looking for VStrom

Post by **Laoch** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:43 pm

Kinda thinking about a wee vee

So if'n ya got any leads on a DL650 let me know

B DIRT · Post by **B DIRT** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:53 pm

Hey Dirty..... ride one, the buffeting might just change your mind.... like this without the smile

code · Post by **code** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:47 pm

B DIRT wrote:Hey Dirty..... ride one, the buffeting might just change your mind.... like this without the smile

Couldn't disagree with you more. Then again, why should this surprise me coming from a honda owner (almost as bad as a BMW owner lol).?. What bike don't you get some wind in your face on? And if you can't handle a lil breeze, ya prolly shouldn't be riding, that's what cages are for. There is no "perfect do it all" bike out there, but the wee can definitely hold its own. I regret selling mine.

B DIRT · Post by **B DIRT** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:11 am

Its got nothing to do with being a Honda owner, it comes from actually having ridden the bike and having known and know different owners who hated and even sold the bike due to the nasty buffeting the bike produces. I like wind on my face as much as the next guy, but not the kinda wind the blurs your vision and tosses your head back and forth. The Strom is a good bike but the buffeting IS a big issue on that bike.

B DIRT · Post by **B DIRT** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:12 am

Like I said dirty just make sure you ride one

Post by **Boom Boom** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:52 am

With me being height impared I did not get pushed around as most claim.
Second time I rode my friends strom he had the taller windshield on and it was no longer an issue.
Solid bikes.

Post by **phoo** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:49 am

I put did a 500+ mile day on a weestrom a month ago followed by a couple hundred the next day. I'm over 6'2" so I'm taller than the average bear, but I had no buffetting and found the bike plenty comfortable enough on highway, twisties, sweepers, well-tended dirt roads, etc. I did have to flog the crap out of it to keep up with my buddy's Z1000 and it felt like a larger, de-tuned SV650, which it is, but if it's the type of bike you want, I saw absolutely nothing wrong with it. My buddy, a shorter, fatter Italian guy just rode his to the Arctic Circle last year and enjoyed it.

~Patrick

Post by **Laoch** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:03 pm

I never heard of the buffeting, but it does seem to be an issue, (quick google search). However I'm used to riding a KLR, so I know a thing or two about buffeting. All issues like that can be mitigated.

I have ridden a Strom, but in town, it was so smooth I needed to look at the tach to see if it was running. I need a better commuter, with heated stuff and a better 2up scoot for my bride.

So, I'm fixin' to start looking around. Just for kicks what other options are there? What compares to the Strom? The BMW 650/800? Too much $. I'd love a big GS but....

Thanks for the input Pat.

B DIRT · Post by **B DIRT** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:55 pm

What about a Versys? Good reviews and really good prices can be found on new bikes. My boss Brian who you have met at the DAMN campouts both him and his father both had Dl650s and would never own one again. He would buy the new KLR650 or Honda NT if he did it again. I will give you his email if you want to ask him about it but I warned you

What about the new Triumph? What kinda money you looking to spend dirty? When we rode the BRP last year a really good friend of mine Joe had just purchased a new Vstrom 650, this guy is one of the best street riders I have even known, and has owned a lot of different bikes. Well lets just say after 45 minutes on the highway he was absolutely hating the bike. Im just telling you what actual owners have told me. If want to talk to any of these guys just let me know I will give you phone numbers and I guarantee you Joe who doenst live that far from you would let you ride the shit out of his.

code · Post by **code** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:31 pm

Dependent upon rider height etc I can say the buffeting is or isn't an issue. I did the same as phoo, 500+ miles in a day and felt good to go further and the next day. That's with the stock seat (which are always the top complaints people have, like buffeting, regardless of the bike).

For two up, you'll be fine. The v may be better.
The only reason I sold my strom was to get over my "incident" and learn to trust the bike again. It wasn't happening on the strom like I had hoped. Have an 08 klr now, and regret selling the strom big time. Hoping that with a few more tweaks I'll get the klr where it needs to be to suit my riding style.

DAMN Riders - No rules, Just ride!