Vstrom 650...New Stablemate!

[mike884]

I finally went ahead and got the bike below, just drove it about 2 hours on the highway home, awesome so far!


Well I finally got the itch... Love the 650 and may keep it in the stable, but I'm always a bit cramped (6'1" / 235 ) and really cramped with 2 people  and it isn't bad on long trips, but there is way better out there. Found an 07 vstrom 650 with 14k. Price is right and it has a few extras. More or less concerned with the height and the vtwin oomph. The specs are similar to the NH 650 but I am assuming the drive is waaay different due to the twin vs 4cyl. Have not been able to ride one, but I have sat on one and love the roominess and layout and I think it would be good for some 2 up riding and a longer weekend trip once and a while. Anyone have any thoughts on the wee strom? Lemme know. thanks

[n5tbu]

I have a 63 year old buddy with one,he makes a few 400-500 mile daytrips each week. He loves it! He is very comfy on it and it has a pretty large fuel tank.
He has about 65k on it IIRC,with no troubles.

[SirSeanSean]

By any chance is this the one in Boonsboro, VA?

[mike884]

Nope, SW Ohio  Between cinci/dayton ish

[SirSeanSean]

Gotcha. A friend of mine was selling his blue 07 V-Strom with 14k and I was thinking that might have been the same one.

[ariwhiteboy]

I like the v-strom, I'm kinda on the fence for my "next bike" between the v-strom 1000, a bandit 1250s like soup's, or a FJR....decisions, decisions. 

[mike884]

To be honest I'm on the fence between a 98-01 VFR, earlier 919s and the V-Strom 650. The strom 1000 would be nice, but each one I look at is 2-3k more, and I really can't justify it. As long as the 650 gives me the same performance as the 650 as I have now, but a heck of alot more comfort and utility then I'm sold.  I know a vstrom isnt going to be a rocket ship, but such is life lol.  However, I do absolutely love the noise the VFR makes, but I still think a Strom might be a bit more utilitarian, and with a 919 I'm worried I won't have much more than I have now, cool around town bike but still a little low on space and touring ability

[m98]

I own an '04 V-Strom 650. You will not regret if you purchase one. If you are looking for
performance, ie more horsepower or speed, look elsewhere. The fairing on the V-Strom
is really good and blocks the wind so you can sit upright, good for my back:)
I also owned a '95 Honda VFR, great bike, not a sportbike lean, but a forward lean
though. The VFR is somewhat heavy (steering) for city riding, on the open road it
is a joy. Once you test ride a V-Strom, just be aware that it is a little top heavy
if the fuel tank is full, a lot of owners have a tendency to drop them in the garage!
Check out www.Stromtrooper.com for all and everything V-Strom.

Let us know what you end up purchasing.

Paul

[mike884]

I plan on taking it for a spin this sunday... will report back 

[luckylindy]

As long as the 650 gives me the same performance as the 650 as I have now, but a heck of alot more comfort and utility then I'm sold.

Sold!

[JB1290]

I haven't heard many bad things about the V Strom. The only thing that puzzles me about them is the name. How did Suzuki come up with it?    I get the "V" part but, whats with Strom? 

[mike884]

the strom is german for stream/current  something to that nature, can also mean power in some instances i think.  regardless, its a little funky, but it just follows suit with the rest of the bike lol

[JB1290]

the strom is german for stream/current  something to that nature, can also mean power in some instances i think.  regardless, its a little funky, but it just follows suit with the rest of the bike lol

Thanks for the clarification. I have always liked those bikes. They seem to be a popular choice for adventure riders so, they seem to be very cabable bikes.

[green427]

It was named after Strom Thurman. 


I had one for a year. Had to sell it to pay for a new roof.

Been regretting it since. When my car is paid off in less than 2 years, the Strom is on my list. I prefer the 650 over the 1000, mainly to keep the weight down, and the 650 has enough juice to get me around. If you are going to ride 2-up often, and both you and your passenger are somewhat heavy, the 1000 is better and quieter on the highway.

[mike884]

If you are going to ride 2-up often, and both you and your passenger are somewhat heavy, the 1000 is better and quieter on the highway.

Well I'm the heavy one, the significant other is a bit lighter, but the two of us probably make up 370 lbs or so.  Its more the room I guess than the power, the NH 650 can lug us both around, corbin seat seriously eats the passenger space, give me more room tho 

[green427]

Well I'm the heavy one, the significant other is a bit lighter, but the two of us probably make up 370 lbs or so.  Its more the room I guess than the power, the NH 650 can lug us both around, corbin seat seriously eats the passenger space, give me more room tho 

I think the weight limit on a V-Strom is about 400lbs. Your combined weight of 370 is not that bad, as long as you don't have more than 70lbs of luggage.

The 650 will get you around 2-up without breaking a sweat, however, going up hills and high speed passing might take a little bit longer, especially if you put a 15T sprocket on it to quiet down the engine at high speeds.

And, oh yes, there is a lot more room on the passenger pillion than a NH.

You will like the V-Strom better than your NH, guaranteed. And, once you have a fuel-injected bike, you will not want to go back to carbs....

[Soupskin]

And, once you have a fuel-injected bike, you will not want to go back to carbs....

Not to mention the recent allowance of 15% ethanol gas coming soon to pumps near you.  This is the biggest reason I went FI on my latest purchase.  FI handles nasty gas better and it's only getting nastier.

[mike884]

Actually fuel injection was my #1 priority...  High time I push the start button and ride off without any hiccups or warm up procedure... my NH is just cold blooded till you give it a little gusto. When I ride with people with FI... its like hold on ... old tech here.. its needs a warm-up....   at least the 1st start of the day lol

[green427]

If I had the money right now, I would fly out and ride this one home. It is set up exactly the way I want:

http://www.stromtrooper.com/sale/58291-2009-abs-wee-sale.html

[mike884]

Yeah I like all their farkles and such, like the luggage. But honestly the 07 I'm looking at is half the price and I realize it dosen't have a ton of goodies, but I can slowly add as funds allow. Its got enough to keep me happy for the time being. and its an 07 thats a big leap from an 85...  Although ABS would be nice, kind of leery of that in the long run. Have not seen many ABS bikes around, and if I have they out of my $$$ range.

[bajakirch]

the strom is german for stream/current  something to that nature, can also mean power in some instances i think.  regardless, its a little funky, but it just follows suit with the rest of the bike lol

German name on a Japanese bike. Throw in the Givi luggage and you've got the Axis Powers on 2 wheels.

[mike884]

the strom is german for stream/current  something to that nature, can also mean power in some instances i think.  regardless, its a little funky, but it just follows suit with the rest of the bike lol

German name on a Japanese bike. Throw in the Givi luggage and you've got the Axis Powers on 2 wheels.

Tis true, but thats only 2 out of 3.  How do we fit Italy into the picture.  Maybe I can get a custom V-Strom Multistrada sticker

[Soupskin]

Tis true, but thats only 2 out of 3.  How do we fit Italy into the picture.  Maybe I can get a custom V-Strom Multistrada sticker

Givi is Italian...

[bajakirch]

Givi is Italian...

Ding Ding -- we have a winner!

From a GIVI website: "Mr. Giuseppe Visenzi established GIVI 30 years ago."

[mike884]

well i stand corrected, oh well it was late lol....       well then i guess it really is the axis machine.  if you take a look at some of them stroms on stromtrooper  some look like they could possibly invade europe, just remove one of their 15 mounts and mount some rockets or something