It Followed Me Home

[kballowe]

I've never owned one of these, until now.  2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000.

We got 3" of snow and when the roads cleared up, I rode this one home - salt and all.
Took a little bit to clean it up (and it was cold!) but it's tucked safely in the corner of the basement now.
 

[lucian]

That must feel nice and light compared to some of your heavyweights. 

[usedtobefast]

I have the exact same model!  The V-Strom is worlds better than the magazine/press give it credit for.  Have fun with it ... in the spring I guess. 

[et18]

Very nice!  I don't have any personal experience with them but I briefly talked to a guy on one at a stop sign once.  He told me how great it handled and that he loved it, then he took off through the twisties and I didn't see him again until a stop light at the edge of town.  I was on a BMW R1200CLC, not exactly the quickest bike ever made, but he left me like I was standing still. 

[Guzzistajohn]

We'll have to ride the Gladetop Trail when the weather warms up. I know some SWEET gravel backroads in Taney/Christian county.

[coast range rider]

Lighter, faster, and cheaper than the V85, how bad can it be?
And it looks much better than the older V-Strom's too.
Missing the retro look and shaft drive of typical Moto Guzzi's, but I say, nice choice. 

[JJ]

Good for you and CONGRATULATIONS!  Nice choice...and I predict you will be very happy with this bike!!

I keep looking at...and sitting on this 650 V-Strom at our local Suzuki dealer.  The owner told me last week that if no one buys this in three (3) months, she is personally going to buy it and RIDE IT!  Nice bike!!




upload multiple pics

[twowheeladdict]

Lighter, faster, and cheaper than the V85, how bad can it be?
And it looks much better than the older V-Strom's too.
Missing the retro look and shaft drive of typical Moto Guzzi's, but I say, nice choice. 

Did you mean to say cheaper, or less expensive?  Because it is not less expensive at MSRP of $13,494, and the V85TT adventure with full luggage is $12990.



Nice bike Kev.  I would like to hear a comparison of it and the Versys 1000.

[Ncdan]

You could have least called me and bragged in person 😊

[LowRyter]

 

[Joliet Jim]

Dude!!!
congrats

[tommy2cyl]

I owned the very first offering, bought in 2002.  Put on 45,000 miles.  I am sure the newer versions are more refined, but I loved mine.  Classic sum is greater than it's parts kinda machine.  After 16 years of ownership I sold it and bought the V 85 tt.  Very pleased with my new purchase as well.  Enjoy your ride, that is a very rewarding motor.

[Shorty]

That is neat!

[80CX100]

     Congrats Kev!

      I owned one of the 2002 first gens as well; I think your model is 3rd or 4th, much improved charging, chassis and plastics 

      The engine is a brute, with the 6 speed od tranny, it's scary how relaxed the drivetrain feels at high speeds; watch the speed traps with that bike, it just wants to run. 

      Wishing you many safe miles on your new ride

           

 

[Huzo]

There are some bikes you’ll never see a bad word written about..
Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Suzuki V Strom
And a few others that we all know. You have done well grasshopper....

[Perazzimx14]

Look into a chain oiler (I prefer Scott) and it'll be about as maintenance free as a shaft drive bike. I ran a Scott on my DL650 and a few ounces lasted 600 - 1000 miles and it kept the chain sparkling clean and a very light film on oil on it for protection from corrosion.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Do the Wee-Strom and the DR650 share same engine?

[ohiorider]

Very nice ride!

Bob

[fotoguzzi]

Do the Wee-Strom and the DR650 share same engine?

not even close. dR is a thumper, DL a V twin.

[bobrebos]

Nice bike!   

[guzziart]

Good for you and CONGRATULATIONS!  Nice choice...and I predict you will be very happy with this bike!!

