Do you love your V strom, or ?

[cmn1771]

Do you love your Vstrom, or would you rather have something else?

Im asking because im thinking of getting one.

-Matt

[garry]

I liked my Wee Strom. It was reliable, economical, versatile. Wasn't much to look at. Never got attached to it like some other bikes I've owned, but there are days I miss it.

[stromgal]

Love my big Strom. It's a reliable, swiss-army-knife kind of bike, does lots of things reasonably well at a good price point. I can chase good riders through the twisties on it, with enough power to keep up to the point at which my courage disappears.

It's also comfortable, can haul everything I need to travel coast-to-coast (which we have) and, at 76k, still going strong.

(The only bike that has even remotely tempted me in the last two years is the Tiger1050; more power, better chassis/brakes, but 3k+ more $$.)

[The Shepherd]

I spend all my time looking at other motorcycles but when I get on the Strom I always remember that,

1) It's paid for
2) It's never given me any troubles
3) It's a good all-around bike
4) Will never be stolen because it's homely

[Bad Dad]

Mine's an 02, so I've got a case of the Chudders ...other than that it's usually my daily driver. 100mph on gravel/dirt roads and pegs down on the street, what's not to like

[Allan]

I like my V-Strom very much. But I could see getting a FJR or something similar now that I have a second more sporty bike in the VFR. However if I had to go back to single bike ownership I would make a bee line to the V-Strom.

[Scratch33]

"Love" is a strong word.  I've got the same appreciation for my Weestrom's utility and reliability as I do my Craftsman tools.  

[jstark47]

DL1000 is an excellent all round bike, very comfortable for distance travel, and enough usable performance to hold my interest.  There are issues, sure, but easily solved and not serious - I'm too lazy to fix them (e.g. front sprocket down a tooth, Power Commander for 3-4K surging, etc.)  Bike's durability has been outstanding.  Value for money can't be beat.

[Zerosum]

I love mine.  Just turned 5K miles.  Like everyone says, this bike is all Fuction over Form.  I ride it hard on back roads, commute on it, pick up groceries with it, etc.   The suspension and seat height make it a great urban bike, too.  The only thing it doesn't do is blow you away with gobs of power.  Thats why I have my VFR.    But honestly, I hardly ride the VFR.  I'm always choosing the V-Strom.

As for looks... I like the way it looks.  It looks "good" the way a well designed, usefull peice of machinery looks "good."  

I tell everyone who's thinking about getting one the same thing: just DO IT!  You won't be disappionted!  And do yourself a favor and put luggage cases on it immediately.  You'll be happy you did that, too!

[RidinTime]

I have an '08 650 and would be hard pressed to find something as versatile and rock solid in its price range.  It can be surprisingly sporty in the twisties and its comfortable enough to tour all day on.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to get.

[zenwhipper]

I had an 2006 Vstrom. I can't say I loved it. It did a lot of things quite well. I used it for long tours and camping up side dirt roads. There are a ton of farkles for the thing too. I had mine set up quite nice. The only issue I had was the looks of the front end and I longed for something more refined and not so utilitarian. I sold the Vstrom and got an 2008 FJR. I think you can't go wrong with the Vstrom if you want something versatile. My one complaint worth noting is that the wind protection was a bit problematic and I would get buffeted around. But there are aftermarket screens that do help.

Good Luck!

[SWriverstone]

The V-Strom is, IMO, a bike for people who want a motorcycle to disappear beneath them. By that I mean the V-Strom is a highly-capable, reliable bike with absolutely no character whatsoever.

Often, lack of character is decried in motorcycles as something to be avoided. I disagree. From all I've read and experienced, "character" in a bike refers to all the things that draw your attention to the bike.

If you're the kind of rider whose love of riding is centered in the machine itself...if you're someone who lives for internal combustion...then the V-Strom is NOT the bike for you.

On the other hand if (like me) you're the kind of rider whose love of riding is centered in the external, "away-from-the-bike" aspects of riding (feeling the wind, enjoying the scenery, and exploring new places), then the V-Strom is the perfect bike.

It's quiet, silky-smooth, bulletproof-reliable, and incredibly forgiving to ride. I love it for all those reasons...but I can also completely appreciate why many people hate it for the same reasons.   Just different ideas of what riding is about.

The V-Strom ain't a Ducati! But then again, a Ducati ain't a V-Strom.  

