They look like pretty sweet bikes. 

The best ugly bike ever made.  They are definitely a following of function over form.  Having said that you really can't get a better casual/touring/semi-sport mount imho.

some competition.

I'd like to take home a new DL650 ABS.  Love the ergonomics (I'm 6'4" with a 36" inseam), but neet to ride one for a while to see if I can get used to the size of the bike and a windscreen being beyond arm reach.  It's the SUV of the Suzuki line.

Motor is wonderful, comes with fuel injection and gets 50 MPG with 70 HP.  Suspension (rear shock especially) could be better.  It's at the top of my wish list.

I've never been to the Suzuki dealership without spending most of my time sitting on a 'Strom and talking to the salesmen about them.  I love em.

-Turd.

Great bikes, the owners love them.  The 650 and 1000 are the same bike.  Different motors.
But the seats are high.  And they are big bikes. 
I practically flipped a coin in 2004 between my Concours and a Yellow 1000 Strom setting next to it.  The hard bags won me to the Conk.
As soon as I can demo a GS500, I will consider buying one.

My friend has one and loves it.

If I was buying a new bike I'd give it serious thought.

I5

I love mine.  It's great on the hwy, pretty good on ugly dirt/gravel roads.  Goes everywhere I point it.   After a bit of customizing the seat, it's comfy for hours.

2 years & 16k, Other than a carb synch & valve adjustment, this bike has needed nothing fixed or adjusted.  Kinda boring that way.

They are a bit tall & top heavy, but I'm 5'6", 30" inseam, and 140lbs. 

Quote from: ChuckS on April 11, 2007, 01:29:30 PM
...  After a bit of customizing the seat, it's comfy for hours.  ...

Curious. What did you do to the seat?

Damn you guys...making me want a 'Strom again.

-Turd.

My dad has one. He test rode both the 650 and 1000 a couple years ago at Daytona and preferred the 650. A chance came up to buy one at a military base near him and he got it for a real good price. I have to ride an hour to go visit him. Getting off my GS 500 and onto his V Strom is an amazing difference. I can easily take the same twisty turns near his place at 20 MPH faster without even realizing it. It seems to ride on rails going just where you want it. I'm 6'0" tall with a 34" inseam and can get a bit cramped on my GS, so having all the leg room of the V Strom feels very relaxing. He also has a Kawi Concours, Honda ST 1300, Pacific Coast (another great all rounder IMO), Super Magna, VT 500 Ascot, and an older 750 Four last year of the single cam. Had a KLR 650 but let a son in law have it. Now he wants another one soooo bad. Me, I'll just have to sit back and wait to win the BMW drawing and take home their new 800 twin. I sure can't afford to buy anything.