DL650 V-Strom ride report

[Edbear]

Well it's a long and somewhat embarrassing story, which I may tell in another thread, but I had occassion to drop my beloved C50T into Bikesport in Helensville for a check-up on Monday and he gave me the DL as a loaner for a couple of days.

Now Matthew out there, and staff, are great people and I recommend them. Last service he loaned me a 1250S Bandit which I wrote a report on, and I was keen to try the wee V-Strom, or Wee-Strom as it's been dubbed, due to the many rave reviews from testers and owners world-wide.

What a fabulous little bike! Light, nimble, very fast and very comfortable!

Once I adapted to the fact that it was quite tall and the pegs weren't out in front attached to the forks and I moved my arms inwards about half a meter to the handlebars. I set off for home.

As noted, it is a tall bike and I was on tippy-toes despite my 5'11" but once seated and underway it was a great place to be. Great views from way up there!

First things noticed were the light weight, the height and the smoothness of the 650 V-twin. It's a high-revving bike compared to the C50T and 100km/h sees the tach at 4600rpm, a tad under the 5100rpm of my old GSX-F600. But quiet and smooth, so much so that you're unaware of the revs and with the redline up around 11,500, not under any stress at all. Actually 100km/h is probably close to the C50T for revs, but not sure as the Boulevard doesn't have a tach.

Power? In spades, mate! I reckon 130-140km/h would be a comfortable cruise and 160 is passed with disdain! Don't know what the top end would be but somewhere over 180 seems well within it's capabilities. Two-up touring? No probs! Seat is big and very comfy and the ride position just relaxed enough.

Acceleration is impressive and the poor old C50T wouldn't see which way a DL650 went if one wound it out through the gears! It is a seriously fast bike! (Okay, I haven't ridden a Gixxer thou...). I found myself conscious of my licence whereas on my bike I never worry about the HP.

Handling? Well I was in a bit of a hurry to get out to Helensville this evening to pick my bike up, and went out through Albany-Coatesville/Riverhead onto Old North Rd and left onto Peak into Helensville. Traffic was reasonably heavy, so there was some quick overtaking and some, shall we say, spirited cornering... Even on the very tall DL, I was close to touching the toes down on corners and that's a long way over... Let's say the handling is really good - stable, solid, no drama's, no twitching, just goes around harder and faster until I ran out of nerve.

Braking is smooth and strong, one-finger, and again no issues. It just stops as hard as you want or need.

Matthew had been experimenting with different screens and the fairly low one fitted was probably ideal for most. No buffeting issues, but being spoiled by the big window on my bike, I'd try a taller screen anyway, as I'm not used to wind noise these days - not requiring ear-plugs on the Boulevard, but finding them neccessary on the V-Strom.

It is the first bike I've ridden since buying the C50T that could tempt me to give up the cruiser. Not quite, but so close! It I were to choose a bike to tour NZ on or even the world, I doubt I could do a lot better than the DL.

The light weight, the tall, narrow style and the comfort does it for me the way few bikes ever have. Lane-splitting is brilliant! Plenty of power for two-up as well! The engine surprised with it's torque and smoothness, and when asked the question, responded with alacrity! By tonight, it was starting to bring out the hooligan in this old bloke! And I was finding myself making corners out of bends just because...

I even found myself liking the looks after the first ride! A brilliant bike, and I recommend finding one and getting a ride on it!

[Okey Dokey]

Nice write-up. If I ever decide I want to do more off-roading/gravel riding, this would be the first bike I would try. Thanks for the report.

[Radar]

Nice write-up. :niceone:

I've had my DL650 since October and have put over 11,000 km on it, including a South Island tour. A brilliant bike.
Like you say the the torque and smoothness of the engine is super.

:whocares: But of course we would say these things - we own VStroms.
Non Strommers may be more impressed by the following comments, posted a few days ago on the StromTrooper forum:


Fairwell My Strom Brothers!

