V-STROM... anyone got one?

Must be the '25' bit - I had an OX postcode up to recently, and now
have the pleasure of a KLV1000 (Kawasaki's rebadged VStrom - newer
spec than the usual UK Suzuki version) for around £350 fully comp, 1
yr NCB. Mind you, I do have a few more years under my belt (say 20
or so...)

 

dwb wrote in

What I can't understand is a Gixer thou being cheaper to insure as you
stated earlier. I could believe £2200 for the Gixer with a third of that
for the V-strom i.e. about £730

 

The wheels could be a bit greener though

 

That's a huge improvement on the way it looked when we all went to
France, I really like it.

Was it a respray, or just new panels?

 

Do a Hog special, get some renthall bars and some rearsets.

 

Indeed, works a treat. Fun factor is unchanged but M-Way cruising speed is
down from 120 to 90 (which is good for the licence probly).
Email me at hog at ukrm dot net for help.

 

Mailed...

 

Thanks - I won't be taking a pillion, so that's not a concern.

I am interested though in the handling because that's obviously something I
love about the GSX-R.

Hog's suggestion of bar risers and different rearsets may well be worth a
look - just not sure about trying to 'bodge' a sports bike into a tourer

 

I tested (thrashed) one then bought an R1150GS. V-Strom
was v.nice to ride but I was put off by reports about its
longevity and tendency to corrode. Hah. Should have stuck
with my first instincts as the BMW rusts faster than an
1975 Alfasud.

Mikey

 

Ta, Beemer is waaaaaay to expensive.

I'm not sure about this "Suzuki's corrode" stuff.

The dealership cleaned off all the crap from mine as part of the repair and
once all the SACI and scott oil had been cleaned off, it's as shiny as it
was the day I collected it.

The mechanic did say "To be honest, we were surprised."

That said, the horn has stopped working due to the wire corroding :-/

<ponders some more>

 

I test rode one when I was buying last October. It was up against the
Varadero, a Tiger and a Futura. I liked the feel from the front end. It
felt more planted than the others. The brakes were very good and the sound
was the best of the lot. I found the seat very comfy but SWMBO didn't like
the position of the footrests. The screen offered good protection and the
O/D/6th gear was very relaxed for cruising. It was only SWMBO not liking
it that stopped me getting one. I didn't like the Tiger, I just couldn't
get on with the one I test rode. I think it wasn't set up that well as
nothing seemed to fall to hand. Switches were never in the right
position and it just didn't gel for me. SWMBO liked it a lot though. In
the end the Varadero suited us both.

There is a owners forum at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VStrom2/

 

[searching for a new bike]

does it matter? - you modify the bike to suit you. You return it to
original condition when you sell it.

 

I don't know - that's the question!

Raising the bars, changing the weight distribution etc - I imagine sports
bikes are designed the way they are for a reason, not just to make it
uncomfortable to ride them.

 

As a matter of interest, how tall are you/inside leg (ooh aar) as I'm a bit
confused at the mo in that Suzuki say 83cm, which is only slightly more than
the GSX-R, yet websites are saying 33inches - which is a bit higher than
that.

I guess I'll have to find a dealer with one and sit/clamber on it to see.

 

I've yet to try a normal one, but it was surprisingly comfy. Reminded
me of a bandit 12 stance, which is 'wing-like luxury compared to what
I'm used to riding.

 

HTF does that work as I'm 5'6 with a 31" leg... :-O

I shall. Possibly.

 

Your body is shorter, and his body is far away...

 

I'm 5'10 with 31" inside leg, no problems touching the floor.

Definitely get a do on one, they are underrated IMHO

 

May I suggest Sir also tries to get a go on a Cagiva Navigator? TL1000
engine with softer cams giving similar figures to the V-Strom, with
roughly the same weight & seat height, but with Italian flair & much
nicer looking than most of the competition imho -
http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=20743

If I was looking to replace my Tiger a Navigator would probably be top
of the list.

 

Ta - however their aftersales doesn't fill me with confidence, plus TBH I
fancy another Suzuki - helped by having a very helpful dealer 2 minutes walk
away.