I keep looking at...and sitting on this 650 V-Strom at our local Suzuki dealer.  The owner told me last week that if no one buys this in three (3) months, she is personally going to buy it and RIDE IT!  Nice bike!!




upload multiple pics

I've got a DL650A that I bought new in 2012.  IMO, the Wee is reasonably priced, dependable, have good fuel economy and is a great urban commuters.  I've got about 43K on it now and feel the bike owes me nothing.  I've been on two 5500 mile trips with it and with it's 2Qt. capacity sump, it used/burned no oil.  Although not as comfortable as my Wing (mainly because there's no electronic cruise control), a Corbin seat and bar risers took care of that for me.  Another riding acquaintance of mine recently bought a used 2015 Wee for $5k with 5K miles on it with a bunch of PO installed accessories.  Anyway, my 2¢ worth.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

not even close. dR is a thumper, DL a V twin.

Awesome, I had a DR650 I hated it. I can honestly say I have never looked twice at a Wee or Vee in my life. I just assumed the same engine in different chassis. This 1000cc looks pretty cool tho

[tommy2cyl]

I used to follow Stromtrooper forum when I owned mine.  A guy at the time had a First Gen and put 300,000 miles on it and never had the cases split.
Routine maintenance.   I did get some high speed front end wobble, especially following semi trucks.  I added a Super Performance (I think that is the name)
fork brace to stabilize the front and it was a marked improvement.  Not sure that is an issue any more with the newer gen machines.

[kballowe]

I was looking at a WeeStrom 650 on the dealer floor, and also a V-Strom 1050.

The sales guy asked if I might be interested in a brand-new (still in the crate) 2018 V-Strom 1000.  He says that it just "showed up" and they are still scratching their heads.

I realize that it's two model years leftover but the bright side is that it has the factory warranty and it was $5,100 off the MSRP, out the door.  No fees, no nothing.  Plus a jug of oil, oil filter, and a temp tag.

I have a whopping 24 miles on the odometer, riding it home in 35 degree weather on the day after a snow.  And that wasn't as bad as when I got it home and washed it twice to get all of the salt off of it.

[slopokes]

I have had one vstrom 1000 and two 650’s with over 100k on them...I traded the last one in on a v85...of course my only gripe is the lack of dealerships in the garden state ( o - none - ) I wish the people across the river would take care of this...

[tommy2cyl]

Good for you on getting a new bike for $5 K off.  I had Givi panniers and top case on mine with a Madstadt windscreen/brackets because first gen you couldn't adjust. The Madstadt made all the difference in creating a very nice bubble.  Put on a throttle lock.  My bike was so new I had to talk to Sargent to make a seat for me and it ended up being the best seat I have ever had on a motorcycle.  Fabricated a plexiglass headlight shield protector and ran Shinko 705's forever. 
I sold the bike to a buddy of mine and he has put another 12 K or so on it.  I can't say enough about the machine.  I think you will really enjoy your choice.
Should have no buyer remorse on this one.   Oh, and I was lazy on valve adjustments and after the initial recommended check from new, I didn't check them again until over 40,000 miles and they were all within normal limits.  It is a bit of a bear to get up on center stand, at least first gen was. 

[twowheeladdict]

I was looking at a WeeStrom 650 on the dealer floor, and also a V-Strom 1050.

The sales guy asked if I might be interested in a brand-new (still in the crate) 2018 V-Strom 1000.  He says that it just "showed up" and they are still scratching their heads.

I realize that it's two model years leftover but the bright side is that it has the factory warranty and it was $5,100 off the MSRP, out the door.  No fees, no nothing.  Plus a jug of oil, oil filter, and a temp tag.

I have a whopping 24 miles on the odometer, riding it home in 35 degree weather on the day after a snow.  And that wasn't as bad as when I got it home and washed it twice to get all of the salt off of it.

A man who can’t pass up a bargain.

I have an original sales brochure from Suzuki that has the DR, DRZ, and V-strom in it. They called the V-strom a Street Adventure bike. The salesman said that Suzuki did not design or consider these for off-road use. I ended up with the DRZ400S.

Sure, people took them off road, but I have seen videos of Goldwings, Harleys, and sport bikes off road.

If you decide it is a keeper, and want an updated seat, Terry makes some awesome V-Strom seats.

