Comments on: What is it about that V-Strom? http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/ Dedicated to the Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 (and 650) Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:35:01 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Robin Powell http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-9003 Robin Powell Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:18:41 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-9003 I bought a V-Strom 1000 thinking of it as a budget BMW GS and rode it from England to Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland all 2-up and with 35 kilos (80 pounds) of luggage and the bike lapped it up. Tuscan mountain roads with hairpins you can't see round to thousands of miles of Autostrada, Autoroute and Autobahn the Strom does it all. This year I sold it and bought a 2010 BMW GS Adventure. After three weeks and 3000 miles round Italy I sold it back to the dealer and tracked down the Strom I had traded in and bought my old bike back. For me it's the better bike, it carries passenger and load better, it cruises all day at 80mph better, it has WAY better overtaking punch on two-lane overtakes (like being fired from a gun)and I am more comfortable after a 600 mile day in the saddle. OK the brakes aren't as hot and off-road the GS rules but that's only 1% of my tours. I'll not sell mine again. Find your own. I bought a V-Strom 1000 thinking of it as a budget BMW GS and rode it from England to Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland all 2-up and with 35 kilos (80 pounds) of luggage and the bike lapped it up. Tuscan mountain roads with hairpins you can’t see round to thousands of miles of Autostrada, Autoroute and Autobahn the Strom does it all. This year I sold it and bought a 2010 BMW GS Adventure. After three weeks and 3000 miles round Italy I sold it back to the dealer and tracked down the Strom I had traded in and bought my old bike back. For me it’s the better bike, it carries passenger and load better, it cruises all day at 80mph better, it has WAY better overtaking punch on two-lane overtakes (like being fired from a gun)and I am more comfortable after a 600 mile day in the saddle. OK the brakes aren’t as hot and off-road the GS rules but that’s only 1% of my tours. I’ll not sell mine again. Find your own.

]]> By: SEvanA http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-8855 SEvanA Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:01:52 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-8855 Ride one! I went to the dealer with every intention of buying a cruiser style bike with my eye on a Yamaha Star model. I rode one and decided to ride an '09 DL650 V-Strom just to check it out. When I got back from that test ride, all thoughts of a cruiser bike were gone and I bought the 'Strom on the spot and rode it home! That was in mid-April 2010 and I've been using it to commute to work every day (80 miles round trip). Less than a quarter ton, all fun! Buy one you won't regret it. Ride one! I went to the dealer with every intention of buying a cruiser style bike with my eye on a Yamaha Star model. I rode one and decided to ride an ‘09 DL650 V-Strom just to check it out. When I got back from that test ride, all thoughts of a cruiser bike were gone and I bought the ‘Strom on the spot and rode it home! That was in mid-April 2010 and I’ve been using it to commute to work every day (80 miles round trip). Less than a quarter ton, all fun! Buy one you won’t regret it.

]]> By: Harry http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-8488 Harry Tue, 25 May 2010 01:01:23 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-8488 I have been riding for nearly 20 years on big cruisers, most recently H-D. I finally concluded I no longer needed image, and I wanted something upright, comfortable for weekend crusies, or quick ebough for short morning rides to clear my head. From the moment I left the dealer lot, I keep asking myself why I didn't convert sooner. This is the best all around bike on the road. I have replaced the windscreen with CalSci, installed Mototech risers, nothing else. The CalSci has eliminated the dreaded buffeting completely...wonderfully designed and very effective. The risers help reduce fatigue on longer trips. Before I bought the VStrom, I researched BMW, but found I could buy two Stroms for the price of one Beemer. Now it lacks the "image" but you won't find a better all around bike than the Strom. I walked away from the Suzuki dealer with a new bike and $2,500 cash from a loud, bulky, highly overrated bulk of chrome. Now I am comfortable, confident and very pleased with this bike. No more hours spent cleaning and polishing farkles that add no performance. No more H-D hundred dollar price tag for a t-shirt and jeans. I am so glad to be past that BS. If you are thinking of buying a Strom, you won't regret it. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I love mine. I have been riding for nearly 20 years on big cruisers, most recently H-D. I finally concluded I no longer needed image, and I wanted something upright, comfortable for weekend crusies, or quick ebough for short morning rides to clear my head. From the moment I left the dealer lot, I keep asking myself why I didn’t convert sooner. This is the best all around bike on the road.
I have replaced the windscreen with CalSci, installed Mototech risers, nothing else. The CalSci has eliminated the dreaded buffeting completely…wonderfully designed and very effective. The risers help reduce fatigue on longer trips.
Before I bought the VStrom, I researched BMW, but found I could buy two Stroms for the price of one Beemer. Now it lacks the “image” but you won’t find a better all around bike than the Strom. I walked away from the Suzuki dealer with a new bike and $2,500 cash from a loud, bulky, highly overrated bulk of chrome. Now I am comfortable, confident and very pleased with this bike. No more hours spent cleaning and polishing farkles that add no performance. No more H-D hundred dollar price tag for a t-shirt and jeans. I am so glad to be past that BS.
If you are thinking of buying a Strom, you won’t regret it. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I love mine.

