Hello, new to forum. I am interested in purchasing a v-strom 1000 adventure. Having never owned a bike like this, was just wondering what everyones opinion is. I came from a 2006 kawasaki nomad. Just wondering how this bike would be for two up riding. Any bike I get has to be comfortable for the wife. And I have never owned a bike with chain final drive. What sort of maintance do you have to do, and how often? Thanks for any info.

I ride cruisers from time to time and have rode the Nomad. The only thing I really like about the cruisers are the floorboards with the heel/toe shifters and the seats. You can get backrests for the Vee seats and better seats aftermarket if you don't like the stock. The Vee feels very light and nimble compared to a cruiser, and the option to explore dirt roads is a plus as well. Chain maintenance is easy. Keep it clean by wiping it off with a little WD40 and apply some chain lube from time to time. Ten minutes tops a few times a month, a little more if you ride in the dirt or mud.

The Vee will be a lot harder for your wife to mount. Have her get on before you sign the dotted line or better yet if they will let you do a test ride 2up. Lots of people riding the Vee & Wee 2 up but it is very much a different animal than your nomad.

As far as the chain maintenance normal maintenance is every 500mi more often in rain or off road. Very easy to do the required maintenance just spray with some chain lube, adjust when needed not a deal breaker for sure.

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Doug K9CRT
Decatur, IL
Member Of The Infamous Springfield Milers BMW Club
Yamaha Super Tenere 2013
DL 650 K11 (Black Wee)
DL 650 K9 (Orange Wee) traded
DL 1000 02 traded
Cage ** Honda S2000 Roadster**

Chain maintenance...Spray with one of several excellent aerosol products every other tank of gas in the dry and every tank in the wet. The chain usually doesn't need to be adjusted until it is wearing out, about 20,000 miles or so. (My favorite chain lube, Schaeffer's #227, is made in St. Louis, and maybe the factory has a retail store.)

Don't ignore the 650. It is generally considered to the more nimble and smoother running bike. The 1000 has the power for heavy loads, higher speeds when heavily laden. And better up hill when heavy. Consider both. (We don't know if you and the Mrs. weigh 250# together...good on the Wee...or weigh 500#...get the Vee.)

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Rooster today
Feather duster tomorrow

I may get bashed for posting this on a V-Strom forum, but I don't understand why anybody would buy a 2012 V-Strom (MSRP $11K). It is essentially the same bike they made (with some warts as we all know) in 2002.

For half the cost, you could buy a 4 or 5 year old V-Strom where somebody has already rectified the issues and probably put better luggage on it.

Buying a 2012 Wee I understand. But a 2012 Vee?! Nah, I'd me all over a Triumph Tiger 800 for that kinda money. Either that, or wait and see if the 2013 is a new model.

Don't piss in his soup

Just assume there will be a lean condition to correct and thank your government not Suzuki. Consider it part of the cost.

Vee is tall so you better be able to get on and stabilize while the wife gets on like a horse.

Compared to a cruiser it is a space ship/jeep more places and more fun

Chains no sweat , spray and go if its a deal then just buy the center stand and take care of many difficulties.

Old design, well same as I think 2004, think proven and all problems if found have a fix.

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I respectfully disagree with your statement "The chain usually doesn't need to be adjusted until it is wearing out, about 20,000 miles or so" Both of my Wee's needed adjustment within the first 3-5K miles and I don't jerk them around. If you go 20K without a chain adjustment IMHO you will find yourself along side the road at best putting your chain back on, at the worse a busted engine case

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Doug K9CRT
Decatur, IL
Member Of The Infamous Springfield Milers BMW Club
Yamaha Super Tenere 2013
DL 650 K11 (Black Wee)
DL 650 K9 (Orange Wee) traded
DL 1000 02 traded
Cage ** Honda S2000 Roadster**

I am a KLR guy, but my wife snagged a Vee as her first bike. ( I get to ride it occasionally). It's awesome+superb+wonderful and a pile of other adjectives! Great bikes, you will NOT be disappointed.

re: Chains, I come from decades of BMW shafties....a chain is really not much of a bother and people make it out to be.
Buy it...NOW!

Andy

It's a shame we think vehicles have to be changed every few years to remain valuable. I think Detroit really ingrained that in our heads with the constant "re-modeling" of their cars.

If it ain't broke, break it and sell them a new one.

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You forgot to mention the flip-side of the 4-5 yr old Strom. It could be a worn-out pile of junk with tons of problems. There's something to be said for turn-key reliability, no worries, no headaches.