Mike's New Bike - 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650

[totalmotorcycle]

As talked about before, I have been very happy with the fuel economony of the Vstrom 650 even though I'm in the break-in period. I am using the mototune method to break it in so that means hard acceleration and no riding to save gas at all.

So far, here are my results:

YEAR: 2007
MAKE: Suzuki
MODEL: DL650 (V-strom 650)
Average US MPG : 53.48 MPG
Average L/100km : 4.4 L/100km
Fuel Capacity : 5.8 gal (22L)
Engine Size/Cylinders: 645 / 2
Source: Personal

This theoricially means I could get 500km on a tank of gas! That's amazing as I was expecting the low 40 MPG with the type/style of riding I'm doing right now to break it in.

I suspect that the new 2007 Vstrom engine (2 spark plugs per cylinder and other changes) has indeed improved fuel economy significatly over the 2006 and previous designs.

Time will tell.

Mike

P.S. Incase anyone needs to figure out what their MPG or L/100km is from their gas fills, here is a Metric Fuel Consumption Calculator I used right here on TMW:


Metric Fuel Consumption Calculator
http://totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleFu ... ulator.htm

MPG Fuel Consumption Calculator
http://totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleFu ... ulator.htm
I know I'll be referring it to again myself in the future.

[DivideOverflow]

That is great! I'm definitely willing to bet that the 2 plug/cyl is playing a huge role in the fuel economy. The emissions also turn out a good deal better, and the it helps the power!

I was surprised when highside told me that he gets roughly the same gas mileage on his monster 800 that I do on my 1000DS motor. I have to attribute it to the dual spark, as most of the rest of the engine design is similar.

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the bike! Let us know how that seat is when it comes in.

Also, have you considered adding a PCIII after it is all broken in? For some reason, I always feel like a good street machine should use the best tune available. However, it might be pretty good in its stock form. I know a lot of Ducati people with the dual spark motor said that adding a PCIII doesn't net anymore horsepower, since it is just about as efficient from the factory as it can get (without other mods). It might be the same case.

[totalmotorcycle]

That is great! I'm definitely willing to bet that the 2 plug/cyl is playing a huge role in the fuel economy. The emissions also turn out a good deal better, and the it helps the power!

I was surprised when highside told me that he gets roughly the same gas mileage on his monster 800 that I do on my 1000DS motor. I have to attribute it to the dual spark, as most of the rest of the engine design is similar.

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the bike! Let us know how that seat is when it comes in.

Also, have you considered adding a PCIII after it is all broken in? For some reason, I always feel like a good street machine should use the best tune available. However, it might be pretty good in its stock form. I know a lot of Ducati people with the dual spark motor said that adding a PCIII doesn't net anymore horsepower, since it is just about as efficient from the factory as it can get (without other mods). It might be the same case.

I'm betting that your right about the dual spark with better fuel economy, and using less fuel and producing less emissions = better world or more gas and resources longer for everyone.

I've read about the PCIII for the Vstrom, and like you mentioned for the Ducati, it doesn't do a lot for horsepower, but it does smooth out the fuel injection mapping. I might look into it, but I do like the K.I.S.S. method and less I add electronicly, the better down the road. Although I do find it a tad snatchy at 1/16th trottle when it just comes on line.

No prob about posting the review of the seat here. I'm hoping it will make a night and day difference.

Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

Ok, update time!

My new Suzuki Gel Seat arrived today in the post.

Inital impressions:

- Super easy to install.
- Looks and feels solid
- It's black with the riders seat having a "grip pattern" on it
- Had all the pan rubbers on it like the stock seat

Riding impressions (150km or about 2.5 hours).

- It feels much better than the DL650 stock seat as it allows you to move back more and move around on the seat if needed.
- It's wider than the stock seat both in the seating area and in the front. Says about 3/4-1" taller and I've believe it. Can make flat footing on both feet at a stop more difficult (even for 34" inseam like me)
- More padded, but much firmer. (break-in required I imagine to get it more comfy)
- You don't slip forward anymore (yay!)
- After 2.5 hours on it, I was still fine to ride more. With the firmness of the seat you can feel any seams in your back jeans pockets or stuff in them, but hopefully as it breaks in more it will get a little softer.

