Hello Everyone that owns a dl1000. I hope you are enjoying your bike as I am sure you are...You may have seen one of my other threads, but I wanted to ask a seperate type of question about the comfortability of a dl1000.

I am looking to buy a bike for commuting about 50 miles to work and school 5 days a week. I spend about $800 per week in gas and it is hurting my pocket. I would like to have a bike to be comfortable for the drives to work, but one that will also let me load it down and go 2 up and across country with no problem. I have only driven dirt bikes and have not bought a street bike before (although when I was young I drove dirt bikes on the street!) One can only tell the comfort of a bike in the stores while they sit on them unless you have any friends that you can borrow. I don't have my motorcycle license yet so I can't test drive any of them at the store or friends bikes. I have narrowed it down to a dl1000 or a cruiser.

I know the 2 bikes differ significantly. My main thing I want in a bike will be fulfilled by both types. I want reliability, the ability to sit straight up and not have to lean over like a super sport bike, good gas mileage, abiliity to ride 2 up, and able to pack them both down somewhat.

My question for you dl1000 owners is how do you like your bike for long distance riding? I understand some may have issues with the stock seat, but that can be fixed easily. Have you owned a cruiser in the past and how do you compare it to your dl1000 for long freeway drives across multiple states? If I were to go the cruiser route, I was looking at something like the Kawasaki Vulcan series. I prefer fuel injection and shaft if possible on a cruiser. The look of the dl1000 and cruisers are ok to me, so I am not buying them based on looks. I wouldn't be buying the dl1000 for the off-road capabilities because that would occur very infrequently (but it's nice that you can) Can you tell me which bike you would prefer to drive long distances and why?

Long distance on either Strom is excellent.....and as far as cruisers go, they just plain suck!!!!!!!!!!:rolleyes: Most stock seats aren't that great "out if the box" so you'll probably upgrade no matter what you end up buying. As for loading up the stroms with gear, they are like pack mules. I think that you are the perfect candidate for a 650 Strom, have you seen the luggage and other aftermarket goodies for these bikes? I'll tell you one thing...they are second to none when it comes to farkles.

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BRIAN

2008 WR250R 2008 CONCOURS 1400 "Dearly departed 2005 DL1000"

Yeah, but you don't have to actually use that "F" word. Just call it "stuff."



I'm supposed to pick up my new (to me) Vee on Tuesday! I'll be ordering "stuff" this week.

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Oh-Seven-Vee-1-K

Big B, thanks for the answer to my question. I love this forum. It is great for a person to research and ask questions before he makes a purchase. I am really considering the 650 or the 1000. I have a dad that has a Vulcan 1500 cruiser and a brother with a HD Sportster 883. My brother lives in Washington state and I live in California so I can't test drive his bike to get a feel. My dad won't let me test drive his.....Can you tell me how the crusers suck at distance driving? If you can, what things suck about it? Are they uncomfortable even with a comfortable seat, are they not good in stop and go traffic, etc? Thansk again for chirping in and if anyone else has some info it is greatly appreciated. Safe driving to you all!

I hope there will be a lot of replies! This is the kind of information I am looking for!!!

I use my DL1000 primarily for longer rides. Once I got the screen issues sorted out (Madstad and Laminar Lip) and installed a fork brace, I find it extremely comfortable for this. Plenty of room to move around, comfortable upright ergos, good long-travel suspension for smoothing out the bumps, and plenty of room for "stuff". Surprisingly, I have no problem with the seat - I do use an Alaska Leather sheepskin pad. I like the 1000, but there's certainly nothing wrong with the 650.

And yes, I've had cruisers - a Yamaha Virago and Yamaha V-Star. The Virago had foot pegs directly below the rider (as do some other cruisers such as the Honda Magna) and was very comfortable. The V-Star had pegs (or floorboards) in the "feet forward" position of a Harley. Terribly uncomfortable, at least for me. Couldn't ride the thing for more than about 150 miles. However, may be fine for others.

Bill K.

I've just had 2 street bikes, and they've both been upright rides. If I get passed on the highway, it's by a sportbike... If I pass another bike on the highway, it's a cruiser. The cruiser position looks cool, but doesn't look "long-haul" comfortable.

I commented on your other thread... Get the 650 if you think you need to establish some "street sense", get the 1000 if you think you are a safe and quick learner. If you pick up a good deal on a newly used 650 and sell it after 1 season, you'll not lose hardly any capital.

I will be deciding between the 650 and the 1000 in time. I just wanted to see what people thought about cruisers in general compared to the 1000 in comfortability for long drives. I feel that I am a pretty quick learner and won't be heavy on the speed for a long time if I were to get the 1000.

I'm just not a fan of big heavy, slow, boring, boring, boring, cookie cutter cruisers. I would get a Harely Davisdon Road King if I were to get a proper cruiser. For the ultimate long distance and canyon carving machine.....I personally would look no futher than a Goldwing GL1800.

But since you asked...the Stroms also do a great job at so many things, the ultimate swiss army bike.

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BRIAN

2008 WR250R 2008 CONCOURS 1400 "Dearly departed 2005 DL1000"

I went from a cruiser to the Vee primarily for LD comfort. With my arms and legs extended like they were, it put than much more pressure on m'arse. Couldn't take it for more that 100 miles. Sometimes I miss my cruiser for lazy afternoon rides, but never enough to regret my decision. I love my Vee. She's good to me and doesn't talk back or nag. Sometimes I can hear her whimper in the garage if she doesn't get her daily run. You shouldn't corral a wild stallion.

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07 V-Strom DL1000 (Black)