new 650 v strom -77mpg-

[doboy]

august edition of "motorcycle sport & leisure" took a group of bikes to whitby on a miles to the gallon challenge and the new 650 v strom did just over " 77 miles to the gallon " ...

[Fatbelly]

Must have been a pretty boring run!

[Steve33]

Yes it was. A deliberate max-MPG run there, followed by a normal run back. The Glee still did impressive MPG when ridden in an enjoyable fashion.

Whilst MPG is somewhat important (especially if commuting), I came to the conclusion a while ago that if you're not enjoying the ride it's a waste of money anyway. Better to fill up 30 miles sooner and enjoy every mile.

[doboy]

yea that is true ..I had a test ride on one of those Honda nc700x and there is just no power ...if your overtaking and a car comes around the corner your in the sxxt  on one of these. just no power to get you out of trouble ...its just a bike to ride to work and back cheap ... would have been a lot better if they had made it a lot lighter ...238kg  & 34bhp ..not good ..

[beep]

Doboy, I also had a testride on the new NC700X a few months and came to the same conclusion - a bit slow, strange and boring. However I was down my local Honda on Sunday and was persuaded to take a testride of the DCT automatic version off the same bike - very impressed and a lot faster!

I think the problem with the manual is that it's got a strange power delivery that takes a while to get used to, the powerband is pretty narrow - a LOT narrower than the Wee. However the auto gearbox does a great job of putting you in exactly the right gear to get going, especially in "sport" mode. Makes a very average bike, that handles and brakes pretty well, into a decent bike. Another plus is that it's a lot more realxing to ride, you can concentrate on picking your line, steering and braking and forget about selecting the right gear.

ps I think the DCT version makes slightly more power (38KW) but is a bit heavier at 228KG.

[Steve33]

It also adds another 10KG to an already too-heavy bike.

Interesting how you said the DCT feels quicker, but still don't understand why this isn't a <200KG bike.

It's designed for commuting, so getting it in/out of the garage every day and parking in crappy city-centre bike bays should be fundamental to the design. Make the bike lighter and these all become a breeze.  This might be someones first "big" bike so the inevitable "get a grown up to help you lift it" situation could be enough to push someone back to 4 wheels.

[beep]

Don't want to sound like I'm defending the NC, since I think the Wee is a better bike, but in the flesh the NC feels a lot lighter than the Wee, even the DCT version. Slow speed handling was doddle although the turning circle wasn't great. At slow speed it's much better than the Wee. My Vstrom felt pretty unwieldy when I got back on it after the testride.

But I don't think you can compare the NC and Wee directly, since the Suzuki wins hands down in most other departments, particularly engine responsiveness and comfort.

Bikes seem to be getting heavier and heavier these days, possibly down to more complexity, extra emissions regulations and manufacturers being a bit more honest about the weights!

[Captain Sensible]

On my 2008 twin spark Wee I can crack the 70 mpg mark regularly and great economy can be had even on the old Wee.

The new Wee is a bit lighter and with engine economy tweaks it should be good for the indicated 77 mpg. You may even break the magic 80 mpg?

The new Honda 700 is a much different concept, it is like comparing apples and pears. The Wee can become quite fierce if need but the new Honda is designed on half a Honda Jazz engine. It's reason for existing is economy and lower revs create this type of beast.

Dave

[DESERTRAIDER]

I've just been to italy and back with another wee and a f650gs we took are time , mine an 06 and garys 07 and we worked out we often did  over 70 mpg