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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: smoker on April 04, 2005, 07:53:59 PM

Title: Hey MP183...
Post by: smoker on April 04, 2005, 07:53:59 PM
Saw you have a gs500 and DL-650.  What do you think of the V-Strom?  I think it may be my next bike, if I can convince my bank account.  Any downsides you've found?
Title: Hey MP183...
Post by: mp183 on April 04, 2005, 08:05:12 PM
The only downside is the height.  If you are 5'10" or higher you should be able to handle it.  Anything less and I would pass.  But I guess you could lower it.  The thing is great.  Made for eating up the miles.
I have over 8,000 miles and not a glitch.
Valves every 14,500 miles.  No carbs to re-jet.  Fuel injection is awesome.
Plain old boring when it comes to maintenance.  Just put in the gas & go.  Get 50mpg same as on my GS and that is with "spirited" riding.
Engine is water cooled and it has an oil cooler.  The engine will last
100,000 miles without a problem.  
Lightning quick.  No thinking required to pass, just twist the throttle.
You can get up to 110 in a blink of an eye.  You'll find that you will be hitting 90-100 mph when passing without realizing it.
Rock steady at speed.  Fairing is downright decadent.  With the hand guards riding in winter is a snap.
Title: Hey MP183...
Post by: smoker on April 04, 2005, 08:11:13 PM
Yeah, that's pretty much what I've been reading...  I'm a hair shy of 5'11" and since none of my local dealers have any in stock I was wondering about the height.  Thanks for the review, makes me even itchier to spend my money.  And I'm starting to love the bug look, the more I look...
Title: Hey MP183...
Post by: mp183 on April 04, 2005, 08:14:48 PM
I grow on you.  I ride with a guy that has one too.  He has almost 10,000 mile on it.  He was commenting that my handgurds looked ugly and that he did not see himself getting them.  We went out in 35 degrees for about 250 miles and he came around.  The colder he got the sexier the handguards looked.