Can anyone tell me about Freewinds?

[trumpy]

......about these bikes..http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=243053290

Can't remember actually seeing one in the flesh (I've led a sheltered life...). Pondering the possibility of a second bike for meandering around our back country highways and byways with a few dirt roads thrown in (well ok, more than a few). At this stage I'm not really interested in serious off road stuff (been there, done that) but going places where I'm not particularly keen to take the li'l Trumpy.

Any advice/info appreciated.

[XF650]

Now where do I start.........
I'm slightly biased but I still think they would be ideal for your description.
Very comfortable, powerful for a 650 & way cheaper than the BMW version.
Their main limitation in the rough stuff is the 19" front wheel. However for gravel riding, fitting an aggresive tread certainly helps.
You need to test ride one first.

[Sensei]

Guy i know here has one seems a good bike bit like a KLR/DR 650 bike be great for gravel stuff where a full roady would be abit dodgy .

[YellowDog]

I had a 2000 mode Freewind.

Owned it for about 4 years.

Would highly recommend it for on road comfort. Both for short or long journeys. Much more power than you would expect from a single pop 650.

Off road was fine, but not light enough to really throw around. Maybe a slightly larger front wheel would have helped.

IME: a great all rounder.

[trumpy]

Thanks for the help guys.:2thumbsup

[oldrider]

Now where do I start.........
I'm slightly biased but I still think they would be ideal for your description.
Very comfortable, powerful for a 650 & way cheaper than the BMW version.
Their main limitation in the rough stuff is the 19" front wheel. However for gravel riding, fitting an aggresive tread certainly helps.
You need to test ride one first.

I think front wheel size is a bit overstated as far as bikes go, it's more about what the "rider" is happy with! :argue:

The only right or wrong is what the rider thinks and feels. :shifty:

I.E. Rider personal choice and why not, he is the one upon whom his life is dependant! :blip:

[MSTRS]

I think front wheel size is a bit overstated as far as bikes go, it's more about what the "rider" is happy with! :argue:

The only right or wrong is what the rider thinks and feels. :shifty:

I.E. Rider personal choice and why not, he is the one upon whom his life is dependant! :blip:

Absolutely. All impressions are subjective. I got one as a loaner when my GSXR was being serviced. I was glad to be back on the GSXR...

[XF650]

Absolutely. All impressions are subjective. I got one as a loaner when my GSXR was being serviced. I was glad to be back on the GSXR...

So how does the GSXR go on gravel?

[MSTRS]

So how does the GSXR go on gravel?

Not bad actually. Got caught one day...:eek:

[chasio]

Well I'm enjoying mine.

I do find the engine and drivetrain a bit rough but maybe that's just how I ride it... or maybe the 24k service next week will improve matters. I'm told about $50 for airbox and carb mods will give you a useful HP boost and I'm keen to do that pretty soon. And there are some very knowledgeable owners on here (XF650, Rogson to name but two).

That looks a minter. For reference I paid $5500 6 months ago for a pretty good 2002 model with 21000km on it, centre stand, ScottOiler, home made 3-way rack and a pair of Givi E36 panniers.

Note sure how tall you are, but the suspension can be dropped a bit (like the DR) if you want.

Cheers

Chasio

[XF650]

Not bad actually. Got caught one day...:eek:

Well done - see ya on the next adv ride.

[MSTRS]

Well done - see ya on the next adv ride.

Not an experience I care to repeat anytime soon.
Low winter sun in my eyes. Shadow demarcation right where seal turned to gravel. 90+kph. Brown trousers...

[Oscar]

I think front wheel size is a bit overstated as far as bikes go, it's more about what the "rider" is happy with! :argue:

The only right or wrong is what the rider thinks and feels. :shifty:

I.E. Rider personal choice and why not, he is the one upon whom his life is dependant! :blip:

True
I rode my TDM on gravel quite a bit.

[crazyhorse]

My boyfriend gives me free wind all the time :rofl: :laugh:

[one fast tl1ooo]

My boyfriend gives me free wind all the time :rofl: :laugh:

Year but you keep on stickin your head under the covers,
rite after i give free wind

[thommo77]

Thats a nice looking ride. Doesn't look 'cluttered' like a lot of ADV bikes.

[chasio]

<snip> Maybe a slightly larger front wheel would have helped.

IME: a great all rounder.

I caught up with Rogson earlier today and he has a 21" DR front wheel on his to replace the stock 19". The DR wheel goes straight in but requires a relatively straightforward change to the fork brace and a replacement front mudguard setup.

[chasio]

PS I think that bike has been around a wee while: the ad below expired in May of this year but the price has dropped a fair bit since then: motorcycletrader ad for $8300 (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/SUZUKI-XF650-FREEWIND-2003/29251.aspx?sid=115F17092198&Ntt=freewind&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=0&Ntk=All)

[chasio]

Givi do a replacement screen for the Freewind as well. In fact they do two: despite such a short production run, the stock screen changed (with the headlight) and they have different fittings.

Yesterday I fitted one of the 00-02 versions to mine and I attach a couple of pictures for anyone interested.

Performance seemed good on my initial run. I tried it cruising at *approximately* legal highway speed in a decent breeze, one run North away, then South into the teeth of it. I was happy that there was no discernible flutter and it had done what I wanted i.e. to push the wind right up off my chest. There is a bit of an air-gap under the front (above the headlight), which may have helped the flutter situation.

It was still pretty noisy as it hit my (Raid II) helmet but I use ear plugs for longer runs, so no worries there. A shorter rider may even be under the airflow (not that I am that tall at 5'10" ish but I have a long back and short legs!)

A bonus was that it seemed to suit head checks much better. On the stock screen I had found the airflow a bit 'snatchy' as I turned back and forward again, but with the new screen I didn't notice that effect.

Price was 50 quid and delivery was free (inside the eBay special E460 top-box!) when some rellies flew over from the UK :)

Cheers - Chasio