minus 5K for KTM = 5K saved). Simple arithmetic, but no matter how often I explained to my darling wife, she failed to see the benefit.
Just been out checking out my 2009 FJR for its MOT on Monday. In the seven years I've owned it, it's been supremely reliable. I went through the routine checks of lights etc.. and to my horror the right front indicator wasn't working. An hour of faffing about and it was traced to a slightly corroded connection that was easily put right.
I decided to have a coffee and ended up on the computer looking at guess what? New FJR1300's  . It's not going to happen No way, even if I could remotely afford it, I'd be able to sell it to the wife 

[Gert]

Come on blokes, its a case of mind over matter... I certainly don't mind and all that matters is the correct price?? Since I can't very well take my hard earned buck to the grave, I buy what I fancy. Must admit though, I do try to get the best value for my money, which translates to a lot of research and watching for the best deals before buying.

[bob dumbell]

Hi Mate had a 2007 wee with abs heated grips, hand guards and loved, went Abroad with it no problem. But two up found I was using the gears  a lot. (that's why it's last owner sold it). Looking to go to Norway next year and wife has invited herself!
So with in mind now upgraded to 2015 'adventure' DL1000. What a difference, loads more power, two up no worries but only need the extra oomph when two up.
In summary unless your carrying a pillion stick with the wee, it'll do everything you need, I commute and do long trips on the Veek, off to the pyrenees in August but risk losing my licence on it! ????

[Miggs]

I think the 650 makes a far better commuter. I prefer mine to all the 'bigger' stuff I've had in the past.
2013 onwards is the dogs doodads.

[chris1200]

Well I use my 2008 Wee almost exclusively for touring Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Picos, Triglav, Scotland ect) and even fully loaded with camping gear and two up I have never felt the need for anything else. Maybe I do use the gears but surely....isn't that what they are there for? And isn't that part of the fun of riding? Anyway if you want a bigger one you get one but as they say, "It isn't how big it is, it's what you do with it that counts".

[The Border Riever]

I'm new to my 2018 Wee, but it does it all for me, I had a string of 1200cc bikes prior to this and common sense has finally prevailed and I've got a cracking midweight bike, and can make it do nearly everything better than the bigger bikes! My licence was definitely at risk if I'd stopped with the Crosstourer it's insane performance for an adventure style bike, but the Wee pisses all over it for handling/ steering it's so sharp! I'm impressed with the comfort as well, so a long tour will be done with ease, (I will mention at this point I run solo without pillion) and with great fuel consumption it shows up a big thirsty Honda, and with a lot less power a lot less tyre wear as well  A lot of positives, and only one small negative.....the screen!.....But a Givi tall touring screen is winging it's way to me now as I write this! 

[Loz]

I think with the short periods of ownership and relatively low miles most people accumulate on their bikes the engine size is not such a factor, but if you were going to do mega mileage / long term ownership I think the larger CC's would not become fatigued in the engine as quickly as a smaller CC motor.