Owned a 650 strom like yours for 9 years. In 2018/9 I rode it two up around the world. 43,000 miles and no reliability issues. Cant think why I would buy anything else.
I've been riding non-stop for 52 years and have owned around 40 bikes, and I have definitely learned a few things. A bone stock and near perfect 2nd Gen DL650 Adventure has graced my garage for the last 5 years, and it isn't going anywhere. It is definitely the best money I ever spent on a motorcycle.
Awesome to hear! I've had nothing come close (new or old) to beating the all-around versatility of a Vstrom 650. Since this video I've done more upgrades that I'll share sometime in the future when I can get back to making more videos. Glad folks are still enjoying the content.
Thanks for sharing. Seeing a 2012 Adventure version a couple hrs away that I'm considering. Never ridden a Strom but have owned 3 SV 650's and a SV1k. Biggest consideration for me personally is the size and weight as I'm not a big person and tend to prefer lighter weight especially if going off pavement. In reality it would likely become a commuter/day tripper/ occasional multi-day adventure bike in that order of use. I figure at the used prices I could still pick up a used DR650 for more off-road oriented rides and be under the price of most mid sized ADV bikes. The SV/Strom platform is just so easy to live with from a reliabilty and maintenance standpoint. I've owned faster/bigger and more exotic bikes and honestly not missing that much.
Jeff I think you are considering some great bikes for your next purchase. The DR650 will definitely have more of a dirt bike feel with a seat height taller than the Vstrom. However with you owning several SV's the Vstrom maintenance would be a breeze. The DL motors are absolute tanks. Regardless of what make or model you go with I hope you find exactly what you are looking for. Stay tuned for more content I have coming out ✌️
Thank you man, great channel and explications. Do you have a website with the list of all modifcations? I am curios about the horn you bought and the bridge over the front fork for example. cheers
Appreciate the view, the horn is a Nautilus, the fork brace is from Adventure Tech, LLC. The fork brace is a must have on this particular model. From my experience, it drastically stabilizes the steering in all corning situations.
Great video. Looks just like mine i have 2 questions. Where did you get your seat? And did you have any clearance issues with the 2 Brothers exhaust? Iv seen on a couple sites that it wont fit with the factory side racks.
Thanks for watching! The seat I found through a company selling them on eBay. It's not a top name brand seat or anything. The Two bros just barely clears the side case rack. No issues with the exhaust though
Hey, how tall are you? I'm experiencing some issues with wind management and have 2 months before big trip. Currently I have givi airflow windscreen and I'm 6.2ft tall. Any suggestions?
Hey. Whats the model of those handlebars and how do you feel it? I just got a 2013 strom and i hate the oem handlebar. I wanted a wider one but i am afraid it is going to pull the bar away from me and reach is a problem already, as it is. I am also worried about the fact that i need the bar wieights to go by fitting such a handlebar and that it afects the handling at speed. Apreciate your videos, thats an awesome machine u got there.
Hey Nelson, the bars I am running on my '13 Strom are the Protaper "seven eighths (SE) ATV HI" bars. They slightly raise & widen your arm stance without adding a bar riser at all. 👍 Hope that helps, stay tuned for more content. -AP ✌️
Thank u so much for your response. I already got bar risers but I think I am gonna go with that protaper as well as the puig screen. Maybe with the deflector, I am not sure. The buffeting was the main reason why I moved from my previous bike, I just can't stand it. I'll be following your work. Greetings from Portugal
Kifaru there are two screws on the dash & I a bracket that slides in-between the screw & dash (acting like a washer) that firmly holds my RAM mount on the dash instead of the handlebars
Owned a 650 strom like yours for 9 years. In 2018/9 I rode it two up around the world. 43,000 miles and no reliability issues. Cant think why I would buy anything else.
Mine has like 80k miles on it still going 🤙 want to see how many miles I can get out of it
I've been riding non-stop for 52 years and have owned around 40 bikes, and I have definitely learned a few things. A bone stock and near perfect 2nd Gen DL650 Adventure has graced my garage for the last 5 years, and it isn't going anywhere. It is definitely the best money I ever spent on a motorcycle.
Awesome to hear! I've had nothing come close (new or old) to beating the all-around versatility of a Vstrom 650. Since this video I've done more upgrades that I'll share sometime in the future when I can get back to making more videos. Glad folks are still enjoying the content.
That generation body style look so much better than what they are making today!
Yeah buddy just picked the year VStrom love it.
