FJR to a Vstrom 650 anyone?

[rockmurf]

I sold my fjr and now I am thinking that I would like to get a 650 vstrom because it is a lighter bike, has great reviews, and hopefully a suspension that will absorb the bumps and not transfer them to the rider. Yet still be able to do 500 mile days, day after day. Anyone?

I am also looking at possibly another fjr since I did enjoy so (06 124k miles no problems.) but somehow I want something different and lighter. I bought a triumph street triple r but it is just beating me up.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I'm kinda thinking this thread is in the wrong spot. Might have been better in "Other Bikes" section.

But anyway, you might like to know that the guy that owns the largest Honda ST forum, st-owners.com, recently went that route. He had obviously owned a couple of ST1300s but sold out and went to the V-strom 650. He says he only misses the bigger bike on extended 80+ mph runs.

I'd love to have a V-Strom 650 but I do not want it as my primary bike.

 

[TomInPA]

If your goal is 500 miles day after day, you should have kept the FJR and changed the shock. Lightweight, power and comfort are a tough and expensive balance to achieve. As touring machines, the FJR is relatively light in its class. As bikes get lighter, the ride is anything but smoother, so the objectives you are trying to achieve are inherently at odds with each other. Bikes built for dual purpose and especially dirt have a very different balance,being lighter in the front, and may feel lighter than they are. Sport bikes are lighter, but are not known for long-distance ergonomics and smoothness.

 

[JamesW]

Lots of positives about the wee-strom if a person thinks logically. Met a man on a trip that had back problems, he said that was the only bike he could keep riding because of the plush ride(single up). I have considered one seriously but ended up with a 2013fjr to replace my 08 fjr. Guess its lust. The 1000cc V-strom is being re-introduced, 502lbs wet, has 100hp and 74lb-ft of tourque, may be a viable alternative. Good luck in making a non-emotional choice, I could not.

 

[Bugnatr]

Paging Dcarver (weestrom) and Puppychow (manstrom). A couple local boys here who own the Stroms

 

[Eric L]

Try advriders. I bet you'll find lots of support.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I sold my fjr and now I am thinking that I would like to get a 650 vstrom because it is a lighter bike, has great reviews, and hopefully a suspension that will absorb the bumps and not transfer them to the rider. Yet still be able to do 500 mile days, day after day. Anyone?

I had a stock 650 V-Strom (cheap suspension and a horrible thin seat), a 1000 V-Strom with a Wilbers shock and Ohlins fork springs (huge suspension improvement), and currently have a Super Tenere with a Penske shock, Sonic springs (again a huge suspension improvement), and a Laam seat. The S10 is much better street bike than either of the V-stroms but not nearly as good of street bike as a bone stock FJR. Other's opinions may vary.

 

[dcarver]

If I could only have one bike, it would be a WeeStrom. (on my budget, I'm frugal)

Yes, they don't have the power of the ManStrom or even come close to an FJR, but for smiles for miles per $$ they are really hard to beat.

When my FJR has thrown attitude, I've ridden the Wee to Canada (twice) in a pack of FJR's. On the straights the FJRs rule but in the gnarly twisties I would argue faster time can be made on the WEE.

The WEE can cover 500+ per day no problem with addition of a good seat and handlebar risers.

The primary disadvantage is passing time duration.

The charging circuit is better than a gen2 FJR so electrics aren't an issue.

MPG is better on the Wee, high 30 to low 40's for me while my FJR is low to mid 30's consistently. I know other riders get much more mpg but they are slow turds and I like to run harder and faster than most.

Suspension on my 07 WEE is not all that good for dirt. Ok, it sucks hind tit.

For the street though, it's OK. I run Intimidator cartridge emulators in the front, and that's made a huge difference.

My rear shock is shot at 60k? (IIRC) miles, but another nice forum peep sent me his old Manstrom shock to try.

The Wee is rock reliable. After all these miles OEM shims are still in service. Yes, no changes from stock after all those service hours. Amazing.

Having said all this about the WEE, the FJR sure does scratch another itch. That of SPEED and ACCELERATION, baby. The WEE just goes, the FJR Rockets.

