Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

Introduce yourself => Introductions => Topic started by: RaduF86 on March 10, 2025, 09:46:07

Title: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: RaduF86 on March 10, 2025, 09:46:07

Hello V-Strom riders!!!

My name is Radu and I have been loving an SV 650 curvy model for a pretty long time. Since age has started getting in the way (mine, not the SV's) , I started looking for a more comfortable ride. I have tried the, the GS Adv, Tenere aaaaand it turned out I am a V-Twin addict.
Went for a test drive for a V-Strom 650 2021 and that was it. It felt like it was mine.

Therefore, I am now waiting for the bike's delivery. Coming from a street bike, I went for the standard V-Strom (for now) since there are still many unexplored roads. While I wait, I am trying to get familiar with all the crash bars, skid plates, protection, comfort, luggage (omg there are too many things you can add to a bike) and my head is spinning. I used the SV for 5000+ km trips with soft side luggage and a top case. No crash bars, no other kind of protection, but I am starting to see the safety benefits this extra gear brings.

I'll start slow, road only for now. I am not even sure the V-Strom is a good starter bike for off-road. I have really zero experience on dirt, and it seems like quite a heavy bike for a newby to handle safely on sand/dirt/gravel.

Great trips to all of you!

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 10, 2025, 10:19:47

 :welcome:

The Strom will handle light off road if you go steady, but you're right it's a heavy bike to take on 'proper' off road.

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: The Doctor 46 on March 10, 2025, 11:23:49

Hello and welcome. I would ad crash bars first if I were you, especially as you are intending to go off road. Have a great time on your new bike, good choice.  :welcome2:  :auto-dirtbike:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Upt North on March 10, 2025, 11:37:59

 :welcome: from Northumberland.
Upt.

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: RaduF86 on March 10, 2025, 12:08:45

Hello all,

Thanks for the welcome!

Crash bars are the first item on my list indeed. I just have to choose from all the different options. I have read some riders prefer very sturdy bars which don't take much damage when the bike falls. In my mind, the bars should be able to take the damage/deform so the mounting points/frame of the bike do not get damaged. Lot's to read!

Cheers!

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: MartinW on March 10, 2025, 12:27:10

 :welcome:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: mr_diver on March 10, 2025, 13:34:34

 :welcome:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Jim13_Wee_Strom on March 10, 2025, 17:23:15

 :welcani:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Asmith61 on March 10, 2025, 17:36:06

 :welcani:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Pannier Down on March 10, 2025, 22:08:57

 :welcome2:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Gert on March 11, 2025, 05:51:33

 :welcome:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: NeilM on March 11, 2025, 06:47:03

 :welcani:

Title: Re: Hello from Europe (currently France)
Post by: Brockett on March 11, 2025, 14:53:18

 :welcome: