Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
DR650SE vs DL650 Wee-Strom for RTW DR650SE vs DL650 Wee-Strom for RTW
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree3Likes

Reply
Page 4 of 4 123 4
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #46  
Old 28 Aug 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Quote:
Originally Posted by srileo View Post
My choice for future trips is the DR. I have been learning its internals slowly and am loving the bike now. With a few cheap mods, you have a very reliable and capable bike that any mechanic anywhere in the world can fix if you can't. Plus it is loads lighter and goes places where you wont take the Wee.
Good choice. But I loved both my Vstroms, no issues. Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of the DR is its crash survivability compared to the Strom.

Regards your Fuel pump filter issues. This is not very common, at least not on the Vstrom forums. I read of one or two clogging up on the 2600 member Vstrom group. That back in 2003 when the fix was figured out.

My memory is a bit dim on this as it never happened to me despite about 20,000 miles of Mexico and Baja Gas. But IIRC, the pump has TWO filters.
One is removable and cleanable. The other, I believe does not come out but can be cleaned with a tooth brush to clear it out. Or perhaps you have to disassemble the pump to get to it .... can't remember.

In any case, my solution was to regularly run Chevron Techron through the system or Sea Foam. No pump/filter problems in 70K miles on my '02.

When you hang out with these guys you tend to learn every Vstrom trick in the book! That's my bike parked backwards and dirty ... of course.


120 Vstromer's can't be wrong!


Quick spin on the Playa, Black Rock Desert, Nv.
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 28 Aug 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NZ
Posts: 39
Firstly, just go. Any bike will do.
Hey a danish dude rode a Nimbus bike RTW, possible he is still on the road. The Nimbus factory closed in the fifties (i think). He on the Forum somewhere.

My choice would largely be dependant on what type of riding you are going to do.

If your choice is mainly tar seal then any bike will make it with a bit of loving tender care.

I have been from India thru to Europe on a BMW and it rode nicely, but we were 99% on the tar seal. My wife rode a XT600 which I bought for 300USD on the same trip and it never missed a beat. The BMW has a flat front tyre.

This time around I'm on a DR650 kitted for serious off-road, because that's what we are going to do in South America, avoid tar seal where we can.

Some days we will be lucky to make 100km, but that's fine.
Even when get to the "states" we will try to avoid tar seal.

And when on tar seal, we will be happy to accept a lot less miles/day than a "proper" road bike, simply because we not in any hurry.

Just do it !
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 30 Jul 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 83
my 2 cents:
I've owned both, and hauling a bunch of kit on an RTW would make me take the 'strom........secondly, I'm lazy and old. I'll plug a tire any day before patching a tube.
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 1 Aug 2015
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
and hopefully as this post is 7 years old Remy made the correct decision
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 24 Sep 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Holland
Posts: 113
unleaded fuel
and how about the question if the vstrom is suited for leaded (African) fuel?
__________________
Luc
Reply With Quote
  #51  
Old 25 Sep 2015
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
the engine will be OK, but if you are going to be running on leaded for an extended period then remove the catalytic converter from exhaust system.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 4 of 4 123 4

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
DL650 LED Lights hobospy Suzuki Tech 8 20 Sep 2009 18:09
DR650SE vs DL650 Wee-Strom for RTW Remy Which Bike? 3 1 Nov 2008 19:17

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top