[adh6501]

In my experience, yes - sounds (and occasionally feels) like it's going to shake itself apart. But, after a month with my new-to-me 2003 Vee, I'm getting used to it.

 

[Digger2]

Thanks for that

makes me feel better about it

 

[PeteW]

Think "Russian tractor" - if that's what it sounds like it's running right

Pete

 

[adh6501]

Update: I just (on my lunch hour) installed and test-rode a Power Commander III in my K3. Wow! It's still noisy, but waaaaaaay smoother at low RPMs and speeds, and so therefore less Russian tractor-like.

Thanks to the tall gearing and Toronto traffic, I rarely get out of first on my ride to work. Pre-Power Commander, it was pretty rough. Now it's smooth and silky (well, compared to before, anyway). Can't wait to get it out on the highway tomorrow morning!

:thumbup:

 

[sandman66]

Earplugs are your friend.

 

[superman]

my 03

sounds kinda like a gallon paint shaker.. but she has yet to come apart.. ride it like ya stole it

 

[jtberr]

My 04 650 was noisy and semi-rattley. Solid bike though, very dependable.

 

[hooligan]

Just got my '80 Yamaha XS650 back on the road. Ride one of those for a day, and you will think the DL-1000 is the smoothest riding bike you have ever been on. Chudder....what chudder? :mrgreen:

 

[bmccrary]

Sounds like a box a rocks...

Ive been around Cannondale (Motorcycles) and Aprilia SXV's... this thing is quiet compared to those. lol

1500 miles on mine in a week. Loved everyone so far. A few more adjustments to make to it and she will be perfect.

-bryan

 

[notmyfault]

Front cam chain tensioner is the culprit 90% of the time

 

[greywolf]

Front cam chain tensioner is the culprit 90% of the time

Not from the reports seen on V-Strom forums. Cam chain problems are rare. The reports can be counted on one hand. Just about all V-Sroms are reported to have noisy engines.

 

[larolco]

Just got my '80 Yamaha XS650 back on the road. Ride one of those for a day, and you will think the DL-1000 is the smoothest riding bike you have ever been on. Chudder....what chudder? :mrgreen:

I've owned both these bikes. They can both be made smoother than people would lead you to think.

With the Strom, pay attention to the chain/sprockets quality and tension. Makes a big difference. It's still going to hammer/rattle through the lower RPMs though. I haven't played with clutch basket mods, but some people say that eliminates a lot of the roughness. If it's reliability you're worried about, I'm at 100 000+ kms, no problems.

BTW: My XS was buttery smooth compared to the DL.

 

[Buffalo rider]

Clutch makes a lot of noise on mine. If at a light and i pull in the clutch lever it quiets down a lot.

 

[Stromin'Nroman]

Quiet, like cannonballs in a cement mixer..............

 

[notmyfault]

My 05 Strom, 01 TLR are both quiet as far as engine noise. But the bikes that come thru the door vary widely.