]]> By: Chris http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-8176 Chris Tue, 04 May 2010 22:48:23 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-8176 Everyone seems to really love the vstrom. I, like many has just purchase a 2010 dl000. Tons of power. Great 2up. 1400KM's and getting 360km per tank. The wind buffeting makes me want to drive it off a cliff. Seriously, 10 miles and I have a headache. Every site/forum you go to has the perfect sollution. Nothing has worked yet. The BMW as per everyone that's test road one will tell you they suck worse than the vstrom for buffeting. So for the ultimate adventure tour bike get a vstrom and find a way the find clean windsheild air. Is there anyone that can convince to really really love this investment? Everyone seems to really love the vstrom. I, like many has just purchase a 2010 dl000. Tons of power. Great 2up. 1400KM’s and getting 360km per tank. The wind buffeting makes me want to drive it off a cliff. Seriously, 10 miles and I have a headache. Every site/forum you go to has the perfect sollution. Nothing has worked yet. The BMW as per everyone that’s test road one will tell you they suck worse than the vstrom for buffeting. So for the ultimate adventure tour bike get a vstrom and find a way the find clean windsheild air. Is there anyone that can convince to really really love this investment?

]]> By: Todd http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-8126 Todd Sat, 01 May 2010 12:11:32 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-8126 I too, just bought a new V Strom 650 about 2 weeks ago. I shopped and studied and shopped some more...for over a year I sat on every bike made twice before I made my decision. It boiled down to a white 2010 KTM 990 adventure bike or a silver 2009 (no 2010's avail) V Strom DL650. The decision between the two was pretty easy when I factored in that I am just an occasional weekend rider, 50 years old and didn't need the power of the KTM which was 2 & 1/2 times more expensive. The V Strom with 1 & 1/2" handle bar risers, new Gel seat, foam Grip puppies and knobbies is my dream machine & like riding heaven. I'm the envy of every other guy in my neighborhood. I too, just bought a new V Strom 650 about 2 weeks ago. I shopped and studied and shopped some more…for over a year I sat on every bike made twice before I made my decision. It boiled down to a white 2010 KTM 990 adventure bike or a silver 2009 (no 2010’s avail) V Strom DL650. The decision between the two was pretty easy when I factored in that I am just an occasional weekend rider, 50 years old and didn’t need the power of the KTM which was 2 & 1/2 times more expensive. The V Strom with 1 & 1/2″ handle bar risers, new Gel seat, foam Grip puppies and knobbies is my dream machine & like riding heaven. I’m the envy of every other guy in my neighborhood.

]]> By: Mike http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-7812 Mike Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:08:23 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-7812 I've got 200 miles on my brand new '09 DL650, and let me share what I've discovered about this great bike so far. There are prettier bikes, there are faster bikes, there are sportier bikes, there are more comfortable bikes, and there are bikes that are better in the sand or mud. But there isn't any one bike that is as good in so many different categories. The '83 CB550 I rode last year was quicker, but after an hour, I was done. My butt was numb and my hands were tingling. My wife's S40 is light, nimble and fun, but its single-cylinder 650 is no match for the DL650's V-Twin in power, torque or smoothness. The Street Triple R I almost bought instead was way sexier, but can't do all the things I want to do. In the end, the V-Strom was sporty (enough), quick (enough), good-looking (enough), and comfortable (with no qualifiers). It may not be outstanding in any one area, but it's more than capable in *all* of them. The 650 V-Twin in the DL650 is the smoothest engine I have ever been lucky enough to ride. The V-Strom feels like an electric engine compared to the CB550 or the S40 Boulevard. If there is any one area where the V-Strom is truly outstanding, the smoothness of the engine is it. Despite all that I've read about turbulence and buffeting from the stock windscreen, I still found the stock bike comfortable enough to take for a two hour ride down Turnagain Arm in 40F weather last weekend. As for the bike itself, while I had to adjust to the height, weight and higher C.G. as compared to my CB550, the bike is still reassuring enough that I've taken my daughter to school and my wife to lunch on the Strom, and felt very confident riding two-up, even though I haven't even broken the bike in, yet. There are lots of bikes I'd like to own, but when I had to pick just one (for now...), there really was nothing that was as good at so many things for anywhere near the price. The V-Strom easily wins in the bang-for-the-buck category. I’ve got 200 miles on my brand new ‘09 DL650, and let me share what I’ve discovered about this great bike so far. There are prettier bikes, there are faster bikes, there are sportier bikes, there are more comfortable bikes, and there are bikes that are better in the sand or mud. But there isn’t any one bike that is as good in so many different categories. The ‘83 CB550 I rode last year was quicker, but after an hour, I was done. My butt was numb and my hands were tingling. My wife’s S40 is light, nimble and fun, but its single-cylinder 650 is no match for the DL650’s V-Twin in power, torque or smoothness. The Street Triple R I almost bought instead was way sexier, but can’t do all the things I want to do. In the end, the V-Strom was sporty (enough), quick (enough), good-looking (enough), and comfortable (with no qualifiers). It may not be outstanding in any one area, but it’s more than capable in *all* of them.

