I have just bought a 2010 DL 650 Vstrom GT and just though I would pass on my first thoughts...
I have ridden lots of Adventure type bikes and owned a few too, like the R1200 GS Adventure, Triumph Tiger 1050 etc.... I was never happy with them for some reason, couldn't touch the floor with both feet, too expensive, or too heavy on fuel..... his little strom seems just right, its good on fuel, not too expensive, comfy, nice riding position, so, out of the create, it seems a good bike.
The small 650 V-Twin pulls very well, right from the off up through the rev range with no flat spots. To me it felt like two bikes in one, I nice cruiser for pottering about on and taking in the scenery or, open it up a bit, and it responds well into the higher revs and pulls hard.... this shocked me a little as its only a 650 and wasn't expecting performance. Don't get me wrong, it's no racer, but in this class, very acceptable...
The brakes... mine has ABS so I cant answer from those without but, it feels very sure on light and heavy braking alike with a strong feeling of stopping power and didn't seems to dive too much like some other bikes I have ridden.
The handling is also impressive. This is a budget bike in this adventure class so I was thinking the handling won't be that good, again I was happily wrong. On slow cornering it feels very secure with a dab of rear brake to hold the line in the tight U turn type corners. I found myself at a local place where sports bike riders have a go and getting their knee down on some open round abouts, as I came into the roundabout I was following a black Kawasaki ZX6R, he threw himself into the corner and round he went with his knee down... he looked back to see where I was and I think I shocked him as I was still on his tail.. (I had the ball on the foot peg down).
The only down side I have found with the bike is the standard screen... I am lucky as mine came with the standard one and a high touring type...
The OEM screen is fine for anything under 60mph, over that I was feeling the buffet... I am 6 foot 2 inches tall so maybe that's why...
I'm not saying it's the best bike in the world for touring but my first thoughts are, I'm very impressed and look forward to riding I'm more soon.
anyway have a look at my bike, I like it a lot so far....