Superbike mag reviews

[Gassoon]

No idea if this has been brought up yet here, but Superbike mag (May 2011, out now) has V strom vs. BMW + Triumph 800 group test.
Quickly scanned it in Tescos tonight - some fair points made about Stroms basic suspension etc, and general conclusion that its not for going off-road, but that its dirt cheap especially good second-hand uns. Still get the feeling their missing the point these spoilt journalists, though !

Basically  1 Tiger 800XC
               2   F800GS
               3  V Strom 650 X abs  gets placed for not being as capable offroad...

The review isn't online, just this link to the mags content..

http://www.superbike.co.uk/current/

[2112]

Sadly, a fairly standard magazine reveiw - if it's not new it's no good ! I think this is part self perpetuating (if bikes aren't getting better why test them ?) and part 'magpie' - ohh shiny & new. The 'Strom's probably not the best bike in the world, but it's far from the worst. The others are more expensive, less comfortable, more expensive to maintain and dare I say it less versatile ! The wee can tackle a long day in the saddle, on motorways and B roads with ease, still be fun in the twisty bits, commute all week in all weathers and is unlikely to let you down. The Triumph is new so has an unknown reliability record (should be fine), the BM is not the most reliable bike on the planet with early 800's having some niggles and a nasty habit of seizing the front axle with the obvious disasterous concequences.... Factoring price into the equation the 'Strom wins hands down for me  

P.S. I can't be biased as I've got a Guzzi !

[Juvecu]

Well said   Pesonally I don't care what other people and magazine reporters think about the Wee. I ride it more than any of them will ever do (in all conditions AND I maintain it myself) and I know how well it does everything and at which price it does it. There is nothing out there that's better for the same money, I'm biased for a reason  

[Stuart]

And "factoring price into the equation" really is the bottom line... I can't think of a bike that comes near the wee for even close to the price!  Pound for pound it's got to be a pretty reasonable deal!  No bike's perfect & no bike will please all of the people all of the time, but considering the bottom line (price) the wee's up there with more expensive machines.  

[Fatbelly]

Typical moto journo review. "If it doesn't look like a sports bike it must be for off-road", silly boys.

[Lonely Nodder]

Also the headlight is way,way better than the other two and tank range I would put mine against the other two any day on tank range (last fill 254.2 miles) not many simular sized bikes will run that long between fill ups and my Strom gets riden across country most of the time, so up and down gearbox.