Vstrom 650 - A year later

[spliff]

I have had my Vstrom 650 for over a year now and think it’s a great all round bike. I have a done a couple of weeks away on it and it's just as comfortable sitting on a motorway as it is on our country roads. I guess it depends what you really want out of a bike but I am sensible up a to a point and although I appreciate all its qualities, I really would like something that has better handling, better looks and I can actually hear the exhaust, even if it’s more expensive and perhaps less reliable. I appreciate that will have divided the audience but I just wondered if anyone had similar thoughts and perhaps had a second bike to get their fun fix or bought something else and then realised they should have kept the Vstrom ? I am looking for something that feels a bit more premium and more sport adventure as any bike I own, will never see off road and will not be used for commuting, just weekends or the odd week away. Top end but maybe a BMW F900XR or Multistrada V2  or even the Tiger Sport 660 ?  I would be really interested to hear some comparisons of these bikes or others, from Vstrom owners passed or present, setting aside the cost factor.

[TLPower]

Calling agents Rusty and Endintears, we have another disciple for the Orange Order.

KTM 1*90 Adventure is your chosen bike Spliff. 

This one seems decent.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276030535249?hash=item4044b3b651:g:LfwAAOSwrpxk9d-J&amdata

[Rusty Nuts]

The future is bright: the future is orange.

[crump]

Interesting post,
Had mine about 14 months so similar to you.
I have the opposite thoughts.
The longer I've had it, the more I like it.
I like the looks and find the handling really good, maybe you're a more aggressive rider than me.
I have an MTC exhaust on mine which I really like, a nice bark to it without being obnoxiously loud.
Different strokes etc.

[MilozFolly]

I came from a R6 and a minor 15 year gap. The Strom will be my last bike I'm sure. I do have fruity exhaust though and is is black so a bit meaner than some of these flouncers.

Test rides. Decent ones. Don't sell untill you know you're right.

Good luck!!

[spliff]

Not sure orange is my colour but I'll take a look at KTM's, not something I have ever considered to be honest, thanks.

I have looked at swapping out the exhaust but there seems to be only be limited road legal system options for my 21 plate. Still cheaper than a new bike I suppose but there are no beak lifts available for her.

[NellyP]

maybe try the 1050xt, I never thought I'd own a non European bike but it totally hit the spot for me. Everyone is different of course...

[NellyP]

What bikes did you have before the 650 ?

[Ridaz]

Africa Twin ruled out?

Mine sounds more than a little fruity 

[NellyP]

You really need a short long list and try them all out.
Inwas certain my next bike was going to be a s1000xr, but properly disliked it on test ride.

[Phild]

What’s there not to like?😁

[NeilM]

The Tiger 660 Sport is many things, but premium it ain't.

I test rode one pretty much as soon as the dealers had their demo bikes.... I still have my VStrom 650.

[spliff]

Before the Vstrom I had a CB500F which was very underwhelming, and before that, although some time ago a VFR400 and I wish I had kept that. The short list is proving to be more difficult than I thought but I have ridden the F900XR which certainly has all the tech and enough power for me, just felt a little cramped up and the wind protection wasn't great but still a good ride. Interesting comment about the Tiger Sport, I am going have a ride of one those at the weekend.  I also have an urge for something retro so maybe it’s just time to buy a second bike for those short blasts and keep the V-strom but convincing the wife may be an issue.
On the subject of exhausts, has anyone got a MIVV system ? they sound good and have catalyst option.

[NellyP]

Guzzi 85tt is worth a try. I loved it when I tried it

[bonne]

Interesting post, Spliff - because I can really understand you.

My first bike was the 650. When I bought it, I was in no doubt about it. It was the best of the ones I tried. (I am 2m tall, so my options are rather limited)

After a few years, I wanted something faster, and the 1050 was obvious. So I swapped out the 650 for the 1050.

I really like the Vstroms, but I am not satisfied, and I cannot either choose what would be the perfect bike. Probably such does not exist.

Even though the Vstroms are very reliable, I agree with you about the quality. It is a cheap bike and it feels cheap, and honestly... it is not the comfortable on longer rides. I am sure the you know what I mean.

Multistrada V4... well, the Danish police just decided to go for these, and I have been checking them out... but it fails on the reliability.

The good thing about the Vstrom 1050 is:

It is cheap.
It is very fast. Great, well proofed engine
Very reliable
Fairly good handling
Easy to maintain.
So ugly and cheap that no one wants to steal it. (I have had it around all Europe even places where I was told to lock up my bike to a fixed point, but I have always only used the standard steering lock, and that bike has never been stolen)

Was I have been looking at/tried out:

BMW R1250GS - a great bike. The best that I have ridden.
What I understand is... It is not that reliable. Expensive to buy, own and maintain. Loved by thieves.

Multistada V4... I want it, but:
It is too unreliable

Honda Africa Twin - size fits me, feels like quality. Android auto. Yet I chose the Vstrom 1050 over this.

KTM 1290... I don't like it... it does not feel right

Suzuki GSX1000 - fun bike, but way too small for me

Yamaha Tracer 9GT+ - yet to try out

Don't know... I have probably not contributed with anything with this post... I just want to tell you, that I fully understand you...

[Bobmc]

I have over the years owned the 1000 and the 650. My present 650 is a 2013XT. On previous occasions when I felt the need to change I test ride what was out there, decided I don’t like the alternatives so spent the money on upgraded suspension and a Power Commander. I own a number of bikes, mostly classic now, but I have to say that the 650 is my go to bike when I need to have a stress free ride or to go touring. I cannot envisage getting rid of it. It has an Ohlins shock and upgraded front fork springs etc set up by MCT. It simply glides along and there are no chicken strips on the tyres.

Save yourself a lot of hassle and think about upgrading what you have. I doubt you will be disappointed

[Pannier Down]

I'm fortunate that my son works at a multi franchise main dealer so I've tried a lot of bikes. I have a 1050 so am a big advocate for that, but your initial wish list sounds like the exact definition of the Multistrada 950/V2. Premium,  fun and fast enough for most mortals,  one of those machines you stop to admire every time you get off. I got a great deal on my Strom but the Multi was a very close call. As has been said,  draw up a short list and try a few.

[spliff]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it’s good to know that I'm not alone. It's a real shame that Suzuki cannot raise their game a little bit with the 650 but I guess that's why the 800DE, 1050 exist. After more deliberation, the short list is now Multistrada V2, something good looking and Italian will always be costly but it will still be way cheaper than when the kids were living at home. The new BMW F800GS, a slightly more powerful version of the current F750GS with TFT, due out in spring 24. Still a bit on the heavy side and not the best looking but has all the tech and is well proven. Vstrom 800 / 1050, not sure on these, as they seem a bit expensive in comparison to the other 2 but I guess maintenance costs will be less overall.

[endintears]

When I finally changed from my 650 it came down to Multistrada 950 vs the KTM.
For me the KTM won on peperami value.

@spliff
If colour is the problem they are available in a more understated grey...😁