"I'd ride it before I buy" is VERY good advice - I remember salivating over a black and titanium colored Ducati Monster at a dealer. Went for a test ride, had the money in my pocket, it was a done deal. But after the test ride I was confused and said I'll have to think about it. First off it took me a while to get the thing out of the parking, the steering was ridiculously "racy", I had to move back and forth ten times to turn the bike 180 degrees. No problem. But riding it I slipped forward and sat on the tank, had to push me back up the seat again and again. At a stop the neutral light came on, I let the clutch go, it stalled. Sometimes the light was out and the bike was in neutral. - I've bought lots of used japanese bikes and never really had an issue with any of them, always got used to them. But I'm not interested in Ducati anymore!
I bought a XR650L just because it was cheap. Never had an Enduro before, never was interested in one. But three weeks later I realized that I had ridden it every day, and hadn't taken any of the other three or four bikes I had sitting in my garage. (I've had up to seven bikes in my garage, all used and nothing fancy, when I realized I should see a doctor). Got a DR650SE and a KLR250, put Pirelli MT60s on them. They were the last bikes I finally sold when I left. So much for actually riding bikes to find out how they really are. Kind of like girls, don't just go for the beautiful ones with the long legs - try something different, you may be in for a surprise!
The V-Strom is big since it has the frame of the SV1000 and a bigger front wheel, and may be too much with saddle bags and top case. I'd use only a day pack and tie it to the rear seat. I don't really like the looks of the SV650S, and the V-Strom has a better seating position and a bigger fairing. A little less power I don't mind, more than 60 horses is plenty for me. But I'd have to ride it first...