After racking up 30,000 kms on my venerable 2007 DL650, over the past two riding seasons, I sold my VStrom two days ago, and bought a 2008 Yamaha FZ1, with just 2,100 kms on the clock.

None of my buddies could catch me on the Wee, anyhow. And that's probably one of many things I'll miss about the DL650...The 650 V-Strom really is a sleeper on the twisty coastal roads where I live. Those not in the know tend to think of it as just another big dualsport, like a KLR. So on those rides where, for example, I can smoke my buddy who rides a Ducati Monster 750 Dark, it's so much more satisfying. The Wee is seen as an underdog on pavement, so the shock value of smokin' a Ducati in the twisties is much greater. When I'm riding my new FZ1, it's practically an expectation that I'm gonna run away from everything but the most hardcore sportbikes, when things get interesting.

The best thing I found about my DL650, was that the bike was so good at so many things, that it allowed you to kind of forget about the bike completely, and focus more on the adventure. With the Wee it's kind of like 15% about the bike, and 85% about the adventure.

But just for a change, I thought it would be fun to go back to a bike that becomes the center of your attention, based on it's performance numbers and monster whoosh-factor. Kind of 50% about the bike and 50% about the adventure.

You'll always hear me sing the praises of the DL650, however, no matter what other bikes I end up owning. It has truly been one of the best bikes I have ever owned, and I've had about 40 or more.


All the reviews I have read sing praises for the VStrom, although they give the 650 the edge over the 1000. I can however understand why more people don't get Stroms, because they don't exactly look like a sexy racing bike. And most riders don't give a crap about fuel economy so they don't mind if their big 4 cylinder gulps like a cage.

The other downside of a Strom is wind buffeting. The stock screen is shite. Edbear, you are lucky you do not experience buffeting as many other Strommers do. I tolerated the stock screen on my bike for a long time, fiddling endlessly with different positions and angles (using spacers on the mounting bolts) and finally bought a Suzuki screen with an adjustable spoiler on top (similar to the Vario screens). There are a few hours of reading about wind buffeting on the Stromtrooper (http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/index.php) and VStrom (http://11109.rapidforum.com/) forums.

BTW, one review that I read was from a rider who was not impressed with a VStrom... until he rode it! For me, I especially love the handling, power, smoothness and fuel economy. Edbear if you get down to the Wairarapa I will show you routes for some terrific rides and take you out to the Gladstone pub and shout you a drink while we mingle with the Harley guys.

[Laava]

[QUOTE=Edbear;1953302] I even found myself liking the looks after the first ride! QUOTE]
Oh dear! And you were doing so well up to this point!:laugh:

[3DKiwi]

I own a V-Strom DL650. just thought I would correct the rpm at 100kph figure. The speedo's on these bikes read 8% slow so to do 100kph you need to do 108 on the speedo. The rpm at this speed is a shade under 5000. I've verified this with a Navman. Other people with V-Stroms and GPS's also confirm the 8% over optomistic speedo.

Cheers
Nigel

[Edbear]

I own a V-Strom DL650. just thought I would correct the rpm at 100kph figure. The speedo's on these bikes read 8% slow so to do 100kph you need to do 108 on the speedo. The rpm at this speed is a shade under 5000. I've verified this with a Navman. Other people with V-Stroms and GPS's also confirm the 8% over optomistic speedo.

Cheers
Nigel

Oh, so the true speed at 170 is...?

:innocent:

[3DKiwi]

Less than the ton!! To do the ton you need to do an indicated 176kph.

[Radar]

I own a V-Strom DL650. just thought I would correct the rpm at 100kph figure. The speedo's on these bikes read 8% slow so to do 100kph you need to do 108 on the speedo. The rpm at this speed is a shade under 5000. I've verified this with a Navman. Other people with V-Stroms and GPS's also confirm the 8% over optomistic speedo.