The 650 V-Twin in the DL650 is the smoothest engine I have ever been lucky enough to ride. The V-Strom feels like an electric engine compared to the CB550 or the S40 Boulevard. If there is any one area where the V-Strom is truly outstanding, the smoothness of the engine is it.

Despite all that I’ve read about turbulence and buffeting from the stock windscreen, I still found the stock bike comfortable enough to take for a two hour ride down Turnagain Arm in 40F weather last weekend.

As for the bike itself, while I had to adjust to the height, weight and higher C.G. as compared to my CB550, the bike is still reassuring enough that I’ve taken my daughter to school and my wife to lunch on the Strom, and felt very confident riding two-up, even though I haven’t even broken the bike in, yet.

There are lots of bikes I’d like to own, but when I had to pick just one (for now…), there really was nothing that was as good at so many things for anywhere near the price. The V-Strom easily wins in the bang-for-the-buck category.

]]> By: Robert Wise http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-7605 Robert Wise Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:31:04 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-7605 I've been riding since I was 12 (40+ years) and the DL1000 is the best bike I've had, out of thirty or so others. Hey, it's a 100 horsepower dirtbike that handles like a dream and eats up the twisties, highway and dirt roads with aplomb, is super comfortable, has six speeds and fuel injection. Who cares what it looks like? You can't admire the cosmetics from the saddle of any bike, but the aesthetics of actually riding it sold me--it put a grin on my mug the first time I rode one...still does! I’ve been riding since I was 12 (40+ years) and the DL1000 is the best bike I’ve had, out of thirty or so others. Hey, it’s a 100 horsepower dirtbike that handles like a dream and eats up the twisties, highway and dirt roads with aplomb, is super comfortable, has six speeds and fuel injection. Who cares what it looks like? You can’t admire the cosmetics from the saddle of any bike, but the aesthetics of actually riding it sold me–it put a grin on my mug the first time I rode one…still does!

]]> By: JD http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-6676 JD Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:37:51 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-6676 Most of what needs to be said here has been said but I will add two more cents. I went from a six year old R1150 RT to the DL 1000 after the RT started running into heavy repair and maintenance issues, it would only be a matter of time before a final drive was in order. I bought the Strom new last April and put 8000 miles on it before winter. I love it for all the reasons above but looking down the road, the long term maintenance costs will surly be a fraction of what the GS would have been. That's money I can use on trips and gas. Most of what needs to be said here has been said but I will add two more cents. I went from a six year old R1150 RT to the DL 1000 after the RT started running into heavy repair and maintenance issues, it would only be a matter of time before a final drive was in order. I bought the Strom new last April and put 8000 miles on it before winter. I love it for all the reasons above but looking down the road, the long term maintenance costs will surly be a fraction of what the GS would have been. That’s money I can use on trips and gas.

]]> By: Joe G http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-6621 Joe G Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:32:58 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-6621 I bought an 08' DL650 with great intentions of dipping into the world of ADV/Touring,i heard so many great things about this bike,so i figured great...Perfect starter bike to see if i like this style of riding,and if so,i would then jump into a R1200GS...Well...I have enjoyed this bike so much,that i have not found a reason to get anything else,it's done in my own opinion,touring and light off-roading very well,as for my friend rides a R1200GS,and i have not had not had any issues with this bike,once you farkle(adding accessories)the bike for your needs,it is truly a fantastic bike,and very easy to work on...Could i buy a R1200GS ADVENTURE? Absolutely!! But why? I have 4 other motorcycles sitting in the garage collecting dust,but don't take my word on one,just ride one and believe... I bought an 08′ DL650 with great intentions of dipping into the world of ADV/Touring,i heard so many great things about this bike,so i figured great…Perfect starter bike to see if i like this style of riding,and if so,i would then jump into a R1200GS…Well…I have enjoyed this bike so much,that i have not found a reason to get anything else,it’s done in my own opinion,touring and light off-roading very well,as for my friend rides a R1200GS,and i have not had not had any issues with this bike,once you farkle(adding accessories)the bike for your needs,it is truly a fantastic bike,and very easy to work on…Could i buy a R1200GS ADVENTURE? Absolutely!! But why? I have 4 other motorcycles sitting in the garage collecting dust,but don’t take my word on one,just ride one and believe…

]]> By: Gary Deetz http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/bs/what-is-it-about-that-v-strom/comment-page-1/#comment-6476 Gary Deetz Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:53:45 +0000 http://www.vee-strom.com/blog/?p=856#comment-6476 Wide handlebars, comfortable upright seating position, 50+ miles per gallon, visibility over car tops, reliable, good in the twisties, on the highway, and down a logging road. All this for under $7000. new. What more could you ask for? I love my 650 V. Wide handlebars, comfortable upright seating position, 50+ miles per gallon, visibility over car tops, reliable, good in the twisties, on the highway, and down a logging road. All this for under $7000. new. What more could you ask for? I love my 650 V.

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