Since I retired I have been fortunate enough to be able to do a couple of long trips across Europe each year including the Arctic circle and eastern Europe etc. I used to have V Strom 650s which were excellent tools. However, I found the Strom 650 did not handle strong cross winds at all well so I went for a Suzi GSF 1200s (Bandit). Utterly superb. Steady as a rock in near gales.

Unfortunately my old knees can't take the sports tourer bend any more so I'm back to 'adventure' bikes. I don't want a GS (I've had GSs - great bikes but no good for me as I can't afford a new one and if there's a problem I live miles away and a ferry crossing from the nearest BM garage). I've boiled it down to either an ex-demonstrator V-Strom 1000 or a second hand VFR Crosstourer - they're around the same price.

For me, reliability and stability in strong winds are the key things. Anyone got any thoughts, observations? Please, no advice on how to ride in strong winds - I've been biking for 50 years and read everything on that. I just know that some bikes perform much better than others in strong cross winds. I am aware of the slight glitches with both models: V Strom: fuelling at low revs and electrical connectors (all done); Crosstourer: shaft recall (done on the ones I'm looking at). Anything else? Anybody out there own either and either love or loathe 'em.

Cheers and thanks a lot.

Can't answer your question Tim, but I've had some very scary moments with side winds too on my DL650. It might be worth looking on For Suzuki V-Strom Enthusiasts or posting the same question there if you haven't done so already. I would be interested to hear the results as the new DL1000 is on my radar when the DL650 retires

__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

Hi Tim, thank you for that. This is one response I got:

"After owning 2012 DL650, in 2014 I've traded it for 2014 DL1000. With 650, riding in high cross winds was a bit of a challenge. I had bike wandering arround a lane quite a bit. Installed fork brace and it got much better, but still had to fight against a cross wind.
Now, with DL1000, the story is completely different. When I get hit by strong cross wind, I feel my body being push arround but the bike keeps going in its trajectory. Almost hard to belive. Now I have to take care of my body and its position but not about the bike anymore."

Looks positive!

Anybody got any experiences of the Crosstourer?

Regards, Tim

I would go with v-strom 1000, awesome bike and much lighter then crosstourer.
I was riding a bit on DL1000 and the engine was sweet, amazing low down torque and very comfortable as well. Besides it would be new, so a big plus for long trip and piece of mind. As for the strong crosswind well, if the wind will be strong enough even Gold Wing won't help

I ride a V-Strom 650 and test rode the Crosstour at the ontario HU meet. I'm only 5'8" with a 30" inseam and I felt cramped on the Crosstour. I am very comfortable on the v-Strom and i guess the big one is the same.

I would take the VFR any day. As ever you will be on tarmac for the great majority of the time and with the VFR nothing could be much more fun. King of the road!