The Suzuki Gel Seat is a big success over the DL650 Vstrom stock seat. What a difference! If there were 2 areas I'd give neutrals over it would be: Firmness of seat and it raises the riding position up quite noticably.

It has turned the DL650 into a "I can't believe how comfortable this riding position is, but what an aweful seat after 20 minutes", to "I can't believe how comfortable this riding position is, what a great firm seat for touring, glad I'm tall".

So out of 10, it gets:

Suzuki DL650 Stock Seat (4/10):
Suzuki Gel Touring (9/10) Seat:

Photos to come soon!

Mike

[-Holiday]

Ok, update time!

My new Suzuki Gel Seat arrived today in the post.

Inital impressions:

- Super easy to install.
- Looks and feels solid
- It's black with the riders seat having a "grip pattern" on it
- Had all the pan rubbers on it like the stock seat

Riding impressions (150km or about 2.5 hours).

- It feels much better than the DL650 stock seat as it allows you to move back more and move around on the seat if needed.
- It's wider than the stock seat both in the seating area and in the front. Says about 3/4-1" taller and I've believe it. Can make flat footing on both feet at a stop more difficult (even for 34" inseam like me)
- More padded, but much firmer. (break-in required I imagine to get it more comfy)
- You don't slip forward anymore (yay!)
- After 2.5 hours on it, I was still fine to ride more. With the firmness of the seat you can feel any seams in your back jeans pockets or stuff in them, but hopefully as it breaks in more it will get a little softer.

The Suzuki Gel Seat is a big success over the DL650 Vstrom stock seat. What a difference! If there were 2 areas I'd give neutrals over it would be: Firmness of seat and it raises the riding position up quite noticably.

It has turned the DL650 into a "I can't believe how comfortable this riding position is, but what an aweful seat after 20 minutes", to "I can't believe how comfortable this riding position is, what a great firm seat for touring, glad I'm tall".

So out of 10, it gets:

Suzuki DL650 Stock Seat (4/10):
Suzuki Gel Touring (9/10) Seat:

Photos to come soon!

Mike

can someone please move this to the appropriate forum?

kthnx

[totalmotorcycle]

can someone please move this to the appropriate forum?
kthnx

You got it!

Copied into the Motorcycle Products and Review forum.

Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

Second tracked fill up:

Distance Traveled: 298km
Litres Used: 16.606
Cost: $1.049/l
MPG: 42.2
L/100km: 5.57

[totalmotorcycle]

I'm off this morning for a 9am appointment for my Suzuki Vstrom 650's first service (1,000km).

I'm sure it will all go well, It will just be a cooler ride (6.8°C) this morning to Mountain Toys in Cochrane.

Bundling up.

Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

Ok, back from my 1000km first Suzuki service on my Vstrom 650.

Well, it was indeed painless.

Thanks to the efficiency of Mountain Toys, the whole service was $48.00 not inc oil and filter plus tax. A very good deal considering it was $150 at a local big dealership (inc oil and filter).

Broken down that's

- 30 minutes of labour
- Clean, lube and adjusted chain
- Checked all lights
- Checked brakes
- Inspect al fluids
- Inspect steering
- Adjusted tire pressures
- Checked exhaust and fasteners
- Inspect exhaust valve

Oil and Filter wasn't included as I did that myself at 70 and again at 700km.

Most importantly, Suzuki is happy which keeps my 3 year warranty in the green.

Speaking of oil changes, the 700km one (second one) I put in Shell Rotella-T 15w40 Triple Protection oil in and it is working very nicely. Shifting is much smoother and the engine is happy.

Mike

[KarateChick]

Thanks for the update Mike and the info on your cost. I have to make the time to do the same for the 650 sooner than later. At least if they keep it longer than I expect, the 250 is still hanging around for riding. A few friends have mentioned that we get totally ripped off in Edm when it comes to some bike prices and shops costs compared to Calgary & area...