If you want to go off road some, many prefer the 650 for the lighter weight. I am told (no personally experience) that the 650 is better mostly off road bike and the bigger one (1200?)a better mostly street bike. I always thought of off road as motoX or enduro type stuff and I'm too old for that But I have been exploring a few logging roads on the Beemer that are dirt and gravel and it's pretty fun!They had a used 650 Strom there for 4500 with 15k on it. I just think I would want more power. It is a big bike but my legs are still bent when I am flat footed on both sides.