just curious what you would need more than 650cc's for. would it be a 1000cc parallel twin? sounds heavier than just using the i4 599cc.

 

Some 650's are slowed down quite a bit in the wind and on hills, a 1000 also makes a nice highway speed long distance mount and for those that tour two-up.
I had a DR650SE and it wasn't that great in power department.

 

A Versys 650 is ideal for my kind of traveling. A 1000 would be a bit much, but I wonder what powerplant it has? A Versys 250? I'll keep my KLX for the 250 displacement. At least I know I can jump the KLX without damaging the pipes.

I've been trying to find a Versys 650, just to takea peek at one. So far, no dealers have them on the showroom. But I do find a lot more KTM dual-sport conversion bikes.

 

That's my kind of riding.....you been practicing in thesand deej?

 

i want a ktm 625 sm just all set up for street cruzing and keep the klx for the woods. something about riding a dirt bike on the street.... so.... natural?

 

they are nice, my buddy let me ride this one.....very smooth, and with the FI its pretty snappy

 

I think the Versys would do much better than a DR650E and I think it would handle the hills/wind pretty well. You wouldn't have all of that power surplus on tap like that of a liter bike, but by most accounts it hasgood power in a vary usable RPM range.

Run with the V-storm? I 'think' it will hold its own, but it would be nice to see some magazine do a 'shoot-out,' wouldn't it? I've got a lot ofrespect for the V-strom..lots of bang for the buck, but I think I might be in favor of thegreater suspension travel on the Versys. I love bikes that are forgiving on nastyroads.[8D]

 

DR650 = 45 hp@ 6800 rpm
versys 650 = 71 hp @ 7000 rpm

slight difference

 

Ya think?

 

+1
I wasn't comparing the power of the DR650 to the Versys or V-strom, just voicing my opinion on the need for some people to have a 1000cc+ size bike versus (no pun) a smaller bore machine.
I;ve rode both V-trom models and was very impressd with the power of each, have not rode a Versys yet.
The DR650 is most likely the biggest dog in the 650cc class for sale in the U.S.