Any Vstrom Owners? Past or Present

[jdog109socal]

WHY..... :lol2: Weeeestrom....

 

[TheAxeman]

Alright, I confess....I was looking at them today. I had to run away though before I did something rash. I have to enlarge my garage first.

 

[kindofblue]

WHY..... Weeeestrom....

Aaaah, Grasshopper,

The WeeStrom (DL650) is the younger brother of the VStrom (DL1000). Lighter, more agile, smoother, better mpg, more "flickable" in the twisties.

 

[rockmurf]

Hopefully I am not starting something but I picked up an 04 fz6 to complement the fjr. For me it was a better ride. Everett

 

[nick]

I have a DL 1000 next to the '05 FJR 1300 - had the Strom since new 3 years ago and had the FJR about 6 months and done about 1500 miles on it .... The V-Strom is modded / evolved to suit me and so is the FJR just about ....

I am having very great difficulty selling the Strom ( which was the plan) but it is just SO good !!

I think both are excellent - especially the Strom - I have done 700 mile days on the Strom ( 3000 mile week) with stock seat and no probs - just off to do 4 X 500 mile days on the FJR - we'll see which is the better tourer...

Nick

(near London UK)

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

No contest which is the best tour. All the world knows the FJR is by far the fastest growing platform of choice for LD riding. Shaft versus chain? No question. Horsepower and handling also go to the FJR. Plus the V is not all that good off road. Too high and heavy. But they are a nice tweener but I prefer my Wee over the V and no question the FJR over the Wee.

 

[Ed_Grant]

Past and present DL1000 owner. Currently have a 02 Vee that I picked up in Charlotte, NC April 10th and rode back to Abilene going through Fontana, TN; the dragon and over to Rich Mountain, AR and then Oklahoma highway one. It has a Givi top box, Sargent seat, PCIII and Marsee tank bag.

After I got back home it got a Staytune exhaust, new rear tire, chain & sprockets, tall Suzuki shield, frame sliders, throttlemeister, new grips, front fender mud flap, Laminar Lip & EARS and a center stand. A Scott steering damper should be shipped any day now.

It's great to have a Strom back in the garage after over three years without one. :yahoo:

 

[wpbfjr]

Alright, I confess....I was looking at them today. I had to run away though before I did something rash. I have to enlarge my garage first.

same thing on sat here in west palm...

in fact, i think i still hear it calling my name...

it's the wee or an 06 speed tripple...

sigh....

 

[RenoJohn]

handling also go to the FJR. Plus the V is not all that good off road.

I'll call BS on this ....unless you want to come prove it to me ...i'd love to mount the strom on that challenge. Handles better and claims that it doesn't do well in dirt are false. Glad to prove both if required
a write up comparison that I did is here(clicky) .....just my $0.03 worth

...renojohn

 

[xcsp]

What numbers are you seeing on the 650 for fuel mileage (MPG)?

 

[RenoJohn]

What numbers are you seeing on the 650 for fuel mileage (MPG)?

at what speed?
below say 75MPH the 650 will get amazing economy (50MPH?) ...but above this speed it will fall off dramaticly and do no better than the men's model of the strom. (35-40MPG?) everyone can expect slightly different results (riding style, weight, etc etc etc etc)

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

handling also go to the FJR. Plus the V is not all that good off road.

I'll call BS on this ....unless you want to come prove it to me ...i'd love to mount the strom on that challenge. Handles better and claims that it doesn't do well in dirt are false. Glad to prove both if required
a write up comparison that I did is here(clicky) .....just my $0.03 worth

...renojohn

Interesting write up.

I followed a strom through some of the tightest and twistiest single lane tar roads around. He was surprised how I could keep up with him, and if he didn't pay attention, I was gone. I felt the same way following him. It seemed pretty even. That said, two different riders being compatible on different bikes doesn't mean much. If I was on the FJR and kept up with a supermoto on such roads, I'd know the problem was with the rider, not the bike.

That said, I think the guy I was riding with was perhaps in the top ten riders I have ever rode with.

Anyway, the Strom handles well, no doubt. I think I'd prefer it in the twisties becuase it seems it would scrape pegs much later than the FJR. Then again, the FJR keeps me in line

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

I bought an SV 650 to get my skills back before the FJR came. Found a new 2002 in Oct of 2004 they wanted to dump before winter in LeGrand Oregon. Tires needed to be replaced. Front springs weren't up to the task. It was a fun bike. TJ

 

[twowheelnut]

What numbers are you seeing on the 650 for fuel mileage (MPG)?

My high on a 1,500 mile motor has been 60 MPG. I seem to average in the low to mid 50's. Sip, sip.

 

[xcsp]

On the fuel economy, just looking to get an idea of what the 650 gets-on the average. I know everyone's mileage varies. Currently on my DR650, it's pretty consistent aroung 50mpg. Would hope to be right around there.

Found an '07 with 100 miles on it for $5800, has a couple light scratches, nothing serious and a local shop has a new '07 non-abs coming for $6200 (+ tx & reg).

What have you paid or seen for pricing, does this sound about right?

 

[twowheelnut]

My Wabs was $7,300, OTD. PDG for 'round these parts, but some have done a bit better.

 

[RenoJohn]

Interesting write up.
I followed a strom through some of the tightest and twistiest single lane tar roads around. He was surprised how I could keep up with him, and if he didn't pay attention, I was gone. I felt the same way following him. It seemed pretty even. That said, two different riders being compatible on different bikes doesn't mean much. If I was on the FJR and kept up with a supermoto on such roads, I'd know the problem was with the rider, not the bike.

That said, I think the guy I was riding with was perhaps in the top ten riders I have ever rode with.

Anyway, the Strom handles well, no doubt. I think I'd prefer it in the twisties becuase it seems it would scrape pegs much later than the FJR. Then again, the FJR keeps me in line

Yep, the rider is going to be the biggest factor, but if equal riders the strom will prevail in tight/bumpy, the JFR in open high speed (100mph+) sweepers.
So, many months after writing the review (menioned and posted above) what would I add?

-I can't believe that these two bikes get compared so much ...they are different animals. Why someone would compare these bikes when deciding a bike purchase baffles me. If you're interested in a FJR you should be looking at the st13 or similar sport touring. If you're looking at the strom you should be looking at the GS or other. They are different animals.

-Huge suprise to me: Kathy would much rather pillion on the FJR. No debate. surprised me as I would have thought the high perch and more causul ergos of the strom would have given it the nod. Instead she says the FJR feels better, it is much more quiet (aftermarket exhaust on the strom) and she just likes it better. While the strom is no slouch ...for 2-up I have to say the the power of the FJR is nice!!! ....uphill passing cars and going from 70 to 110mph with no effort is nice and a real luxury when 2-up. Next weekend the three of us (kathy, fjr and me) are doing a ride-in with Rick Mayer to get custom saddles. Unless rough roads, FJR gets our nod when 2-up. I never would have thunk it. --and no complaints from this pilot on her choice.