1050 versus 650.....

[Steady Freddy]

Having run my XT650 for a couple of years now and really enjoyed the trouble free and easy going nature of the bike I must admit that I miss the big bike oomph at times.
My thoughts are to try the XT1050....
I did think about a 900 Triumph Rally Pro but as I said, I do like my Strom but it does need a bit more bang (and a better front brake)
Anyone owned or compared them (650/1050) back to back?

[TLPower]

KTM 1*90 Adventure.

[ddb-strom]

I've just swapped from a 2019 650 to the 1050 XT Tour - absolutely the right choice!

I really liked the 650, but didn't do that many miles on it due to lockdowns, etc. I absolutely LOVE the 1050! I'm still running it in, so haven't gone mad with it, but it's definitely more powerful & relaxed. Apart from the obvious power increase, the thing I noticed straight away is that everything about it feels smoother & better quality.

It is definitely heavier to move around - need to be careful coming to a stop, putting it on the centre stand, etc., but the weight isn't noticible when riding - still very agile & "planted".

See if you can get one for a decent test ride - I'm really pleased that I swapped.

[Bobmc]

I have not ridden the 1050 but have owned a K6 1000 from new. I also have a 650XT. I am actually going the other way due to arthritis in my hands but to be honest I don’t really miss the extra grunt that much as I find the 650 much easier to move around and throw around on the road. Best to test ride and then really think about how often you need that surge nice as it is

[Andy_J]

Having owned 2 650 vstroms (1st Gen and 2nd gen) and a 2018 Vstrom 1000, I would say the 650 is better handling and easier to live with. The 1000 has better brakes and suspension and obviously has more grunt. But I hate how heavy they are. Even the 650 is a bit heavy and old fashioned. But the 1000 is very heavy in my opinion. I am thinking of selling my Vstrom DL1000XT because of it's weight and the fact that I am getting older and need a lighter bike.

[stonehenge]

The 1050 is much improved on the 1000.  No comparison really - better than the sum of its parts.  The 650 is a competent middleweight but has no sparkle; the 1050 does.

[Oop North John]

The new version of the litre bike from 2014 on does have much better brakes, suspension, acceleration etc etc than the 650. I had one of the Desert Storms and went to it from a 650 for it's better two up acceleration. Recently returned to the V-Strom fold and bought a 650 rather than the litre bike. Partly on looks, but I don't have the talent (or death wish) that would make the litre bikes better suspension / brakes / grunt of any point for me.

For sure the excitement you get pining the throttle fully open on the litre bike is a real thrill, but, truthfully, how often does anyone have the throttle fully open, apart from a few seconds, or on a 125? The ltre bike does mean you can be lazy with gear changes as if the engines running, it's in massive acceleration territory, whereas the 650 needs a bit more thought, especially two up.

As always, a test ride is really the only way to see if you need the extra oomph, rather than just wanting it.

[Andy_J]

Having tested the new 1050 (vs the old 1037, actually the same engine size) the only difference is the new one has less bottom end grunt. It is heavier too.

[SimonW]

There's a lot of difference between the DL1000 2014 and the DL1050XT.

[mr_diver]

The 650 asks you to work the engine and gearbox a bit more. But you get far more out of the 650cc engine than you do with the a 1000cc bike.
The 1000cc bikes need to be restrained in normal riding. If doing long tours, with all the gear and maybe 2up the 1000cc makes sense.
If you're riding smaller twisty roads the 650 is the more nimble package.

I found the 1050 lacking in thrill... yes is was very smooth, but I wanted a litre bike to be a slight bit raw.

I'd be very tempted with the 650cc strom when the time comes to change the Varadero. to be honest there's not much out there I'd change the Vara for, but a 650 strom is top of the list.

[steveg]

Hello
Have had my DL1050 base model 2 months and 2k miles
It was really close decision between the 650 & 1050
Got a new pre-reg for £8500 and thought that bigger version was worth the extra for me (approx £1500 more than the 650)
Main differences , better suspension and brakes , neither bikes are lacking power for real road use , however the 1050 has loads more acceleration , making overtaking easier , also really relaxing to ride but deceptively quick without trying 
Another factor to me was I'm not getting younger and thought take the chance to ride the bigger bike while I still can , 50 mile daily commute average 60 mpg so not expensive to run
Sure a 650 will be next when the 1050 gets too heavy ( previous bikes include a sv650 which I loved )
Test ride both , both great bikes
BTW the 1050 felt more agile to me than a 2015 & 2018 DL1000 I rode , even though its heavier ?
The 1050  has not got as more torque really low down  compared with the 2015 & 2018 DL1000 I rode, however for me I find it more than enough and once over 5k really shifts and loves to be revved , like a 650 engine on steroids ;) , also feels better quality with fit and finish compared with the 650
The dl1050 are physically big and heavy when at a standstill , moving round etc , however when on the move are fine , I'm 5ft 11, 15 stone  for reference , much smaller and I would have gone for the 650
Cheers Steve

[craigsned]

I recently made the jump from a 650 to 1050 - running in the 1050 was like riding the 42k miles, 9 year old 650.  I'm still keeping it below 6000 rpm and plenty fast.  Bike feels planted, lots of power on demand and comfortable.  Did a 450 mile 2 day round trip last week that was very relaxed, even in torrential rain.  Loving the cruise control!