Cheers
Nigel

VStroms are not the only bikes with speedo's that read higher, and I wonder if it is so that the bike manufacturers do not get sued when an accident happens due to excessive speed or just getting a speeding ticket? BTW, there is a guy in the USA who sells replacement speedo dials that have speed corrections, in kph and mph.


Back to this thread's topic. Here is a ride report from a rider who has owned 12 different bikes:

Q: How does your Strom compare to your Bandit 600 (speed, comfort, etc)? For that matter, how do you compare your Strom to the other bikes you have owned?

Ä: No comparison. The Bandit feels wimpy after riding the Strom. As an old guy now, I rarely even use anything above 7500 RPM on the Bandit, even tho that's where it really starts to hit its stride. And the Bandit has way less torque. Bandit will be for sale real soon. The Strom reminds me of riding a big 4 stroke dirt bike, what with the wide bars, upright position, and handling. I like it. Have put very few miles on it so far, but will commute daily 50+, and plan on an around-Lake-Tahoe jaunt with the pillon pretty shortly. I can't say I've ever owned anything like the Strom. None of my old bikes (GS750/1100; GPZ750, Sportster, and some others) were anything like it. I recently looked at a Ducati ST3 and a Triumph Sprint ST, but the Strom seemed to be such a solid all round bike.

[NiggleC]

The speedo on my DL1000 was also very "unreliable". there are speedo healers and replacement dial faces but i found that fitting a bicycle speedo (one that will read over 100km/hr) and calibrating to the diameter of the front wheel was the easiest and cheapest way to go. The magnets are a hassle so i went to an electronics shop and bought a small rare earth magnet - very powerful - and superglued to the RH disc. No problems now for 11000km. All the fun of the fair for about $45 - average speed, top speed reached that day, odometer, 2 trip meters and the knowledge that its accurate ( mufti car cop - "i clocked you at 134" - a check of the bicycle speedo showed 136) tho it was a bit expensive to find out!!

cheers
Nigel

[BiK3RChiK]

I saw a group of these in Katikati on Friday night. Unfortunately, the next time we saw them, one had dropped his on the road and it looked like the clutch handle was broken.:no:

[Laava]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTrbJTB3kDw&NR=1

[kevfromcoro]

I own a wee..
reckon its the best bike i ridden in ages.. can keep up with big boys on the road. and it also very capable for adventure ridding.
there are many after market parts for this bike. which can turn it into a good tourer
iam heading for Australia. soon.going to set up a wee strom , ship it to singapore,, and ride it up into china.
got as long as it takes....
BIG trip report coming up

[Solly]

It is the first bike I've ridden since buying the C50T that could tempt me to give up the cruiser. Not quite, but so close!

I know exactly what you mean....I have a C90 and had a ride on a Vstrom on loan whan we took Amazons bike into McIvor & Veitch. Bill Veitch loaned it to us for the morning.....I was more than a bit apprehensive at first but 5 minutes of motorway & I was ready to to see what it had to offer :drool:........I'm now quietly working on how to have both C90 & Vstrom.

Bill Veitch did not loan the bike as much as do..:msn-wink:;) ..a marketing pitch........cunning ole bugger eh?? :2thumbsup

[Edbear]

I know exactly what you mean....I have a C90 and had a ride on a Vstrom on loan whan we took Amazons bike into McIvor & Veitch. Bill Veitch loaned it to us for the morning.....I was more than a bit apprehensive at first but 5 minutes of motorway & I was ready to to see what it had to offer :drool:........I'm now quietly working on how to have both C90 & Vstrom.

Bill Veitch did not loan the bike as much as do..:msn-wink:;) ..a marketing pitch........cunning ole bugger eh?? :2thumbsup

SHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Whatever you do don't tell the Missus!!!! :doh:

[kevfromcoro]

:eek5:..
dont go spreeding the word...
everyone will want one..........

