[Easy Flyer]

Howdy,

A little background on me,

My last bike was an '05 ST1300, great sport tourer, did a great long 10k km tour on it in 2009, then it sat around, I sold it in 2010... I do miss it, and riding in general...

I have been aware of the V-Strom ever since it was introduced back in '02, at the time I had a '97 TL1000S, which was one heck of a HOOLIGAN bike, great for all around riding, hooliganism and track-days (which I did and am glad I lived through) the 996cc v-twin engine was an absolute blast, mine dynoed at 117hp at the wheel (k&n, power commander, Ivan's TRE and Yoshimura Slipons were the only power mods)

The bike was a mixed bag mechanically however, and in the end, the tranny came apart and locked the real wheel at speed, luckily the bike stayed upright... however I never wanted to touch the TLS or its derivatives since....

Now, nearly a decade later, my riding style has changed a LOT, I like sport-touring, and the DL-1000 seems to have developed a reputation for being reliable, and it got me thinking about the V-Strom.

Which brought me here and maybe I can find some of the answers I seek.

Now, a general Q: Is the DL-1000 a good fun all around bike with a bit of fun built in? I'm looking for a machine that is great for a day ride, enjoy the scenery, but also flick through some good corners, some highway, lots of back-road fun, and most likely, when no one is watching a wheelie or two.... (in the future, I would like to do a Cross-Canada ride on my next machine... the ST1300 did it in comfort, hopefully the DL1k would be up to the task) The ST was not bad for just fun riding, but at 736lbs wet, it was quite heavy to toss around in the corners... just too much *sport-TOURING* for the occasional riding I did on it.....

I have "access" to a '01 FZ1, which is great for most riding I do on it, but its main caveat is in the comfort dept, the FZ1 engine vibrates too much for my liking, it starts to hurt my hands after a few hours, and after 1/2 a day on it I'm ready to get off and not look at it for a week... good thing its not mine (a good friend of mine lets me borrow it whenever I want, as long as he's not planning on riding it that day )

Once I get my own bike again, the FZ1 friend would be my riding buddy again. (when I had my TLS, he rode with me on his ZX7, so we had a well matched set of bikes)

Would the DL1000 be a good companion to ride with the FZ1?
Could it at least *almost* keep up in the twisties and maybe a few straights?
My riding buddy is really set against the DL1k btw... he thinks the FZ1 will out-pace it easily in all situations....

I should toss in that I am not in any way or form interested in off-roading the DL. A gravel road is as much as off-pavement I'm willing to get, tried it on the FZ1, could not get back on pavement soon enough.

Another DL1k Q: This clutch "shudder" I'm hearing about, how common is it on the Vee Strom? and when looking at a used bike, how can I tell if its got it with out riding it?

How well does the DL1k respond to a few power mods, Power commander, K&N, slipons? ATRE?

Are there any major changes to the DL1000 from 2002 on? I noticed that the windscreen has changed in '04 I think, anything else?
Any things to look out for in the early V-Stroms?

I know that for my next bike I'd like a comfy and fun bike, some sportiness plus a helping of comfy riding, should do it. (the previous bike to my ST1300 was a Valkyrie, which was another great bike, but was missing that sporty spark I've been looking for... hence why I tried the ST next)

I have also thought about the Bandit 1250, would it be a better choice for what I'm looking for?....
it, and the V-Strom have been the two main models I have been considering.
Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas are welcome.

One last thing:
Are there any riders in South-Western Ontario that would not mind showing me their Vee Strom? I have yet to see one on the road.

Easy Flyer

 

[eye.surgeon]

Now, a general Q: Is the DL-1000 a good fun all around bike with a bit of fun built in? I'm looking for a machine that is great for a day ride, enjoy the scenery, but also flick through some good corners, some highway, lots of back-road fun, and most likely, when no one is watching a wheelie or two....
Easy Flyer

Yes

Would the DL1000 be a good companion to ride with the FZ1?
Could it at least *almost* keep up in the twisties and maybe a few straights?
Easy Flyer

Depends on who's riding the FZ1. Either bike will exceed the skills of most riders. On the track with a skilled rider the FZ1 will eat your lunch. On the street with typical riders, the bikes will match. They tend to attract different types of riders though, I think you should be more concerned about whether the riders will match rather than the bikes.

Another DL1k Q: This clutch "shudder" I'm hearing about, how common is it on the Vee Strom? and when looking at a used bike, how can I tell if its got it with out riding it?
Easy Flyer

Common, and you can't tell without riding it.

How well does the DL1k respond to a few power mods, Power commander, K&N, slipons? ATRE?
Easy Flyer

Not well at all. There's little power to gain for the $. V-Strom riders tend to be more into functional farkles for adventure riding rather than go-fast mods.

