D
Deleted member 12904
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Picked up a clean stock 09' put a little over 100 miles on it and am really happy so far.
The Suzuki V-Strom 650
- Thread starter Greg
- Start date
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Good for you! I think you'll be very happy with the V-Strom, it's the kind of bike that wants to be ridden for miles & miles!
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
The Vstrom is a lot lighter than most of the bikes like this aren't they?
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
The 650 seems to be, the 1000 is a bit heavier at around 40 pounds more. Another thing that helps the 650 feel lighter is the seat, it's a little lower than the 1000 seat. I always wanted to find a 1000 seat and swap it on my V-Strom, I felt a little cramped with the low seat.
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
Nice! 
If you ever want a tour of southern Idaho sometime let me know.
If you ever want a tour of southern Idaho sometime let me know.
I’ve got a bike fund ready to buy something. Seriously considering a vstrom 650 or 1000. A lot of the rides will be spent with my father on his goldwing. He thinks it’s a sport bike though, and cruising mph is often in the high 80’s or low 90’s. Canyons are meant for full throttle cornering, and rides last many many hours a day, with 300-400 miles per day being Pretty typical. I would like the lighter, more nimble 650.. but am very afraid it will not keep up. Any thoughts on their abilities to push hard and long?
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I think the 650 will keep up with the Goldwing just fine. I'd say go test ride one and see what you think.
Unimog
Eric
- Location
- Stansbury Park, UT
Its not going to be a problem keeping up. The bigger bike is just going to be more comfortable on long rides and require less shifting. I've only ridden the 650, not the 1000. I didn't ride it all day, but it was a pretty comfortable, capable machine.
I put about 8k miles on this 08 650 including a handful of 80-85mph freeway trips to Boise and back. I really loved that bike and would own another in a heartbeat. I’ve never ridden a gold wing so I don’t have a reference but the 650 v-strom is not a fast bike. It’s not slow and does just fine but it isn’t sporty imo.
Sort of. It was one of dad’s gold wings. I sold it so I can buy something that I want to ride instead
boogie_4wheel
Active Member
- Location
- North Salt Lake, Utah
Consider a BMW 1150/1200 GS if you're looking for an adv that will keep up with the Wing. Dirt capable, shaft drive, gets you ABS and maybe optioned with heated grips/seat. If you're going to slab 400 running with a Goldwing, that wee-strom is gonna suck. It'll do it, but I think the lack of comfort will take all the fun out of it.
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- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
A vstrom is pretty darn comfortable to me. And more importantly less than 10k. And they've been available with abs (and traction control) for a while.
I'd be more inclined to go F800GS but Brian is afraid of all things European
I'd be more inclined to go F800GS but Brian is afraid of all things European
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I also thought the VStrom was plenty comfortable, as mentioned earlier in this thread upgrading to a stock seat off a 1000 is a big improvement.
We looked long and hard for the right vstrom..
but a Honda nc700x got listing in Wyoming for a cant-pass deal, so I went and picked it up. I keep forgetting to take my own pictures.. but this is similar. I’ve got saddle bags on the sides.
but a Honda nc700x got listing in Wyoming for a cant-pass deal, so I went and picked it up. I keep forgetting to take my own pictures.. but this is similar. I’ve got saddle bags on the sides.