Newbie looking for a V-Strom, what should I expect to pay?

[WestCoast Rider]

I've passed my MST and gotten hooked on the idea of touring around BC with my dad (Redhed) on his '09 F800GS, but a new BMW is a bit beyond my working+student income. I've been looking at the DL650 as an alternative, after a friend picked one up last year and has had nothing but love for it. I know it's not as capable, but I live in Chilliwack and would likely be travelling more on the highways than offroad to start...

I'd like to get out into minor gravel trails, but my main focus is on long haul comfort and the confidence I won't get trapped at the base of a gravel driveway....

I've been watching craigslist, and I'm ready to buy, but I don't want to dive into an expensive bike (especially my first bike), without knowing it's going to leave me without too much regret and will survive some good daily riding. I have a mechanical experience background, coming from fixing watercooled VW's (that should qualify me.... )

Here's some ads I've found, any comments or notes on them? If any of these are forum members, any additional info? I called ICBC today to get a quote on a 2008, and I was floored that even with a 43% discount I'm still looking at almost 700 for the summer. Is it worth stretching the budget to go for a 2007+ with ABS?

I wonder about these used prices when I was at the dealer and saw brand new 2009's for $9200 msrp... and they were dropping $2k off similarly msrp'ed SV650 bikes around it...

Here's the ads:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/1197581185.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/1175925486.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/1196231214.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/1170971343.html

And why is this 1000 so much cheaper, demand?
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/1172876671.html


Thanks in advance....hope to be out there soon!

 

[spc]

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The 1000 v-strom is not as good on gravel roads as is the 650 and is a heaver and taller bike. Most people who do gravel riding take the 650. The 650 is smoother and has had fewer issues than the 1000. And of course the 1000 you are referring to is several years older and has more kms.

On a touring bike ABS is nice to have. I have it on my current v-strom andlike it (I did not have ABS on my previous 2 v-stroms).

For the 2007 model year the 650 v-strom was improved. Abs as an option (standard on all Canadian models as of 2008) and 2 plugs per cylinder. I am not sure whatelse changed for that year. The 2008 models received an increase in electrical output.

Of the four bikes you listed I think if I was buying I would look at the 2008 or the 2007. The prices don't seem too bad but if you could get another $500 off it would be even better. The hand guards and heated grips are nice to have but can be added on any bike. What make and model of trunk is on the 2007?

My wife and I are very happy with the 650 V-strom. It does everything we want to do including gravel roads (could use better tires for gravel roads). However, it is not a off road bike. That is where something like a DRZ400 comes in.

 

[WestCoast Rider]

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Thanks for the info spc, that helps narrow it down to what I should be looking for. Did the dual spark make a big difference in economy?

Big Top has a dualsport demo ride this weekend, but I forgot to register when I went down there on Saturday, hopefully something comes up, I'll go down there tomorrow, but I'd be kind of worried about pressure to buy a new bike...

 

[spc]

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WestCoast Rider wrote:

Thanks for the info spc, that helps narrow it down to what I should be looking for. Did the dual spark make a big difference in economy?

Big Top has a dualsport demo ride this weekend, but I forgot to register when I went down there on Saturday, hopefully something comes up, I'll go down there tomorrow, but I'd be kind of worried about pressure to buy a new bike...

I get around 60mpg with my new model (I do not ride it like a sport bike) butI do not remember what I got with the old model.

Are you aware of the two main v-stroms forums?

http://www.stromtrooper.com/

http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php

 

[klrman]

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spc wrote:

The 650 is smoother and has had fewer issues than the 1000.

Yes, the 1000 has more issues which take at least 5 minutes to resolve

1.. turn idle up to 1100 rpm, as dealers don't bother to do it before. Normally PDI from Suzuki dealers for the v-strom means starting it and then saying.."yep, she runs"!

2. get a twin max and balance the throttle bodies...about a 5 minute job to keep
it running sewing machine smooth.

now the bad part....sucks on gas compared to the 650

On gravel roads, you can even ride a ZX-14. The 1000 flies on gravel roads just like the 650 or even a finely tuned moped would!

 

[spc]

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klrman wrote:

spc wrote:

The 650 is smoother and has had fewer issues than the 1000.

Yes, the 1000 has more issues which take at least 5 minutes to resolve

1.. turn idle up to 1100 rpm, as dealers don't bother to do it before. Normally PDI from Suzuki dealers for the v-strom means starting it and then saying.."yep, she runs"!

2. get a twin max and balance the throttle bodies...about a 5 minute job to keep
it running sewing machine smooth.

now the bad part....sucks on gas compared to the 650

On gravel roads, you can even ride a ZX-14. The 1000 flies on gravel roads just like the 650 or even a finely tuned moped would!

A month ago WestCoast Riderasked why the DL1000 wascheaper than the DL650. Igave him the reasons why I preferthe 650. I don't see anything in your reply that answers his question.

 

[klrman]

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Just responding to your comment that the "650 has fewer issues than the 1000". This may help others who think the 1000 has numerous problems which it does not, unless 5 minutes of ones time is too much to spend setting it up.