v-STROM VS CONCOURS

[ED]

COMMUTE ABOUT 80 MILES DAILY (WEATHER PERMITED)
Considering a 650 vstrom. My concours is way more bike than I need and would like a little better ergos for my old body.
Concours has many plusses but the 650 sounds about perfect for my use.
Biggest question for me is forward lean to the bars, I have added gen-mars to the Concours but the overall improvement was minimal.
Also is 50 mpg realistic for this 650? Getting 46 mpg average with the Concours.
Yes I am probably considered a slow driver-Really just like the ride and getting there in one piece (with a smile on my face).
All thoughts are appreciated
Ed Williamsburg, Va.
1999 Kawasaki Concours candy amarith red- (purplish burgundt)

[RiffRaff]

Hi Ed,

I have a 1000 Strom and I average high 40's mpg. I consider myself a conservative (slow) rider. On a long highway drone with a slight tailwind I got better than 50 mpg. A slightly optimistic odometer helps too.

I rode a Connie once, many years ago. As I remember there was quite a bit more forward lean on it than the Strom. Since the Strom has tubular bars you can change them to suit anyway.

--My $.02

[Bliz]

Nobody owns a 650 Strom yet. I do own a 1000 V Strom and used to own a 95 Concours. Concours advantages, better hard luggage, better seat, huge fuel tank, better wind protection. V Strom advantages, much lighter with no top heavy feel like the Concours, V Strom is much smoother no vibration compared to Concours, better handling, easier to work on don't have to remove fairing to change oil like the Concours, no forward lean on the V Strom, pegs are also further forward. V-Strom suspension especially the front is better. V Strom engine feels like it has more torque. I liked my Concours except for the vibration through the bars. I miss the Concours wind protection. Overall though V Strom is more comfortable and much better handling.

[stromrider 1583]

Nobody owns a 650 Strom yet. I do own a 1000 V Strom and used to own a 95 Concours. Concours advantages, better hard luggage, better seat, huge fuel tank, better wind protection. V Strom advantages, much lighter with no top heavy feel like the Concours, V Strom is much smoother no vibration compared to Concours, better handling, easier to work on don't have to remove fairing to change oil like the Concours, no forward lean on the V Strom, pegs are also further forward. V-Strom suspension especially the front is better. V Strom engine feels like it has more torque. I liked my Concours except for the vibration through the bars. I miss the Concours wind protection. Overall though V Strom is more comfortable and much better handling.

I'm a former Concours owner too. Ditto the above.

[Howboucha]

V-Strom is more fun and doesn't come with IBM Typewriter cases strapped to the side. You will not have the wind protection though (obviously).

Buy one, you will be very happy.

Brendan

[Woofy]

I own the 1000 now, I've sat on the 650 and it doesn't seem to have any more forward lean than my Big-Strom. Being in my mid-40s with surgeries on both knees, one shoulder and my back, I can say the 'Strom has some of the best ergos available. I've gone 18 hours on mine without an ache...but I also have a custom saddle made by someone who specializes in long distance, Iron Butt saddles.

I get from 45 to 52mpg on the highway...and about 38-40mpg when I'm carving up steep mountain twisties at speeds well beyond the limit.

Add a good saddle and a Scottoiler to keep the chain lubed and you'll be set.

And it's waaaay more fun than a Concours when you want to get spunky...

[hux]

spent a few hours on a Connie - Vstrom is definitely more comfy, no forward lean at all, plus you can roll the handlebars back even more if ya want. The Connie I rode was almost anemic below around 6k RPM's, you will definitely feel more power sooner with the VTwin, so it will prolly feel faster even though it may not be. Much more fun to me.

I would sell the Connie and buy the Strom in a heartbeat. You'll love it.

[s boy]

i have a concours and i really like th ergs on the vStrom better, so does me wifey.

i can get over the less protection bit... but i just wished the vStrom had a shaft.

al

[Pauljo]

I had a '95 Concours for 6 years. I now have a '03 V-Strom (4,800 miles on it now). I have the factory centerstand & luggage. The V-Strom is actually easy to get on/off the centerstand! I think I hurt my back three times putting the Connie up on the centerstand... The V-Strom has a much more enjoyable powerband, and you never go looking for that 7th gear (I was always trying to shift the Connie into 7th gear...). My only gripe is the chain drive. This is my first chain drive motorcycle in 20 years. Never had a problem with any of the shaft drives, and you never have to lube/adjust or add a Scotoiler to them. (Of course they were Japanese shafts - not BMW :lol: ). I can appreciate the weight/horsepower issues, but how about a belt drive? I just hate chain lube I guess, and I'm never sure if the damn thing is adjusted right or not.
I also wonder if the new adjustable windscreen will work better than the old one - hopefully it will.

