V-strom 2008

[Enn]

I know that quite few of you ride V-strom as a second bike.

Well, I have have an opportunity to buy a 2008 V-strom from Susuzuki dealer with 0 milage for dirt & gravel roads. Anything I should be worried about and check due to many years in shop? The discount in initial offer is 25 % compared to the new 2013 model, do you think it is fair? Do you think I should prefer 2013 instead, is it much more superior?

Otherwise, I understand you mostly are positive about this bike?

 

[Mihalis fjr]

My opinion Enn,is that this bike is not the best bike for dirt & gravel roads..What you say for a XTZ 660..?Or if you can find a XTZ 750..!You can buy it very cheap for about 1000-1500..Great bike for off and on road!I have it from the 1994 and i haven't any problem all these years..!

Here is mine with 250.000km!No repairs!Only oils,chains kit,tires,coolant & brake fluid changes,batteries,filters,two times wheel bearings and two times jet needles in the carburator and chock..And only one time a regulator rectifier and a cam chain!That's all..

 

[Enn]

Thanks for advice, Mihalis. Well, I am not only looking to drive in bushes, but also in the city and its also meant for my son to practice driving, eventually doing some longer trips together with me. I also do not like the 1 cylinder engines very much, am a bit afraid of the vibes in longer driving. But I am still in searching mode, so your suggestion is worth to keep in mind.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

My XTZ 750 is a two cylinder engine 70hp and it is also very good for the city!Very comfortable and has very ergonomic riding position..Also great for journeys..!

 

[bgross]

Compared to a bike like the FJR, the V-Strom's suspension & ground clearance make it a better choice for dirt & gravel roads - and for your son to learn on. It has a reputation for being very reliable and easy to work on, and it's price (especially with the 25% off you mentioned!) makes it accessible as a second bike.

If you plan on spending the majority of the time off-pavement, a more robust bike - like the BMW GS or KTM or other "adventure" bike - might be worth a look... But you'll be spending twice or three times the money.

I met a man last week at a fuel station who was riding an 08 (650cc). We chatted for a few minutes and he LOVED his V-Strom. He had over 70,000 km on it without a single problem. The tank had rash on both sides, but the bike was straight.

The rider was 70+ years old and said that 90% of his riding was on pavement, but he enjoyed the other 10%!

As for the differences in the 08 & 13? For the discount you mention, I would already have my leg over the 08!

Best of success with your riding with your son.

 

[A41Billy]

The 2014 Vstrom is getting upgrades. Traction control! https://rideapart.com/2013/09/with-2014-v-strom-1000-suzuki-finally-adopts-traction-control/

 

[Redfish Hunter]

The 2014 upgrades are to the 1000cc. The 650 got upgraded a couple years ago.

I don't have one but I have been studying them a great deal. I want one badly.

 

[jmgrif]

In fact I traded my Litre V-Strom for my FJR. For me at least the Strom didn't fit my ergonomics. I had never ridden the bike before I trailered it to Phoenix from my home here in B.C.. The first ride was from where we stored the trailer to the motel in Phoenix! In the first few blocks I didn't like the beating my head was taking from the wind? I had put on a tall windshield before leaving Canada but didn't bring the original short one with me. It didn't matter as when I got home I tried the shorty with the same buffeting problems! My first ride was from Phoenix to Daytona Beach Florida for Bike Week! Probably not the best "First Ride" on a bike I had never ridden? I did keep the bike for a couple of years before trading and went on a few 2 week journeys (all paved roads) and the bike never let me down mechanically. I chased a few sport bikes around Mt. St.Helens with a great deal of success even though I had hard bags and a trunk! I'm 5'9", 29" inseam. Now if I could just afford the Super Teniere! My riding friends and I keep talking about more back roads than paved in our futures?

 

[Ignacio]

I know that quite few of you ride V-strom as a second bike.
...

Otherwise, I understand you mostly are positive about this bike?

I had one and was disappointed...and really didn't want to be. I bought a used 2004 and found it to have sloppy suspension and not REALLY do the off-road things I wanted. I ended up bending the front rim on a forest service road. It was more like 80% road (and OK at it) and 20% off road.

I sold it and ended up buying a new Husqvarna TR650 Strada and LOVE it. In it's stock form it's 60% road/40% off road. Change to spoke rims, throw on some side bags, and it's more like the Terra version and 70% off-road. All for $6800 NEW.

 

[xavier6162]

I have a 2008 with 65,000 miles. I would question any 08 Storm with zero miles. In 08, Storms were hard to come by and Dealer’s weren’t dealing. Especially on the ABS models. In short, Wee Storms didn’t/don’t last long. Why are you presented with a 08 with zero miles? This causes me to great confusion.

I took my Storm (DL650) to the Dealer at 63,000 miles for my first valve check . The guys in the serviced bay gathered around it in livid conversation. Why? Service Bays around here rarely see a Wee-Storm for service once they leave the dealerships. Yes they are that reliability and that easy to work on.

By-the-way….after 63000 miles, my valves were still in spec.

Don’t tell me where you are. If you don’t jump on it….I will.

Please visit Stromtrooper.com for more information.