Hello. On an extremely warm winter day in December I loaded my 2019 Africa Twin in the back of my truck, hauled it to my favorite dealer and traded it in for a brand new 2018 v-strom 1000 xt. It will be 4 months before I get to take it for a ride and I will be counting down the days. For a little back ground, my love for motorcycles started with my very first ride on my honda 50z. Some kids have those when they are 4, I think I was 9 but none the less, I was hooked. So over the next few decades I went through as many motorized toys as I could afford, which means not nearly enough. I started on the street on a 1976 kawasaki 400, it cost me $200, it was beat up and ugly but I didn't care. I was 16 and I was ridding. Most 16 year olds bought a car, I bought a motorcycle. I kept trying to have a motorcycle whenever I could but sometimes life just wouldn't allow it. But when life did allow the bikes kept getting better. I was able to own dual purpose, cruiser, sport bikes and ADV bikes. In spring of 2019 I bought a new Africa Twin. At the time I was coming from a KLR, picking up the brand new Africa Twin was like a dream come true. Over the summer I put over 10000km on that bike and I can say lots of great things about that bike but there were several things I was unhappy about. So I am hoping the v-strom is going to be the bike I bond with for a long time. I want a bike that can go comfortably down gravel roads, the odd trail down to a sweet spot on the river but not any extreme off roading. I found that I am at a point in my life were I can do more touring. So I don't want a 21" front tire that makes the bike flick like molasses. I want a bike that rails through the twisties and still gets me away from the crowd once in a while. My africa twin was having problems, so I want a bike with proven reliability rather than a motor that was designed 4 years ago. I want a bike that offers these things without spending 20 to 30 grand. I think my new v-strom is that bike. When the cold, dark days of winter are over, I will find out. For now I wait. Sign up to stromtrooper and talk to some experts on the subject.
Welcome Tim. Since I'm soooo much closer to the equator here is Winnipeg, I might be back on the road in 3 1/2 months. I liked the AT on a 30 min. demo ride. The Vee engine was certainly designed more than 4 years ago. Great Xmas present!
I left Canada (ON) in my mid 20's. Rode to California and stayed. Love both countries and do love to visit Canada. I'm outed on occasion with my oots and aboots.
You are correct. I am very close to saskatoon. Just figuring out how to use this forum. I just edited my details to show saskatchewan. The forum comes up quite different on my iphone than it does on my computer.
saskatoon and regina are like springfield and shellbyville or dog river and wullerton but Regina is home to Allsport sales, my favorite toy store in Saskatchewan. That makes it worth the visit every time
Welcome aboard Tim. Sounds like you made the right decision on a bike. You won't be disappointed. If you're considering a long trip this spring, there's a Spring Ride to the Ironhorse Lodge in North Carolina coming up in May.
Stay tuned!
Larry
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