V-Strom 650

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I did a search and found some opinions on some 650's. Anyone own a V-Strom 650? Happy? Reliable? I am looking for a mid size commuter bike that will bag up etc. Still have the FJR for serious road riding. Maybe a few trails to the fishing holes but no serious off road cuz i have dirt bikes. Anyone?? Mike in Fremont.

 

[madmike2]

I did a search and found some opinions on some 650's. Anyone own a V-Strom 650? Happy? Reliable? I am looking for a mid size commuter bike that will bag up etc. Still have the FJR for serious road riding. Maybe a few trails to the fishing holes but no serious off road cuz i have dirt bikes. Anyone?? Mike in Fremont.

Skyway has come to the same conclusion you have....and using the same criteria! If he doesn't post up here, you might shoot him a PM.

 

[beerme]

Mike, for what you want to use it for, the DL650 would be perfect. I had a felony red 05, and loved everything about it except for the way my knees felt after a few hours. It's not a half-bad road bike either. I did 3 SS1k's plus an attempted BBG on mine. With a 200 mile range and capable of outrageous speeds, it'll do. The liter-strom guys will tell you that the 650 is worthless, but don't buy into it, at least until you try it. I sold mine kinda sorta almost by accident after i brought the FJR home and realized that the Strom wasn't likely to see much more use.

 

[twowheelnut]

You're not alone... Me thinks the Wee is gonna find a lot of FJR's as garage mates. Have you been to the VStrom forums? Friendly folk, they'll help.

 

[zzzzip]

I had an '06 for a few months, but sold it because I kept getting back on the FJR and it would sit. I thought I wanted something smaller to run around town on and do the gravels as well as travel some.

No used ones to try out, so I bought a new one without riding it. It's a great bike. It looked as big as the FJR to me, but was a little lighter, and really did twisties better than I hoped it would. Good power for me, but cross winds were a bear. I didn't like the seat height-- seemed taller than the FJR. Since the wife wouldn't ride it with me, I decided to let it go. A guy in Ten. bought it to take to Arizona with him to ride in Mexico. He claimed the VStroms were recognized as being more reliable than his BMW's and easier to get fixed in Mexico.

When I let the FJR go, I plan on keeping a 650 (lowered) to do my local riding and a few short trips. I really liked it.

B)

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

 

[twowheelnut]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

Looking like next year at this point. Sigh.

 

[SkooterG]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

Looking like next year at this point. Sigh.

Maybe that's not such a bad thing. At least for me. I will be purty busy with the "Big Rally" this year.

So let's pick a date in 2008 and do it!

 

[mike25]

I did a search and found some opinions on some 650's. Anyone own a V-Strom 650? Happy? Reliable? I am looking for a mid size commuter bike that will bag up etc. Still have the FJR for serious road riding. Maybe a few trails to the fishing holes but no serious off road cuz i have dirt bikes. Anyone?? Mike in Fremont.

I have the 1000 and love it. I'ts only about 35#s heavier than the wee.

Great road bike and, i'm finding my self looking for dirt roads to explore.

Fun in the mountains. stock tires work amazongly well both on and off

pavement. I just got my FJR 06, but i'll still ride the Strom mostly. It is

kinda tall, but the view is great.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I have both V-Stroms and think you will be very happy with the 650. It is a great value and has a very smooth engine with near perfect fuel injection. If you want to travel any distance you will probably want to upgrade the seat. It comes with the V-Strom "low" seat and has very thin padding.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I have been checking out some sites and I thought I farkled out the FJR. Man there is a ton of stuff for the 650, i mean a ton. Didn't see a fuel cell though, but damn near anything else you could put on this bike. Buying the bike is probably the cheapest part of the whole deal.

 

[evil_henchman]

I have been checking out some sites and I thought I farkled out the FJR. Man there is a ton of stuff for the 650, i mean a ton. Didn't see a fuel cell though, but damn near anything else you could put on this bike. Buying the bike is probably the cheapest part of the whole deal.

Lurk on their forums and buy a farkled out used one. :good:

 

[Khunajawdge]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

Looking like next year at this point. Sigh.

Uhhh, if you guys form this up, I'm in! Except, I'll be rideing a KLR. Why? Because I'm tall, and I like the prospect of pulling an engine and re-building it on a picnic bench! But that's just me.

Keep me posted! :coolsmiley03:

 

[twowheelnut]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

Looking like next year at this point. Sigh.

Maybe that's not such a bad thing. At least for me. I will be purty busy with the "Big Rally" this year.

So let's pick a date in 2008 and do it!

OK, let's have a cervesa, some refried beans, burrito or three and fart out a plan. O'vale, Skyway? You got any commitments in '08?

 

[rockmurf]

Try the yamaha fz6. I demo'd the vstrom and it did not seem to have much get up and go..The fz6 is flickable, good riding position and can really get up and go. Just my 3 cents. Everett

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Had an FZ1 but sold it a year after getting the FJR. Don't need the power and just want a daily bagged commuter. The 650 motor is bulletproof as proof of the SV650. Plus the FZ6 might have a few problems getting down to the watering hole for fishing.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

I swear the Wee one was calling my name at the bike show. I must have sat on it at least four times !! Cheap and the new ones are ABS also !

Hmmmm 08 huh ??????????????/

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

as soon as I hear anything about a trip North from a certain dood down South, I'm probably gonna hop on a DL650 and whip out the first 600 miles the first day so I can get past the first service pronto and be ready to tag along on an adventure.

Looking like next year at this point. Sigh.

Maybe that's not such a bad thing. At least for me. I will be purty busy with the "Big Rally" this year.

So let's pick a date in 2008 and do it!

OK, let's have a cervesa, some refried beans, burrito or three and fart out a plan. O'vale, Skyway? You got any commitments in '08?

I got 2. I'm married, and I'm going to Alaska with some friends. 2008 it is. Before or after WFO?

 

[twowheelnut]

I swear the Wee one was calling my name at the bike show. I must have sat on it at least four times !! Cheap and the new ones are ABS also !
Hmmmm 08 huh ??????????????/

You in?

I got 2. I'm married, and I'm going to Alaska with some friends. 2008 it is. Before or after WFO?

Good question. Right after, prolly. Head straight to WFO7, then book north to the AlCan into Fairbanks, hit the supply road to Prudhoe Bay, back down into the Kenai or where ever else we need to wander, Vancouver area for a day or two, then home? Maybe even a stay at some resort along the coast that can handle motorcycles? :dntknw:

Course, we might get our asses kicked at WFO7 for showing up on V-Stroms...