Be interested in your opinions as in a similar situation of wanting something lighter for doing the long rides (maybe Perth next years rally). But it always comes back to the ST as being the ideal combination of power, speed, handling and comfort, just a bit heavy.
Well i took a 2010 DL650 V-Strom for a ride today, covered 195km of rain, wind, sunshine, Sealed and a little gravel
THE GOOD
80 odd kg lighter then the ST1300
Suspension performed really well as a single rider
Standard seat suprisingly comfortable
More protection than I thought in the elements even in the rain I didnt get soaked (although legs and arms was wet)
Adjustable screen (although by hand)
Bike is bigger than i had imagined, so it still had road presence.
With the bark busters on it the heated handgrips worked a treat
Teela and I have about the same amount of pillion room as we did on the ST1100 (just means we cant put on weight)
THE BAD
With the smaller bike i wore more wind than i am used to, and with that more wind.
I did miss my electric screen.....lots....
I am still to find out who it would handle with panniers and top box on.
It does not have the road presence of my White 1300, it is nice when people give you space.
i think the highway handling of the ST1300 is smoother, but that is part of the heavier bike built for big miles.
SUMMARY
I had to really think of the good and bads with this bike as i really suprised on how well it handled.
First time i got on it i went to swing it upright like the ST1300 i nearly threw it into the street as it was so much lighter!
I immediately went to adjust the screen and remembered it was by hand and missed having my electric screen straight away, rising position is very upright and the stock seat put you in an excellent postion.
It is very nimble around town, once I hit the highway following Teela i was pleasantly suprised as i thought i would be hammered by the wind, but with the bark busters, fairing and screen it was 70-80% on what the ST1300 is.
Once we hit the rain and cold wind i got wet but was still bearable, the heated handgrips and barkbusters got a 10 out of 10 rating at this point.
Not to much water came in around the screen unlike I thought it would.
Watching Deisel, Saaz, PC, and ST2UP having fun putting it on the centre stand was a good laugh.
The ride home in the sun after we had dried out was the fun part, has decent power and it flows in and out of the twistes nicely, i felt comfortable and really enjoyed the experience.
I think i will be making an offer on the bike, as i am really pleased with it.
Cheers
Streak
