Author Topic: Suzuki 650 VStrom first impressions from an ex St1100 rider.  (Read 1918 times)

Offline Rod

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Suzuki 650 VStrom first impressions from an ex St1100 rider.
« on: December 15, 2020, 04:59:54 PM »
This is a quick review of my recently purchased 650 V Strom  2007 model which has replaced my sold 1997 St1100. It is certainly a different riding expereince. Gone is the instant acceleration and road presence of the ST,  but I do now have a lighter bike that is a lot of fun to ride. The previous owner had optioned it up with a full Givi system, adjustable windshield, performance pipe and a few other comfort items to turn it ino a pretty decent tourer.   Things I like about it: its light, handles well and can be thrown into corners with  abandon, its OK on the dirt roads and is surprisingly comfortable on longer rides. Not so good is the lack of immediate power, though it will cruise happily at legal limits one up with all my camping gear, the Givi panniers which are fiddly compared to the intergated bags on the ST and the fact that on just about every ride  I see at least one other V Strom on the road! My main reason for selling the ST was that  I felt it was time for a change after owning the ST for the past 13 years. So far the V Strom has proven to be a bike that I can enjoy on longer rides. Its my first adventure style bike and suits my lanky 196cm  frame very well. I've only done one tour on it so far but am looking forward to doing a lot more now that borders are opening up.
Rod
Current.
'07 V Strom 650
Previous
97 Honda ST1100
01 Honda VFR800
'73 Honda CB350
'74 Harley 350cc (the Italian one)
 '73 Honda CB750 K2 x2
Honda 125 Elsinore
Honda 175
'75 Honda CB750F
'72 Honda CB450
'83 Honda CX500
'75 Honda GL1000 x2
 '80 BMW R100RT
 '84 Yamaha XJ750
'93 Yamaha XJ900
 
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