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Question: Cost VS. Reliability

10K views 47 replies 27 participants last post by  Paddle 
#1 ·
As my bike is down for a week instead of riding I am reading this form. Bought my bike new in 2012 and have driven it, LOTS. For everything touring, "off road", commuting, short weekend trips and my other vehicle is a truck so on long trips with out hauling I drive the Strom.

I did not purchase the Strom because I could not afford one of the other ADV bikes. I drive it because this is the first time I am not driving while waiting for parts.

Reading over this past week a common theme keeps coming up over and over. Gas mileage, cost of ownership, purchase price, save money buy used etc...

So to my question: sorry it took so long.

Did YOU purchase your Strom because of cost, or reliability? Maybe there is another reason?
 
#2 · (Edited)
I just bought a 2012 DL1000 in Toronto and rode it across Canada to its new home in Victoria BC. Did my research and the VStrom is something of a Dark Horse in the adventure bike world, doesn't do anything great, but does a lot very well. Being retired, price point is important, and from what I read and heard reliability is exceptional. Have friends who owned one, spoke highly of it, and other riders that spoke highly of it even though they did not own one. Bike will never be a ditch banger, but it will be a very versatile ride.

Was always interested why so many adventure sport touring bikes were being sold, especially to older folk - either take the plunge or stop looking, so I took the plunge and glad I did. After riding across Canada, understand the attraction. My Vee is 350 lbs lighter than my 1500 Goldwing and 250 lbs lighter than my 1200 Goldwing (not selling either).

Looked for one that already had specific items added to make the bike a closer fit for me and kept the after purchase costs to a minimum for this aspect. Fortunately found one. The PO was same height and close in weight to myself so the bike fit me ergonomically from the get go. This is allowing me to focus on the engine and bike performance issues such as the clutch basket mod, Holeshot Supertune Tuner, series RR, and such.

The VStrom is filling a niche for me, easy to ride and most of my year is spent riding around town and doing short hops. It will not replace the 1200/1500 as my two up touring choice. The Mrs has had a ride and is quite pleased but has categorically stated it is not a long distance touring bike.

There are issues I am addressing, but all bikes have issues. It's easy to work on, not a lot of plastic to remove like my Goldwings, and relatively inexpensive for parts.

Patience with looking for one of these bikes is the key and you will be able to find one that is kitted out to suit you.

The price I paid for this bike was significantly less than a similar year and style of bike from a different OEM. This allows me to do upgrades, address issues and still be at a cost that is less than the other OEM bikes.

Long winded cost/reliability answer, price will always be important, but reliability is the key to keeping the bike for a long time. How many people would fly 3/4 of the way across a country and drive some 5400 Kms back home on a bike that was bought sight unseen except in pictures. Reliability plus I'd say, and at a good price point.

Cheers
 
#25 ·
WOW!!!!!!!! It's almost like I wrote that myself! The other bike on my short list was the Tiger 955i, but more rare and more expensive and about 30 lbs more weight. :thumbup:

Cheers,
Glenn
 
#3 ·
It was cheap and the style of bike I wanted. I have 2 bikes, specifically so that I can always have one that is working if the other is down for repairs
 
#4 ·
Like oldjeep, I got my '04 cheap and because I had a chance to test ride one during service on my other bike.
The Wee rang my chimes and then I find out the early 650's are like bullet proof and have an aversion for dealer time.
Even a big time wreck in Utah was only a bother to order parts and reassemble while I was recuperating from being bounced around.
Insurance paid for that so I wasn't out anything.
 
#5 ·
UJM 2.0

I bought my 2017 DL 650 new. I chose it over the Kawasaki Versys because the DL had a V-Twin which I wanted purely for aesthetics. A little better hp and torque curves for the 'Zook, but it's also slightly heavier. It also has a longer wheelbase than the Kawi, which I thought would be a little better for comfort and luggage, and for me a little better seat/bar/peg relationship.
YouTube comparisons seemed to like the Vstrom more in the dirt, which was a consideration for me.
I never adjusted the front suspension from stock on my ZX11, so whatever the Vstrom has is ok for my kinder, gentler riding these days.
I wasn't prepared to go all in on a KTM or BMW for my first venture into adventure bikes, and I am overall very pleased with the DL.
Maybe trade for an MV Augusta 800 Lusso when the time comes, I'd have one of only a handful in my time zone. :grin2:
 
