I've got a 2013 ABS Adventure model with all the factory options. It has been the most satisfying bike of the 50 or so I've owned in 50+ years of motorcycling.
Those cases are the real deal! I rode my V-Strom over the mountains from Lake Isabella down into Death Valley, 'way below sea level. After several hours down there, I needed to open a case to get something out. I could hardly do it! Durn thing was, like, glued shut! The case had kept the low-pressure air from the higher elevations all that time. With motorcycle gear, you usually pray for waterproof, and here this thing is air-tight!! Outstanding! HOWEVER, the "cowling" for protecting the exposed oil filter is only cosmetic. It's plastic. Mine broke, first trip. Invest in a serious skid plate.
Enjoy your bike. I've been riding for over 40 years on all kinds of bikes. Put 60 000 klm's on my '09 and just put another 13 000 km's on my 2012. Lots of it off road as well. Great bike for the buck!
IMHO, an aftermarket exhaust is a waste of money. The existing exhaust is quiet, but has a nice low rumble when you get on the throttle. Most pipes are too loud, and for long rides, can get on your nerves and split your eardrums. You don't get any increase in power, and may have to get a Power Commander, for another couple hundred of dollars, to deal with lean running. You might save about 4-5 pounds, but is that worth $150. a pound? The bike is already good to go!
Yes. Definitely better. The Madstad brackets make the screen sit a couple of inches in front of the fairing so some air does flow under/behind it. I'd be curious how a tall screen mounted directly on the fairing would be.
No, didn't modify the cables, but I did take off the clamp thingy on the right side that holds the cables in place on the top. Sorry I don't know what's it's called.
The 22" is a bit too high, but with the Madstad brackets I can lower it. But if I had to do it again I'd get a slightly shorter one. I never use it to it's full height and it's also a tad bit wider than I really need it to be. So I think the huge size of it might hamper my fuel mileage.
Nice video and very nice bike man! I have the same bike, and after changing the stock screen to the vario screen (the one with the little adjustable spoiler ) I went for a tour through the Rockies (B.C) about 2500 klms. The bike is amazing however the vario screen wasn't much better than the stock one. What do you think of the 22" Madstad screen? I am seriously considering it. Ride safe :)
That lower cowling is an optional accessory from Suzuki. It's made out of plastic but it does integrate well with the styling. I've since removed it and put on a quarter inch thick aluminum skid plate from in Enduro guardian that I really like specially since it comes with some really nice highway pegs.
The Adventure edition that comes with cases came with an extra lock that uses the same key. But I had to put the locks in the sides cases and in the top box. Not a big deal though.
Nice ride you have there, but you forgot to say it had heated grips ? Question, how is the fuel use as the bike sets, and before ? I am looking to go the same route, well for the most part, it's a hard combo to beat for the money outlay, and it will, or should last you many 10's of thousands of miles. Def a thumbs up, I have it's brother, the SV650n, just not the best for touring, and yet some do just fine, just not me. Your bike is in my top 2 for that honor. Do ride safe. yl
I didn't forget say because it doesn't have heated grips. Not sure what you're asking about fuel. My MPG varies quite a bit. I can get in the low 50s in city riding, but out on the highway running 80 mph I get in the low 40s. If I'm really on the throttle in the twisties it gets down into the 30s. I think I'd prefer the 1000cc but it's a decent touring bike.
Just joking about the heated grips, but they would be nice, for cold weather..Burrrrr ! Did I say I hate freezing cold weather...lol They really should be standard equipment for this bike, like on some others. You said what I was asking, when talking about fuel use. They do tend to use more fuel at higher speeds, even more so when large cases are on the bike, like your bike has. If theres a need of being hard on the throttle like you said, sometimes because of the weight being hauled, it may have been better for you with the bigger 1000cc bike, like you prefer. Ether bike is great in my opinion, just depends on what's to be done with them, like riding two up, add that with all the storage spaces filled, would put more strain on the motor, thus more fuel being used. That's where a larger bike could do it better job, even on fuel, maybe ? Sorry for not being clearer....yl
iRide uWatch I now have a dl650 all kitted out, and its needs one thing more, a better seat...lol without the side panyards, and only the top box it gets 59 to 62 mpg, fixing to take a little trip around 600 miles one way should be interesting.
I've got a 2013 ABS Adventure model with all the factory options. It has been the most satisfying bike of the 50 or so I've owned in 50+ years of motorcycling.
Those cases are the real deal! I rode my V-Strom over the mountains from Lake Isabella down into Death Valley, 'way below sea level. After several hours down there, I needed to open a case to get something out. I could hardly do it! Durn thing was, like, glued shut! The case had kept the low-pressure air from the higher elevations all that time. With motorcycle gear, you usually pray for waterproof, and here this thing is air-tight!! Outstanding!
HOWEVER, the "cowling" for protecting the exposed oil filter is only cosmetic. It's plastic. Mine broke, first trip. Invest in a serious skid plate.