[Seventy One]

Did you mean to say cheaper, or less expensive?  Because it is not less expensive at MSRP of $13,494, and the V85TT adventure with full luggage is $12990.



Nice bike Kev.  I would like to hear a comparison of it and the Versys 1000.

I have a '16 Versys 1000LT. In '18 I rode a new V-Strom 1000.

Engines: I found the Versys engine much smoother and a bit more powerful. It's linear and predictable. It's so good it's almost dull. I preferred the V-Stroms engine for its obvious character and torque.

Transmission: The Versys has a slipper clutch and I much preferred that over the standard clutch in the V-Strom due to it's lighter lever action.

Ergos: These bikes are very similar.  The V-Strom feels slightly top heavy. Wind protection is similar.

Riding dynamics: I think the V-Strom leans more to to sporting side while the Versys leans a bit closer to touring. The V-Strom tips in quicker and feels lighter under way.

I test rode the V-Strom because the Versys is generally pretty awful on gravel and it really can't be used to locate stealth campsites. All-in-all the differences between the two wasn't enough for me to break out the check book. I wish I had a chance to hit some gravel with the Strom. I liked my 800XC on gravel but hated its atrocious build quality and awful manufacturer/ dealer support.

To the the OP. Enjoy the new ride! That's a great bike.

[twowheeladdict]

I have a '16 Versys 1000LT. In '18 I rode a new V-Strom 1000.

Engines: I found the Versys engine much smoother and a bit more powerful. It's linear and predictable. It's so good it's almost dull. I preferred the V-Stroms engine for its obvious character and torque.

Transmission: The Versys has a slipper clutch and I much preferred that over the standard clutch in the V-Strom due to it's lighter lever action.

Ergos: These bikes are very similar.  The V-Strom feels slightly top heavy. Wind protection is similar.

Riding dynamics: I think the V-Strom leans more to to sporting side while the Versys leans a bit closer to touring. The V-Strom tips in quicker and feels lighter under way.

I test rode the V-Strom because the Versys is generally pretty awful on gravel and it really can't be used to locate stealth campsites. All-in-all the differences between the two wasn't enough for me to break out the check book. I wish I had a chance to hit some gravel with the Strom. I liked my 800XC on gravel but hated its atrocious build quality and awful manufacturer/ dealer support.

To the the OP. Enjoy the new ride! That's a great bike.

Thanks. Interesting compare and the opposite of what I found when comparing the Weestrom and Versys 650. The wee was an ‘07 and the V an ‘11.   The new Versys 1000 with all the new tech looks to be an impressive touring bike.

[Seventy One]

Thanks. Interesting compare and the opposite of what I found when comparing the Weestrom and Versys 650. The wee was an ‘07 and the V an ‘11.   The new Versys 1000 with all the new tech looks to be an impressive touring bike.

The 650 Versys and the 1000 Versys are completely different bikes.

I initially went to the shop to buy the Versys 1000. Had my checkbook on me and was ready to sign. That's how serious I was. The salesman insisted I ride the 650 Versys as well. I balked at it but when I returned from the test ride I found that he had pushed the 650 Versys outside for me. Begrudgingly I took bike that on the same route that I took the 1000. When I returned I had to go home and think about it for a couple weeks. In the end, I picked the 1K because it had a larger oil capacity and felt that was a better idea for long range/multi-state touring.

Even now I wonder if I made the right decision. Both are great bikes but the 650 version is sporty, fun, versatile and a huge blast to ride. The 1K is a competent, reliable, 570lb. touring bike with no bad habits. 

I have not ridden a 650 V-Strom so I cannot compare it with the 1000 V-Strom or either Versys.

Yes, the new Versys 1000's are all electronic. I don't think I could recommend one. The market is so soft on sport-touring bikes that you'll lose your shirt if you ever try to sell it. I paid $11.4 for my Versys in '16 and couldn't get $6,500 for it in '18.

Test ride what ever you're interested in. My opinion is worth what you paid for it.