Second Ride?
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Squid
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 94
From: Jupiter, Florida
Second Ride?
I am thinking of adding a ride for longer distances. I love my Hawk but it can be a bit much after a couple of hours in the saddle. Does anyone out there have any experience with a Suzuki VStrom 1000 ? Kinda ugly but still a twin. They pass it off as a poor man's mulit-strada. Looks like lots of add-ons for touring. Open to thoughts. Remember, the Hawk stays for fun days. 
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
very nice bikes, great value too. If you give more specifics about the intended type of riding (and 1 up or 2) you'll probably get a lot more useful responses. There are a lot of other great bikes for sport-touring riding. Personally, when I think of the Vstrom, I think of it more as a poor man's GS1200 than multistrada. I was this close to buying one when at the last minute I found a good deal on a used K1200S - an absolute rocket ship sporttourer. you can still get honda blackbirds, busa's set up for sport touring, ZX1200, BMW boxers if you like twins, and the ST4/ST3 lineup is also nice. All these options used can be had at a pretty good price too.
good luck - post some specific needs and see what you get.
good luck - post some specific needs and see what you get.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
right now i've got the cruiser and the sport side handled...now i'm looking for something with (some) offroad capability and a decent range and the V-strom 1000 is one of my choices. due to KS laws, i've given up hope of converting a dirt bike to street legal (want an XR400 but not ready for dirt only committment)
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
From: Ranson, WV
One of the guys that I occasionally ride with has a VStrom 1000. He has put some serious miles on that thing with no problems. He's probably about 6'2" and average build with a injured back from Vietnam. It must be comfortable if he can ride like he does.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,051
From: Portland, Oregon
right now i've got the cruiser and the sport side handled...now i'm looking for something with (some) offroad capability and a decent range and the V-strom 1000 is one of my choices. due to KS laws, i've given up hope of converting a dirt bike to street legal (want an XR400 but not ready for dirt only committment)
the nice thing about the v-strom ( jap bikes in general ) you can get them cheaper & fit them to your liking or as extra cash becomes available... a bmw on the other hand would be the bike of choice ( if you had the bank
)tim
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
Before I even read your post I was gonna say "Add a DL1000!" Good all arounder... still fun in the twisties and at home on the scenic straights. Plus you can load them up with luggage. I had a '04 VFR before I bought my '05 VTR. It was a great bike, but it didn't do anything better than the hawk did... and it was cumbersome to work on.
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Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
someday i'd love to be able to strap what i need on a bike and be gone for months with no real destination...that's where that type of bike woudl shine
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Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
From: MI
A guy I ride with has a dl1000. He has 2-bros. pipes and it sounds as good as the hawk. He loves it. It has almost as much grunt as the hawk with some 2-up ability. NOT a dirt machine though. If anything other than a gravel 2-track is desired go real dirt. (A wee would do a fire lane.)
Remember stock is BAD!
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
From: Jacksonville FL
If you are talking about a bike that you can put lots of miles on, I would say ST1300 or FJR1300. I say this being a HUGE honda fan. I think that both of these bikes would give almost endless range, and all day comfort.
I have owned one bike before that had hard bags and it was great. I would go grocery shopping with it. In addition your passanger would love you as well.
I have owned one bike before that had hard bags and it was great. I would go grocery shopping with it. In addition your passanger would love you as well.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
Good fun! The last ST that was close to Italian Red was in the late 90's. I think the Silver ones are really cool. I also think the best looking Interceptors were the o3's in silver. If it weren't for their weight gain, cam drives and emission equipment that would be the machine for me.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Well the VStrom would be a rocking ride.
I am thinking about converting an XR650 to SuperTard form and put my CRF450R SuperTard back to Dirt Only form.
I wish Honda brought us the FMX650 like Europe has.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHjjZvlRVSY
I am thinking about converting an XR650 to SuperTard form and put my CRF450R SuperTard back to Dirt Only form.
I wish Honda brought us the FMX650 like Europe has.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHjjZvlRVSY
Last edited by Thumper; Dec 10, 2008 at 08:31 PM.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
I can ride my Super Hawk all day long with the stock seat... as long as the roads are twisty & I'm moving around on the seat. But after an hour on the slab, sitting in one spot, it gets tough on the butt.
Got a couple different friends who ride V-Strom 650s. They log a lot of mile on them & they don't get left behind on street rides by any means. I think they're ugly & tall, but they are good.
Got a couple different friends who ride V-Strom 650s. They log a lot of mile on them & they don't get left behind on street rides by any means. I think they're ugly & tall, but they are good.
On a Jonda, or a Hondo...
Squid
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 62
From: Fort Bragg/Fayetteville... for now
You can't go wrong with either of the 'Stroms, I'm seriously looking at the Wee as a replacement for my 'hawk eventually. One bike that can do a little bit of everything.
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