This is exactly what I don't need to hear. How great a bike is that I don't have when it's what I need.... I'm stuck with a pillion on a long ride on a little single and I'm gagging for that little extra power and better seat...
I think it will be great for what you want but I do think it's a shame the DR won't be getting a makeover. I really like that bike. If you want my opinion then don't sell it until you get back from touring. Just hold off for a while because it's such a great example and they're so rare and you're going to kick yourself, I think.
If I hadn't spent so much money on mine I'd buy it off you and rebuilt it myself. No question.

At the end of the day, it's what you do with it that counts... that's what I told her and she said that was mostly the problem. She's dead now.

Saw that coming.....

i like the DR and as you know always wanted one... but i think its a case of wanting one is better that owning one. This problem i have with it is its too cleasn and too good. maybe i should have bought a crap one... maybe i will... who knows.

for the record, my vstrom has a nice seat and a little bit more power... just so you know.

Arse....hole....

I know what you mean, I couldn't bring myself to hack my Millie for the same reason. It would be awesome to get a non-runner and start from there. Yours is a tasty bike and all original. Just so you know, if I had the cash, time and storage I would have it.
Now, sorry to derail your thread by dribbling over your outgoing fantasy bike you had for three weeks. Back to the Strom. Let's talk about what you're going to do... Are you going to leave the boxes? They look quite flimsy in a crash or car-park spill, if not flimsy then they look expensive. Anything else it needs? Everyone says you just get on these and ride them... what are your impressions, as a noob to this bike?

I've just bought myself an 04 (two plug) V-strom fully kitted out to GT spec..

I am struggling to like it.... I really really want to like it though. I bought it because I wanted a bike I could tour on and also have some fun on the twisties.

I find it very heavy. There is no need for a 650 to be this heavy. Granted, all the luggage racks, crash bars and sump guards don't help.

I find the suspension pretty awful too. I would hate taking this on anything more than a graded gravel track. The lack of damping adjustment shows it budget. This with the weight of the bike rules it out of any serious over landing for me.

As a "plodding" road bike it works well. You can tell this is 90% a road bike. It handles well on the tarmac and it's a smooth ride.

The engine feels pretty dull and lifeless too. It struggles to overtake more than one or two slow moving cars unless you really rev the hell out of it which KILLS the Fuel economy. It feels like I'm towing a pallet of bricks. Low down torque it hasn't got. That's a shame for a V-twin. I've rideen the SV650 that is shares an engine with and the SV has so much more poke and pick-up.

It's top touring speed is about 90mph without abusing the engine too much. That's plenty fast for me though..

Mine has a horrible FI stutter from low rev's too. I found from other owners that this is normal and a power commander can sort it. Not worth the cost for me though.

For me, it's a very practical and functional bike but doesn't excite me in the way I hoped. I actually thought mine had an engine fault due to it's lack of ooomph until I passed it around other 650 owners who said theirs were identical.

I will be keeping it for it's practicality. I can take the missis out on the weekend and tour around the Europe with comfort. I suppose that's what it's made for.


Sorry to the OP for pissing on his bonfire. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean you shoudn't. We're all different and have very different ideas on what makes a good bike. And that's the way it should be.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

V-Strom is more or less a streetbike, so it´s not a "real" adventure tourer in that sense. But then again, it can handle bad, bumpy and holed roads much better than your average streetbike. The wheels, for example, are quite tough, even though they probably haven´t won many design awards.

And it´s a budget bike – good to keep in mind, when you judge the handling, suspension and brakes. Those may satisfy a beginner, but for an advanced rider, or an adventure tourer, their shortcomings will be obvious for sure. But remember those parts specs will have a direct impact on the price tag. Those can also be upgraded in many ways without spending a fortune, too.

The engine, however, is simply great for its size (and it´s very similar to the SV, I´ve owned both, and differences really are quite small, but the SV is of course lighter, so the bike can feel punchier). That V-twin has also proven to be about just as bulletproof as they get.

Excellent headlights, good wind protection and room for two, large fuel tank/long range, carries a lot of weight (better get stiffer springs, though), large selection of aftermarket stuff, and relatively easy to maintain, with very few known technical issues, at a price that few others can match. That combination would still make it my #1 choice for a RTW-tour, if I was going 2-up. For 1-up my list of bikes would definitely be much longer.

I do agree that naturally people have very different views on what makes a good bike.

Can't argue with that..

I paid £1900 for mine second hand with all the luggage, bash plates, engine bars, scottoiler touring, centre stand and a full service history...

Crazy eh !!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I understand everyone is different, and im not saying its the best bike in the world... but for me at this moment, for what i want a bike for, its great...

With regards to Touring Ted, power on my bike is not a problem, as i said in my forst post, it seems like two bikes, i can potter about, and rev it a little harder and it really picks up, if i didnt know better i would have thought it had a bigger engine than a 650.... impressive for the size and weight. brakes are again not the best but ok for most riders, and the susspension for me seems great, i find it handles very well indeed... and i have been riding now for 20 years on all sorts of bikes. Its not going to win races but for what it is in the price range and class, i feel its just a great all rounder.

sorry your not getting on with yours.

My sat nav is going on this week, have to make a bracket first, and have a 12v socket im going to fit at the same time.

im really like this bike, i have no problem chucking it about in the corners and it sits up and rides all day in resonable comfort, what more can i ask for. it makes me feel like my R1200GS Adventure did, it just makes me feel i want to ride that little bit further...

Oh my god... the first sign of bonding. When it comes to power, I have to say you won't need much if you're riding with me. I got 185miles to a tank which equated to around 75mpg all in with general riding, today at heavier cruising speeds averaging 70mph to 75mph it managed 165, 2 up so mine is clearly a slow cruiser. I kind of knew that.
All these bikes you've had and you actually start to like a middle-of-the-road machine. The comments here are what I've heard but any bike can be improved on and by improvements I mean modifying to suit your needs better. Let's get out there with some gear and figure out what those needs are....

middle of the road bike or top end bike to 125 commuter.... if you like it you like it... nuff said.

I wont travel fast either i find it pointless, i know at some point you just want to get there but i want to see lots so that means riding at a reasonable pace to do so.

hurry up and get here and ride it for yourself...

Only two weeks. It flies by. It's a blur of country lanes (mind you I was looking for cities at the time).
I'm glad you're happy with it and would love to try it for myself... so long as it doesn't make me want one.

now that would be funny

Even funnier if I don't come back with yours....

wont happen....

Might happen with your DR...

Hi Ted,

interesting comments. Bike riders vary in age,sex,weight,attitude,opinions aso. and so do their preferences, luckily.
For me and for many others, the DL 650 is still the best value for money on the market today. I love mine, and by the number I see on the road, they're the preferred mount of the practical rider.

Cheers