My new toy! (And commuter...)

[Hail The Brain Slug]

2006 V-Strom 650 with 15,790 miles, got it for $2,995 from a dude on Craigslist. Replacing my learner 2004 GS500. All I can say is, holy torque batman!

 

[satyajitmenon]

Very nice... Have always wondered what them stormtroopers rode like.

 

[tbike06]

If I get another bike I think I would get one of these.

 

[Greenman]

Looks comfortable.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

It's way more comfortable than my GS500. The handling is very, very different though. The turn-in is very swift and it likes to lean much more. Super comfortable position though, great reach on the handlebars.

I just need to put on the skid plate the previous owner never did and I'm ready to hit dirt roads.

 

[Zargon]

nice!

 

[Budmantom]

Looks like a great bike and the price is right.

 

[alfa147x]

Dude it looks fantastic!

 

[Occ]

I keep waiting for one of these to show up in my area. Good choice, and sounds like a good deal to boot.

 

[Zargon]

Dude it looks fantastic!

LOL well played

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

LOL well played

I lol'd :thumbsup;

I've been bike only since November, and I don't ever want to go back.

 

[ballmode]

same engine in the sv650?

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

same engine in the sv650?

Same engine, but according to wiki:

"Its more relaxed cam profiles (than the SV engine) boost the power between 4,000 and 6,500 rpm, along with slight changes to the airbox and exhaust."

 

[JulesMaximus]

:thumbsup: You should average 45-50mpg easily with that bike. I kind of wish I had one for commuting. I have no wind protection on my SV650 at all.

 

[mmntech]

It's things like this that make me want to finally get my license.

 

[T2urtle]

is that a stock frame slider on the V storm?


i've only owned my 04 gs500f for about a month and i've been loooking for an upgrade already, how long did you have your 500 for?

 

[JulesMaximus]

is that a stock frame slider on the V storm?


i've only owned my 04 gs500f for about a month and i've been loooking for an upgrade already, how long did you have your 500 for?

Pretty sure that doesn't come stock.

 

[BZeto]

Suzuki is about to unveil the new updated VStrom on the 11th. I'm guessing it will compete with all of the other big ADV bikes size/feature wise.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sweet. Sold my zx6r recently and will probably take a year or two off from riding for now. Been riding off/on 15 years. I'll probably get a vstrom when I get another bike.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

is that a stock frame slider on the V storm?


i've only owned my 04 gs500f for about a month and i've been loooking for an upgrade already, how long did you have your 500 for?

I've had the GS500 since November, although I've been looking for a couple months to find a good bike in my price range.

 

[arrfep]

Nice price! I've been watching prices on the Wee Strom and the Versys since around the beginning of the year. Only things I've seen under $4k have had 35,000+ miles on them and/or had been laid down.

Shite, for that price, I'd probably commit to a fly-and-ride based just on the picture.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

Nice price! I've been watching prices on the Wee Strom and the Versys since around the beginning of the year. Only things I've seen under $4k have had 35,000+ miles on them and/or had been laid down.

Shite, for that price, I'd probably commit to a fly-and-ride based just on the picture.

I know, it seemed like any bikes around $3,000-$3,500 that were even a decent deal moved so fast I couldn't even see them before they sold. I got lucky on this one, the guy looking at it before I did tried to talk down to $2,800. I was planning on doing that but when the owner mentioned it I went straight for full price.

Not to mention it's never been down, looks super clean and well taken care of. Plus the guy threw in a larger windshield and a skid plate, too. Needs a new rear tire but not for 1,000 or so miles. Still trying to decide what to get. Tourance or Anakee 2?

 

[arrfep]

I know, it seemed like any bikes around $3,000-$3,500 that were even a decent deal moved so fast I couldn't even see them before they sold. I got lucky on this one, the guy looking at it before I did tried to talk down to $2,800. I was planning on doing that but when the owner mentioned it I went straight for full price.

Not to mention it's never been down, looks super clean and well taken care of. Plus the guy threw in a larger windshield and a skid plate, too. Needs a new rear tire but not for 1,000 or so miles. Still trying to decide what to get. Tourance or Anakee 2?

What kind of riding are you going to be doing? Solely commuting? Are you over at stromtrooper.com or advrider? I'm sure you can find more info than you know what to do with between those two boards.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's way more comfortable than my GS500. The handling is very, very different though. The turn-in is very swift and it likes to lean much more. Super comfortable position though, great reach on the handlebars.

I just need to put on the skid plate the previous owner never did and I'm ready to hit dirt roads.

I wouldn't go hitting the dirt with those tires. If you're looking at serious mixed riding you'd be better off getting a tire that is more suitable for a true dual sport. The tires on that bike are street bike tires.

You can do some riding on dirt with those but I wouldn't make a habit of it. Hell, I've ridden my SV a few miles on dirt a couple times, it was pretty smooth with no rocks though.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

I wouldn't go hitting the dirt with those tires. If you're looking at serious mixed riding you'd be better off getting a tire that is more suitable for a true dual sport. The tires on that bike are street bike tires.

You can do some riding on dirt with those but I wouldn't make a habit of it. Hell, I've ridden my SV a few miles on dirt a couple times, it was pretty smooth with no rocks though.

Yeah, the battlax rear and battlewing front are terrible for offroad. The bike is my sole commuter (well, it and the GS) but I do like to go up Palomar mountain occasionally or hit some back roads. Dirt and gravel (no sand or mud) would be fun I'm sure, but I don't know of any dirt roads or trails to ride on around here. Would like to though.