Stephen McG

Craig
I am not up on the letters - what year is that.
I got DV650 new in 2003 and kept till new DV700 came out in 2006.
2003 onwards had linked brakes and bigger panniers.
The 650 had the old reserve switch which you had to turn when fuel low.
You had to practice switching it as it was a bit of a scare at 70MPH and the engine starts to splutter and die with no fuel.

Are you looking at a specific bike?
on the deauvilleuk.org site there are always a few for sale and enough background info to keep you occupied for weeks.
As a commuter it is fine, you can carry a small laptop in LH pannier or a bigger one in topbox.
The pannier on RH (exhaust) side is a bit smaller.

The shaft may be maintenance free but getting back wheel off is only easy if you read up tips on webpage and get help from friend.
MPG is good.
there are 5 gears which have to be used for brisk riding
I liked it but preferred the 700 - it had more power, fuel injected and even bigger panniers and fuel gauge.
SMcG