What bike is better or equal to a V-Strom 650?

[backwoodsKLR]

Just sold my 2004 Wee with 44K+ miles on it and bought a 2013 Tiger 800XC. Is it a better bike? For my riding style and planned trips and such, YES. For your situation? Only you can decide...

[Nookie]

I just bought an 04 wee with 9000 miles on it recently for $3000.00. I'd love to have a new bad ass Triumph but I just can't justify spending the money for what I'd use it for. I've got a Buell Uly XT for blasting around the southwest U.S where I live but I wanted the cheapest most reliable bike I could find for the money to cross the border into Mexico or other out of the way places. When I'm in the middle of nowhere I'd don't want to have to find a Buell or Triumph part . I'm looking for inexpensive reliability. Peace of mind. What other motorcycle gives you that for the price? This bike isn't a dirt monster, but it will get you down and back any reasonable dirt road for damn near as far as you want to go. So I can't think of a single motorcycle that could compare to the wee based on that criteria.

[elgato gordo]

Well a close second cousin and maybe have $2K into it.

Junkyard SV650

[BikeMan]

1982 GS650..

[Wulf]

At the same price point, there isn't really anything better or even the same as a V-Strom. I am sure a Triumph, BMW or others are better in certain areas but they also cost more. It's like comparing a Honda Accord with a BMW 5-series at twice the price. You can buy a well used (and abused) more premium bike at the same price you can a buy a brand new Strom. I like new.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by amk

What bike is better or equal to a V-Strom 650?

• More than 1 pot
• Comparable reliability, no “known issues”
• Price is equal, OK, may be 10% more
• has to be readily available

f800, triumph 800 and the like, versys do not meet the criteria above.

What the hell does "more than 1 pot" mean? Plane of Tranquility?

You will not find any bike that compares in terms of reliability/low cost of ownership/price. You have already crossed off everything that is near the same category, so it seems that a 2012 strom is the only choice unless you want to make some crazy custom, like combining two junked bikes (a cb500 motor into an xr650l frame).

The cb500 may be of interest to you or if you can get a modern Transalp in Canada.

Originally Posted by RED CAT

Pretty well every Adventure Bike is better than the VStrom/WeeStrom except in price..

...or in reliability/cost of ownership. Nothing really beats a JP bike in terms of reliability and low cost of ownership. The Triumph is probably closest to a strom in that regard, but still a fair bit off. Yes, the euro bikes are way better than they use to be in that regard, but still not nearly as hassle free as a JP made bike.

If the JP makers were to offer a modernized Africa Twin style, then the strom would lose its place as the sensible mid sized JP ADV bike, but until then, it is the only choice if you want bulllet proof reliability/ low cost of ownership.

[Pecha72]

I think Honda Transalp XL700V was pretty damn near the DL650 in most areas, even its price was almost equal, at least back where I live. And it's FI. Too bad they decided to quit making them, right now actually. Not sure if they were even available in the US.

Not to say the new lineup NC700X/CB500X will not cut it, but they are way more street-oriented.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by Pecha72

I think Honda Transalp XL700V was pretty damn near the DL650 in most areas, even its price was almost equal, at least back where I live. And it's FI. Too bad they decided to quit making them, right now actually. Not sure if they were even available in the US.

Not to say the new lineup NC700X/CB500X will not cut it, but they are way more street-oriented.

The late model TransAlp never made it to the USA. The nc700x simply does not cut it compared to the strom in any capacity other than a city commuter (and not really even at that). The cb500x might make a decent alternative for a small gal/guy compared to a vStrom, but for most guys I'd probably recommend a versys.

[Evenflo76]

Originally Posted by amk

That is winter here in Alberta, Canada. About 20 cm. of snow, temperature is fluctuating around -10C, the bike (DL650 K7) is parked till after the snow melts, April, next year. There is a lot of time for useless thinking and mind bending exercises.
Here is an example:
What bike is better or equal to a V-Strom 650?
Comparison’s criteria are:

• More than 1 pot
• Upright relaxed sitting position
• Curb mass 220 kg or less
• Comparable reliability, no “known issues”
• Some wind protection
• Central stand is available
• 400 km. range or more
• Runs on standard
• 5 l/100 km or better
• Price is equal, OK, may be 10% more

A bike has to meet all criteria simultaneously.

It might be not from current production lines, but has to be readily available. For example Honda transalp is rare and old in Canada, like 20 years old, so it is out.

f800, triumph 800 and the like, versys do not meet the criteria above.

Honda NC700 is excluded due to its strange design and pervert nature.

Does that belong to Jo momma?

Leftover dl-1000 are selling for less than new 650 here in USA. They suffer worse milage, but have 40 more horsepower and meet all the other requirements!

I win!

[BikePilot]

And a DL1000 will do as good or better mileage for high speed freeway work.

A Buell Uly is also worth a look. Pretty good on gas. No center stand, but no point in one either More fun to ride, handles dramatically better, much better suspension and brakes. Mine hasn't broken in 30k miles. Some goofy stuff you gotta correct right off when you get one (free), but take care of those and stick to an '09 or newer and there's not much at all to go wrong as far as I can tell.

Another one worth a close look is the air cooled multistrada. Not quite as good on gas, but a blast to ride.

[keystiger]

Originally Posted by 2tallnwide

I was looking at getting a wee until this popped up....



It's an '05, I've got less than $5 grand in it, it's an awesome bike that's been a hoot to ride.

Almost bought a new Tiger in '05, but got a GS instead, so the Tiger remained on my motorcycle bucket list. Now that it's checked off, I'm glad I got the GS then, but happy with the Tiger now considering my circumstances.

Unlike you (if I wasn't 6'4" 330lbs) I'd be all over that new Honda 700x. Although I'd have to take a hard look at a Scrambler too, and, and, and...



It's a great time to be in the market for a motorcycle, new or used...

Agreed and x's2 These are wonderful bikes can be had for cheap and are a BLAST to ride. Owned 28 bikes in 33 years of riding. This is the only one I still have and will NOT be getting rid of.

[10/10ths]

....and thank me ten years from now after you have ridden the globe with zero problems and super low operating costs.




Just buy the freaking V-Strom and don't look back.

[keystiger]

Sure get the Strom cause Tigers never make it around the globe.
http://poorcirculation.blogspot.com

[zuma]

I'd suggest a Yamaha TDM 900, but you can't get 'em in the US; poor buggers.

[steve68steve]

Honda NC700 is excluded due to its strange design and pervert nature.

Strange design? Pervert nature? Don't those criteria eliminate Strom itself?