#6 ·
I was planning on buying a BMW RS1200....which I am going to test drive on Saturday. I bought my 2017 new because of the value equation. 5 year warranty, reputation as reliable, ABS, traction control (Which works great on dirt). I am very happy with the purchase because it seems so competent. I do not need faster. I would only go faster on a more powerful bike. My plan is to go at whatever pace feels right and enjoy the ride.
I have thoroughly enjoyed setting it up for the task and have spent quite a bit on little stuff that makes a difference. I think it is a great design. The only thing I don't enjoy is taking off the screws under the fairing. I know it is cheaply built in this regard.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
I can buy any bike on the market today, brand new yet one of 3 bikes I own currently is v-strom 650 xt, why?
Because I like how it looks, perform, handle and how comfortable and reliable/safe it is, simple as that.
I need bikes which don't let me down whenever I turn the ignition key and whenever I'm in trouble wile riding.
Relatively low cost of ownership is a nice adds on. Competitors for v-strom were yamaha super tenere, new Africa Twin
and new T700 tenere. DL 650 won :)
 
#8 ·
...... Did YOU purchase your Strom because of cost, or reliability? Maybe there is another reason?
The V1000 fit me really well - great ergonomics. The Strom also had a great reputation.

Done and Done :thumbup:
 
#10 ·
I was in search for a Versys 650 and was getting impatient to I included the V-Strom 650. I read and watch reviews and there are pros and cons for each, which I didn't worry about too much. They're both reliable and I wasn't planning on going off road too much. I just happened to find a better deal for my bike before anything else. Do I regret anything--absolutely not. The V-Strom has been great so far and I'm looking to hold on to her for a foreseeable future.
 
#12 ·
Cost mainly, but the reassurance of it's reputation of being rock solid was the tipping point to make my decision. I bought a 2012 650ADV last October with 50,000 miles and will have put on 7.5K this season with only an oil change in required maintenance since purchasing it.

I had a Yamaha Stratoliner 1900 and loved touring on it. The idea of expanding the places and types of roads I could explore intrigued me so I was looking for a test bike to see if more of an adventure tourer was my style. For that the VStrom was a perfect test.

I rented a Super Ten 1200 out west a couple weeks ago for 11 days. I'm in no rush but, when it's time to replace the 2012 DL650 I'll most likely be on one of those. No slight against the VStrom at all. It's great as what it is. I'd just like a little more.
 
#13 ·
Neither.
Virtually any bike you can buy today is going to be reliable, and cost wasn't a big factor. I was looking for a light weight sport touring bike, and the 650 Strom seemed like the perfect bike for me. Almost 13 years later I'm still very happy with the decision.
 
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#14 ·
Don't know that i have ever heard a vstrom referred to as a sport touring bike before.
 
#15 ·
Full suspension, lots of options for farkles, weight, power, two up capable with luggage options, and similarities across multiple years were my factors for consideration. The decision was down to the V2 or the S10. My takeaway was the s10 had better highway manners and I really liked that is a shaftie. The V2 has a definite weight advantage, but then there’s the chain to fool around with. The s10 is more money than the strom but it has some standard kit that you don’t get on the Strom. Because I had a wee in the past that was a good experience, I was slightly tilted to the Suzuki. I could have gone with the s10 and been happy as well.

Fuel consumption was never a factor. My truck averages about 15 mpg combined city/highway so most any motorcycle that I was considering would be at least double or triple that. Minor annoyance though is the 91 octane requirement.

Insurance not a factor at all. I only get liability coverage so it hovers around $100 per year regardless of the bike
 
#16 ·
.......I only get liability coverage so it hovers around $100 per year regardless of the bike......
Side Note:

IMHO You should also carry as much 'Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage' that you can afford.
Just ask me how I know!!!
 
#18 ·
I wanted an adventure bike. I was a bit squeamish about the rumors of maintenance and lack of parts availability for the European options. Super Tenere felt too high and too big... made me nervous just throwing a leg over it and lifting it off the side stand in the showroom. The KLR was too small and not available in 1000cc (planned on plenty of 2-up interstate). Although I didn't look at the Tiger initially, I did have an opportunity to ride one a year or so after purchase.

So reputation and parts availability were big factors for me. The V-Strom Adventure (including the added cost for the factory accessories) being 3/4 the price of the others didn't hurt either.

