Author Topic: Maybe Hello? (Read 3702 times)

Gizmo63 · « **on:** November 16, 2018, 18:07:34 »

Hi folks,
Kind of an intro and appeal for opinions. First, thanks for letting me in even though a V-Strom isn't in my bio - but it might be soon.
I've been through loads of different bikes from GSX400/550/1100 to a run of BMWs and another Honda. Now I'm looking at coming back to Suzooks.
And that's where I could use your experience and purchasing/inspecting tips.

Magazine reviews are a waste of time for what I need so I'm coming to the real world owners.

Having recently gone through 3 BMWs (K1200 and 2 R1150 RSs) and a Honda CBF1000 I'm considering moving to a V-Strom but I'm not sure how it'd fare in my world.

I'm riding just under 500 miles per week (about 20k per year) in sun, fog, rain, snow and ice. Roughly 60% is dual carriageways and the rest is tight city work in London, lots of slow speed filtering.
So I need a bike that's comfortable at 60-80mph, economical (50-60+mpg), nimble in traffic and happy at low revs on a part clutch with no snatching or dying.
It needs to be fairly bulletproof without a ridiculously short service interval and cheap servicing costs.

The 650 seems to get lots of good reviews but is it going to be strained on the motorway?
Is the 1000 going to be a pain in town?

Any tips on what to watch out for when buying or years when significant upgrades happened?
Appreciate any info or constructive comments ranging from 'the 650 will be great' to 'walk away it wouldn't survive'.

Cheers, Gary

wurzel · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2018, 19:02:20 »

The 650 will do all you ask with aplomb, and win hands down in town, the 1000 has longer legs on a motorway, and is leisurely at speed, but no way as nimble in town, though it will do it well enough.

kwackboy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2018, 19:37:06 »

The 650 will cope with what you need very easily, even the older versions as long as it's a twin spark for better MPG.

bako · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2018, 23:45:39 »

I'm currently down to 1 bike and no car so use my 2017 DL1000 for commuting to work and have no problems in heavy traffic. It eats motorway miles comfortabley and is great fun on the twisty back roads. I've even taken it on some easy gravel tracks, no prob.
I did have a few issues with the fornt suspension but now I've got that sorted the bike handles great in all situations. at times it feels more like a 650 when it's being thrown around the twisties.

Gizmo63 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2018, 23:50:05 »

Cheers Wurzel, Kwackboy,
I've seen the excellent post on what to check when buying so that's good info.
What's the 650 like for servicing - published interval vs real world interval and self service?

Is the build quality going to hold up through our winters, I recall the alloys on my first GSXs getting a bit furry very quickly?
Over my last 13 years I've had a K1200RS which dropped some valves at 125k miles but was still in good shape, the RSs lasted 55k and 50k each (the first was wiped out by a taxi and the 2nd was a lemon) whilst the current CBF has done 80k miles and is falling apart (steady stream of small and not so small things failing).
My bikes have to earn their keep...

Graham62 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2018, 00:54:06 »

MartinW · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2018, 17:08:11 »

The 650 will do everything you need.

Post moved from Introductions.

porter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2018, 17:42:03 »

The only thing I'd think you'd have a problem with on either strom is the finish, its thin and Suzuki still use those little green bolts and fitting that go furry over night!
I'd buy the 650, I've the 1000 but its a pig in traffic and it'll cost you more, yes mpg is good enough and longish service intervals (7.5k) but it eats rear tyres.

The Border Riever · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2018, 22:48:37 »

I Had a new 650 In may this year and chopped it for a 1000 in September.....The reason? I don't do a commute, and at the other end of the spectrum the 1000 is 1500 rpm less at my motorway speeds and sounds less strained, The 1000 handles just as sweet as the 650 (Nearly) with an all day long seat as well for long tours etc, It's a hard choice as they're both great bikes, but you've had big capacity bikes in the past so you'll start off with the 650 and think it's a jack of all trades and it is!...but it depends on what your demands are on it?

