Moved up, 650L2 to 1000L4

[Roadruns]

I traded in my DL650 L2 for the DL1000 L4 Adventure on Friday 11th this month. I read all the reports I could find in the press and reports on here. I test drove the local dealers demo twice, once in dry, sunny, clear weather conditions and the 2nd was in rain, mist and wind. I do 2up riding and touring as well as solo but felt the 650 SLIGHTLY lacking 2up so the DL1000 was the solution. I owned Gen1 and a Gen2 Hayabusa for 7 years but want to keep my licence.

I've covered 1200 miles so far and need new teeth.

Running in on Scottish roads, staying away from Motorways was good, great handling, light and responsive, riding it the Off Roading style not the sports style. With ABS and the TC in 2nd Mode sucking the bike to the tarmac made great riding and confidence building, but after my first 2up ride over 250 miles yesterday including faster Motorway riding I experienced the buffering and vibration sense through my Arai Tour-X 3. I thought it may have been the peak on the helmet so I stopped and removed it, the peak not the helmet I then adjusted the screen from the highest setting to the middle setting. Trying it on the 3 different adjustments while on the move but this did not help. I found it a strange sensation which crept up on me, I could feel a vibration through my teeth and wondered what was happening. At faster speeds the helmet buffering and teeth chattering was worse, weather conditions were dry, sunny (yep, still in Scotland) and calm. 6th gear is like an overdrive gear, not so good under 3000 revs, a bit rough feel and better in 5th for these speeds.

I've had a couple of pops/misfires and once stalled it which I put down to my fault. the Average MPG is 51, worse 45 best 58 after 7 fill ups. The on board computer reads slightly higher than the fill up specs, I use an App called Road Trip coz I love stats.

Whatever is cheaper, a gum shield or change of screen will be next on the list when funds are available.

So that's my thoughts and I know its early days. Safe Travels, Ginge.

[SimonW]

I bought an MRA X-creen Universal Air Deflector Flip Spoiler (http://www.bikehps.com/acatalog/MRA_X-c ... ector.html) which clamps to the top of the screen. It's enabled me to ride with no buffeting (though a little wind blast, which is no problem) with the screen on the top setting, furthest away, in a peaked lid. The X-creen can also bolt to the screen once you've drilled it using the template supplied if you want a more permanent fitting. It might be worth giving it a go before you try a new screen. At £69 +carriage it's a cheap option, and if you clamp it and don't damage it I reckon you could sell it on and not lose too much if it didn't work out, since it fits any bike with a screen at least 265 mm wide (which obviously increases the number of potential buyers).

[Roadruns]

That looks good SimonW, obviously no problem with the slight lip at top of DL screen?

Loads of adjustment with that spoiler and even better it can be clamped on as you say without drilling. I've noticed the buffering on the 1000 but never anything like that on the 650. Cheers for that.

[SimonW]

No problem that I can discern so far. I'll try to take some pics at lunchtime so you can see it fitted. The only two 'problems' (if they can be called that) is that you see less of the road in front of you unimpeded by a screen (though this is also true if you simply fit a bigger screen of course) and that it reflects a tiny bit of the headlight at night (because it overhangs the screen). It's not dazzling by any stretch of the imagination and doesn't bother me.

[Roadruns]

Popped into the dealers where I bought me bike to get a euro plate and got talking about the DL1000 and the feedback from other owners as you do. The thing I picked up on most was the demo bike has the low seat option fitted which is -30mm to the standard one I have on. Could it be the reason I never had any buffeting issues at all on the test ride?

1450 miles now, and after the 2 up trip the LHS grab handle that's part of the rear rack has worn the outer finish off down to the base composite material on the top angle. No biggy but I notice it, my partner who was pillion reckons she used the grab handles as steadying support rather than holding on for grim death due to my rubbish riding.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Will they replace it under warranty?  Finish shouldn't be that crap that it wears off when the pillion is using it for the intended purpose.

[Jacko]

The grab rails/rear rack does look like a cheap Taiwanese toy. It was remarked upon by a few of us at the NEC last year. It's obviously sprayed silver if it's wearing off, Airfix would be so proud.

[SimonW]

That looks good SimonW, obviously no problem with the slight lip at top of DL screen?

Finally managed to find time to upload a (poor, sorry) photo. The gap appears bigger than it looks in real life, as can be seen from the view of the far bracket - you have to look for it, and it could probably be closed more by using more padding material in the clamps. The reality is it's on there firmly and it looks fine. Hope this helps.

[Roadruns]

Photo gives a great view SimonW and just the close up view highlights it. Cheers for that.

[SimonW]

[oddbod]

Glad you're enjoying the new bike Road run.

SimonW. What x-creen did you buy as there are two to choose from on the page link you supplied. The sport version or the touring version?
Also, what stock screen are you using? The standard screen or the Suzuki touring screen.

I have purchased the complete MRA vario screen and although it has improved the buffeting considerably it still hasn't reduced it enough so am considering trying your option.
Cheers

[SimonW]

Oddbod - I bought the smaller of the two which is the sport version. I didn't particularly want the bigger touring version and I'm not sure it would fit anyway, as it says the screen width must be a minimum of 305mm. And it's £20 more (where's the tight-arse smiley?!), not that that's a major consideration in the quest for buffeting-free riding of course. It's mounted on my standard OEM screen (not the touring version). Hope that helps.

[fear_factory84]

I have the mra variotouring on my vee2, and to eliminate buffeting you should definitely play with the height positions.
For me the best compromise is the second position, but best results on highways I got is with the higher position, lowest inclination and the spoiler top up. I prefer perhaps to use the middle height because it's hot here in italy and the more air you have the better it is ;)