Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom meets the Hitchers...

[Hitcher]

One day, the Hitchers will own a house with a gargre. When that day arrives, we shall own more than two bikes.

“But what would that third bike be, Hitcher?” I hear you ask.

It would be an adventure bike. Something that would unhesitatingly go where the gravel beyond the end of the tarseal beckons. Narnia, perhaps…

Long have I stared querulously at the Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. Yesterday, as a sort of a winding-down-after-having-been-aroused-by-a-B-King kind of thing, I rode one. Indeed I unhesitatingly ensconced the most lovely and accommodating Mrs H on its rearward seat and sojourned into the byways of the Wairarapa.

Tall, but not overly so. Well balanced. A useful and informative instrument cluster with an O/D = 6th light. A most excellent addition for us five-speed boys who lose count.

This is the same V-twin thou that Mr Suzuki bungs into the SV, albeit detuned. It’s viby in that special cruiser-meets-Massey-Ferguson way, but smooths out nicely as the revs pick up. Indeed I was surprised by how much low-end grunt the Strom doesn’t have. A very willing engine that loves being revved and a reasonable but clunky gearbox, in a sort of International Harvester way. But, two-up, these things can go. The test bike had done 7,800km, so was well run-in.

After the strictures of the B-King, it was nice to be on a bike with a bit of knee room. Indeed there’s rider room to burn.

Mrs H liked the leg-room afforded the pillion, and also the well-positioned grab handles (On the bike, not my “love” handles). She said she felt that she was sitting very high and was a bit perturbed by the bike being canted over in corners, not that I was attempting to get knees or pegs anywhere close to terra firma, knowing that that would only cause terror firmer. Mrs H reported a similar phenomenon whilst pillioning on an ST1300.

Brakes? Average.

Cornering and handling? Surprisingly good. With a set of road tyres, rather than hybrids, a Strom with a competent pilot would scare the living crap out of some of the Sunday Takas Sprotsbike Crew. Not to mention Mrs H on the back…

Other observations? A decent set of mirrors on a Suzuki for once. I’d probably experiment with different sorts of handlebars, but more out of curiosity rather than complaint.

So did I like it? Yes I did. More than I expected to.

Would I buy one? Probably. There’s not much else in this “class”, between the 650cc clutter and the 1200cc clutter. The smaller bikes would, I suspect, struggle with luggage and pillion. The larger bikes are way too heavy and extremely expensive.

Now, where’s that gargre…

[merv]

Man I didn't realise you were managing without a garage even, where do you put all your stuff? I've been telling you for a while hurry and get a gravel road bike before the roads are all sealed over. You have a different requirement in a bike, I like light trail bikes and you want a heavier more cruisier road oriented style but if that's what you want you know what to do.

[skelstar]

Indeed I unhesitatingly ensconced the most lovely and accommodating Mrs H…
Gotta be careful with words like 'ensconced' mate. To the pre-pubescent ones like skid and mynameis that word sounds too much like a euphenism, and will have consequently spilt their warm Tui's in their laps with the mental image.

[Hitcher]

I like light trail bikes and you want a heavier more cruisier road oriented style but if that's what you want you know what to do.

When we go for a ride, we go for a ride that involves a severalness of kilometres. Also getting a trailie to fit Mrs H would be a long (short) ask, so a two-upper would be our preference for the off-seal stuff.

[Zukin]

Good on you guys
It is always good when others come over to the other side.

Like you have identified, it is great sometimes to take the more scenic route, to take the shortcut that isn't really a shortcut

There is a BMW 800 due out next year (but will be expensive?)

[Edbear]

A fine report, my good Sir! Pray, tell me, though -I have heard criticism of the screen as not being the best, though more so the 650's. How was the wind protection?

[jrandom]

I would comment, here, but I've got a few more days to spend in la-la land thinking that no other motorcycle can possibly approach the joy of a GSX1400 before I can start contributing rationally again.

;)

[Crisis management]

I have only one word, Mr Hitcher sir, Multistrada!

The epitome of style, grace and handling. :2thumbsup

[jrandom]

I have only one word, Mr Hitcher sir, Multistrada!

Hitcher can't buy a Multistrada. Jim2 would camp in his driveway, howling and throwing excrement every time the gargre door opened...

:p

[cowpoos]

Hitcher can't buy a Multistrada. Jim2 would camp in his driveway, howling and throwing excrement every time the gargre door opened...

:p
which would be a enormous problem...as apparently Hitcher doesn't have a Garage!!!

[merv]

Well there me and my Bro' were cruising down Western Hutt Road this morning, me on my light (yeah right!! 128kg dry) XR250L and my Bro' on Mrs merv's DR650SE kinda getting tangled up with the Highway Patrol who tried to come off the side of the road without his disco lights on to chase an errant motorist, so we didn't bother offering him any space, but then he put his lights on and zoomed by stopping a car just up the road - musta lasered it. Not long after there was a gentlemanly gentleman cruising along in the opposite direction on an FJR1300 followed not far behind by a not so tall but enthusiastic female biker on a red Bandit 650, both waving as a fellow KBer would even to the lads on the dirt bikes. Good to see the Hitchers on the road - have a Merry Christmas.

