Anyone (dl1000s) riding regularly with BMW riders?

[mjgaffney]

Just curious. There are several organized rides in the NW for adventure bikes but, judging by the ride photos posted, most of the participants are riding GS series (650 or 1200) BMWs. (I live and work near Microsoft so there's no apparent shortage of money around these parts... $15-20,000 dollars is out of my league but you see a LOT of expensive hardware on the road around here.)

Would like to benefit from the experience of others, particularly on DL1000s, who are riding with BMW riders. How does the Strom hold up to the competition, given equally matched riders?

:D :D :D :lol: :D

[VtSTROM-K5]

mjgaffney ,
From my somewhat limited experience Most riders of other bike types/manufacturers will usually give a little ribbing but for the majority its you ride what you ride and we all ride two wheelers . :)
Your profile dosen't give a location for you but we have regional forums for the whole world and you could try to link up with other riders there :)
Also check out adventure riders forum they have a good regional forum as well ...
when in doubt just hit the local diner you'll most always find a couple of bikes in the lot :wink:

[f4tweet]

I have been riding BMW R series bikes since 1977. I have been to many BMW rallies where different brands showed up. The nice thing is that you meet different people on different rides. You may even be able to switch bikes for a short ride. I have been off bikes for two years, but I think the V-Strom is the best bargain on the market. If I can swing a new DL 1000 ABS this fall I will post more questions. Thanks for now.

[AlaskaTroy]

I run with a wide varity of bikes. GS Adv's, 950 KTM's , KLRs, 1150 R's. Some pictured here. The Strom hold its own and then some. Never last up a hill or through the wet stuff. Buyy it with confidence! [/img]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/AlaskaTroy/HPIM0382-1.jpg

[AlaskaTroy]

Me and some of the "boys" at the Artic Circle. Dawson Highway.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/AlaskaTroy/HPIM0306.jpg

[AlaskaTroy]

Some say these are unsightly motorcycles. I think that would be up to the individual. Personally I dont think theres a Beemer out there that looks this good cleaned up!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/AlaskaTroy/HPIM0263-1.jpg

[AlaskaTroy]

Even look good when there not so clean. No its not on its centerstand! :oops:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/AlaskaTroy/HPIM0338.jpg

[water warrior]

Yikes !! That must have been exciting. How did you get out ??

[AlaskaTroy]

Fortunate for me this happened on the Poker Run during our "Dust to Dawson" ride. Couple other riders came along and helped me slog it out.

[JohnS.]

I ride a 1k, but the few beemer guys I know group me in with thier F Class bikes as I'm "on the chain gang."

[Big B]

I ride a 1k, but the few beemer guys I know group me in with thier F Class bikes as I'm "on the chain gang."

Has a chain drive ever caught on fire, or caused massive damage to the bike? :lol: Shaft drive is cool, but I would rather have a beltdrive like the Buell. I get allot of waves from the beemer boyz, guess we are all in a unique moto clique. 8)

[RockyMtnRoadRash]

There's a guy on a Wee (can't think of who) who debadged his red strom and put a BMW emblem on it. It's hilarious.

[mjgaffney]

:D
Ya, the final drive was very intimidating to me when I was shopping. I did a lot of research online to find out what the potential problems were with the GS's... sounded like when the final drive went south, you were basically paying for the bike all over again. I LOVE my big ol' Strom, though the more I ride it, the smaller it is starting to feel. I have about 4000 mile on it now. Looking forward to the scheduled service and tune up coming soon.
G
PS... hilarious idea, replacing the emblem. I did see some photos of a debadged strom (black, 2005) somewhere... It looked really cool that way.

[AlaskaTroy]

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/AlaskaTroy/HPIM0301.jpg

There one really good looking bike in the middle of the pack!

[Iraj]

I rode BMWs exclusively for 40 years before my first non-beemer, the 2002 DL1000. I took my V-Strom to the last BMW rally (Boise). My informal poll said that the most popular non-BMW ridden to the rally was the V-Strom. So, some riders feel comfortable with the beemerphiles. I've never been much of a joiner or group rider, so don't have a whole lot of experience on your question of keeping, up except for the following observations: Group riders are pretty slow, and most riders you meet out on the road aren't very agressive (squid-specific rides excluded, like Highway 35-Skylonda Corners.) No one passed me as I rode about 200 miles on the twisties around the Boise rally. I'm not bragging, 'cause I know I'm not close to really fast, but it's usually not the bike, it's the rider. There's no reason I can see that the V-Strom can't go anywhere as fast as the GS goes.

Peace.

[805gregg]

Don't worry its 95% rider not bike, the only problem with riding with BMW's is they have to stop at the dealers alot.