[s boy]

just as soon as suzuki or kawasaki put a shaft on one of these big traillies... i won't be able to get to a dealership and buy one fast enough. i love the ergonomics... they're perfect !

but until then... i am staying with my shaft concours or i just might go look at the new r1200gs later this year ?

al

[s boy]

Concours advantages, better hard luggage, better seat, huge fuel tank, better wind protection.

are you comparing the stock suzuki luggage... ?

[stromrider 1583]

[quote="Pauljo" My only gripe is the chain drive. This is my first chain drive motorcycle in 20 years. Never had a problem with any of the shaft drives, and you never have to lube/adjust or add a Scotoiler to them. (Of course they were Japanese shafts - not BMW :lol: ). I can appreciate the weight/horsepower issues, but how about a belt drive? I just hate chain lube I guess, and I'm never sure if the damn thing is adjusted right or not.
I also wonder if the new adjustable windscreen will work better than the old one - hopefully it will.[/quote]

Chain drive was *almost* a deal breaker for me. A modern chain oiler can extend chain and sprocket life to over 70,000 km (45,000 miles), and do it without making a mess of the bike. (Scottoilers are pretty stone-age).

Adjustment on the Strom is easy, but the bike on the centre-stand, put it in gear, rotate the the rear wheel backward to take the slack out of the top run of the chain. The lower run should just touch the chain guide when you push up with moderate pressure. With a good oiler, adjustment should be fine until the next oil change.

Seems a small price for not wasting 10+HP to run a shaft. Look at Concours Dyno Runs, 110 HP at the engine ends up about 90HP at the wheel. The V-Strom has almost the same RWHP as the Concours and the engine is rated 98HP at the crank.

My last several bikes have been either shaft or belt drives and with the Scottoiler, the chain drive on the 'Strom is a non-issue. Just remember to adjust the Scottoiler so you're not drowning the chain in oil. That's really the only time having the chain can be a pain and it's easily avoidable.

The only other instance where the chain might be a pain is if you're riding A LOT on dusty dirt and gravel roads. Then you'll should inspect and clean the chain and the entire bike for that matter, more often. That's about it.

[luckyll]

Things you'll miss from the Connie:
- big luggage
- wads of horsepower
- shaft drive
- great wind protection

Things you'll love on the DL650:
- fuel injection (start and go).
- way easier to handle in city traffic (nimble).
- more comfortable seating position (IMHO).
- remember when motorcycling was simply fun? This is it!

The V-Strom 650 is simply an honest bike that will do pretty much anything you ask of it.

In all honesty, I don't see the chain drive as that much of an issue. I clean and oil it every 1500Kms (about 1000 miles). These aren't the chains of 20 years ago - they've got sealed o-rings that basically lube themselves. All you have to do is clean the chain (WD40 works for me) and lube it (try chain-wax: no dripping or fling).

Now the Connie does have considerable horsepower compared to the DL650 - but do you really need it? I do a fair bit of 2-up riding with full luggage (Givi top and side-cases) and I've yet to run into a situation where passing 4-wheel-boxes on the highway was a problem

My only (minor) gripe with the DL650 is the windscreen. I'm 6'2" and even with the screen in the top position, I still get a little (again, minor) buffeting on the top of my helmet. But they're coming out with proper touring windscreens for the DL650 that should remedy this problem.

My favorite thing about the DL650 is electronic fuel injection... Simply brilliant! I used to have to fiddle with the choke on my GPZ550 for a few minutes until the engine was in the right mood - no more! Turn the key, press the button - and you're off!

I say: go for it! I've yet to find a 'Strom 650 owner that isn't enjoying himself (or herself).

Cheers,
Lucky

[luckyll]

Forgot to add this:

If you really need a belt drive, this german company offers a conversion kit for the DL1000 and will soon be releasing a similar kit for the DL650.

http://www.vh-motorradtechnik.de/

Cheers,
Lucky