Is the XT 650 only a styling exercise?

[mrp192]

I'm sure this must have been asked but have gone through 40 pages and can't find it.
Is the XT 650 just a styling exercise or does it ride differently to the std Glee?
If it's a better bike I will consider getting an XT but I prefer the look of the std model and the extra money saved would buy most of the extras I would want.
Thanks for any help and advice.

[MartinW]

Spoked Wheels and a stupid beak. I think that's it.

[UK_Vstrom650]

They're the same except for styling. The XT has spoked wheels which may be slightly more suitable to off-road riding (though with the type of off-road riding most owners do [if any] it probably doesn't make a difference).

If you prefer the look of the standard model then buy that one 

[S2Rgar]

The XT has four things the standard bike hasn't, none of which will improve the ride quality of the bike.

When I bought my standard model recently I decided to put two of them on my new bike (the crash bars & the bash plate) which cost me an extra £395. Didn't particularly like the look of the beak and didn't fancy trying to clean those spoked wheels although they do look good (imo)

Here's a photo showing the bars & plate fitted to my standard bike -

[Mr Nick]

I priced up the difference between a spoked front wheel and the alloy one. Just out of curiosity... All prices excl vat.

Alloy wheel - £406

Spoked wheel (not available as a unit so has to be built up) - £925. The rim alone if more expensive than the alloy (£444). Add in £8 a spoke & nipple

Even the 21" front on my KTM is only £428 as a built unit!!! 

Moral: buy alloy, replace if needed & be better off.... 

[Tigerjohn]

Essentially, it's a styling difference, but..... For the extra £600, you get the same bike plus handguards, quality bash plate, engine protection bars, spoked wheels and beak. The spoked wheels allegedly provide a better/stronger offroad ride, the beak allegedly improves airflow to the radiator, the other extras are undoubtedly useful additions. Most riders won't take the bike into serious offroad territory, so it's really about style and optional extras that you might want to add later. I thought the extras were worth having and I liked the spoked wheels (and even the beak!). The extra £600 was worth it for me, so I went for the XT. They'll be plenty of others here who would prefer to keep their £600, I'm sure! Either way, you'll have a fantastic bike.

[Joe Rocket]

The deal on my std Glee was 1€ more for engine cowl, handguards and a natty Suzuki tank bag. I don't know if such an offer still exists but I'd rather have that than those spokes to clean!

As for the beak............

 

[petestrom]

Having had 2 Yamaha Super Tenere's with the same make wheels, I think for the Glee I'd stick to the Standard cast alloy wheels and add the necessities with the money saved.  The wire spokes are a problem to keep looking nice and clean.

[Hondaman]

I believe spoked wheels are supposed to have a little flex & less likely to be damaged by rough terrain, it would be interesting to see if they improve ride quality over potholes etc but I doubt it.

I hate cleaning spoked wheels, don't like beaks & don't like spending money so it would be a no brainer but fortynately, we are all different

[macamx]

The rim flange where the spokes attach will be a pain to clean and unless you are hooked on the aesthetics the  benefits to the average punter (I.e. you and me) will be non existant. More concerning for me is that the "bash plate" negates the fitting of a centre stand which for the average user is pretty important.

Geoff.

[Fat Rat]

[mrp192]

Thank you everyone. As an ex MX'er I find the off road look attractive but there is no off roading in my future due to an injured back so academic really.
Test ride day tomorrow, along with several other bikes, on an XT version but if it turns out to be the bike for me I think I'll go for the std bike and spend the extra on luggage etc..
Thanks again, hope it stays dry for tomorrow in Cambs....

[user650]

More concerning for me is that the "bash plate" negates the fitting of a centre stand which for the average user is pretty important.

Geoff.

Centre stand fits fine with original (sw motech) bash plate

[macamx]

Centre stand fits fine with original (sw motech) bash plate

I stand corrected.

Geoff.

[Joe Rocket]

I've just watched Visor Down review of the 650 XT and although it comes out as a pleasing do most daily work bike it still looks like a 'rubber duck'..........;   

[Pedro41]

don't forget spoked wheels need regular attention-especially when bedding in from new or off-roading

Suzuki may have increased the service time of XTs to allow for this.....

Its an  easy enough job if you can get the bike off the ground though. They should all make the same note when tapped.

If not start spannering.

[UK_Vstrom650]

It is good that Suzuki are giving people a choice in preference for the beak/non-beak version though. They just need to do a non-beaked Veek (maybe with the rumoured engine upgrade...)

[Brockett]

IMHO all things these days end up as style exercises.
The "designers" role is to create variants of a motorcycle that will appeal to those not content with the base model. Sometimes a "package" of extras can be less expensive than adding them on later.
It is not uncommon for the beauty in the eye of the beholder to completely overwhelm  all other senses ( including common sense) Cars, Houses, Partners, Clothes etc. and not just motorcycles.
All businesses must understand their target customer base. Motorcycle manufacturers are no exception. I would argue that while "road tests" can indicate what not to buy, the motivation for interest in the product starts with the "look".  How many times have we read comments suggesting a bike is ugly?  Versys 1000!
Fashion inflicts a great deal of tosh on Motorcycles just as much as any other products. Take a look at the average front mudguard. Quite hopeless at keep crud of the front of your bike. However if they fitted an effective guard it would look "odd" . Ditto rear huggers which are getting smaller and less effective so that I had to fit a "hugger extender" as well as a mudguard extender to my SX.
As I wrote previously I would like a fully enclosed chain case but to most that is unacceptable because "racers" don't use them. So the poor old chain has to operate in the rain, the road grit and winter salt and still needs changing every 15 to 20 thousand miles ( DID say at 15 thousand Km).




 

[Brucey]

What were the other bikes you were considering, and what was the verdict after the test-ride MRP192?

[mrp192]

Today I rode an XT VStrom, Tiger 800 XRX, Yamaha Tracer, Versys 650, BMW F800 GT and a Honda NC750X DCT.
My favourite was the Tiger followed very closely by the VStrom. I now have a dilemma of heart saying pay the extra 3k and get the Triumph and my head going 'don 't be a twat, get the Suzuki' and buy loads of other stuff!
Of the others the Tracer I didn't gel with at all, can't see why it's on such a pedestal but the heated grips were fantastic! The BMW I really wanted to like as it looked so nice but had a really heavy clutch and had to dance on the gear-lever to keep it going. The Kawasaki I liked but was like taking an over excited puppy for a walk as opposed to the well trained VStrom slightly more sedate older dog. The Versys screen was the best though in full up position. The Honda was the surprise. I didn't think I would like the auto box and the demo bike had the optional foot change lever fitted as well as the left bar buttons. It worked fine in full auto, made a lot of sense for the short rev range available, and I couldn't get on with the semi auto setting with either the foot change or buttons. However if I was looking for a commuter it would have been great but as a leisure bike for day runs it would have been limited.
Not sure which way I'm going to go but will have to decide pronto to take advantage of some great prices on the VStrom at the moment if the Suzuki wins my order...