Help Choose a Bike

[jwal90]

Changed jobs recently and the office is further away so decided I'm going to use a bike to commute.

Currently own a Street Triple 675 and FJR1300, neither of which are suitable for commuting.

Been looking at a few bikes. Took out the Yam Tenere 700 world raid out yesterday as well as the Strom 650 and 1050 back to back.

Immediate thing I noticed was that the T7 was a tall bike and top heavy and nearly dropped the thing outside the dealership when taking it off the side stand! I'm about 5 10" so not the tallest and that knocked my confidence slightly.

Felt immediately at home on the Strom 650 but not excited in any way. The 1000 was noticeably more powerful and I love the way the engine delivers the power. I had a Honda VTR1000 and love the v-twin grunt.

I know I'm asking a lot from a bike:

- Good MPG
- Comfortable
- Able to filter through traffic
- Enough power to put a smile on my face

The other thing is I would like to eventually do a BIG trip - I'm thinking UK to India or similar so I need the reliabilty factor and a bike that can handle some gravel/off-road too.

I've also looked at the KTMs, BMWs and Triumphs and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking any of them long-distance.

All this considered - the 650 would be the smarter choice (lower weight, better mpg etc) but the 1000 compromises some of this for more fun factor. I did consider the 800 but it's a lot more expensive, MPG is similar to the 1k and it's a newer engine so I'd be concerned about parts being in an isolated part of the world.

So I guess now the only choice is do I get the newer 1050XT or a slightly older 1000XT. I know there's little difference in terms of engine between the 2 and I could pick up a nice pre-owned 1000 with all the luggage and extras for the cost of a 1050.

Is there something else I should be considering or is the 1000 the best choice for my needs?

[Fat Rat]

Only you can answer that. For me, the 650 is powerful enough to give that smile, and personally, I would avoid spoked wheels if possible.

[jwal90]

Why avoid spoked wheels?

Forgot to mention there will also be occasional 2-up touring so another plus for the 1k

[The Doctor 46]

For me it would be the 650 as it will do everything that you ask of it and more but lets face it, a Yamaha R1 could be used if that was your choice. Horses for courses and all that but you will know which bike takes your fancy when the time comes, you certainly won't be riding something you don't prefer because someone else did. Let us know what you choose.  


PS. You do know this could become the longest thread in history don't you. 

[jwal90]

Hah well I'm hoping to get as much insight from owners as I can.

My head says the 650 but the heart says different. I wanted them to be similar but the 1k just felt like it had much more grunt.

[pichulec]

1K all the way

[kwackboy]

I'm bias because I own one but you can't beat an F800GSA  BMW.

With a Bomb proof motor, It'll commute and take you literally anywhere with a tank range of over 350miles and 70mpg.

Plenty of bikes that'll do the job though but if you like a Vstrom the 650 would easily do the job .

[Upt North]

Sounds like it's a done deal to me, you're going for the 1k.
It's probably not the best choice, but it's your choice, that's all that matters.
I would and did go 650, I would do it again, you probably won't.
The 800 would be a mistake in your position as it'll probably be a while before the aftermarket stuff is in great supply.
Upt.

[Rixington43]

Head said 650, heart said 1000. Went 1000....
I only ever regret it at petrol pumps, as soon as I'm moving I don't.
Buy the one that makes you giggle.

[Phild]

In May this year I picked up a pre-Reg 1050 XT and all I can say is I’m totally thrilled with it.

It had 4 miles on the clock on the 2nd May, it’s now got over 4000 miles. I did a 10 day trip to the Amalfi coast in June. 3170 miles, averaged just under 60mpg, doing 600 miles on the last day to get from Dijon to home. I’d never done a 600 mile day before, and no other bike I’ve owned would I have been able to.

I’m 5’8”, with a 29” inside leg. I’ve got the lower seat and a new pair of boots with a thicker sole…….works well for me.

I can move the bike around easily as it’s balanced really well.

I’ve added the Suzuki plastic’s protection films, a Givi Top box and metal fixing plate. Puig Hugger. Hepco Becker skid plate (I noticed even with the extra long front mudguard the lower part of the engine was taking a bashing from road debris) and my TomTom 550 Rider.

The top box and a roll bag was enough storage for my tour. I haven’t bothered with a tank bag on this bike.

The handle bars are wider than any other bike I’ve had, but I was still able to filter in some dense traffic around Rome, Naples, Genoa and Salerno…..VERY carefully.😱

👍

[Barbel Mick]

It does seem as if you have decided on the 1050 already & if you've set your heart on it then ignore all of us that says the 650 is enough to use for both commuting & touring. 
We've had our 650 for 10 years now & it's got 52 + k on it, most of that 2 up with luggage. It's been all over the UK & Ireland, Portugal & Spain (one trip & a bit under 4k miles), it's done the Pyrenees & the French Alps all 2 up plus a couple of trips to Normandy.
I read that you have had a test ride on the 650 & 1050 but did you have your pillion on the bike? I don't know what the later models of 650 are like (mine is a gen 2) but when we tried a new 1050 last year we found that there was not the room on it that we have on the 650! Plus the Suzuki OEM luggage (side cases) sit very high and they were in the way of the wife's legs.
Buy the 1000/1050 if you want it but do some more test rides with your passenger. 

[Ian T]

I’m 5’8”, with a 29” inside leg.

May I enquire as to the make of the wondrous boots please

Cheers

Short Ian

[Phild]

Here you go Ian……

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/354713

They’re the short ones and go comfortably under my textile trousers. They give me a good 10mm’s in height……making me a 6 footer easily.🤣

I’ve only had them a couple of months but they’ve been through monsoon rain in Italy, and they’re the most comfortable boots I’ve had to ride and walk in on bike days out.

The Sidi and Dainese boots I’ve had have been very good as well, but I’d put these above them. 👍

[kwackboy]

I can also recommend these boots , I have them in brown. 

[Sea-Strom]

I had a 650 for a year and then last year swapped for the 1050. The 'tiddler' is great bike but the two are chalk and cheese in terms of power. For pillion, fast road overtaking and general low down grunt - the 1050 will not disappoint. For solo pootling the 650 is one of the best machines money can buy. Some will say the 650 is all you need. I say the 1050 is all you need - others will say it's too slow. Test ride and see what you need!

[Phild]

I’ve had faster bikes than my 1050XT, but it’s fast enough for me.👍

[Ian T]

Thanks

They look good and I can do with every cm I can get being a giant and all that.

I’m of the the sports bike shop in a couple of weeks so I will try and buy if they get me over the curb.

Cheers

Ian

[crump]

I'm interested to know why you think the FJR won't be any good for commuting? I jnow a few people who have used theirs for exactly that.

[Rusty Nuts]

Tim Angus and passenger did a round the world trip on a 650 with plenty of luggage. Food for thought. You don't need a 1050. But I don't need a 125bhp KTM. 

[jwal90]

I'm bias because I own one but you can't beat an F800GSA  BMW.

I had also looked at these but I'm not convinced on the reliability. Have to admit I haven't test driven one and I like the fact they can do a bit more off road, may add it to the list...

Tim Angus and passenger did a round the world trip on a 650

I think I'm going to take the 650 and 1050 out again head to head. I did notice a big difference in the power between the 2 which was nice to have but I know the 650 is the sensible choice.

I'm interested to know why you think the FJR won't be any good for commuting?

My FJR has done me proud but she's really getting on now (2001) and has been dropped twice on uneven ground so the fairings need replacement. Just don't think I'd be comfortable filtering through rush hour traffic on it.