Re: right on the money
Nice to see that function over form can prove the real winner for real-world riding. While some wee strom owners have complaints, the overwhelming reviews by owners are similary to mine... the DL650 is a fantastic bike.
My DL650's the best bike I've owned in 24 years of ridings various sportbikes, standards and sport-tourers. The build quality and basic layout are very good (especially for Suzuki) and while it looks an odd duck sitting without a rider, once you're on it, such nonsense is moot as the basic feel and function of the bike JUST WORK very well. The instruments, suspension, height, and generally layout become very natural and functional after a few hundred miles, like most good bikes do. However, I do agree with common complaints that the windscreen "as is" is flawed -- especially for 6'+ riders. Fortunately, there are low cost fixes (as in adding washers to increase rake/angle for the do-it-yourselfers) and some fine aftermarket screens. I opted for a Vario Touring Screen from TwistedThrottle and the buffetting is gone and it's fully stable at 120+ mhp, and full adjustability allows for on-the-fly airflow adjustments.
Add a Pyramid chin fairing and fenda extenda (I did and it looks damned sporty I get compliments from the sportbikers), or a real bashplate with crashbars if you're going see serious dirt, and have a ball. I do hit the dirt and even some real off-roading occasionally, and while it's no DRZ or YZ, it works fine for trekking -- if you play with tire pressures.
However, it's on the street the wee strom handles long rides, twisties, bad roads, and commuting with amazing grace and adrenaline inducing fun. Oh, and that gearbox is smooth as butta. ;-)
Again, it's bike that once you ride you discover is more than the sum of its parts. If you want an R6 for looks, then the strom won't please you. However if actually ride off the track and aren't fixated on looking cool, then the strom's a blast. Nuff said.