There used to be a couple of ads on TV - one about garage doors - saying "get a garage first" and the other about Skyline Garages - "gotta get a garage" and now Suzuki need to add an ad about "gotta get a VStrom".

See you on the gravel soon.

[oldrider]

did I like it? Yes I did. More than I expected to.

Would I buy one? Probably. There’s not much else in this “class”, between the 650cc clutter and the 1200cc clutter. The smaller bikes would, I suspect, struggle with luggage and pillion.

Now, where’s that gargre…

There are still some Triumph Tiger 955i (06) run-out models about at reasonable $00.00 deals. Have you ever ridden one of these?

Although I think Suzuki have sharpened their pencils and are now including all the "extras" as well too.

Don't forget to try the Honda Varadero, you might be surprised by one of these too!

Personally both my wife and I are very pleased with our (06) Tiger now that we are getting it set up the way we want it!

The Tiger has a certain character all of it's own, probably the most satisfying all round bike we have ever owned!

Try some more gravel on some different bikes, before you decide, it should make for some more interesting reading. :confused:

Looking forward to it. :niceone: Cheers John.

[Laava]

Apparently the new touring screen that is supplied as a std extra with the new models is THE shit. The std screen however is in fact, SHIT. IMO. But fixable!

[sAsLEX]

Man I didn't realise you were managing without a garage even

Whats a garage?


I am fairly sure its not in the KB lexicon.

[Jantar]

Whats a garage? .
It a gargre that you take your cage to for repair.

[merv]

Whats a garage?


I am fairly sure its not in the KB lexicon.

Mate I'm a non-conformist and won't speak that foreign language coming from Wairoa and all!

[Hitcher]

The Triumph Tiger is on the list, as soon as a demo is tracked down. And Varaderos are like rockinghorse shit.

[98tls]

My old man bought a DL awhile back,loaded it up with gear and my stepmother and did a tour round the Nth isle,suitably impressed he was to.Was impressed that he was impressed to be honest as he has owned everything from a Vincent through to late model bemmers.

[Jantar]

After owning a Vstrom for 17 months I can honestly say that it is the most versatile bike I have ever ridden. It is not perfect in any aspect, but is right up with the best of them in every respect. It can keep sprot bikes honest, cruise with the day rider crowd, tour for days (or weeks) on end, and handles gravel with ease.

[NiggleC]

I test rode a v-strom with a standard screen and it was next to useless but the one i bought was fitted with a Givi screen and would recommend this mod to anyone who uses their vstrom for mainly road touring

[oldrider]

I test rode a v-strom with a standard screen and it was next to useless but the one i bought was fitted with a Givi screen and would recommend this mod to anyone who uses their vstrom for mainly road touring

Screens are "extremely" personal and "individual" what suits one does not necessarily suit the next.

Venture bikes are notorious for wind noise and buffeting but sometimes you get lucky, try anything, it might just work for you! :niceone: John.

[Hitcher]

The Strom test-ridden by the Hitchers had an "adjustable" screen. One suspects it afforded as much protection as a panty-shield held in place by a length of floss.

[oldrider]

Hey Hitch, if you are seriously looking, have a look here and think about visiting BMW.

Takes a lot to persuade me to think BMW but after reading this I think you will be curious too! :yes:

(http://www.rubbermag.com/news/0711/071106_06.html)

Well worth a read at least. :niceone:

Credit where credit is due, this is a customer focused concept. (IMHO) Cheers John.

[Hitcher]

Hmmm. BMWs eh? One wonders where one would procure one of those in these parts... Might have to get a coffee instead.

The seat-lowering kit on the 650 could be a go for the Lovely Mrs H...

Thanks for that tip (those tips)!

[banditrider]

What about the DL650 - the Aussies seem to rave about them (I know, they're Aussies). They seem to get awesome economy. I saw one on the road a while bike - 2-up & loaded to the gunnels - pretty keen on a 650 I know but it seemed to be taking it all in it's stride.

I just wonder if the lighter weight might make things a bit nicer when doing the dirty stuff...

[Hitcher]

What about the DL650

Seat height?

[banditrider]

Seat height?

Pretty high: 820mm

http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/bike.feat/DL650K7%20BROCHURE.pdf

[Hitcher]

Pretty high: 820mm

http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/bike.feat/DL650K7%20BROCHURE.pdf

That would make things a bit hard for a 5'2" rider...

[banditrider]

That would make things a bit hard for a 5'2" rider...

Wonder if they have lowering kits like the DR650 and some of the BM's?