I wanted the design updates that were only available on the 2014+, so used was not an option. There was 1 used unit available at the time (300 miles away), but the seller wanted basically the same price as I could get on a new leftover... Suzuki was offering 0% financing at the time, so any price difference was easily negated by the lack of interest payments.

Hope you're back on the road soon...
 
#21 ·
I have heard that the KTM needs valve adjustments ALL the time and a close friend of mine owns a BMW and his nickname is B broken M motorcycles W world wide. That is where the reliable question came from .
New KTM 790 has much longer maintenance intervals than the Strom, so far they are proving to be overall damn reliable too. I’m on my 3rd Strom because they are simply great motorcycles and one of the more reliable, not very exciting yet not boring either......”tons of accessories” to make them your own.
 
#22 ·
I wanted a bike I could park anywhere and it would still be there when I returned, the Strom fitted !!

After a few months of ownership I worked out it was so much more.
 
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#24 ·
Another issue

With the increasing popularity of computer-controlled vehicles, the possibility of hacking grows as well:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...arned-to-fight-cyber-carjackers-idUSKBN1W517K

When a computer controls your brakes, your throttle, your suspension, and even your ignition, and the system includes external access like Bluetooth, you may not be in control of your vehicle.

Complexity and reliability are usually inversely proportional. The more complex, the less reliable. Other than the issue of age, my old BMW Airhead, with electronic ignition and carbs, was stone reliable. I wonder about a 2019 R1200 RT in 2050.
 
#29 ·
...... Complexity and reliability are usually inversely proportional. The more complex, the less reliable......
I prefer the KISS design principle in most all things.
 

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#28 ·
"I was a bit squeamish about the rumors of maintenance and lack of parts availability for the European options."

Oh, you mean like the engine mount bolts that fell out of friends Benelli or the wait time for rear main seal parts for the Stelvio since no parts were warehoused in the US?
 
#33 ·
For me it was accidental. I'm only in my third season of riding, started on a Yamaha V-Star 650. I loved riding, but didn't love the foot forward riding position on the V-Star, and it's hard to find decent luggage for a small cruiser. Since I didn't have the experience to know for certain what I wanted next, I was looking for the first affordable bike (so I wouldn't be out much if it was the wrong bike as well), with lockable luggage and an upright riding position that put my feet underneath me. First one that came up was my 07 Wee, about 60km from my home. I planned to ride it for a year or so then deal it for a different style of bike until I found what I'm happy with. In eight days it will be one year since I got it. I've ridden it 23,000km so far, including a four day solo tour around northern Ontario (north of Lake Superior) and a couple of weekend trips with my Darling Bride on the back. Also a few (very few) off road kilometers. There are no current plans to deal the bike, it's staying with me for the foreseeable future.
 
#36 ·
Rider for 40 years, I wanted another adventure bike. Had a 1000 Versys, too much bike for me. Had a 650 Versys, meh...I bought a 2009 V-Strom and am really liking it. Much more fun to ride than the 650 Versys, feels bigger and more sure footed (Opinion).

I may by a newer model now that I know they are a solid machine. We'll see...
 
#38 · (Edited)
Truthfully I bought my 2002 Dl1000 because it met my main criteria which is low cost.
I made a rule for myself that I’d never spend more than a grand on a motorcycle and have managed to stick to that over the years.(I think I inherited my folks depression era mentality, you pay cash, I’m convinced the subprime debacle was compounded by idiots taking second and third positions to finance their Harley’s and jet skis)As much as I love bikes, they’re just not 15k things to me and I always get a kick out of screaming by the clowns in Halloween costumes on their financed Harley crap on my vintage rat rides. (who’s the fool who thought it was a good idea to put one air cooled cylinder behind another? It was designed in the 30’s? Oh..) I had a Johnny Popper John Deere tractor and it sounded just like a Harley, ridiculous.
Anyway, I’m incredibly happy with the Strom and plan to keep it for many years. It’s kind of homely and tattered but I ain’t looking at it, I’m riding it !
 
#39 ·
I truly enjoy trips with my wife, but when I do I ride knowing that I'm caring precious cargo. More careful, more conservative.

My wife actually arranged the financing for my first V-Strom. And with a proper seat (Shad Comfort seat in my case) and top case with back rest, it is every bit as comfortable for her as my ST1300 was with it's custom seat.
 
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