Opinions on V-Stroms

[Chippertheripper]

And where would you put your knees?

I'm not 45' tall. It looks like I'd fit in there as suzuki designed.


Rossiepoo, you'll never see me riding an i4 more than a 1/4 mile, just to reaffirm they aren't for me.

[Rossco]

Rossiepoo, you'll never see me riding an i4 more than a 1/4 mile, just to reaffirm they aren't for me.

I must confess, the low end-grunt from The Bandit's powerplant is quite lacking. Has me missing my old V-twin Shadow and lusting after a 'Strom

[markbvt]

While I was in Virginia visiting the parents for Xmas, I took my old Wee-Strom out for a ride. After 50k miles on the Tiger, it was an interesting experience. Seating position was more cramped (less distance between seat and pegs) and the handlebar position felt odd -- obviously a matter of being used to the Tiger's ergos, so I'd get over it eventually -- and the bike definitely felt a lot cheaper. Less power but more vibration; uncomfortable seat; and the brakes are awful. Also, the Tiger feels a lot more planted on the road, yet handles better; the Strom just feels a little vague and twitchy, and is affected much worse by crosswinds. It was an interesting comparison. The Wee-Strom is a good bike, but very obviously built to a budget. The differences weren't as obvious going from the Strom to the Tiger, but crystal clear going from the Tiger back to the Strom; they reinforce what a generally nicer bike the Tiger is. Worth the extra money, in my opinion.

I'd still kind of like to have the Strom back though for winter riding -- but if I bought it back from my dad, I'd have to change out a bunch of stuff. Starting with the brakes.

--mark

[Stromper]

There was a time when I went from a turbo Capri to a Toyota Supra
The Capri was at a guy's place who sell it for me.... of course it didn't happen

So driving it back after the Supra I realized the Capri was Farm equipment

[nhbubba]

Spotted on ADVRider... anyone remember me saying my V-Strom was basically an SV?


At first I was like..















And then I was like..

[carsick]

That looks like me off the outside of T9 last summer. I landed it, but had to lay 'er down in the boulder field.

[nhbubba]

Thimbles no more. Well, sometimes...

[SRTie4k]

I wonder if its possible to lowside with those things sticking that far out.

[jasnmar]

Off topic... Is the right side crash guard intentionally spaced way wider than the left?

[nhbubba]

I was playing around with a 2x4 in the garage and I actually think the pegs will still touch down first. I know, I didn't believe it either. We shall see I suppose.
Just think.. these are "only" 37L. Some people put larger cases on.

Guard was .. uhm .. modified .. last fall.

[carsick]

So mod the other one and make it match!

[Chippertheripper]

I like em. I need some of those tie down loops for my setup. Cuz I be lashing.

[Garandman]

I like em. I need some of those tie down loops for my setup. Cuz I be lashing.

They're called "Eye Straps" and most marine stores have them. 'spose I could start an editorial about how sad it is that accesories are cheaper in a marine store than a moto store.....

Trax builds them in. There's a guy who makes a combination lash strap / carrying handle for them.

[Chippertheripper]

I just gotta get off my lazy buttocks and get em.

[Stromper]

NEVA14 shameless plug

[nhbubba]

I'm very impressed with these cheap panniers. They are probably about 50% bigger than I need. But they have a lot of extras some others don't have. The clasps are very nice and have integrated locks that are all keyed alike; no padlocks flapping around. The tie downs on top are a nice bonus. The tops have a full rubber seal on the inside and seem to seal very tight. You can remove the tops quickly by unlocking and working just one of the clasps.

I always wanted a set of the Traxx Alu Boxes. These are priced 50% less.. than a single Traxx box! And they definitely do not seem 3x less gooder.

Tusk also sells a handle kit too. I don't need the handles. I may invest in a set of cinch straps that I shorten down specifically for use on those covers. But really, if I have to lash a lot to the tops of these cases.. then it's time to pack lighter.

[jasnmar]

But really, if I have to lash a lot to the tops of these cases.. then it's time to pack lighter.

Camp chair...

[nhbubba]

Covered.

[RandyO]

So, I dropped my 07 Vee off yesterday afternoon at the dealership for its 75k service and new throttle position sensors, because of the relationship I have with them, they set me up with a loaner bike for today, a 2014 Vulcan 900 Classic

it was an experience for me, floorboards, forward controls, I found myself not wanting to put my feet down at stops, I had to keep my big feet cocked sideways on the left floorboard or I would accidentally shift as straight on, either my toe would be on the toe shifter or my heal would be on the heal shifter. When I went to get off the bike I had to search for the kickstand that was in an awkward rear set position very hard to get to with the low seat height, my 61 year old knees just don't bend that much

weather protection is good, too good, in the humid heat of the afternoon, there was zero air movement behind the barn door windscreen, although it did protect me from getting soaked later in the evening riding home in the thunderstorm, and the floorboards helped keep my legs and feet a little drier. I could not see thru the raindrop soaked windshield with the droplets dispersing glare from oncoming headlights into my eyes, to see over the winshield, I had to scoot back to the pillon portion of the seat, compared to the headlamp on my Vee, lighting sucked

power deliver from the engine is smooth and made me want to eat a bowl of potatoes when I got home

[nhbubba]

New seat. This one was waaaay more of a pita to install than the DRZ kit.

[Chippertheripper]

Yeah, I WRESTLED the one for the 990.

[TheIglu]

That a Corbin?

[Stromper]

When I cover a seat its upside down with ALL my weight compressing the foam

If I have to I pull from the center with vise grips

[Chippertheripper]

That a Corbin?

Seat concepts I think.

[nhbubba]

That a Corbin?

Seat Concepts. Same as I put on the DRZ/KLX. Although I asked for "+1 firmness" foam this time. I have no idea if that changes anything.

Rode the bike for about 10-15 miles this morning. Feels like a completely different bike. Will have to see if I get used to it. I was very used to the ergos and this changes things. I can tell I'm much higher on the saddle now. Bars feel lower. Knees not as bent. Longer reach to the ground at those stops. Weird. I feel like I'm sitting further back too; longer reach to the bars. Almost feels like it needs bar risers now. And a taller 'screen.

Fix one thing, fuckup three others..