[Mikepotter86]

Hello Everyone,
I have been riding for about 7 years and mostly on vintage and antique bikes. Lately, I have gotten into riding longer distances and camping trips, and I think it is time for a new bike to feed my long distance/adventure touring appetite.

For the last two years I have been piling the miles (10k/yr) on my 1972 R75/5 toaster, which is a wonderful bike, and has been extremely dependable, but I have noticed the following limitations:

1. Poor performance in high altitudes and temperatures
2. I come close to exceeding the GWTR with my weight 210 lbs, and my Gal's weight (100 +/-... I don't ask), so camping needs to be light.
3. Very expensive to replace certain cosmetic parts (pristine toaster tank), I would never forgive myself if wrecked the bike.
4. Limited cargo space while maintaining vintage looks
5. Limited dirt road ability
6. Poor fuel range (200 miles +/-)

In light of these issues, I have decided to supplement my collection of older bikes with something newer. I have heard rave reviews of the Vstrom since they came out.

Do you think that it is the right bike for me? If so, should I get a DL650 or a DL1000? Given my 2-up camping desires, I am leaning towards a DL1000.

I am going to be in the market for a used Strom either way, and my price range is <5k. What should I look for in terms of accessories? I know I want crash bars and bags, but which ones? What else?

Thanks Everyone!

Mike Potter



My current ride:
Bike Pr0n - Mike's 1972 R75/5 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Mikepotter86]

For reference, I am 6'3" so I don't anticipate the height of the bike being an issue for me.

 

[mikefryman]

300 plus gear. Nothing special except the CB and Russell Day Long. I prefer the DL1000.
Mike

 

[nhbubba]

I've been simply blown away by the fuel range on my new-to-me DL650. Consistently getting over 250 miles when the little gas pump thingie starts blinking. Only managed to get the bottom bar to blink once, indicating I could get a lot further.

300/tank seems entirely doable. I call that fantastic range!

 

[Mikepotter86]

300 plus gear. Nothing special except the CB and Russell Day Long.

Is CB the windscreen? Cee Bailey?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[PTRider]

The general consensus is that the 650 is a better bike in all respects except max power. If you'll be riding heavy, uphill, at max load, and high speed, you might feel a need for the 1000. And, only the 650 has ABS brakes on some years.

All the crash bars are OK. Altrider seem to be the pick of the litter. Pat Walsh Designs are a lesser known brand that are very good. Luggage -- your choice.

Other things -- you'll want to upgrade the front and rear springs to suit your loaded weight. Sasquatch does an excellent job of modifying the shock for better damping. The stock windscreen and seat are horrible. Upgrades are available for front brakes...better pads, different calipers, different master cylinder, depending on year. Richland Rick's foot peg lowering kit works well. His fork brace is very good, plus he has other good stuff.

 

[scotia]

I have loaded my 6'4 frame and my girlfriend on my 650 with hard bags and trunk...never had to get off and push
I'd stay clear of the stock bags though. They are a bit flimsy and the clamshell style opening is a pain in the a**.
Great bike, 52,000 kms on my 07 with nothing but brakes, tires (ditch the stock Trailwings after they wear out) etc.
Ride it for a while and see what mods you might like.....one guys improvement is anothers guys waste of money. ie. I have the dreaded stock seat, and it works just fine for me.

 

[tmcgee]

The DL650 has a dozen more HP than your R75/5, fuel injection, and is ignition mapped. In other words, it'll give you a lot more oomph. The DL1000 works too, but isn't going to give you the kind of fuel range you're getting now.

The DL650's GVWR is 925 pounds, the beemer is 880 pounds. The two bikes weigh about the same.

 

[Mikepotter86]

It would be nice to have a fuel gage in the middle of nowhere!
I figure the DL650 to have between 50 and 75 lbs higher capacity, which goes a long way in camping gear. I also am much more worried about overloading my BMW as it is 40 years old.

I know the forum might tend to be bias towards V-Stroms, but are there other bikes that I should consider? Most of the other bikes people rave about on ADVrider are much more expensive, keeping in mind my 5k budget.

Was it hard to get used to the top-heavy feeling?
The /5 feels very lightweight at low speeds due to the boxer engine.

 

[gryphon51]

I had, near as I can figure, almost 700 lbs of people gear and Camping stuff on the DL1000 on my camping trip.... I run a darkside rear tire with a 1400LB load capacity.....

I am 6'4" over 250 lbs before gear, the wife about 1/2 that plus gear.... She uses one side bag for her clothes... might as well have been filled with cement she had so much in it.... you can see by the pics the load i had on there..... low speed steering was gross, high speed it felt like a lumber wagon... but we did over 2500KM's in 8 days all over BC....