[Hitcher]

Wonder if they have lowering kits like the DR650 and some of the BM's?

I didn't know that the DR650 had a "lowering kit". I know that the BMWs are supposed to, but it appears to be one of those things that dealers are loathe to do anything about until you've bought the bike off them. Slackers!

[merv]

I didn't know that the DR650 had a "lowering kit". I know that the BMWs are supposed to, but it appears to be one of those things that dealers are loathe to do anything about until you've bought the bike off them. Slackers!

Yep you haven't been reading all our threads on this have you - you can lower them 40mm, but because its a real dirt bike that means from 885mm down to 845mm, probably still a bit tall for Mrs Hitcher. Check this thread out as an example http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=57979

See how low the DR sits compared to my XR in this pic http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81051&d=1198913362

With dirt bikes because they are thin and lightish bikes you can stand the seat height a bit higher than you would on a roadbike.

If you hurry up and get some dirt bikes I can show you around some of these roads and tracks http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=63917

[bell]

That would make things a bit hard for a 5'2" rider...

I have vague recollections of Sargent doing a 'lower' seat for the DL. Been here (http://11109.rapidforum.com/)?

650 and 1000 are virtually identical dimensions wise, save for a weight increase on the 1000.

[cowpoos]

I just noticed there was no "free plug for the friendly dealer' that let you take bikes for a ride at your whim?????? crikey brett!! where are your manners!!!

[skelstar]

...maybe he wasn't offered a free coffee and a hug poos?

[cowpoos]

...maybe he wasn't offered a free coffee and a hug poos?
muffin!!! sean...muffin!! the ones that are apparently in the fridge...but never seem to be there when I'm in.....

[Hitcher]

I just noticed there was no "free plug for the friendly dealer' that let you take bikes for a ride at your whim?????? crikey brett!! where are your manners!!!

Goodness me, I should be taken out and spanked. Firmly please miss.

A belated Big Ups to the inimitable Dave Anderson Suzuki for supplying the test rides.

[sAsLEX]

Big Ups

As a Transitive Verb should this phrase have initial letters capitalised?

[Hitcher]

As a Transitive Verb should this phrase have initial letters capitalised?

Transitive verb? It's fully capitalised because it is a very Big Ups.

[wilber]

The Triumph Tiger is on the list, as soon as a demo is tracked down. And Varaderos are like rockinghorse shit.

Theres a very nice blue 06 955cc Tiger at wgton motorcycles now only just arrived ,side boxes included too.

[YellowDog]

Thanks Hitcher. Good post. I do agree. I did like the gearbox (compared with my Freewind). The only criticism me and the missus had was that it is a very big bike (feels big). She felt too high and not safe leaning too far into the corners. We are going for a 2008 Tiger ('cos it has unnecessary ABS). The 2007 model is going quite cheaply now and the 2006 is fully loaded and going for a song!

[Hitcher]

Theres a very nice blue 06 955cc Tiger at wgton motorcycles now only just arrived ,side boxes included too.

I think I shall be paying CFWB a visit after New Year...

[Oscar]

I had a Strom.
Loved it (only sold it 'cause I stumbled across a 950KTM at the right price).
Surprisingly capable off-road (don't ask - sufficed to say I did not intend to go that far into the bush), very good on gravel and a great tourer.

Mine had a lowered seat (done by a local upholsterer), a Givi Screen (highly recommended) and Remus zorsts (also recommended).

[oldrider]

Hitcher, if your lovely passenger finds the pillion pegs too high on the 06 Tiger, (if you try one) I made simple extensions to suit Mrs O!

Made a few other wee adjustments to the top box and now she just loves the bike!

I think the big V Strom and the Varadero have got good long lengthy stirrups for the pillion but have not actually tried them ourselves.

She (yours) may not be very old now but that's the only direction we have got and the older limbs do get cramped on long rides.

We are lucky having wives, partners, significant others, or whatever, who share our delights in the marvels of motorcycling, so they are worth looking after. (IMHO) Cheers John.

[bell]

We are lucky having wives, partners, significant others, or whatever, who share our delights in the marvels of motorcycling, so they are worth looking after. (IMHO) Cheers John.

+1 on that count John.

Who needs a radar detector when there's a slap upside the head if you go over about 130...well, she tells me she can see the speedo....sometimes I think she's bluffing though<_<.

I'm 99% sold on a V or maybe the Wee when I get back to Oz in Feb.

My wife is about 5'10" and I'm sure her dodgy knees will appreciate the seating arrangement on the Strom over that on the Z750. Add a topbox for a backrest and she'll be drifting off to sleep. Crikey! That might not be such a good thing.

[Laava]

+ Add a topbox for a backrest and she'll be drifting off to sleep. .
This can happen!:zzzz:

[oldrider]

This can happen!:zzzz:

This does happen! :zzzz: So does this :bash: Damn it, but thats :ride: John.