Opinions on V-Stroms

[MattR302]

Rode mine to work today. Despite my noises of replacing it, I doubt I will. Bike fits me very, very well. Ergonomics are spot on. Loves New England roads.
30 more HP would ... only get me more tickets.

Why dontcha swing on down to Central CT and let me take it for a test ride so I can decide if I want to pretty up my FZ6 for sale.

[nhbubba]

What's next, a battery?!?!?!

Eh.. it's just a bike afterall.

No kidding though, I think mine could use a battery. Flip the high beams on and the voltage tanks to like 11 volts.

[Stromper]

MIne will be heading for the basement this winter for a freshing up its got 25000 and the first for series looking

Fork lube
Chain sprocket cush hub chewing on 530 upgrade

Werks clutch mod

Sync and stuff when back up

My Maine trip was 1000 miles camping and I don't think anything other reasonable bike would have served me better
the new seat concepts cover foam made it a better tourer

[TheIglu]

What's next, a battery?!?!?!

If so, a short trip to WalMart and ill be good for another 5 years. I have not seen any difference in life between a cheap Everstart and a spendy name brand yet.

[Chippertheripper]

Even my cheap ass refuses to go to Walmart.

[RandyO]

Even my cheap ass refuses to go to Walmart.

I admit to going to Walmart, but not for batteries, they are less expensive at NAPA even without my discount
http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-...ttery/28275660
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...51R_0527584263

[loudbeard]

Even my cheap ass refuses to go to Walmart.

Well, he does live in basically Winchendon...

[carsick]

Randy, your NAPA price link is higher than the Walmart price, and being an Interstate dealer, I believe they are lower than both with a much larger dealer network and a no questions asked warranty.

[Stromper]

After having problems with cheaper batteries I got the baddest YUASA that fit

[Chippertheripper]

Well, he does live in basically Winchendon...

I've been to the iglu estates before...but I know nothing of winchendon.

[nhbubba]

He lives past the winch. I had no idea such a place existed. Pretty sure my gps tapped out 2 miles from his place.

[TheIglu]

It's lonely out here.

[SIDSPEEDY]

Accidentally rented one in Italy (planned Monster rental completely fell through). It was a 650 version. For the rougher pavement in cinque terra (sp?) it was a PERFECT fit, the monster would have been tough 2up with my wife (she is light but it would have been rough). Very competent bike, get the suspenders freshened, get your settings dialed, then ride it. We had a blast, decent pull, gearbox wasn't bad, thrashed the motor pretty hard at times, took it like a champ. 650 was OK on autostrada but 1000 would have been nice. Otherwise the 650 was great, just a little sway in the suspension- but I didn't mess with it.

[LXnastynotch93]

Accidentally rented one in Italy (planned Monster rental completely fell through). It was a 650 version. For the rougher pavement in cinque terra (sp?) it was a PERFECT fit, the monster would have been tough 2up with my wife (she is light but it would have been rough). Very competent bike, get the suspenders freshened, get your settings dialed, then ride it. We had a blast, decent pull, gearbox wasn't bad, thrashed the motor pretty hard at times, took it like a champ. 650 was OK on autostrada but 1000 would have been nice. Otherwise the 650 was great, just a little sway in the suspension- but I didn't mess with it.

I wish they would combine the 650 with the suspension of the 1000 V2 and the wire wheels of the 650. That would be a perfect small adv touring machine however I'm not sure how it would do 2 up. My 1000 is perfectly happy with full bags and my lady on the pillion. It is a bit too heavy though and I think that can be attributed to the fact that the fuel tank is up high and is very large.

[nhbubba]

I wish they'd reskin the new DL1000 to look more like the current DL650. I wouldn't be offended with wire wheels, but can go either way. My single biggest obstacle to even test riding the new DL1000 is the ridiculous beak and cyclops headlight.

[Stromper]

Hacksaw

I was amused when the latest KTM 's were what looked like the successor to the original DL1000

Poultra Beak is downright silly

[LXnastynotch93]

I guess I don't see the problem with the beak.

[nhbubba]

[Stromper]

Just did 2052 miles in a week in upper New England on my DL1000 Vstrom

[TheIglu]

36k, not a single valve needed adjustment. Last adjusted them at 19k-ish.

Washed out the air filter, re-oiled.

Still on the original battery from what I can tell. 12 years old and counting, STRONG LIKE BULL!

Original brake pads too, from what I can tell.

[Garandman]

In 2010 I took a trip up to Maine, drove around and visited a couple of customers. So lots of 55mph riding on 2 lane roads. 61.1mpg. Lowest tanks were track days, 32.0 and 29.5. Longest tank was 294 miles.

Overall average of 51.0 for the 2005 and 50.6 for the 2009.

[nhbubba]

I just can't hate mine.
SV too.

[Stromper]

Going for a VSTROM Camp and ride in Cupsipsic (sp?) Maine this weekend should be about 30+
Its on Stromtroopers as the PEEPshow if interested

[Chippertheripper]

I might have to steal jc's for a minute one of these days for a ride around the block.

[MattR302]

I've been considering trading my FZ6 for a Wee Strom for about the past year. Been casually keeping an eye on the used Strom market: for about what my FZ6 is worth, I can get a well-farkled Gen 1 Wee ABS. For another ~G more, I could get a stock-ish Gen 2 Wee.

Recently had a short test ride on a '16 Wee at NECC demo day. It was pretty much exactly what I was expecting, a little taller and a little physically larger feeling than my FZ6, a little boring like my FZ6, but a good all-arounder/commuter. I know on paper it's slower than my FZ6, but at around-town/ demo ride speeds, it didn't feel it. I've recently thrown a little money at my FZ6 (custom seat, new handlebar, throttle tamer) and it's finally all-day comfortable, which is the main reason why I've considered a Wee in the first place. In addition to the other farkles I've alread invested on the FZ6 (R6 forks, HID projectors, full Givi luggage, etc), the only benefits I could see swapping to a Wee would be ABS, and possibly preferring the 650's engine characteriscs/power delivery (undecided, based on that test ride - who wants to swap bikes for a week?)


Edit: Also test rode a new DL1000. Felt similar to the 650 but a physically a little larger. Suspension and brakes felt better than the 650, it didn't feel a ton more powerful than the 650 but probably because it's so smooth (and demo ride speeds). One of the main appeals to me about motorcycling is the economical fun-to-dollar ratio. Comparing 50mpg with a Wee on regular, to 40mpg on premium for a Vee, plus greater insurance/tire costs, I'm like, ehh. Plus for the $3000-4000 difference for a Gen 2 DL1000, I'd probably rather just have a sweet Gen 1 Vmax in my garage.