New "Adventure Touring" motorcycle

m1marty

m1marty

Joined
Sep 5, 2004
Messages
4,029
Picked up a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom today. I was looking for a high speed, comfortable "do it all bike" and after a ton of research- decided on the Suzook. 100k+ easy on the stock motors, tons of after-market stuff, fuel injected and no having to turn wrenches every time I ride like my other bikes. I knocked down approx. 54mpg today at a constant 70-75mph.
Couple of upgrades (heated grips, hand guards, tires, GPS mount, did the exhaust mod today) and an absolute riot to ride. I've owned a couple of metrics in the past but have been a relatively long time Harley rider so this will take some getting used to. Close to the same HP as some of my mild bikes but 200-400+ lbs lighter. And very nimble. To me it compares somewhat to the Buell line up in power and handling. But I can take this off-road onto logging trails and the like (did so today).
I have a few more mods in store like a skidplate, engine guards and soft bags.
BreasPictures056-1.jpg

BreasPictures057-1.jpg
 
Good choice! They have a devoted following for a good reason. The one that I've ridden was exceptional in its road manners.

Travis
 
I really like the bike and looked at buying one when I bought my KLR-650 Kawasaki.
Only reason I didn't was I've rode others with similar seating and found they are uncomfortable on my knees after a few hours. The Kaw has a more straight up seating and is designed more towards off road, but that Sukuzi has one of the best motors in a mid-size bike ever. It's still a bike I may own someday, even if my knees are cramped a bit.
 
Cool ride, m1marty! Did you get the baby V-Strom, or the big 1000cc bike?

I've been riding cruisers for years, and just recently have been seriously thinking about getting something different like a Suzy V-Strom or Triumph Tiger. I know the V-Strom has a very strong following and is very popular with its owners.
 
I agonized over the choice between a V-Strom and a Kawasaki Concours a number of years ago. I ultimately went with the Connie because it came with hard luggage and was lower tech. It isn't great in dirt though! I have a Russain Ural sidecar rig for that.:cool:
 
Congratulations, Marty!

Engine guards are a very good idea.
I have them on both my bikes....for a reason ;)
 
Thanks for the post. I am taking the MSF foundation at the end of this month so I've been having a good time surfing for moto info.
 
mdauben said:
Cool ride, m1marty! Did you get the baby V-Strom, or the big 1000cc bike?

I've been riding cruisers for years, and just recently have been seriously thinking about getting something different like a Suzy V-Strom or Triumph Tiger. I know the V-Strom has a very strong following and is very popular with its owners.
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It looks like a 650 on the back panel.
 
She's a real beauty, congratulations. I've owned Suzies for 30 years, got my first in GS1000 in 1978, It was funny. Nobody knew that first summer (it seemed) that Suzie built a 1000, and I was happy to say it surprised a number of Kaw owners in some friendly local races. That 78 suzie would beat anything on two wheels with me onboard (I was terribly skinny in those days). But the bike you've got is so much better in several ways: gas mileage, simplicity (2 cyl vs. 4) fuel injection, handling... Good for you. Hope ya really enjoy it and drive defensively.
 
mdauben said:
Cool ride, m1marty! Did you get the baby V-Strom, or the big 1000cc bike?

I've been riding cruisers for years, and just recently have been seriously thinking about getting something different like a Suzy V-Strom or Triumph Tiger. I know the V-Strom has a very strong following and is very popular with its owners.
Click to expand...
This is the 650 "Wee-Strom" I test rode a 1000 and the 650 before I decided the 650 was the winner. Handles better (though I have set the suspension up to my likes) has plenty of pull (I can clutch up the front in 2nd with out thinking about it) cruises all day at 75 and knocks down good mileage. The 650 seems to sell better than the 1000 for whatever reason. So far, 342 miles and I'm having a blast.

The Strom seems to have a better support network(factory and aftermarket) than the TT but the Tigers are very very nice. I'd like to own one one day as well as a BMW Dakar.
 
Congrats! Nice new ride.:thumbup:
I wish they still made the Bandit in a 650. That one was always one of my favorites. One of these days I'll get my hands on an older one.
 
m1marty said:
The Strom seems to have a better support network(factory and aftermarket) than the TT but the Tigers are very very nice. I'd like to own one one day as well as a BMW Dakar.
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That's true. Right now I think the nearest Triumph dealer to me is 50-60 miles away, while there are 2-3 Suzi dealers within a 20 minute drive. I'd love to own one of the big BMW adventure touring bikes, but at twice the cost of the V-Strom it's hard to justify. :o
 
Hmmmmmm.... Logging roads..Slick tires...Hmmm.. It'd have to be the best maintained and groomed logging road I've ever seen,not to eat shit in about 2 seconds after even the most gentle braking.How DO you manage?
No disrespect intended, but after 14 years of enduro's on logging roads with full knobbies (and plenty of endo's) i shudder at the thought of taking that bike as pictured onto a logging road.
 
deltasurfrattler said:
Hmmmmmm.... Logging roads..Slick tires...Hmmm.. It'd have to be the best maintained and groomed logging road I've ever seen,not to eat shit in about 2 seconds after even the most gentle braking.How DO you manage?
No disrespect intended, but after 14 years of enduro's on logging roads with full knobbies (and plenty of endo's) i shudder at the thought of taking that bike as pictured onto a logging road.
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Pics don't show it too well but- the tread is pretty deep on those tires. Good bit of space between the lugs as well. They're not a full on MX tire but handle fairly well in the rough stuff. I've been riding for most of my life- off-road since I was five. While I am much faster on my built XR600R- I can clip along pretty good on this as well. Wheel-spin is a bit of a problem- it never stops.
 
Hey marty, I am guessing the "PNW" location means pacific northwest? If so, what are the rules for passage through these logging roads?In California there are various emissions and spark arrestor issues on a two stroke bike we must take care of prior to riding fire roads and the like.I am overseas now (Japan) and lovin' it due to the lax (zero!) laws regarding right to ride.It's so disgustingly humid over here that if you TRIED to light a fire in the forest it probably wouldn't work out.I will be heading back to live in another month or so and am reluctant to find out all the required (but probably necessary rightfully so) info. Any problems with your XR that the law had you change/modify? I'm a 2 stroke lover but they are quickly becoming dinosaurs,sadly.
 
deltasurfrattler said:
Any problems with your XR that the law had you change/modify? I'm a 2 stroke lover but they are quickly becoming dinosaurs,sadly.
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Nope. Mine is a Colorado plated bike. Spark arrestor (made it myself;)) and valid plate gets me all over this state (WA). If your bike is not plated- it neeeds ORV tags. I think there's a noise limit as well but I've never had issue with the FMF that's on mine.
 
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