New DL650 Adventure model owner (for 2 days now) and gave up my HD Ultra Classic to get here. Looking for some love from the forum. All my HD buddies are giving me heck. They seem to think I bought a crotch rocket or something.

Welcome.

When I bought my first V-Strom in 2007 I was subjected to a lot of sub-peer pressure to go the Harley way. I resisted, I realized the cruiser platform was particularly poorly-suited for the riding to which I had become accustomed on the Honda Rebel my friends called "cute".

Yes, I took that thing down roads that had my Harley friends grabbing for the right-side clutch lever at first sight of the "pavement ends" sign.

"Cute" indeed.

In five years I put 62,000 miles on my first V-Strom. It doesn't hurt that I live in some of the finest motorcycle habitat east of the Mississippi.

If your HD buddies can't deal with your choice in bike, then they probably aren't real friends anyways.

My HD friends and kin have accepted me and my bike choices and have to deal with the fact that I prefer riding over polishing chrome. Anyways, whenever I get the itch for the air-cooled-45 degree v-twin-on minimalist suspension-riding experience, I just hop on my wife's Street Bob.

Enjoy the new ride.

Please wear your Harley leathers when you ride it.

Cheers,

Norm

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Sent from my Hewlett-Packard 75C, using the Flying Merkel motorcycle app.

Stromin'Nroman NC28729, USA

DL650A K7 (Greywolf Moto Lab's R&D test mule) June 1, 2012 - present
DL650A K7 April 23, 2007 - January 6, 2012, RIP

"Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?" Frank Zappa, 1975

Well heck...........come introduce yourself in person!!

Spring 2013 Gathering at Ironhorse MC Lodge May 17 thru 19th

(check out the Rally Website ......... http://2013easterngathering.weebly.com/ )

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Current Rides: 2008 Yeller Wee + 2000 ZRX1100
I'm so ugly I stuck my head out the window and got arrested for mooning.
Apparel Security Cables... http://www.stromtrooper.com/group-bu...m-apparel.html

Yes I'm in the same boat as you,and loving my wee, went from a 1200 to a 650
I see a lot of Harley guys doing the same as we did , getting a real Bike. I was on my GSX1100g last year wearing my Harley jacket, and the guy in the thick yells out ,Get a real bike , and calls me a Harley wannabe, I just had too laugh .he juts doesn't get it . So I ask his how many mile can you do in a day , that made him think , and said nothing . For me it's all about the miles and adventure

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12 dl650 white
91 GSX1100G
81 cb750 ridged
02 sportster (sold)

Welcome!
I also have a Suzuki M109R (cruiser) in which I ride to meet with other 9'rs a couple times a year, mostly in the mountains.
Our last meet I showed up on the V-Strom instead and all was good. This year one of the members asked if I was going to bring the Strom again to the meet. I told him not sure just yet but would really rather ride the Strom again. No problem! I think he is interested in it! Ha!
Like I told him, The 109 is a great bike for what it was designed for but...For Leaving on Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday afternoon I'll be on the Strom. If I bring the 109 to the meet it will be on a trailer.
You will really enjoy riding the Strom especially in the mountains!

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2012 DL1000 Adventure (Tinkerbell)
PC-V, Smart TRE, CR8EIX plugs, Madstad bracket, Madstad 22" shield, Fork brace, 43T rear, Airhawks, Chinese mirrors, mirror extenders, RDL.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Looks like a wealth of information to be gained here. I am looking forward to strapping the tent on the back and taking off to the mountains soon. I live in the Hickory area so that gathering is a definite possibility. Unfortunately I never bought any HD leathers, but I will be sure and put my HD license plate frame on the new bike!

Welcome. Make sure to explain to them that it is a V-twin, after all!

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2007 DL1000WF (with farkles)

I know he's a Buttman, but.....................

Doncha' think it's a little early for him to see you in your tightie-whities?

PS, Still enjoying the vinyl.

__________________
Sent from my Hewlett-Packard 75C, using the Flying Merkel motorcycle app.

Stromin'Nroman NC28729, USA

DL650A K7 (Greywolf Moto Lab's R&D test mule) June 1, 2012 - present
DL650A K7 April 23, 2007 - January 6, 2012, RIP

"Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?" Frank Zappa, 1975

check out the local flea markets

there is usually a bunch of hardley ableson gear for sale...CHEAP!

boots, gloves, chaps, jackets, goggles w/ little rhinestones & those cute little cotton helmets they wear

you know, the ones w/ little tails that flutter in the breeze...

WELCOME to the world of MOTORCYCLISTS, who can usually make it home on the machine they left on, w/o having a friend/wife following w/ a truck & trailer, loaded w/ tools n spare parts

shiny side up

sw

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Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don't. Some can't.
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steve
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'05 WEE (LRW)
'99 DR TREE FIDDY SEX
plus several BRAND X

I'll have you know my T-Whities have a "racing stripe" right down the middle.......!!!!!

Who knows, I might have some more vinyl for ya to carry home from the Rally......ifin you have a means of carrying them??

__________________
Current Rides: 2008 Yeller Wee + 2000 ZRX1100
I'm so ugly I stuck my head out the window and got arrested for mooning.
Apparel Security Cables... http://www.stromtrooper.com/group-bu...m-apparel.html