[Radar]

I own a wee..
reckon its the best bike i ridden in ages.. can keep up with big boys on the road. and it also very capable for adventure ridding.
there are many after market parts for this bike. which can turn it into a good tourer
iam heading for Australia. soon.going to set up a wee strom , ship it to singapore,, and ride it up into china.
got as long as it takes....
BIG trip report coming up

:woohoo: China on a VStrom! :woohoo:

Looking forward to seeing your blog / trip report. Will you post it on KB?

[Radar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTrbJTB3kDw&NR=1

Off road, to the music of Easily-Red Hot Chili Peppers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aoFUmDzKLs&feature=related

Youtube comment:
i traded my busa in for one of these and my girlfriend has also just bought a v strom 1000, i upset a lot of people at the isle of man TT on mine last year, totaly awsome bike.

[kevfromcoro]

:woohoo: China on a VStrom! :woohoo:

Looking forward to seeing your blog / trip report. Will you post it on KB?

yes will post it here......
cant wait...just buying some shit for the trip
laptop...gps... givi bags
well i can use them for suitcases when i leave.
have ridden a bit of thailand.laos and combodia..........
fuck that is adventure....
hope to get to china.....
think i will do it..........
i can hear a v-strom sniffing at the wind..

LETS GO

[Tank]

WOW - that sounds like a awesome trip - I really look forward to reading the trip report and seeing pics!!!! (Get a good camera when shopping)

I have a mint condition DL1000 VStrom with a number of extras on it.

Fork brace and adjustable madstad braket for the screen - they help with the buffering and the 'tightness' when cornering. Both have made huge improvements to the bike and I would recommend them for all V-Strom owners.

I also put on sliders for the frame (off engine mount) and swing arm which help for maintainance.

And a beautiful custom Ryder seat - just did 5000km in the South Island and my ass was pampered the entire way.

But - thinking of a change and may be selling it - if anyone is interested - drop me a PM.

[Oscar]

Nice write-up. If I ever decide I want to do more off-roading/gravel riding, this would be the first bike I would try. Thanks for the report.

I had a V Strom and did a fair bit of gravel and even some easy trails on it.

It was OK on smooth gravel, but harder ruts or bumps tended to overwhelm the front suspension.

[NOWOOL]

I Test rode a 650 V-strom yesterday. I figured since all the good reviews I'd like the bike. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. Like the reviewer, I'm 5'11 and I was a bit put off my standing on my toes at the lights. The power was just 'ok' but a little buzzy. For the size of the bike the leg room is quite cramped. The big put off for me was how easily it was affected by wind gust on the motorway. Mind you, it was quite windy but even my faired GN250 isn't as bad with strong winds.
I'm sure they are great bikes for most people, but with the new lofty price rise this bike is now competing with the BMW F650GS which doesn't share it's faults.

[Edbear]

I Test rode a 650 V-strom yesterday. I figured since all the good reviews I'd like the bike. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. Like the reviewer, I'm 5'11 and I was a bit put off my standing on my toes at the lights. The power was just 'ok' but a little buzzy. For the size of the bike the leg room is quite cramped. The big put off for me was how easily it was affected by wind gust on the motorway. Mind you, it was quite windy but even my faired GN250 isn't as bad with strong winds.
I'm sure they are great bikes for most people, but with the new lofty price rise this bike is now competing with the BMW F650GS which doesn't share it's faults.

Interesting comments and it shows how we as riders have different expectations. It wasn't windy when I rode it and while it may say something about my level of experience with powerful bikes, or not, I liked the power.

I agree about price, but haven't ridden a GS650 so can't comment.

[Radar]

I have been in some wickedly strong wind with my VStrom and never had a problem. It is a tall bike but I am 5ft 10in and my boots are flat on the ground when stopped. A friend of mine bought a new DL650 a few weeks ago and he is very impressed with it - he has several other bikes and has owned many others all over 1000 cc except for his dirt bikes. But no bike will suit everyone and certainly the VStrom will have those who don't like them.