Hi everyone hope we are all well

On Wednesday I had a terrific 600 mile ride from Cheshire up around the borders of Scotland and back found some awesome roads after the ones I wanted to do were shut so ended up wandering around and finding a few little gems, utterly superb some stretches where I didn't see another vehicle for over an hour bliss! Felt crazy busy when I got back on the m60 really realised how hemmed in we are down here!

The petrol prices ouch! Used 50 quid of fuel on 99 ron for 450 miles of the trip which worked out at.

Fuel stop 1 no receipt so ignore that.
From Fuel stop 2 -4 =450 miles.
Fuel stop 2 8.24l @ 1.789l =14.74
Fuel stop 3 12.06l @ 1.789l = 21.58
Fuel stop 4 9.34l @ 1.799l = 16.80
450 miles = 68.19 mpg
Not got a receipt for the first stop unfortunately.

Fuel economy has been a bit of a concern lately as I'm out of work currently so trying to make funds stretch.

Next time Ill try the e10 stuff now I've got a good base line.

Thoughts on the 650 after the ride really superb can't fault it took everything in its stride very smooth n easy to tour on adventure around on tiny lanes, yet when the mood takes a revvy sportsbike engine to.

Never felt like I was missing my 2014 1200gsa or 2017 1000xt.

To be honest I'm still quite curious about the Himmys my entire riding perspective has changed since I've been riding the 1927 Norton 16H which is the most fun I've had on a bike 4.9hp and 252lbs keeps up and passes modern traffic when needs be which is always funny makes me think marques are missing a trick not chasing light weight rather than tech it's crazy to think in 1927 they had cable operated cruise control in the format of a throttle lever rather than twist grip anyways I digress back to the V-strom.

Seat is my only criticism of it after 150- 200 miles (again the 60s Norton seats are bliss in comparison) you start to feel it and maybe a better bash plate to.

Hoping to move to either Scotland or Devon in the summer once the house is advertised so next trip will be up to Fort William for an overnight stop in a few weeks to check it out as I've never been past Moffat.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures and my thought's on the bike just waiting for the video to process on youtube then I can share it with you all.

Few mobile pics from when I was stopped.

Ride video and review thoughts on the bike is finally uploaded hope you all enjoy sorry about the low camera angle gonna buy a helmet mount for on the V-Strom

https://youtu.be/orKQBmK-dS0

It is nice to read that you enjoy the DL 650.

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makes me think marques are missing a trick not chasing light weight rather than tech it's crazy
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I have the same thoughts. Even if some tech would not increase the weight, but the complexity.

So I am now using using a Honda NX 4, 2003

150 kg, 400 cc, all around bike ("dual purpose")....
(Not for highways, but the is not where I drive)
150 kg is so easy to handle.
Ad still it has a comfortable seat and not to high seat

No EFI => Carbs
No ABS
No LED panels => analogue clocks
No LED lamps => H4

No warranty => No service need at dealer.
Easy design => Easy maintenance. Air filter changed in 4 minutes. Oil filter in minutes. 2 bolts. Spark plug open.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...da_nx4_02.html

I still have my Suziki DL, and I will keep it.
As well as my WL 750.
That is real low tech. And requires something from the rider.
Foot clutch, hand gear switch, manual control of ignition timing (left hand)
Adventure !! With a big smile !!
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Smaller bikes ? Ready this topic by your countrymen

https://adventurebikerider.com/forum...p?f=23&t=47487

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Thanks for taking the time to share Erik that's what I love with my 1927 Norton 16H Flat Tanker Handshift, throttle lever manual advance etc so much fun!

Hi everyone hope we are all well took a ride out to Jodrell Bank last night to pull up and do a full review of my 2020 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT and cover the reasons why I bought it for my current Adventure/Overlanding usage and compare it to one of my previous bikes on a few points and discuss briefly why I'm starting to think of lightweight ADV bikes and a whole new approach feel like I'm a bit late to that but you never stop learning! I'll be covering my change in thoughts in the follow up video along with anything anyone wants to know that I've Missed on the VStrom if I've missed anything it's the Start of my V Strom journey but she's already impressing after a 600 mile in a day ride as some who follow my adventures with the Nortons will know I hurt an old shoulder/neck injury so couldn't do to much riding last year so was a relief to be able to do the 600 mile day ride pain free.

Through the video you will find the different chapters I covered many different things from my thoughts on what I like about the VStrom 650 XT, what I'd improve and thoughts about other bikes that I'm considering. the Husqvarna 701, Honda CRF 300 Rally etc what I'd like to do next and finally the sound of the VStrom with some onboard I mainly focused for 9 or so of the ten mins on talking about the bike.

Sorry if the editing isn't perfect as I'm doing it on an old mobile

I hope you enjoy the video and hopefully I'll have a new mic setup for the next video seemed to come out alot better though with a change of setting if you are using a helmet video with the GoPro Hero 6 what are you using mic wise?

https://youtu.be/2Pjmr6WRoOQ

Had an awesome terrific ride out on the V-Strom 650XT to Winnat's pass
Testing out my new Mic Setup which means I've finally got good audio yay! Took a while to save up for.

I decided to film some of my thought's while riding chatting about why I'm possibly considering a change of bike towards a lighter ADV setup and tried to explain my methodology behind those thoughts.

As it's a choice between bringing in a 2nd Vstrom 650XT for my dad or two much lighter bikes with thoughts on the 300 Rally. It's a tricky choice for sure.

I also covered my thoughts on why I like the Strom an think it's such a brilliant compromise spec wise an often gets overlooked in favour of the Cb500X










https://youtu.be/jr7D-uGZuCY