[bonne]

24.000 km on a 2017 650 and now approximately 20.000 on a 2020 1050 (a lot of numbers)

I hate the LCD display on the 1050. A stupid "upgrade" apart from that, the 1050 is just better... but weather it is worth the extra money in your case is up to you to decide.

The 1050 just has the extra insane power... but yet, the 650 is not lazy either. I am just happy to open the throttle fully from time to time. Nice to have when you need it. Especially on the freeway where the 650 often dies from power, the 1050 just keeps kicking.

I love the hydraulic clutch... maybe a minor thing, but the cable on the 650 annoyed me.

Off-road.... well you can find better bikes

But you need to try and decide for yourself if you want to use the extra money on the 1050 or keep the otherwise also great 650

The oomph you are looking for (and I was looking for)... you certainly get it with the 1050. My retarded neighbour hates it when I start it up though.

[V-Twin]

I have come from a long line of 1000cc bikes.
After selling my Tiger Sport 1050, getting onto the 650 Strom was like riding a toy.
But as others have noted, you're not getting any younger.
If you get the 650, think about upgrading the brakes. Upping the front suspension. (maybe)
Different exhaust. But that is all I would do.
The 650 is plenty fast enough, lets face it, the country is limited to 70mph max. 
Now the one bike I would go back to, Aprilia Tuono 1000. 
Ps. I had a DL1000 for a very short while, & sold it.

[Sea-Strom]

Apart from my cruiser I have a big bike and a small one. However the small, DL650 is far from it. It is fast, handles really well and light enough to push about easily. On longer journeys the 650 may be a bit underpowered and overtakes need a little more planning. Horses for courses - if you ride mainly local then the 650 could be the ultimate bike. For heavy riders, pillion or motorway epics the 1050 would be a better bet. There is only one way to know.... a lengthy test ride on a variety of roads and as you will ride it mainly. Bigger is not always better - just bigger! 

[dakar]

I'm going the opposite way. Have the 1050XT, but not liking it..I found it a bit "snatchy low down, and the worst seat every .. so going for the 650XT. Hoping to do more touring next week, and think the 650 will tick all the boxes...as before, bigger is not always better, just bigger..

[doboy]

I think if you want to know the difference between the 650 and the 1050 you really need to have a test ride on one . I have had five 650 v stroms (all gens ) and have loved everyone of them . Then tried the 1000 strom but have to say wasn't impressed ...then...test rode the new 1050 and what a difference , the 1050 is a different beast all together from the 1000 . The seat is lower making it a lot easier to move about , the engine is smoother & and with the different power modes the bike is a lot more flexible. Some folk think we don't need power modes on bikes but I'm a big believer in them , On a ride back from Wales this year we ran into a terrible thunderstorm so set the the power mode to C (softest power setting ) and traction control on 3 and this transformed the bike  making it feel a lot safer being fully loaded & pillion . On the 1000 the engine feels harsh the higher you rev it the 1050 is smoother at high revs and more willing to rev making instant overtaking just a twist of the wrist . Yes the 1050 is heavier but to be honest I have never noticed it . The 650 is definitely better on fuel on back roads I was getting 75mpg the 1050 60mpg ,however at motorway speeds 70mph + they are about the same . I have over 4k mls on the 1050 mostly touring miles & have not for one minute regretted moving up from the 650.  I think if more people had a test ride on the 1050 and not just 650 owners but other bikers there would be none left in the dealers.

[Youngman]

The 1050 is a nice bike but I agree the 650 is more involving.
I biker mate put his finger on it. My 650XT is for riding out from the shops to the Black Sea.
But my other bike (2003 CBR900RR 954 Fireblade) makes every car a target - too much oomph 

[scatz]

I think a lot of people here covered the differences well.

The 650 is a truly brilliant bike, only problem are the brakes. I'm not technical but if they could be upgraded somehow then the bike would be perfect. It's fizzy and fun, loads of mpg, cheap on insurance, reliable. I had one for a couple of years.

Then came along the 1050 XT. I tried one, and so much more oomph and fizz ! Very stable on the motorways, I've never owned a bike that is so rock solid against sidewinds. I love the looks of this bike, but not so the 650. Slightly less mpg, slightly steeper on insurance. A heap more go.

Downsides of the 1050 ? Heavier, only noticeable when you come to a stop or push it around, very flickable once on the move. I love the cruise as I try and not get points on my licence. Brakes are so much better than on the 650 it is astonishing, but then the brakes on the 1000 as massively better than the 650 too. Suzuki - please note ! Comfort for me on the seat is fine as I learnt to slide back a bit and that solved the issue. If you sit more forward, the seat is harder and too narrow and it gets uncomfortable really quickly. The 650 seat I find fine for 20 mins and then the squishy-ness and lack of support was awful - solved with an airseat.

Enjoy whichever you choose