I am pretty sure this load would have killed a 650.....

 

[568v8]

Vee or Wee

If you enjoy vintage bikes and all the repairs necessary to keep them going maybe you won't like a Vstrom. ha ha

I've put 86.000km of trouble-free touring on my 2007 Vee, mostly solo but with my wife aboard for probably 15,000km

Tough decision between a Wee and a Vee and nobody has your answer. But, whatever your choice, you'll love it.

 

[nhbubba]

So I just googled the R75/5. Doode, that's way BC! (Before Colin; I'm 'Colin', btw.)

Yeah, don't look at me for comparison advice. Never even seen one of those in person.

I will say that fuel injection is a wonderful thing.

It would be nice to have a fuel gage in the middle of nowhere!

I'm new to my machine, but the gauge is not exactly the most accurate tool ever. The first bar takes nearly half my range, then the other four bars go quick. But I guess it's better than nothing.

Truth told I am using the trip to guestimate remaining range, just as I have with every bike I had before this.

I know the forum might tend to be bias towards V-Stroms, but are there other bikes that I should consider? Most of the other bikes people rave about on ADVrider are much more expensive, keeping in mind my 5k budget.

That's the catch isn't it?

Me, I was after a sport-tourer. Wasn't ready to go for a 10+ year old carb'ed machine, couldn't swing any of the newer, tech'ed out EFI machines. The 'strom is a cheap, easy option. As a bonus, it doesn't weigh 700 lbs.

Was it hard to get used to the top-heavy feeling?

I feel the top-heavy bit is over spun a bit. On the street the bike is pretty easy. Yeah, the saddles a little tall. But I feel like it's about on par with any UJM from the 70's or early 80's. Myself I learned on a '78 CB400 and the DL650 *feels* like less of handful. It *feels* like a middleweight 650. .. 'Magine that.

So no, not hard to get used to at all.

 

[greywolf]

My DL650 feels very much like my old R90S. The weight, horsepower, range and fuel economy are about the same. The newer bike is much more reliable and roomier though. There is a 5.8 gallon tank that will fit the toaster but that is only part of the equation.

 

[Mikepotter86]

Truth told I am using the trip to guestimate remaining range, just as I have with every bike I had before this.

You mean it has a trip odometer too? ... never had one of those before! This keeps getting better and better.

As for the R90S comment, that sounds like a good deal.

I would really like to test-ride one, but I can't seem to find a dealer that will let me. Any suggestions?

 

[jokermtb]

Was it hard to get used to the top-heavy feeling?
The /5 feels very lightweight at low speeds due to the boxer engine.

I really don't get the top heavy thang, with regards to the DL650. Sure, it's a big boned bike, but top heavy? I hardly think so, and when you factor in it's near effortless, bicycle easy handling at low speeds, I'd like to really ride a top-heavy bike to see what all the fuss is about.

I don't get it!

 

[nhbubba]

Not one, but two (2) trip odos! I currently have one reset every time I gas up and the other one set to the last time I swapped the oil. Sweet deal, eh?

I would really like to test-ride one, but I can't seem to find a dealer that will let me. Any suggestions?

None! I know of exactly one dealership in my area that permits test rides, and they didn't have anything that even looked like a 'strom in stock.

Maybe a local? Honestly I bought almost 100% based on reviews.

Some in other parts of the country report dealers being more test-ride friendly. But that isn't my experience.

 

[DougInKY]

I had, near as I can figure, almost 700 lbs of people gear and Camping stuff on the DL1000 on my camping trip.... I run a darkside rear tire with a 1400LB load capacity.....

I am 6'4" over 250 lbs before gear, the wife about 1/2 that plus gear.... She uses one side bag for her clothes... might as well have been filled with cement she had so much in it.... you can see by the pics the load i had on there..... low speed steering was gross, high speed it felt like a lumber wagon... but we did over 2500KM's in 8 days all over BC....

I am pretty sure this load would have killed a 650.....

Did your front tire even touch the ground with that big load behind the rear axle? All I can say is... Wow!

 

[Mikepotter86]

How significant is the difference in gas mileage between 02-06 and 07 and newer stroms?

 

[greywolf]

How significant is the difference in gas mileage between 02-06 and 07 and newer stroms?

There is no difference in the DL1000s.

The DL650s came out in 2004. They got tighter emissions controls in 2007 and run leaner. My 2007 gets about 5mpg more than my 2005 got in local driving at 60mph or less, 60mpg v. 55mpg.

 

[Mikepotter86]

Thanks for all the great info.
Any trouble spots I should look out for?
I am leaning towards a v-650 now.
What is an acceptable amount of miles to buy a used bike with?