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V-Strom Off-road?

41K views 22 replies 18 participants last post by  OfirMX 
#1 · (Edited)
I know the V-Strom is billed as a dual sport. How well does it handle offroad? I am not talking about anything lite. Ruts, mud, gravel, hills, etc.

Wish I had a picture of this road but I know a spot that is a mud/gravel road with a big rut and a hairpin turn going downhill (with a cliff on the side of the road). My Jeep can handle it and maybe a KLR250 or KLR650, just wondering if a V-Strom could handle it. If anyone in south east Tennessee want to test it out I linked it below. I can't go here to often because of gas (until I find a motorcycle). Just don't steal my gold. :mrgreen:

Twisty road:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.187137,-84.392767&num=1&t=m&z=14&iwloc=near

Edit: As a warning don't go down in there during or just after a rain unless you are REALLY good with slick muddy roads. There are places with bedrock over the road that are slick when it rains.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Xaero: There's a search function right under the blue header bars. Learn to use it. Your question has been asked and answered lots. I'm not trying to be a butt, just trying to be helpful. Here are a couple threads to read:

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650-2004-2011-[-wee-strom-]/75526-dirt-gravel-mud-question.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/2476-dl650-vs-dr650-offroad-performance.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650-2...0-dl650-off-road-capable-should-put-rest.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl-1000-[-vee]/27500-dl-1000-off-road-capabilities.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650-2004-2011-[-wee-strom-]/9194-newbie-why-offroad-capable.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650-2004-2011-[-wee-strom-]/47169-off-road-rough-road-mods-dl650.html

http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl650-2004-2011-[-wee-strom-]/43949-do-not-enjoy-taking-wee-offroad.html



Plenty of opinions. Enjoy your reading. I put 10,000 miles in a TW200, moved up to a DR350 and then added the Wee to the stable. The DR see's very little use anymore, I'm always exploring off pavement on the Wee in central Oregon. Heading for a week's worth of offroad riding in Moab in May. Others never take theirs off road. To each his own.

Tim
 
#22 · (Edited)
I know how to search. However I have to post questions and be part of a community that I am not a part of yet before I can become a part of the community.

Clear as mud? :mrgreen:

Lots of good information here! The V-Storm may be a bad choice to go down that road or others like it here in Tennessee (the curves on that road are brutal). Maybe I will try to trade my Jeep for a KLR650 instead (or Suzuki DR 650, thanks for that info!). I am unlikely to find a V-Strom unless it has 80k miles or more anyway.
 
#5 ·
Other than an occasional dry dirt road, don't try it! Get a true trail bike like a Suzuki DR 650 if you want to do off road. The Vstrom is a long distance touring bike.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Just a quick clarification: Off road is not the same as dirt roads.

Off road (as in no road at all): The Strom is definitely not suited for that; too heavy and hard to maneuver with real obstacles.

Dirt roads: The Strom can handle those just as good as any other big adventure bike (BMW GS1200, KTM990, Triumph Tiger, etc) as long as you set it up properly and have the right riding skills. A suspension upgrade always comes handy since the Strom is on the lower end (as in lower quality components) of adventure bikes.


Have fun and ride safe.



(today I'm riding this dirt route in preparation for longer ADV trips)
 
#7 ·
I went on a ride a few years ago with my KTM 640ADV. Two guys on Vstrom 1000's were also on the ride. We started on a groomed gravel road. 50mph, 50 mph, 70 mph -- couldn't shake them.

Then we got on a jeep road which had some sticks, stones, and ruts. No real mud. I thought I would lose them for sure. After a little bit I look in the mirror, and there they are! I twisted it a little and never did shake them. Although I didn't want to go REAL fast since I was loaded with luggage.

We were all fully loaded for camping. One Strom had street tires, the other had TKC80's - I had D908's (dual sport knobbies) on.

The one rider claimed he liked the Vee better on dirt roads than the Wee.
 
#8 ·
It is ok ... to a point....

Forrest Roads that are reasonably not bolder filled are fine but if you get in the real heavy stuff and mud...when you go over you will be happy you have a partner with you to help pick it up...you are riding in a pair right?

