Posted: 5/12/2013 5:45:39 AM EDT
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Gas prices are becoming an increasingly big pain in my ass as far as Overlanding and Adventuring is concerned. My Tacoma will go most anywhere I point it and do it fine while sipping fuel like a drunken college girl heading for a gang bang.
I've also recently realized that I intend on being a life long bachelor, " que the disregard women folk acquire vast wealth meme". The double cab tacoma is quite often over kill for the places I want to go and things I'd like to see. Next Tacoma will be a single cab. I don't want want to drop 20k on a BMW since I plan on doing some actual riding and the bike is going to get dropped. V-Strom has gotten solid reviews from both the expo crowd and the ADVrider crowd, but figured I'd see if any Arfcommers have input on the bike. Before someone says KLR 650, I unfortunately live on the lame coast and so any real adventuring will require a lot of saddle time crossing the country on multi week vacations. I'd like to step up to something like the V-Strom that can comfortably carry me cross country before I hit fire roads and trails. |
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I have the Vee but many friends with the Wee. They love it. Very smooth engine, great transmission. It is not as dirt capable offroad as the KLR or DR, but it will get there, more comforatbly. I ride my Vee from Dallas to LA every summer. Would suck on the KLR. The ride height is adjustable with dogbones, but you lose ground clearance. With some TKC-80's the Wee is a competant off-roader, but slowly. Get some saddlebags (i have Pelican cases and mounts from SW Motech) and go.
You're doing the right thing by checking out ADV. That's my other "go-to" site The engines in the Wee is very similar to the SV, but not identical. It is an offshoot of the TLR-1000 engine, which got "re-tuned" for the Vee. |
| If you're going with a liter, I'd go with the VStrom easy. The 650 version isn't such a clear cut win, though. Make sure you check out the Versys 650 before you make your final decision. The Versys doesn't try to be a dual-sport or anything at all, but it makes for a much smoother street bike. |
My new ride:
ETA: While I don't believe fuel economy should be a primary concern in motorcycle choice, the 2012 650 VStrom claims 65+ mpg, the 1k is supposed to get some changes with next year's model, so it may improve a bit from its claimed ~40mpg. My S10 is around 42mpg, but it's super cold here right now, and the engine isn't broken in yet. |
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Motor is excellent. Smooth, power down low and fun. Transmission is little clunky at lower rpms but rev it and its smooth as butter.
The bike is perfect for fire roads and gravel roads and such. A skidplate, crash bars etc are a necessity for any off roading in my opinion though. The oil filter and cooler is horribly exposed. I had put off the skid plate until a Sunday trip across the Kinsey mtn hwy, dirt rd connecting two highways headed toward the cherohala, tore my filter, cooler and pressure sensor off. 
Put some knobby tires on and will do far more than you would think on trails. Ground clearance is the biggest issue. I run anakees which do well in most anything except mud. I'm on phone now or I'd post pics of mine. 2007 grey 650. Almost fully farkled. Trax cases, motech bars and plate, bark busters, bigger wind screen etc. 20k miles in two yrs with no issues at all. Except the little oil filter thing
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I bought a new Vee in 2006, and also bought a 2006 KLR in 2007.
The Vee was great on long road trips, but those were scarce, and up where I live, 6th gear was never used, and 5th sometimes not either. The KLR saw much more use as 80% of my riding was fire roads and narrow paved stuff. In 4 years, I only put 5,000miles on the Vee. (Yes, pretty lame) I liked it a lot, but it was much more bike than I needed. The KLR saw a lot more use, from 500 miles when I got it to 11,000 miles, but in the end I had to let it go due to some severe nerve damage in my shoulder from a fall. (not on the bike) I am now bike-less, for the time being. But, the shoulder is healing, after almost three years and I am now looking at a 2007 Dakar with 4K miles on it and a lot of farkles. (I did keep all my riding gear, fortunately) |
| I have a 2005 Vstrom 650 with just over 42k miles. I really enjoy it, reliable, I average 50-55mpg on 87 octane. I have flush mount turn signals, givi engine guards, AMD a tool tube. The one other upgrade I would love to get is a Corbin seat, the stock saddle isn't that bad, I've had worse, but it isn't great either. |
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Quoted:
You won't be taking the V-Strom on any trails. Fireroads will be fine. BS. I can take my loaded DL1000 with TKC's damn near anywhere. But like I said, a lot slower. Gyrene84, who doesn't like a stop at Neptunes when cruisig PCH? I'd hit it after the canyons on my way back the Hueneme. That or Rock House. |
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I guess a factor in the decision would be what kind of riding you're going to do. Mostly street and some fire roads can be done with almost anything.
Perhaps I made a bad assumption, since people are talking about both the Vstrom 1000 and 650. For some reason, I thought you were looking at the 650. |
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I just bought a V-Strom 1000 (Adventure) one week ago. So far, I am very impressed with the bike. Very comfortable to ride and handles nicely for the kind of bike it is. My first full take of gas got me 46 MPG. Granted it will drop once I get out of the break-in period but nice to see a 1 liter bike is capable of that.
If your intention is for road and off-road riding, you definitely want the lighter 650 (but is still very heavy for off-road). Think of the V-Strom as more of a SUV rather than a true off road vehicle. It's something that will be mostly on the road but can run down the occasional fire road and trails. The V-Strom has been out for a long time and there is a ton of aftermarket accessories for it. As already stated, the first thing you will need is a skid plate to cover the exhaust, oil cooler, and filter. I went for the DL1000 since my intention is to use it as a touring bike on road. Along with a fair amount of two up riding. I can't think of a better choice for what you are looking for. Just be aware of its limitations off road. Also, I agree with the person who said you don't save money with a motorcycle. What you save in gas will be used to pay for (including but not limited to) tires, chains, sprockets, fork seals, brakes, valve adjustments, accessories, and gear. Ride for the enjoyment of it, not the economy of it. Good luck |