Which is another good thing about the WEE. You can be banging gears, hitting the rev limiter, and have the radar detector light up...

and you're still just 5 over the speed limit!

 

[Linc]

Not sure why you're thinking of a WeeStrom instead of an SV650? That is my combo, FJR for that power rush or long days of slabbing with twisties at the end... while the SV650 is perfect for local runs, errands, and weekend trips. You think the Wee is light, try a naked SV! I have a Give flyscreen and Nelson Riggs 3-piece soft bags for cargo, no suspension mods, Spencerized seat and 1" taller bars. It's a total hoot and a rocket under 50mph.

Just a thought since you mentioned 500 mile days but said nothing about off road riding...

 

[CHIA]

Have had 2 she-stroms and 1 man-strom, great all around bikes

 

[rockmurf]

I will not be riding off road. I did not consider the naked sv650 because it would seem to be too close to the street triple that I have.

 

[fjRaven]

I found with mine, that being a taller and lighter bike they get pushed around in the wind pretty easily. So much so that I was checking the wind speeds before heading out. The benefit of the weight of the fjr is that its much more stable and planted in the gusts.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Check out Honda CBF1000 or a Suzi Bandit if you're not doing off-road. Or another FJR with upgraded suspension would be my choice. I have a Wee, but don't envision multiple 500 mile days, although some do it. It is a good riding position.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Of all the bikes I've owned, the Wee comes in a close 2nd place, only a tick behind the #1 FJR. Great riding position, sufficient power, great mpg, and smooth for a 2 cylinder.

As for the 1000 vs 650 scenario...i test rode a 1000 Strom, and didn't like it at all. A year later, tried the 650, and feel in love with it. Totally different machine even though they share the same frame and riding ergos.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[2fjr]

I sold my DL1000 to buy the FJR. I loved the big Vee, super comfortable to ride and plenty o power. I'm really more of an inline 4 kinda guy though, and just had to have an FJR for the smoothness, power and adjustable windshield. And better weather protection. I have ridden the Wee as well, but never owned one. Nice bike, and a good rider will really be able to rock the twisties on it. They do suffer in the passing department though. You gotta have a lot more space to be comfortable, and the faster your starting speed, the more room you will need. The FJR? Think about it, and you are done.

 

[Bugnatr]

I know other riders get much more mpg but they are slow turds and I like to run harder and faster than most.

Hey Mr., who you calling a slow turd?

My 04 always got low 40's except on the racetrack.

 

[pcarnut]

There's the new FZ-09 out, 410 lbs., loads of power and softer sprung than the Triumph. I've been hankering for one for local riding since I saw the new orange version.

 

[rockmurf]

Any bike I buy will need abs.

There's the new FZ-09 out, 410 lbs., loads of power and softer sprung than the Triumph. I've been hankering for one for local riding since I saw the new orange version.

 

[xavier6162]

I’m on several bike forums and this subject (Wee Storms) always comes up. In fact, I found out about the Wee Stroms from BMW owners giving it praise. Which is something they normally only do for other BMWs.

Check out StromTrooper.com. You’ll find hundreds of Two-up touring stories…and pics… from Argentina through Alaska. And quite a few from varies other countries. There is even the case of two youngsters (early 20s) on two Wee Stroms with very little money trekked from Great Britain to the East coast of China. Shipped the Wee Stroms to California and road to New York. Then shipped back over to Great Britain, The only mechanical issue was a flat tire and one noisy clutch fixed in a Russian machine shop in fifteen minutes by a 14 year old kid. They mentioned the trip though Mongolia roads would have been easier with knobblies.

As far as the wind affecting the bike; I believe that is rider dependent. When the wind blows people tend to grip the bars tighter and lock their elbows resulting in bike movement as the winds pushes the shoulders and arms. I ride my Wee every day, in all weather (rain, storms, snow, heat, wind, ice) including today with winds gusting up through 30 MPH. In fact we are under A High Wind Warning advisor at this very moment. The only time I noticed the wind is when I’m stopped with my feet on the ground.