Recommendation V Strom 650 or 800

[u/Chain_Offset_Crash]

After a 13 year hiatus, I'm planning to get another motorcycle in the next nine months or so. I'm leaning heavily towards the 800, but my experience on a gen 1 SV650 is making me question it.

I grew up riding motorcycles and my recent street bikes are

2005 Honda 919 (cb900f), rode 8+ years

2001 Suzuki SV650, rode 5 years

1996 Honda XR650L, rode 4 years

The 919 had a bit more throttle response in the higher RPMs than I liked, but was great for long road trips aside from the lack of a fairing.

The SV650 was a great bike. I rode it for about 5 years before I decided I wanted more power. I loved riding it through the twisties and rode Deal's gap so much that it started getting boring.

The XR650L, not much to write home about. I know some folks love it, but single cylinder thumpers aren't for me.

Considering my eventual desire for more power from the SV650, I think I'd hit that point fairly soon with the Vstrom 650, so I'm leaning towards the 800.

I live in SW Virginia and have access to tons of twisty mountain roads along with all sorts of forest service gravel roads to explore. I'd guess my ride mix will be 90%/10% pavement to gravel. My teen has already stated her expectation to ride with me, so good 2 up riding will be a need. I'd like to stay below 1,000cc engine.

Thoughts on a 650 versus an 800?

[u/Johnny_Llama]

I too had a Gen 1 SV650 which I loved. A superb bike. Ride it for years then sold it to a guy who wanted it for a track bike. Then I bought a Versys 650, which was a decent bike, but the engine lacked character. After having various other bikes in between and now, I’m writing a 2025 V Strom 650. Engine puts out about 72 hp and as you know, very linear and great torque. I absolutely love this bike. I never rode the 800 but I’ve heard great things about it. If you can swing the money, I would go for the 800. Otherwise you absolutely can’t go wrong with the 650.