Hi Folks,
Been lurking here for a little while to learn all I can about the Vee. I just sold a nice 2011 GSX1250FA (Bandit). The wife and I bought it last year with the intent of doing light touring. I just never bonded with it.

Problems – The seat was only 24” long. There wasn’t enough room to get comfortable, especially with a top-box. Add to that I am near 60, 6’-1” with mild arthritis in the knees. I just could not get comfortable on the bike.

I’ve been researching a replacement bike. My goal is a reliable, fun to ride, easy to maintain, comfortable, roomy bike capable hauling the wife and I wherever we want to go. I’m a fan of the Versys and had one before the GSX. I loved the comfortable ergonomics but the Versys was not big enough for the wife too. I’ve been lusting after the Versys 1000 but it seems Kawasaki is not bringing it to the USA anytime soon.

Most sport touring type bikes, like the Concours 14, are a bit too sporty for my knees and back. I’m not a fan of cruiser type bikes or Gold Wing type land barges. I recently started to consider the V-Strom 1000. I’ll admit I’ve never really liked the looks of the front end but I’m more worried about function and comfort.

I went to a local dealer and looked at a V-Strom 1000 Adventure. It looks better in person but I didn’t care for the included luggage and how the top-box, being so far forward, intrudes into the passenger seating area. I’ve been doing research and it appears a Givi Monokey series box can be mounted several inches further back.

So, I’m thinking about getting a 2012 standard V-Strom 1000 and adding Givi cases and top-box, probably the V35 side cases and V46 top box mounted as far back as possible. I’m looking at the V-Strom more as a sport touring bike and I’m not concerned about off-road capability.

What do you guys think, will the V-Strom 1000 do what I want?

I've put on over 15,000km on my bike and my wife ( perfect small size ) has probably ridden about 20,000 with me. I love the durability and huge size of my HappyTrails cases and H&B top case. Some pics and a blog via windtogo.com
If you and your wife like the Vee half as much as we do, you will be satisfied.

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Road Toads Charter Member - old guy goes stromabout on a 2007 Vee


States and Provinces I've visited

Gord,
Did you mean 150,000 km? You typed 15,000km. Thats just a small trip for you.

Sent from my GT-S5830D using Motorcycle.com Free App

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2013 Northeast V-Strom Rally!


Art in Peterborough
03 DL1000
Race Tech gold cartridge's and spring's, , Pro Taper Contour ATV high bars Kaoko Throttle Lock, Oxford heated grips, SW Motech crash bars, Pelican 1550's on SW Motech racks, Zumo 660
03 Yamaha WR290F woods and ice bike

For what its worth...I bought a 650 after riding a GSXR600 for 6 years. I think the 650 strom has plenty of power for an on road bike. I haven't gone 2 up on it yet. Im sure the 1000 would be a little better if you plan on doing quite a bit of that.

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2006 GSXR 600
2012 Glee standard

If it was me I would wait and see what the new 1000 would bring to the table. If you are dead set on getting one now I would buy used you will get the same bike with a few miles and some farkels for less then half the price. If you want brand new I would look right past the Dl1000 and to the Yamaha Super Tenere'. It really is $3000 better. The wee is a nice bike but even one up at 6'5" 300lbs I spent a lot of time rowing the gear box. For two up fully packed down work the DL1000 is way better and when not packed down it works well too.

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Keep the Rubber Side Down.
Jim
Present Rides
1986 XR600R,1986 VF1000R,1999 CBR1100XX,2006 CRF450X,2007 DL1000 V-Strom

I would also recommend checking out used Vees, not only to save money but so that any issues the bike has will already have developed and would be revealed from a test ride. The Vee's issues (not all Vees have issues, btw) can be fixed but if you want a bike that will work right out of the box, consider the Wee unless you really need the power.

If you do get a V-strom, look into "Richland Rick's" footpeg lowering kit which give you an additional inch of leg room which might help with your knees. The kit is cheap and easy to install.

I am also 6'1" and very much enjoy the roominess of the vstrom. My previous bike was a GSX650F which actually has the same ergos as the larger 1250 and going from feeling cramped on the GSX to stretching out on the vstrom was wonderful.

My top box is bolted onto the rack using three bolts with butterfly nuts. I can mount it as far back as I like and can remove it in 30 seconds with a battery drill (or two minutes with a regular screwdriver).

For what it's worth, I quite like my Vee. It's the first bike I have owned that I actually feel like I fit on.

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Owning a Vee is the very definition of a love-hate relationship..

If you are in the Vegas area shoot me a PM also get into contact with VegasHotWheeler. I have a 1k, he has both... I'd be happy to meet up with you and go over the bike.

Perfect bike for you

I think you're on the right track, although I am notoriously biased toward the Vee.

About the passenger: my 14 y/o kid @ 160 fits fine on back. A fat chick I gave a ride crushed my balls into the tank.

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"Adidas has officially unveiled the Adidas Bystander, the first shoe designed for running away from a mass public shooting."

yeah i think it will work ok for you. DL1 works ok for me. 98k showing on the clock, street only, with no fail.

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fuelly link: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/jbw/dl1000