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Author Topic: New 800RE  (Read 1641 times)

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Offline NeilM

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #20 on: January 27, 2024, 07:12:30 »
Nathan Millward has just been loaned an DE by Suzuki.

I think Nathan can always be relied on to give a really honest review, whether he owns the bike or not.

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Offline crump

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #21 on: January 27, 2024, 08:55:24 »
Millward does give honest opinions....its a DE though not an RE, not that there is aignificant difference.
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Offline TLPower

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #22 on: January 27, 2024, 10:51:36 »
@BarbelMick I wouldn't worry too much about keeping the 650. As harsh as it seems realistically you wouldn't really use the older bike. I hung onto the Nail thinking it would be nice to have both but I never used it. I was paying two lots of road fund and two lots of insurance for something that turned into a two wheeled shelf in the garage.

I really do understand the sentimentality aspect though. :)
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To be happy, I don't need private helicopters,a Florida house or a yacht. I'm fine with my motorcycle,a trip to a forest in Bavaria and some lunch money.

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Offline Barbel Mick

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #23 on: January 27, 2024, 17:26:26 »
I know that you're right TLP but .........  :grin:
Anyway, I think any decision will be taken out of my hands by higher management!!  :icon_batterup:
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Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.

Offline The Doctor 46

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #24 on: January 27, 2024, 21:59:08 »
I have a DL650 and love it, it feels like part of me. I have bought a DL1000 and haven't had chance to ride it much because I'm out of the country but after riding it on a twisty B road that I ride at least 6 times a week on the 650 I realised that I feel as comfortable on the 650 as the 1000 and use less petrol doing it. It's only on motorways, that usually I don't use but will this year, that I appreciate the 1000.

At a slightly above the speed limit cruse for a couple of hour's the 650 rides perfectly and doesn't complain at all even when top box and panniers are loaded, it's comfortable too. The problem with it though is in my mind. I feel a mechanical sympathy with the little 650 working so hard. The 1000 gives me comfort in that, in my mind I know that is not labouring at all.

I know that in the future I will go back to a DL650 and hope to find one just like mine. It would make sense to keep it  but  when I get home I will sell it. I haven't got a garage and although it is soaked in ACF 50 I don't want to leave it standing, not being loved except for maybe a ride once a week. That's not what a bike is for and it deserves more so I will advertise it here and probably the MCN and I'm sure it will go to a good home, I hope so. It seems daft having sentimental feelings for a piece of machinery but as I have said, it feels like part of me.

So, what I would say, get the 800, I have ridden one and I think it's a great bike though I didn't ride it at night so can't comment on the lights. It is the start of a new era and I'm sure you will love it but it makes no sense to keep the 650 and leave it idle.

Sorry, that's just my 2p worth and it's worth nothing. Do as your wife say's and you will live a long and happy life  :) :thumb:

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Offline Berty5000

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Re: New 800RE
« Reply #25 on: January 29, 2024, 22:17:52 »
I was looking at bikes over the weekend, seeing if I could be tempted to have a change from the 650.

The 800 seemed very bulky, also taller than the 650. Low screen, which reflects its off road leanings, but might not be much fun when touring or commuting. YouTube reviews are reporting that the bike is pretty quiet, whereas a 650 sounds great even with the stock exhaust. I also find the bike to be quite ugly. Headlights don't look right. Also, it's still a new bike with a new engine. Might need refining. All that said, looked very well put together and high quality finish. I haven't actually ridden it either, people who have seem to like it.

They're definitely still selling the 650. You can pick up a new one for between 7 and 8K. I've heard a rumour that there might be a 700 on the way...

The Benelli 702X I was surprised by because it is so much bike for the money. 7K for a brand new bike, great looking, plus a special offer with full metal luggage for free!! But the more I've looked into it, I'm not so sure. It has a larger engine than the vstrom 650 but slightly less BHP and it is less efficient (60MPG vs 67MPG)... so seems to be a lower quality engine and as for the rest I don't know how long they will last in our climate. Oh, and they have short service intervals - 3500 miles compared to more like 7000 for the 650. That said, the servicing intervals could just be what has been decided for some reason that is nothing to do with quality, so maybe there's no actual difference in servicing except to maintain the warranty.

So I've ended up concluding, as usual, that I'll just keep the 650 :D
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