2013 V-Strom DL650 vs 2010 Tiger 1050

[Fat Rat]

You probably won't see this comparison often because the two bikes are so very different but as I own both (and this review is more about the V-Strom anyway) I thought I'd share  

I have owned numerous V Twins and as soon as I rode the Tiger I fell in love, I now realise it was that lovely triple engine that I connected with, that's not to say that the Tiger 1050 isn't a sexy looking thing because it just is...



Over the last few weeks I have been up and down to London from here in West Wales mainly on the Tiger, yesterday I left home at 5am, headed into London, sat in a room for 9hrs and then rode back, that's 450 miles ish on the Tiger.

The reason for telling you all that is today when I jumped on the V-Strom I remembered all over again why I like it, the seating position is just right (particularly after I have fitted the Footpeg lowering kit)  and somehow more upright than the Tiger, I also realised how light the V-Strom is in comparison and how effortless it is to ride and corner.

Finally (OK so I appreciate that wasn't much of a review) the Tiger seems to encourage me to lose my licence and the fun only really starts higher up the rev counter, but I have just as much fun within legal limits on the V-Strom  

To try and make this pointless post meaningful...

Both the Tiger & the V-Strom produced turbulence, in fact the Tiger was more severe than the V-Strom, both rectified with MRA Screens.

Both needed Bar Risers (I fitted up and back risers to the Tiger)

Both needed Mirror Extenders.

The brakes are far superior on the Tiger
The Headlights are shockingly poor on the Tiger, the V-Strom are superb
The Gearbox on the Tiger is clunky - The V-Strom Gearbox is silk
The stock seat on the Tiger is OK, the stock seat on the V-Strom is OK (the older V-Strom 650 seat was unbearable for me).
The Tiger sounds superb, the V-Strom sounds like a Sewing Machine in comparison  

The Tiger is a road bike plain and simple, although it has an upright riding position it has never been perfect for me.

The V-Strom pretends to be an Adventure Bike, I'm not sure it really is (that's not a criticism).

All in all, the Tiger is still an excellent bike but as I write this I have an itch to try something new. Because the V-Strom is such great value for money I can't justify 14k on a Triumph Explorer but I have booked a test ride on the Tiger 800 XC

[Oop North John]

I've only had a 800 Triumph as a loaner bike going to and from work, but it seemed to be easier to loose your licence on it, compared to the Glee. But it liked to drink both fuel and oil, and didn't seem to be as well built as the Glee.

Totally agree about the noise, the Gladius accelerating gives such a good feeling from both the exhaust and intake that it makes you want to accelerate, and do it HARD, compare it to the Glee, where I hardly hear anything other than airflow noise  

[Jacko]

Yes, I would tend to agree with your appraisal as far as how the Glee compares, I've never ridden a 1050 Tiger but from what I can glean from owners it is, as you say, an upright sportsbike, been there, done that, don't need to try one. The Glee slows me down as its fun at lower speeds, the 800 Tigers I tested (I've ridden both flavours) are much the same as the Explorer (brilliant bike), they all encourage hooning, I fear your speed issue will still be apparent on the 800, especially the Roadie.. Let us know what you think..

Of all the bikes I've test ridden recently, and I've ridden quite a few, the only other bike that I could confidently say would be fun for me at legal speeds is the new CBR500R, and that's too small.. The Glee is in a class of one at present, nothing else comes near, I grin like an idiot every time I ride it, and I come from 100+mph sportsbike hoonery, not proud of it, needs to stay on the track though, the Glee helps me do just that..

Edit: In fact, I could say the Glee has saved my life. Who's going to disprove it?

[iansoady]

The reason for telling you all that is today when I jumped on the V-Strom I remembered all over again why I like it, the seating position is just right (particularly after I have fitted the Footpeg lowering kit)  and somehow more upright than the Tiger, I also realised how light the V-Strom is in comparison and how effortless it is to ride and corner.

I was very pleased to see this as I am parting with my Tiger 955i and looking for a Wee-Strom (although an older model rather than a Glee). I have to say a Tiger 800 is on the short list as well but they are just so ugly (mind you I should be used to that after the Girlie!).

[Locky]

I keep comparing my 2 bikes but like you Mr Rat they are to different to compare (Wee & KTM 950SM) . You can't really vs one against the other but both are very good bikes for different reasons .
I once owned a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 and thought the engine was great with plenty torque and very smooth power but apart from this it was a very dull boring bike . I'm sure the Tiger is the opposite ? I did think about selling the KTM and getting a Tiger 800xc , but was put off by quality problems and horror stories on the Tiger forum regarding various faults and dealers that didn't seem to care . So the decision was to keep the KTM and I picked up a newer Wee . Both bikes are keepers for the next few years , the Wee is great for a bit of touring and I find it very comfortable and easy to ride with a nice tank range . The KTM is great for a bit of fun having a lot more power/torque and being lighter than the Wee but it does turn me into a hooligan at times   .

[Fatbelly]

I am never even tempted to compare the two bikes I own. My Glee is a very different kind of fun to my Honda City Express.

[Locky]

Had to google Honda City Express as I didn't know what one was ! I take it its your commuting machine ?
Is that the model where you keep pressing the kickstart and it winds a large spring , then the spring gets released to spin the motor and fire it up ?
I have a crazy mate who's in a bike club and they all have mopeds ..They go touring on them ...

[Tusker]

compare 1983 XS 1100 to 2007 Vtrom Wee, and a 2003 TTR 250     you can't ,, I got them for the difference  

[mr_diver]

k6 wee compared to a 1983 Honda CX-500 eurosport

It's a bit difficult, as it's been a year since I rode the CX and if I try and sit on it now I'm likely to get a welding rod up my bum

[Jacko]

Glee v zx6r.. Mmmmm...

[loggamatt]

All in all, the Tiger is still an excellent bike but as I write this I have an itch to try something new. Because the V-Strom is such great value for money I can't justify 14k on a Triumph Explorer but I have booked a test ride on the Tiger 800 XC

Can't remember which magazine, but I read recently a group test where the KTM 990 SMT beat the new Tiger Sport and the Ducati Hypermotard. May be worth a look if you fancy something like the Tiger but different. I would imagine the Tiger 800 would be a bit too much like the Glee?