A new love

While at my local Honda Dealer picking up a few odds and ends, I found myself sitting on a nice used (let the bashing begin) Suzuki 650 V-Strom. WOW!!! This thing sits nice!!!, I thought. Bet it has no power, no brakes to speak of, sits way to high, looks kinda ugly. Then the salesman says "Take 'er for a spin". 5 minutes later I'm pulling out of the parking lot (mistake #1) Rode around a few city streets "This thing really handles better than it looks" I am thinking. Seems really torquey. So, I head up onto the interstate. Very impressed. It's no VFR, of course, but impressive for a V-twin 650. Back to the dealer, I've had my fun.
2 weeks later I can't get this thing out of my mind. I find myself on the V-Strom Forum (mistake #2). These guys have a real passion for the Adventure Touring thing and think the Strom is the way to go. The next think I know, my computer goes directly to craigslist. Must have been caused by sub-space interference from the Strom Forum(mistake #3). What do you know, but a nice '07 is for sale right down the road. Well, it won't hurt just to go look. It looked like rain, so I jumped in the truck to see what this guy had (mistake #4). The next thing I know, I'm at the bank pulling out money (mistake#5). $4300.00 later it's in the back of the truck, on it's way home. The 'Ole Lady is gonna sh**!!! Bike #6!!! I love my VFRs and won't sell anything, but this V Strom ROCKS!!! Now, I need to buy a better couch. Looks like I'm gonna be sleeping on it for a while.

 

Congratulations. It's a great bike. My brother has the 1000 version and really likes it. His only complaint is that he thinks it's ugly, but I don't agree. He treats it like a work truck - never washes or waxes it, just meticulously maintains it mechanically. It has ride-all-day ergonomics. Not real quick accelerating, but not bad. Handles extremely well. I may pick up a used one myself (can't afford an R1200GS or Multistrada 1200S).

 

I have noticed that several members on the V Strom forum also have VFRs. At least one (now 2 of us) is a member here. There seems to be a wierd connection between the VFR and the V Strom.

 

Dude had his at a track day I was attending. He was having fun and not doing too bad.

BZ

 

View attachment IMG_1187.jpg had a 2006 650,overall was a good bike,rode it 30,000kms 1 year,rode a 7000km 7 day trip once,used it for alot of off rd and even some single track,I could never get the wind buffitting solved tried windsreens madstad bracket among other things,

 

I too had the buffetting problem...BAD!!! The Madstad with the stock windshield was a little better. But the Madstad with a Givi shield is 100% better. The stock windshield is a joke, for sure. I like the tires on yours. Did they do good on the highway?

 

Congrats on the new bike! Several of my friends up on the mtn have them and love them. Seems funny to see the V Stroms next to all the sport bikes but they have a dedicated following. Good luck.

 

Congrats! I still have my '00 SV650 standard, and enjoy it every time I ride it. It's one of those engines that does a lot of things well. And everyone that I have known with a Strom, 650 or 1000, loves it. Let us know what kind of couch you get! :biggrin:

 

I rode my VFR out to the V-Strom Gathering in Rapid City, SD last year with my brother on his V-Strom 1000. Twisted Throttle was there with all kinds of V-Strom farkles. It was a great event. Lots of great door prizes (several jackets), seminars, dinners, and rides. The Vee- and Wee-Stromers are fanatics about their bikes. Most had the 650. Some had made the trip to Prudhoe Bay and back. With a skid plate and engine guards, I think these things may be unbreakable. The owners were by and large "mature" motorcyclists (e.g., age 45 on up to the mid-70's).