Mark Shelley · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2018, 01:18:07 »

SimStrom · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2018, 08:07:25 »

650 with a +1 tooth front sprocket, I've found this to be a good balance for motorway and general use.

oslin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2018, 09:15:01 »

Hi, well like you I have had 32 bikes to date 5 BMW's including a K1200RS, Triumphs, Suzuki's, Honda's, Yamaha's etc the 650 v-strom is the best all round bike I have ever had and comfortable, but I do not do much motorway work these days as I live in Norfolk where there are no motorways, but having said that it should handle that without a problem, but I think you will have to assess your use and decide which is the main use motorway or traffic, I do not think you will find a better bike for traffic use, but if your main use is the motorway perhaps the 1000 would suit better ? try and arrange a test ride on both to help you make up your mind,
re corrosion I do not think the v-strom is any worse than a Honda or a BMW for that matter, a good dose of a protective would sort out any problems that might occur for the winter.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2018, 10:59:06 »

The V-Strom is, unfortunately, much worse for corrosion than bikes made by other top manufacturers

They have perfected a scientific phenomenon by combining cheese and iron filings for their fasteners and they manage to save £0.22 per bike by only applying the thinnest coat of paint to the frame and connecting parts.

Oh, and they save another tuppence by not using waterproof electrical connectors in key areas.

oslin · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2018, 13:11:01 »

My BMW's did not do well with corrosion Triumphs were much better but still needed looking after, if you ignore the cleaning any bike will suffer

Gizmo63 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2018, 16:11:15 »

Thanks for all the input.
Well motorway work these days is actually a minor point now - from a 47 mile commute only 10-20 of that will be at 'proper' speeds. The rest is a steady 50-60 or filtering anywhere between 10 and 40 mph so traffic nimbleness is going to be key. Sounding like the 650.

Corrosion tales are a bit concerning. The CBF might get washed in September and maybe April or May, if that frequently, unless I do a dealer service and they clean it. But it still scrubs up well and has little sign of corrosion after the 75k I have put on it.
I'm not one of these folks who seem to have spare time to spend washing and polishing, just too much going on. Can't remember the last time the car got washed. (before anyone comments - lights, mirrors and windows are regularly done!)
If it's mostly fastenings then a £30 set of stainless bolts should help there.
Servicing at 7.5k is a bit retrograde but, after chatting with my local Suzi dealer who I've known for years, there is a fair bit that can be adjusted or removed from the schedule for a bike used regularly.

I'm now trying to sort out a 12/24hr test ride that allows me to test it on a commute. Either that or hire one for a couple of days. I shall see...

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2018, 23:36:13 »

I regularly do a 2hr motorway commute (each way) with filter in through cities at either and and the 650 is perfectly fine for it. As for corrosion, plenty of ACF50 and ACF50 Corrosion Block on the bolts and you'll be fine. Just ensure you protect the electrical connections (esp above the radiator) that Fat Rat mentions.

paulja · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2018, 12:00:21 »

Std Seat isn’t good for more than an hour. Dealer service costs are about the highest I’ve ever seen, even more than BMW.

porter · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2018, 12:22:44 »

Agree. The standard seat kills me, as did the shad, the Suzuki tall is better but tall, very tall, I sit on an airhawk now.
My dealer wanted 500 quid for the 15k service, I did it myself for 150, I'm not sure the 650 strom would be any cheaper just because its smaller.

oslin · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2018, 14:41:37 »

Well it depends what was done Porter, what finished me with BMW's after owning five over the years was a power brake failier on an R1150RT and the back wheel bearings at 30,000 miles the bill £1850 to be followed by my Aprilia with a standard service coasting £700.
Talking to me Dealer he thinks a standard service on the 650 v-strom will come in at around £170 so we will see when the time comes.

sjrainsford · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2018, 16:33:19 »

I came from a BMW R1100S and prior to that a GSX1250 to a DL650 Vstrom. I've not regretted it one bit. The 650 isn't going to win any races of course (even though it's surprisingly nimble), but what has surprised me most is the way it goes. It's great even 2 up. 80mph is easy cruising with plenty of roll on power to get you up to 100 for overtakes.
I'd say most others would echo my experience there. It's a nippy bike and has that SV650 fun feel in a comfortable practical package.

My only reservation is the screen. I've replaced mine with the one that most people swear by and am still not happy. I get terrible buffeting. Despite that I love the bike and will persevere and get the screen right.

Get a test ride, you'll know within 30 mins.