Enjoy your bike. I've been riding for over 40 years on all kinds of bikes. Put 60 000 klm's on my '09 and just put another 13 000 km's on my 2012. Lots of it off road as well. Great bike for the buck!
IMHO, an aftermarket exhaust is a waste of money. The existing exhaust is quiet, but has a nice low rumble when you get on the throttle. Most pipes are too loud, and for long rides, can get on your nerves and split your eardrums. You don't get any increase in power, and may have to get a Power Commander, for another couple hundred of dollars, to deal with lean running. You might save about 4-5 pounds, but is that worth $150. a pound? The bike is already good to go!
Nice. I have the same bike, but a little different selection of accessories. Love it.
Also you wanna get a sign on the back that says wide load. :-)
you go dude see you on the road.
Yes. Definitely better. The Madstad brackets make the screen sit a couple of inches in front of the fairing so some air does flow under/behind it. I'd be curious how a tall screen mounted directly on the fairing would be.
Sick bike!!!
The wheel tape is made for motorcycle wheels. Got mine from Cycle Gear. I know Pro Grip makes it too.
No, didn't modify the cables, but I did take off the clamp thingy on the right side that holds the cables in place on the top. Sorry I don't know what's it's called.
The 22" is a bit too high, but with the Madstad brackets I can lower it. But if I had to do it again I'd get a slightly shorter one. I never use it to it's full height and it's also a tad bit wider than I really need it to be. So I think the huge size of it might hamper my fuel mileage.
Really nice bike. Thanks for the video.
Did you have to modify the cables when you added the bar risers ?
I think it was $10,400 with all those optional accessories (top box, center stand, lower cowling) plus freight, document fee, tax, etc.
Nice video and very nice bike man! I have the same bike, and after changing the stock screen to the vario screen (the one with the little adjustable spoiler ) I went for a tour through the Rockies (B.C) about 2500 klms. The bike is amazing however the vario screen wasn't much better than the stock one. What do you think of the 22" Madstad screen? I am seriously considering it. Ride safe :)
What about the oil filter guard. Where did you buy that, because my V-Strom I bought 2 weeks ago didn't come with it.
That lower cowling is an optional accessory from Suzuki. It's made out of plastic but it does integrate well with the styling. I've since removed it and put on a quarter inch thick aluminum skid plate from in Enduro guardian that I really like specially since it comes with some really nice highway pegs.
iRide uWatch Would you be interested in selling your lower cowling? Thx
barndogusn Perhaps. Make me an offer at mlorenzini@Hotmail.com
Are you saying the top box didn't come with locking latches?
The Adventure edition that comes with cases came with an extra lock that uses the same key. But I had to put the locks in the sides cases and in the top box. Not a big deal though.
Nice ride you have there, but you forgot to say it had heated grips ? Question, how is the fuel use as the bike sets, and before ?
I am looking to go the same route, well for the most part, it's a hard combo to beat for the money outlay, and it will, or should last you many 10's of thousands of miles.
Def a thumbs up, I have it's brother, the SV650n, just not the best for touring, and yet some do just fine, just not me.
Your bike is in my top 2 for that honor. Do ride safe. yl
I didn't forget say because it doesn't have heated grips. Not sure what you're asking about fuel. My MPG varies quite a bit. I can get in the low 50s in city riding, but out on the highway running 80 mph I get in the low 40s. If I'm really on the throttle in the twisties it gets down into the 30s. I think I'd prefer the 1000cc but it's a decent touring bike.
Just joking about the heated grips, but they would be nice, for cold weather..Burrrrr !
Did I say I hate freezing cold weather...lol
They really should be standard equipment for this bike, like on some others.
You said what I was asking, when talking about fuel use.
They do tend to use more fuel at higher speeds, even more so when large cases are on the bike, like your bike has.
If theres a need of being hard on the throttle like you said, sometimes because of the weight being hauled, it may have been better for you with the bigger 1000cc bike, like you prefer.
Ether bike is great in my opinion, just depends on what's to be done with them, like riding two up, add that with all the storage spaces filled, would put more strain on the motor, thus more fuel being used.
That's where a larger bike could do it better job, even on fuel, maybe ?
Sorry for not being clearer....yl
Yea I think the 1000 would get better fuel mileage at highway speeds due to cruising at lower rpms.
Could be, would like to find out.
iRide uWatch I now have a dl650 all kitted out, and its needs one thing more, a better seat...lol without the side panyards, and only the top box it gets 59 to 62 mpg, fixing to take a little trip around 600 miles one way should be interesting.
What did you pay out the door?
How tall is this bike? Im 5'5'' and ride a yamaha v star 650 cruiser, 27" seat height.
GTCooper223 Here is one of the best tools for this on the web. >>> cycle-ergo.com
Nice bike!!!
New exhaust is a waste of money.