Joined
·
438 Posts
Background:
I've been eying the wee strom for quite some time. It seems a good platform upon which to build a nice "3rd world cruiser." All of my biking in recent years has been international touring on local bikes (Enfields in India/Pakistan, a Chinese 150cc in XinXiang/Tibet, Honda nx4 Falcon in the Andes, Bajaj in Nepal, even a Nissan Patrol in Tajik, Kazak & Kyrgyzstan).
My trips tend to be three months or more in stretch, solo, always trying to stay in the mountains and always crossing high passes. The terrain ranges from tarmac (50%), endless stretches of washboard/gravel/sand (40%?) and a little bit of truly rough 4wd type terrain (10%) or jeep trail. This is almost always with a full load.
My first project with the strom will likely be Salt Lake to Panama and back. Then maybe Alaska and hopefully another Asia trip down through Africa when I can manage another 15 monther. I still have the Falcon in N. Chile.
Questions:
I have no doubt that the 2012 is a significantly more refined machine, but after seeing one at the shop, I am beginning to wonder if it is truly worth it. I have no doubt that a well farkeled 2011 could match a 2012 in nearly all categories.
For example, the 2012 has better suspension tuning, but given my uses, is it enough or would I really need to do both the forks & the shock? If so, will the suspension really be any different after farkling both?
I hope to re align the exhaust for more clearance & thus may need a power commander. Will an 11 w/the pwr cmndr feel just as good as the 2012 motor?
Is the windshield now good enough or will I just end up with a madstad bracket anyways?
Is the seat enough improved or will I end up with a Sargeant on either?
I am beginning to feel that other than looks & instruments an equally frakeled 11 will ride much like 2012 and the 12 will need all the farkles anyways.
So I guess I am wondering, just how much better is the new one realistically.
thoughts?
I've been eying the wee strom for quite some time. It seems a good platform upon which to build a nice "3rd world cruiser." All of my biking in recent years has been international touring on local bikes (Enfields in India/Pakistan, a Chinese 150cc in XinXiang/Tibet, Honda nx4 Falcon in the Andes, Bajaj in Nepal, even a Nissan Patrol in Tajik, Kazak & Kyrgyzstan).
My trips tend to be three months or more in stretch, solo, always trying to stay in the mountains and always crossing high passes. The terrain ranges from tarmac (50%), endless stretches of washboard/gravel/sand (40%?) and a little bit of truly rough 4wd type terrain (10%) or jeep trail. This is almost always with a full load.
My first project with the strom will likely be Salt Lake to Panama and back. Then maybe Alaska and hopefully another Asia trip down through Africa when I can manage another 15 monther. I still have the Falcon in N. Chile.
Questions:
I have no doubt that the 2012 is a significantly more refined machine, but after seeing one at the shop, I am beginning to wonder if it is truly worth it. I have no doubt that a well farkeled 2011 could match a 2012 in nearly all categories.
For example, the 2012 has better suspension tuning, but given my uses, is it enough or would I really need to do both the forks & the shock? If so, will the suspension really be any different after farkling both?
I hope to re align the exhaust for more clearance & thus may need a power commander. Will an 11 w/the pwr cmndr feel just as good as the 2012 motor?
Is the windshield now good enough or will I just end up with a madstad bracket anyways?
Is the seat enough improved or will I end up with a Sargeant on either?
I am beginning to feel that other than looks & instruments an equally frakeled 11 will ride much like 2012 and the 12 will need all the farkles anyways.
So I guess I am wondering, just how much better is the new one realistically.
thoughts?