Think I need a more manageable bike

[boatman]

My 1250 GSA was bought off a chap who at 70 yrs young decided it was now too big & heavy for his European jaunts with friends. He bought a Suzuki 650 V-Strom, very happy with it for his tours & trips out to the point he now rides much more often. The 650 has now been replaced by the 800 which is very much the same but with a bit more ooomph.

Exactly - my route ,, down sized to a Strom 650 - - didn’t work for me ,,, so I changed it for a Suzuki 800 DE .
I consider the 800 DE , to be an excellent machine for a mid weight mid price point bike .
From Sunday scratching with the Lads , to pootling midweek ,and full pack camp touring ( uprated rear shock )

 

[Robbieben]

Not true . The 650 has been replaced by the new SV-7GX , using the same v twin from the Vstrom 650.
The parallel twin in the 800 is totally different and makes 15 more bhp.
I assume you’ve not ridden both as if you had I can’t see how you could describe them as ‘very much the same ‘ !

The 800 is fantastic but the old 650 is a better two up bike .

But for solo riding , the 800 is by far the better bike .
The new SV-7GX could be a great bike . It’s also £2.5/3k cheaper than the 800 depending whether you go for the RE or DE.

Perhaps you need to update Suzuki sales team then as their take is that the 800 is the replacement for the 650. I have ridden the old 650 and the new 800. I never mentioned engine differences other than capacity. We of course can all split hairs or just be a cnut.

 

[Arsey]

Perhaps you need to update Suzuki sales team then as their take is that the 800 is the replacement for the 650. I have ridden the old 650 and the new 800. I never mentioned engine differences other than capacity. We of course can all split hairs or just be a cnut.

You didn’t mention engine differences yet said they are very much the same . They are totally different . Do you call everybody a cnut when they correct your ignorance or just the selected few ?

Having ridden both bikes over hundreds of miles , to call them very much the same is ridiculous.

I wonder what @boatman thinks ?

 

[Robbieben]

You didn’t mention engine differences yet said they are very much the same . They are totally different . Do you call everybody a cnut when they correct your ignorance or just the selected few ?

Having ridden both bikes over hundreds of miles , to call them very much the same is ridiculous.

I wonder what @boatman thinks ?

No, I reserve calling people a cnut for those special people that deserve it, believe they are always right and can't understand that what I wrote was subjective rather than a particular post based on total accuracy. The OP asked a question. I offered a little insight and a direction to explore, nothing more.

 

[Howard J]

Many thanks for all of the replies and advice, I’m thinking I’ll look for a 800 GSA.

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

Does it have to be ADV bike style @Howard J , this R1200R looks like a cracking buy -> https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/bmw-r1200r-2007-35k-comfort-seat-bmw-luggage.530033/ .

Whilst its no lightweight, having a low comfortable seat height (800mm) means it would be confidence inspiring.

 

[Howard J]

Many thanks for all of the replies and advice, I’m thinking I’ll look for a 800 GSA.

Did it!! Collecting later

 

[Tinytim]

Did it!! Collecting later

Nice one Howard. Keep us posted how you get on with it. ( I took am getting old and decrepit and one of those has always caught my eye. )

 

[albatross]

Did it!! Collecting later

Can I please see that asap…coffee awaiting as usual H.
Back next week……

 

[Guru Gora]

Did it!! Collecting later

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Other PaulG]

There has been talk (not alcohol induced, may I add), of taking said bikes to the continent, maybe as far as the Black Forest... because clearly, although this is not what they were ever intended for, it (hopefully) adds to the enjoyment.

Yes! Thats exactly why you should do it.

 

[Dave T]

Did it!! Collecting later

Excellent! Enjoy the new bike!

 

[Dave T]

Yes! Thats exactly why you should do it.

Agreed, that has been our discussions throughout. It's not the wrong bike, it's not the wrong destination, we just need to plan accordingly...