I have also thought about the Bandit 1250, would it be a better choice for what I'm looking for?....
Easy Flyer

kinda sounds like it. If sporty day rides are your thing and you're riding with sport bikes. If adventure touring/sport touring is your thing the Vee is great and so is the Wee. Your ride across Canada would be right up the V-Strom's alley. Read one of the many Vee vs Wee posts, you're starting out assuming you need the Vee which is a common and often false assumption for those new to V-Stroms.

 

[barryg]

I've never ridden the Vee...only the Wee. I didn't want the Vee b/c I thought it was too big and b/c it shared the same engine as the SV1000 (which I owned for 3 years). The SV's engine to me was kinda annoying with it's "whistling and chatter". The Wee Strom's 650 is so much more refined yet it still makes no mistake about being a v-twin.

But no, the 650 won't have the grunt of a the 1000, Bandit 1250 or FZ1....but it's still plenty quick just not that league. I have a CBR1100XX when I want that but I live the Wee Strom's v-twin personality the best most of the time. Oh and it's super comfortable.

 

[kitesurfer]

I love my bandit...but the this strom forum is a better 'brotherhood' than THE bandit site.

 

[Easy Flyer]

Thanks for the good info thus far

I am quite certain that the Vee would do well for me.
I don't want to get into a Wee vs Vee thread, I know both are great bikes, I'd pick the Vee myself, mainly because I am familiar with the engine having had a TLS b4, and I will admit I am a bit power hungry when it comes to bikes, I want the bike to have some power to excite.

Now, speaking of power, the DL1k, how does it compare power wise to say a ST1300? (how is the handling compared to the ST as well? )

And, same question, DL1k power & handling vs the Bandit 1250?

Also, I am not looking to spend a lot on the bike, so I would be looking at older V-Stroms, '02 - '04 seems to be in the price range. Is there anything to look out for on those older Stroms?

Thx
Easy Flyer

 

[mikefryman]

Don't do off road, but I use it as a touring machine.
Mike

 

[EC90T]

The Vee is more than capable as a all arounder. It's plenty comfortable and has a reasonable amount of power. The Vee is one of those motorcycles that does everything well, but nothing exceptional.

The FZ-1 will flat run off and leave a Vee in any circumstance that resembles handling, acceleration, and braking. The state of tune of the DL engine is that of bottom end and midrange power with very little above 7,500rpms.

I would highly suggest searching one out for a test ride. It may just very well suite your needs.

 

[Easy Flyer]

The more I think about it, the more I come to the same conclusion that the V-Strom may do exactly what I want, now I just have to find a local one that I can check out myself.

There are a few dealers within a few hours drive that have new ones, unfortunately Canadian dealers do not allow test rides, so just sitting on the bike is all I will have to go on.

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!

Easy Flyer

 

[Marty]

Howdy,

Would the DL1000 be a good companion to ride with the FZ1?
Could it at least *almost* keep up in the twisties and maybe a few straights?
Easy Flyer

I own a '04 FZ1 that has seen 1000+ mile days solo and 800+ mile days two up. I have road a V Strom and would like own one someday. If you think that the Fizzy is buzy, you are going to really hate the V Strom!

As far as a V Strom keeping up with a FZ1 on a straight section of road, not a chance! In the twisties its more rider skill. That said the FZ1 has way better brakes, way better suspension, more cornering clearance, 17" rims front and back, and way more power. Unless the Strom rider has superior skilz then, once again not a chance.

There are lots of things that the Strom is better at the a Fizzy but, speed on paved roads isn't one of them.

 

[Cascade Wanderer]

"As far as a V Strom keeping up with a FZ1 on a straight section of road, not a chance!"

Hmmmm. I think that depends more on how far above the speed limit we're talking about! :mrgreen: At reasonable highway speeds, they're both doing the same pace. So is the giant Harley, the guy on the Gold Wing and the fellow on the little GS500... Top speed really doesn't matter in the real world, on public roads.

 

[Big B]

Concours 1400....................:yesnod:

 

[Dirt_Dad]

A DL1000 keeping up with a FZ1...ever? :green_lol:

I had a 2005 FZ1. The thing would do 0-90 in first gear in about 3 seconds. No DL1000 is going to touch a FZ1 for straight line speed.

That said, the Vee is a very fun bike. I would say an excellent complement to a FZ1. The two don't overlap that much. The Vee gives a good adrenaline rush through the twisties at much lower speeds. Plus you can tour in greater comfort all day. Keep the FZ1 for when you want acceleration so fast it's confusing.

 

[Rick123]

Where about are you? I'm in Mississauga and traveling a lot on my Vee... ( I do have 6th gen. Honda VFR800 - much better bike - as well, and I have not rode it since I had got V Strom). Already #2.