Scott

PS - Some would argue that the V-Strom's...err..."different" front-end looks give it character. We won't go there.  

[BlueRidgeKat]

Totally love it. I had wanted one for about 3 years and found a loaded 07 in March with 2,700 miles on it at a great price. Nine months and 11,000 miles later I can say for sure it is the best bike I have ever had. It doesnt do "anything" great but does "everything" good. It must fit me just right because its the only bike I have ever had that I can sit on from daylight till dark and still feel like going futher.

With a few farkles I dont think its ugly at all. I sold a ZZR1200 to get the 650 Vee and thought I might miss the awesome power of the ZZR but that wasnt the case at all and after the first week with the Vee I forgot all about the big Kawi.

On road, mild off road, cross country touring, commuting, it gets the job done. Suzuki hit a home run with the V-Stroms.

[HappyRiding]

From the looks of these pictures you might think I hate my Wee but I have to love something I can neglect this bad and it still love me back. Although I keep the oil and filter changed almost on schedule, the spark plugs and air filter had 25K when I finally changed them.

It was running great despite bug-induced asthma.


To get to the air box, you have to remove a thing or three.




It turned out to be a fairly easy job.  

I miss the wind protection and alternator from my ST1100 but I still think I like the Wee better.

[wolf46]

I like your set-up, good looking ride. Been looking at these, still haven't made up my mind on what to get in couple months

[kdub]

Red '06 weestrom.  I bought it new 1/31/06 and now have about 38k on it.  Love it!  It's pretty good in the canyons, handles gravel ok and tours fairly well.  It's been 100% reliable.  I haven't had too much problem with buffeting - it is a motorcycle.  My longest day was about 700 smiles.  500 miles is an afternoon on it (and only 1 fillup).  It will run 80mph all day comfortably - little to no vibration.  

[AKStrom]

You don't really need to pull the clamshells to get at the airbox, at least on my 06 Wee. The instructions indicate that you remove the listed bolts and the pull the tank out. The clamshells will flex around the tank, and provide adequate access to the airbox.

It's a bit tricky the first time or two when putting the tank back in this way, but I got the hang of it fairly quickly.

And yes, cmn1771. Same answer as when you posted over at ADVRider. 42k miles on my Strom. Still love it.

The only thing I'd really like is an 750cc or 800cc motor. The 1k is a bit much off pavement, but the 650 is a little short on power for long days with a stiff headwind.

[Zerosum]

The only thing I'd really like is an 750cc or 800cc motor. The 1k is a bit much off pavement, but the 650 is a little short on power for long days with a stiff headwind.

Yeah, windy conditions aren't fun on the Strom.  Not only do heavy winds sap power, but the bike acts a bit like a kite.  I rode out to Maryland's eastern shore this past weekend.  The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was... interesting, to say the least!    I've never been tossed around like that on a bike before.  The crosswinds were kicking my wheels about 1 foot to the left and right.  Once or twice I actually felt the front wheel get light on me.    I'm glad I did it, though.  I knew the Strom was bad in heavy winds, but I wanted the experience.  Like a lot of things, you're much better off if you go with it and don't fight it.

I've made the same ride on my VFR... the VFR is like a brick building by comparison.

[AKStrom]

Yeah, windy conditions aren't fun on the Strom.  Not only do heavy winds sap power, but the bike acts a bit like a kite.  I rode out to Maryland's eastern shore this past weekend.  The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was... interesting, to say the least!    [snipped]
I've made the same ride on my VFR... the VFR is like a brick building by comparison.

I'll bet. The Columbia River bridge are quite nasty too, since it's the only sea-level gap in the entire Cascade Mountain range. But at least those are fairly short bridges. Takes a LONG time to cross those big over-the-horizon bridges.

[DavidLSI]

I also would say I love my V-Strom....  DL1000 2006 with 58k miles on it.

My longest day is around 650 miles.  I must have the correct proportions as I have never felt the Buffeting that other speak of.  I am also much happier now that I do not have my stock seat.

All of the maintenace has been done by myself or in a freinds garage.

It has as much poweer as I would ever need, that means I have never felt that I needed more.  

It has a real confident feel on gravel road which is good as there always seems to be a few miles of the stuff on any given Sunday.

I do not think my next bike will be a V-Strom but this has nothing to do with the bike, more to do with I have only owned two and want to try something else..

SeeYa
DavidLSI