What do people think about the V-Strom?

[WildBlue]

Not that I'm thinking about getting rid of the GS or anything...  Just wondering what I'll get as a SECOND bike one day when I can afford it.   

I like long roadtrips and the GS can get a little uncomfortable after a few hundred miles.   

[manofthefield]

Don't like the looks of it a ton, but I think I like everything else about it.  A couple people here have 'em or are planning on them for a next bike

[debtman7]

Don't forget about it's upcoming competitor, which excluding the funk headlight, is a fine looking beast:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=246

[scratch]

I would be so jealous if you got one.

I haven't heard anything mechanically negative about them.

[Stephen072774]

yep... and IMO its one of the more practical bikes on the road...

[Johnny5]

I have a dirt rider bud who after racing MX in the 450 class for many years just got his first street bike... the VSTROM.  He LOVES it.  Little (lot) big for my tastes, but seems like a great bike.

[Caffeine]

I traded in the GS for a Wee-Strom 2 weeks ago.   About 200 miles on it so far, so I can't really give a long review.  Great bike!  Can't wait to get some cases and take a long trip!

[xxqualitysealxx]

I absolutely LOVE my V-Strom 1000! IMHO it is one of the most practical bikes on the market, Not to mention it sounds alot like a Duc, is a 1000 and has a TON of torque. It is quite comfortable and in 2005 won the most comfortable pillon seat award (a big plus if you do 2-up touring). As every Suzuki that I have had it is very reliable. 35K miles and still running strong, never had any mechanical issues. Anything you want to know... let me know!

[WildBlue]

I hadn't seen that kawi, looks good too.  I've heard people say the V-Strom looks funky, but I actually like it.

Little (lot) big for my tastes, but seems like a great bike.

Haven't sat on one, but that'd be a plus for me -- I'd actually like something bigger than the GS for the long rides (I'm 6'2", ~210lb).

Sounds like a pretty good bike from what you guys say.  I was reading on the Adventure Rider forum a trip report on a Wee-Strom across Alaska, looks like it held up pretty well on the Dalton highway.  That's one trip I'd really like to make.

Any thoughts on the 1000 vs. the Wee?

xx - I take it you've done some long trips on your 1000? 

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Haven't sat on one, but that'd be a plus for me -- I'd actually like something bigger than the GS for the long rides (I'm 6'2", ~210lb).

Hie thee to a dealer and sit on one. I'm just about your size, 6'2" and 225 lb, and it feels like it was built to my measurements. I NEVER would have considered it if I hadn't sat on it in person.

Any thoughts on the 1000 vs. the Wee?

Owner of each model love 'em... but quite a few have reported that the 650 is better balanced.. one of the complaints about the 1k is that it's more top-heavy, seems to bother some and not others.

I talked with a salesman about this, and he said that he's sold several pairs to couples, 1000 for the husband and 650 for the wife. He also said that two of them have come back.. in each case the husband ended up riding the wife's bike by preference, and ended up trading it in for his own 650. FWIW, you also see more DL1000s than DL650s for sale used...

You can actually feel some difference in balance just in the showroom, and the 1000 is a bit taller. Exceptions might be if MOST of your riding is 2-up, or very heavily loaded (all long tours), the extra HP might be welcome.