First real off road trip I did I came back with some scratched paint and a bruised pride but I was alright... though next time around it will be knobby tires, better foot pegs and boots for the area I was lucky my street boots did not have the bike come down on my ankle ...BUT... I took heed to the warning the first time I went down

For occasional off-road on 'decent forest roads' you are fine... if you plan to do a lot of it the DR might be better...but hey.. if you want to do it go for it it is your bike and your ride...all we can do is share stories and opinions here :headbang:
 
#9 ·
Took my new Vee of the "brick" road here in N FL...last time I didn't make it on my goldwing, duh,..got 6 mi down and the soft sand got about 3+ inches deep....went off bike twice, once just an easy toss, second time I was high sided....no damage at all to the bike (took a shot to my ankle) but it took 100% effort just to get through it...still too much weight and non off-road tires....it's a great street bike that can go on light duty off-road stuff.....
 
#11 ·
Here's my first time off tarmac. Apparently I'm not allowed to call it "off-road" since there was no mud or tree roots! :fineprint:



Volcano Run Video
 
#12 ·
In a word....YES.

Now , as a guy that came from Dirt , I have little issue using my 1000 on "Jeep" trails. 550 pounds with gas.........whatever , my lunch today was half that. Do I have delusions that it is my KTM I used to own. Nope. It is not an "enduro" you whip through trees 36 inches apart. But set up with a few smart pieces (skid plate , crash bars , better off road suited tires...) it can be a trusted companion.

I will say this , I'm 6'4" and feel like a lot of guys don't want to deal with picking the bike up if it falls. That is not really something that I give much consideration to , as leaving the pavement has its own set of risk , which I accept. Great thing about Vstroms.........a little work in one direction and it is a competent sport bike , a little work in the other , a fun adventure bike. It's a great Canvas.

BTW Craneguy , nice shot!:thumbup:
 
#14 ·
#16 · (Edited)
Hey Randyo question for you as I'm going naked with my wee. Can you PM me any advice on how to set up an instrument cluster?

In response to the general thread I have to say that a good rider will do beautiful things with any bike. I've taken my Wee on jeep trails and tracks that are hardly considered a road (still not off-road enough for dirt bike purists) and I've gotten to know our limits. The biggest handicap for my wee, sadly, is me :banghead:

Knobbie tires make a difference in the mud but if there's too much of it it'll lock your front tire as there's not enough room to the fender. Low torque at low rpm also makes it a bit weak. It also could use a bit more clearance. I could go on with the center of gravity and who knows what else.

That wee is the one bike I have. I seem to be from another world and can only laugh when I hear the advice to just get a DR for the rough stuff. I pick it up when I drop it and if I can do it by myself at 5'8" and 165 lbs, pretty much anybody can.

If you're too concerned about the looks of your bike don't do gnarly stuff. You'll drop it and it will show. Have fun in your V-Strom. It's not the best at anything specific but it is the best at everything

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#17 ·
Hey Randyo question for you as I'm going naked with my wee. Can you PM me any advice on how to set up an instrument cluster?
its totally stock '99 nekid SV650 with oem Suzuki accessory flyscreen, KLR hand guards (I put them on before V-strom was on the market) and Pirelli MTR60-Corsa tires

I didn't have any problems going where the Honda XR and the KTM went, actually less problems than the KTM cause he had street tires, did have to pick my way a little more due to clearance

pic was taken somewhere near here



 
#19 ·
I have had my 06 Wee in many places many folks on this forum would automatically say no too! Point is....not my riding ability...or my lack of intelligence in trying to go somewhere I probably shouldn't....point is the Wee is far more capable than many, many, many folks give it credit for.

Having said that, practice "flipping" your Wee around...handling it, sliding it, shifting your weight around, left, right, back forward, twisting on your pegs, blah, blah, blah....

Yes, it is heavier than my WR400, but most any monkey can run a WR400 through the woods....as long as you can keep the front wheel on the ground....not everyone is willing to take a Wee or any other "pig" through the woods and trails, ruts, rocks, hills, etc.

Go forth and get dirty! and then when you fall over...muscle the baby back up (using your legs) and keep on going. I will now stop my rant/vent/pep talk!
 
#21 ·
Huh?

Just take your time and remember you're on 2 - mud is not your friend with a heavy bike. Every mud hole has high ground around it - learn to pick your path betwixt the trees.

Any disaster you learn from becomes an adventure - be safe!
 
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