Test rides around here on pretty much out of the question on new japanese motorcycles. I imagine it is from the squids taking out the gixxer and throwing it down the road during the test thrashing.

Back to the Vstrom,

I hope to avoid getting flamed here but after 12 months on my dl650 commuting I am bored with it

I read all the reviews, all the praise and very few negative comments as well I did not test ride. The bike truly is good, comfortable, adequate power, good fuel mileage and very low on the theft scale which in turn means cheap insurance.

Honestly the only thing I truly miss is the rush one gets from a inline 4 screaming other than a brief affair with klrs I have only ever had inline 4 street bikes.

So flame on if you must but that is my honest feeling at this point in ownership. If money grew on trees I might be tempted by the big bandit or FJR.

I have about 20 years street riding experience with over a dozen bikes for reference I would suggest a lengthy test ride maybe someone on the forum would allow you a 30 minute ride.

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2011 DL650 ABS - Pearl White

I had a dealer looking for one for me. This one came in, priced right, some farkles. I rode it around the parking lot. Put cash down and came back two days later. Rode my KTM 640 Dual Sport bike there which are not enjoyable on the freeway (did not trade it in) and rode my new V home. I knew it was the bike for me. Sold the KTM a couple weeks later.

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2003 V - ASV C5 Levers, Univ. Solex bars, grip heaters, ktm mirrors, c.stand, SW Mo Engine grds,Two Bros, PC3, Garmin, Givi 460, tank bag, F. Extenda, BackOff, Super Brace, Elka Shock, Race Tech Gold. AWD/Mr.Ed's Moto seat mod. Dumonde Tech Racing Oil, Spider grips, Contour.

2001 KTM LC4 farkled (sold)

I rented a Wee in New Zealend...then I bought one

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63 BMW R69S sidecar project, 69 BMW R60US, 00 SV650, 02 SV650S, 05 Wee


2013 Northeast V-Strom Rally!