strom as city bike, also 1000 vs. 650

[doc2b]

Hi all,

I am selling my 91 VFR 400 NC30 (email me if you want it) and very likely getting a strom. I'd like to know your thoughts on it's performance in the city. I commute every day in all weather and would like a bike with good low speed manners/agility that can split traffic with ease and won't have me get carpal tunnel in my clutch hand, etc.

Also, is the strom 1000 a good first liter-class bike? I have never owned a bike bigger than a 650 and wonder if it is not more than I need. However, I would like to carry a pillion and bags sometimes and could also probably pick up an 02 1000 for nearly the same price as a new 650, which is tempting.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[GB #121]

I have a 10mi run to the motorway through dead-locked Aberdeen traffic every morning and night (I live north, work south). At first the guys thought I would have trouble filtering when I up'd from the 600cc Bandit to the V-Strom. Nope. They seem to see you better and move aside.

Initially it seemed a bit more effort at the low end, but you can run at higher rev's in 1st gear and then motor around all day in 2nd through slow traffic. I find I have better low speed stability with the V-Strom, but maybe I'm just getting better at riding?! I only run with a top box during the week for my briefcase/lid.

Then I get past the airport and....Nirvana! UK gatzo/speed cameras here don't trip until 78mph (if they are loaded) on the motorways.

[rider1951]

I commute 10 miles each way every day. I have about 2.5 miles of freeway and the rest is city streets. The V-strom works just fine but my mileage is only in the high 30s during the summer. Last spring it was anywhere from 30 to 35 mpg. I also usually just use a topbox for the commute. You can run the motor above or below 4000 rpms without any trouble.

[doc2b]

Thanks for the info, please keep it coming. I appreciate hearing your opinions on this.

Best,
Aaron

[Jetboy]

The Strom is a great commuting bike due to it being narrow, relatively light for it's size and the height which makes you more visable and you can see ahead better. think driving in a pickup versus a car, you have a more commanding view. If you are going to add hard bags watch how wide you get. I think the Jesse Bags are about 11 inches narrower than the Suzuki bags. About the same width as the handlebars.

If I was buying a new Strom today it would be a tough choice between the 650 and 1000. The only advantage the 1000 really has is for hooligan antics. But if you can get a 1000 for the price of a 650 and the insurance isn't much more I think I would go with the 1000, the power is very controllable.

[cos]

Thanks for the update. You have all the bikes I've been considering. I've got an '96 Vulcan 750 (it's rubber mounted & counterbalanced!) for trips and liesurely cruising and an '01 naked SV650. 1,000 miles in a day on the 954 - that's impressive. I recently did 600 miles on my SV which has a windscreen and a Sargent seat, which helped a lot. I can safely say I won't do that kind of milage again without a throttle lock, do you have one on your 954?. How are the vibes on the 954? High frequency hand numbing as is usuaul with an inline four or is it well behaved and comfortable? I'd put on taller bars if I got one, are your bars stock? Comfortable? I'm 5'10" and usually find supersport ergos, like a Kawasaki ZX-6R uncomfortable and with so much weight on the wrists it amplifies the felt vibes and hands go numb quickly. For track days those ergos are great.

The 'DL-1000 is sounding better by the day and I'll probably pick one up in the spring. As for a 650 'Strom, it'll buzz right in that 65-70mph range, not bad, but it's there. I installed foam grips and a barsnake and just sync'ed the carbs and that all helps but it's not my first choice for a roadtrip.

-cos

[VBob]

I can see over most traffic and once when I was stuck on a divided street with a wreck blocking traffic, I just hopped the curb and did a u-turn. That was a great escape. :D

[ian]

The 1000 bike is just terrific for commuting but in all honesty, a bit more than most of us would need if that was all we were going to do. Where this wonderful bike scores is on long journeys carrying a passenger. On a recent trip through France we spent 12 hours in the saddle one day with my wife aboard and full luggage. The bike pulls like a train and the riding position for both driver and pillion is really comfortable. Wind blast at speed is noisy and after an hour or so of 100 - 120 mph, my ears were ringing but really, that's the only criticism.

[Kidder]

Wind blast at speed is noisy and after an hour or so of 100 - 120 mph, my ears were ringing but really, that's the only criticism.

Do you wear earplugs? They make a HUGE difference. They not only reduce wind noise, but they help reduce fatigue, as well.

[ian]

I just keep forgetting - but I know you're right. I don't know how many dB are generated by high speed motorcycling but I'm sure it's not good for your hearing in the long run. Mostly I don't mind wind noise - it all adds to the experience, but hour after hour it becomes very wearing.

[scooter]

Aaron

I find the DL1000 quiet a civilized bike. If it had the TL1000 version of the motor in it I would say it would be more power then you would need. I rode a scooter before this bike and wanted to progress gradually up to 600cc. All that was offer at this time was the 600 Bandit and the Kawasaki ZR-7s in a up right riding position, faired and capable to tour in my price range. I'm 6'3" 230lbs and both bike would have been under powered for my needs. Power is safety and the bottom end torque of the 1000cc will save your ass at times from the cagers. The only area I find the DL1000 lacking is in top end HP. If you just want to commute the DL650 will be fine but if you want to tour with luggage and a passenger go for the DL1000. I took my car off the rode and just ride the Strom. I find the bike easy to handle in traffic. It does almost everything well.

Proud owner of a 02 DL1000

scooter

[rider1951]

If I was only commuting with the bike I think I would look real hard at the 650. I think the motor will be smoother, insurance should be cheaper and the gas mileage should be better. If you think you will be doing a lot of touring with the bike then I'd only consider the 1000 for the added power. You definitely want to check the insurance prices before buying as it can be high for the 1000.

[Woofy]

For in-town driving, check out Givi's E21 side cases. The E21s cost half what Givi's larger cases cost and are great for in-town and tight spots since the cases add little more than 8 inches of width to each side of the bike. Not much more than the rider's legs when you think about it.

The Strom is pretty much the perfect urban bike with its broad powerband and rocket-like accelleration. The only recommendation I would make as far as commuting would be to get a pair of fatter grips if your hands are very large. My left wrist and hand started to get sore, but installing a pair of slightly fatter HotGrips resolved the problem, plus they keep my hands comfortable on cold days.