V=strom

[OldYam]

Thinking about getting one if my old Yamaha ever expires. But they look pretty much like they're trying to be an off-road set up. Anybody doing serious touring and general road riding on 'em?

[uhmeebuh]

Originally posted by OldYam
Thinking about getting one if my old Yamaha ever expires. But they look pretty much like they're trying to be an off-road set up. Anybody doing serious touring and general road riding on 'em?

The answers you seek shall be found here:

http://www.stromtrooper.com/forum/
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5

But yes - there are many people who ride the hell outta their v-stroms (60K+ miles). While it is primarily intended as an on-road machine, many owners equip them for some light off road duty (fire trails, gravel roads, etc) and they do just fine. with a few windscreen mods and some hard luggage you can pretty much go anywhere...

This, of course, assumes you can handle the *unique* looks of this swiss-army bike :laughing

[Flimsy Slowham]

Well, the 650 V-Strom was just written up in Cycle World magazine (Sept 06) as, "...The Vstrom (DL650) may just be the most shockingly competent machine in the world today.."

They're not the most beautiful bike on the planet, but who the fuck cares. They are, IMO, amazing bikes. I just picked up an 04 with 4500 miles on it and Hepco Becker saddle bags that could take a bullet from a 30-06 (ok, maybe a .22).

Do yourself a favor and go test-ride one. The '07's will have optional ABS on them, too...

[ilikesmybike]

I have a 2004 DL 650. Bought it with about 16K on it and lots of upgrades. I can't say enough about how much I love it. PUH LENTY of power and great control. I bought it to go on fire trails, etc. but have found it to be an awesome street bike. I'm in my late 30's and have no interest in testing limits but this bike makes me feel like if I wanted to, it would be no issue and everyone else knows it too. You can't go wrong. One day with more $$ I'll buy the ABS version.

[monkeythumpa]

They look like great bikes but because I don't ride on fire trails enough, I would never buy one. I would stick to something lower, more aerodynamic if you are just riding on tarmac like most people. I had a real hard time flat footing it, and I am 5'10".

[ilikesmybike]

I'm 6'2" and anything that requires me to hunch over kills my back. I like the upright seating on the V-Strom. One day though, I think I'd like to upgrade to a BMW R1150 RT

[wsmc831]

I would LOVE to get one just to ride to Alaska....



don't know anyone with one, but I do know they have a great engine :-)

[slydrite]

Originally posted by wsmc831
I would LOVE to get one just to ride to Alaska....


me 2!!

btw, I'm 5'8, 29" inseam and I had NO problems riding one and stoping/starting one.......fun bike stock, but I got to the limit of the stock susp pretty quickly on pave........also, not enough susp travel for any decent off road use,......just like SV's, suspsension is the weakest aspect of the weestrom, 1K is better, but much heavier and even less off road capable

[Iceman9r]

I have a DL1000

It's been on and off road . Great bike....little heavy though. I'm 6'4 I can throw it around under me though. But it is not a full out dirt bike. It's nice when you can ride to the area you want to off road on instead off hauling it in a truck.

Kurt

[rob9000]

I recently got a DL 1000. This is my fourth bike. The last one was a Concours. I went for the V-strom because I was basically looking for a more slimmed down sport touring bike that would be an improvement over some of the things I didn't like about the Connie, and that has an acceptable riding position for me. I am 6'4"

I have put about 200 miles on it since I acquired it. Here are my thoughs so far:
- Overall I think I accomplished the goal I was shooting for.

- The V-strom has plenty of torque in the low end and no buzzing like the Connie.

- Gearing is tall, so I am not searching for 7th gear like I always did on the Connie

- A taller bike like the V means higher center of gravity, but I find it very workable.....I think it feels less top heavy than the Connie

- One thing I had had to do immediately was get a new windscreen. Just factor the cost of this in to your purchase decision.

- My wrists don't get tired.

- One thing I don't like is the exhaust is too quiet. I can't come screaming out of a tunnel like I could on the Connie or the GPz 750 (before the Connie).

- Something about the bike makes me ride closer to the speed limits. I haven't determined yet if it is because of the quiet exhaust, more wind noise or because this is my first twin and power delivery just feels different.

- I had no intention of taking the bik off road. I just wanted something that wouldn't shake my kidneys loose from going over bad road conditions.