Best looking I've ever seen.
Sexy bike. I'm looking at a 2013. Looking like it'll be my next bike.
Love vstroms, and l miss mine.
Thanks for sharing. Seeing a 2012 Adventure version a couple hrs away that I'm considering. Never ridden a Strom but have owned 3 SV 650's and a SV1k. Biggest consideration for me personally is the size and weight as I'm not a big person and tend to prefer lighter weight especially if going off pavement. In reality it would likely become a commuter/day tripper/ occasional multi-day adventure bike in that order of use. I figure at the used prices I could still pick up a used DR650 for more off-road oriented rides and be under the price of most mid sized ADV bikes. The SV/Strom platform is just so easy to live with from a reliabilty and maintenance standpoint. I've owned faster/bigger and more exotic bikes and honestly not missing that much.
Jeff I think you are considering some great bikes for your next purchase. The DR650 will definitely have more of a dirt bike feel with a seat height taller than the Vstrom.
However with you owning several SV's the Vstrom maintenance would be a breeze. The DL motors are absolute tanks.
Regardless of what make or model you go with I hope you find exactly what you are looking for.
Stay tuned for more content I have coming out ✌️
I have a 2012 650 Vstrom and the only regret you will have with it, is if you get rid of it. No Lie.
I m going to get 2013 DL650 this weekend. cool bike. 53,000Km CAD$5,000
Great review, looking to buy one of these next week. You should link all the upgrades you did.
I've got the same bike with about the same mileage just wondering if you had your valves checked yet?
Great video! Thanks. Just wondering if you know the paint colour name/code. Looks awesome
Just bought an old 650 for 1200 :)
Thank you man, great channel and explications. Do you have a website with the list of all modifcations? I am curios about the horn you bought and the bridge over the front fork for example. cheers
Appreciate the view, the horn is a Nautilus, the fork brace is from Adventure Tech, LLC. The fork brace is a must have on this particular model. From my experience, it drastically stabilizes the steering in all corning situations.
Sorry, new to your channel, I have a 2015 love the idea of a muffler, ? Is it a slip on and does it back fire or pop .
Thanks,
Ben
Where did you buy the blinkers?
Great video. Looks just like mine i have 2 questions. Where did you get your seat? And did you have any clearance issues with the 2 Brothers exhaust? Iv seen on a couple sites that it wont fit with the factory side racks.
Thanks for watching! The seat I found through a company selling them on eBay. It's not a top name brand seat or anything. The Two bros just barely clears the side case rack. No issues with the exhaust though
Hey, how tall are you? I'm experiencing some issues with wind management and have 2 months before big trip. Currently I have givi airflow windscreen and I'm 6.2ft tall. Any suggestions?
Did you sort the problem ?
Hey. Whats the model of those handlebars and how do you feel it? I just got a 2013 strom and i hate the oem handlebar. I wanted a wider one but i am afraid it is going to pull the bar away from me and reach is a problem already, as it is. I am also worried about the fact that i need the bar wieights to go by fitting such a handlebar and that it afects the handling at speed. Apreciate your videos, thats an awesome machine u got there.
Hey Nelson, the bars I am running on my '13 Strom are the Protaper "seven eighths (SE) ATV HI" bars.
They slightly raise & widen your arm stance without adding a bar riser at all. 👍
Hope that helps, stay tuned for more content.
-AP ✌️
Thank u so much for your response. I already got bar risers but I think I am gonna go with that protaper as well as the puig screen. Maybe with the deflector, I am not sure. The buffeting was the main reason why I moved from my previous bike, I just can't stand it. I'll be following your work. Greetings from Portugal
@@nelsonrodrigues4895 AwesOme!!
Much love, & happy travels on your Vstrom 🤙
Hello, nice review! What octane fuel do you find yourself putting into your Strom? Thanks for the help.
I know I'm late, but here goes... I buy the lowest octane I can get. It saves me money and the 'Strom runs just fine on it.
Hi there,
Great bike.
Could you do me a favor and show me how you installed your ram mount phone holder above the dash?
Kifaru there are two screws on the dash & I a bracket that slides in-between the screw & dash (acting like a washer) that firmly holds my RAM mount on the dash instead of the handlebars
do all the 2013 vStrom 650 have cruise control?
Nari they do not to my knowledge. If you own one or are looking at one that has cruise control it most likely an aftermarket upgrade.
Cruise control on vstrom came on the 1000cc in 2020. All others are afther marked.