Having covered 1,000 miles in the two weeks that I have owned the Vstrom I am convinced that it is the best bike that I have owned when considered as a total package. I do not make the claim lightly but based on 42 years of riding experience averaging more than 12,000 miles per year over that period riding both for liesure and as an instructor and owning every type of motorcycle over the years. I appreciate that I am preaching to the converted but please allow me to give a quick personal view for anyone contemplating buying one. The motor is a peach with perfect fueling and a progressive linear power delivery. Being a V twin it also has bags of charecter. Cherry on the cake is 60 to 70 mpg is a realistically achievable consumption figure. Handling is best descibed as accurate and compliant, OK its not the dive for the apex 17" front wheel rapid turn in type of thing but at my stage of the game and todays road conditions its a better day to day bet. Suspention soaks up the hideous condition of our roads here in the UK. Brakes give loads of feel with the peace of mind of non intrusive Abs. Comfort is all day good. At 5'6" and 29" inside leg I have fitted 148mm dog bones and dropped the forks 18mm making it the perfect fit for me with no adverse effect on handling and if anything enhanced stability. With the screen on the highest setting I experience no buffeting. Just to balance things up the bad points are er, er, oh yes the original fit tyres, I am not getting the level of feedback that I would wish to have. The final thought that I am left with is that you see all these flamin GS's everywhere but I can not fathom why anyone would pay £14k for the BMW (Big Motoring Worries) when you can have the amazing Strom for under £6k.
Geoff.
