DL1000 Vstrom - comments/thoughts?

[Mister James]

As above - has anyone owned or rode one of these?

As I was flicking through the bike mags looking for a replacement for my trusty but destroyed Fazer, I saw a brief review for these and the Kwak copy.

I was mildly interested, but thought nothing of it until I saw one in the flesh. It was sufficiently big and solid-looking for me to look a little closer.

I intend to use the opportunity provided by my eventual compensation payout to upgrade to something a little meatier than my revvy 600, but having thought about sports bikes and sports tourers, they all look a little small and focused for my tastes and riding style. Add to that the fact I'm probably going to be fairly skittish for a while, and probably less physically able to contort myself, and a 'sensible' (or boring) bike looks like a good idea.

The Vstrom is huge, I like the idea of plenty of hard luggage, lots of height for filtering, and the nice upright-ish position that emulates that of the fazer. List price is around £7000, but I've seen them for a lot less - around the £5600 mark for the basic model, although I'll probably plump for the Grand Touring with all the luggage, heated grips, centre stand, etc.

In short, barring having a nightmare test ride, I'm pretty set on getting one - has anyone got any thoughts on it?

(No alternative ideas for the time being please, I've looked at most of those that I'd consider buying, and have settle on this)
____________________
>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[0ni]

I like them but then I have poor taste.

I have had a sit on one and waddled it about but not ridden. I could tip toe on both feet and it felt solid. Though somethings to note about it - its listed on the suzuki website as 208kg, not sure if that weight is dry. I would check to see if you can comfortabley handle the weight low speed physically and mentally if your still recovering. The weight was noticable and is obviousely a bit higher up than a 600 being a big trailie cum tourer thing.

Again I never rode one but the bars were perfectly placed for sitting comfortably and the screen was high (for me but im a shortarse).

You going to be buying new?
____________________
Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

[Mister James]

[colin1]

I saw a big varadero the other day which looked nice. Similar bike i guess. Probably better around town than a fazer being a big trailie. I nearlie bought a cheap dominator as it was nice in town, b4 i got my big scooter.

I think trailies carry their weight better at low speed than sportsbike derrived bikes. The wide bars are good for effortless low speed manouevering even if they limit the gaps you can get through.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[ISLAND GIRL]

I can vouch for these bikes, they are lovely solid and comfy especially on long rides. The OH has one of these, got her last year brand new, now has new additions like top box, hand guards and heated grips:

Have a look here for more help and advice on these bikes:

https://11109.rapidforum.com/


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/nandh/NICKSBIKE001.jpg
____________________
Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[Delvard]

Saw one of these the other day. Pictures don't do them justice. Real road presence.






Andy
____________________
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

[ISLAND GIRL]

Your're right Delvard, piccies dont do them much favours. Up close they are a nice tall solid bike, I cant even touch the ground when I sit on OH's. He handles her ok though, god knows how its so darn heavy, makes the sports bikes look tiny when he has parked up next to them
____________________
Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[map]

Had the chance to sit on one of these at the NEC last year. At 5'8" tall I found I was just able to touch toes so would be wary of getting it into any situations. At 6'1" you should be alright. It might be worth pricing up the equivalent Kwack KLV1000 bike. It's not a copy. Suzuki and Kawasaki had a brief deal to cooperate on the design/build. They are the same bike just different badges.

I also take it you've had a browse of sites such as this - https://vstrom.info/

HTH
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[0ni]

I'm 5'9" with relatively short legs - you should be fine!
____________________
Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

[ISLAND GIRL]

Well show us a piccy if you get one Mister James wont you. What colour are you looking at getting?
____________________
Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[Mister James]

Not really looked at the colours in depth, but quite like the black one, and the grey-ish one. Not too keen on the blue shown above, I don't think it goes with rest of the bike.

I'm looking to pick one up as soon as some compensation money comes through. It was the bright orange kwak version that originally caught my interest, but now that the Suzuki seems to have a black frame as well as updating it's clocks, there's very little to choose from.

I'm probably going to plumb for the full touring version anyway, with the full set of hard luggage and the heated grips, all perfect for the commute in all weathers.
____________________
>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[ISLAND GIRL]

OH was a bit peeved as after he got his last year new Suzuki announced that they would be bringing out the new one with all the paniers, heated grips etc....he added his box, heated grips and shields himself. Blue one is smart, we have had a fair few nice comments when riding through the town, I think its cause its different, its so big and takes its place on the road
____________________
Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[Mister James]

[Nb]

Not rode the dl1000 but ride a dl650 everyday. I would think its pretty much the same but a little heavier and a bit more poke.

The klv from kawasaki is a great colour, i think they've stopped making them now so you could get a bargain.
Its almost identical to the dl1000 but it has a slightly different fairing (ive heard its better)

My 650 feels a bit top heavy when the tanks full (22litres ) but you soon get used to it.

And they do have great road presence, people usually move out of the way when im filtering etc. They also have great headlights.
____________________
Cbr1100xx blackbird gone, mk4 golf gt tdi chav now
Colin1 wrote 'Im grateful for what i can get, which isnt all that much.'
Columbus travel insurance are crap!! Do not use!

[Andy C]

my GFs neighbour has on of those and always tells me how good it is, as we both have suzuki V-Twins we have a good chat and always says its nice and solid as a big and no problems with it all, pleasure or commuting

So based on his opinion they are top bikes
____________________
99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet