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

[kantuckid]

You might wander over to Stromtrooper & spend some time-most there will be slanted toward the Suzuki but many other brand owners with an opinion too. I searched out your very subject there earlier this year-to get you started.

[GeneC]

Originally Posted by kantuckid

You might wander over to Stromtrooper & spend some time-most there will be slanted toward the Suzuki but many other brand owners with an opinion too. I searched out your very subject there earlier this year-to get you started.

OK, thank you, I will check it out. Where did you net out as far as the Wee goes? -Gene

[GeneC]

Originally Posted by kantuckid

You might wander over to Stromtrooper & spend some time-most there will be slanted toward the Suzuki but many other brand owners with an opinion too. I searched out your very subject there earlier this year-to get you started.

Thank you, that site is great!!!!!

[BobbyLee666]

Originally Posted by Precis

Rubbish!

A Guzzi 650 NTX runs rings around the obese & butt-ugly Wee, has a centre-stand, hold 32 litres of fuel - AND has shaft-drive, a 21" front wheel and by now, previous owners will have replaced the OEM ignition modules with Dyna ignition.
Fly in the ointment is finding one - I had one, sold it - and have regretted it ever since.
The Guzzi is taller - but if you're too short, perhaps you shouldn't be going off-road.

If you can live with a bit more weight, an Aprilia Caponord is a vastly better road bike, a very much better dirt bike, costs less used, holds 24 litres of fuel, is supremely comfortable and has that unburstable Rotax 1000 V-twin engine.

Comparing a Strom to a Honda car is being over-generous - think of it as the two-wheeled Suzuki Jimny or an early Kia Sportage: it's built down to a price, and for good reason. This is perfectly fine for the penny-wise, the inexperienced, the tentative rider or as a first-time-ride. But with a little more knowledge or money or experience - most riders will pretty soon graduate to something else. Anything else, in fact.

Whew, not only extremely critical of the bike that many of us like quite a bit, but even suggesting some us us should limit where and how we should ride. I always thought riders were a big community of people that shared a common interest and encouraged others ride, no matter the bike. I guess that's not the case.

[Pecha72]

Ok, so now a Guzzi from the stone age already beats the hell out of a Wee. 21 inch front and all!

Gotta love the net

[ArmSC]

Originally Posted by Precis

Rubbish!

A Guzzi 650 NTX runs rings around the obese & butt-ugly Wee,...

Comparing a Strom to a Honda car is being over-generous - think of it as the two-wheeled Suzuki Jimny or an early Kia Sportage: it's built down to a price, and for good reason. This is perfectly fine for the penny-wise, the inexperienced, the tentative rider or as a first-time-ride. But with a little more knowledge or money or experience - most riders will pretty soon graduate to something else. Anything else, in fact.

Wow you don't like the wee or anyone that has bought one. I like how you basically call all wee riders cheap ignorant noobs that should buy something else. Why!? I happen like the way the wee looks. I want something affordable thats not ultra rare. I want something that can be worked on by someone other than a specialist. I like affordable parts. I also think its funny that you hate a bike you probably never owned.

Possible wee owners don't listen to rubbish like this. Read, sit and ride to get your own opinion about this bike.

[ddavidv]

Originally Posted by ArmSC

Wow you don't like the wee or anyone that has bought one. I like how you basically call all wee riders cheap ignorant noobs that should buy something else. Why!? I happen like the way the wee looks. I want something affordable thats not ultra rare. I want something that can be worked on by someone other than a specialist. I like affordable parts. I also think its funny that you hate a bike you probably never owned.

Possible wee owners don't listen to rubbish like this. Read, sit and ride to get your own opinion about this bike.

Meh, I'm immune to idiots like the one you cite. You learn to ignore that kind of thing when you ride a KLR ("You should have bought a BMW!"). Snobbery is alive and well in the motorcycle world. I buy what I like and what works best for me. I don't give a hoot what logo is on the tank.

[amk]

Originally Posted by Precis

Rubbish!

A Guzzi 650 NTX runs rings around the obese & butt-ugly Wee, has a centre-stand, hold 32 litres of fuel - AND has shaft-drive, a 21" front wheel and by now, previous owners will have replaced the OEM ignition modules with Dyna ignition.
Fly in the ointment is finding one - I had one, sold it - and have regretted it ever since.
The Guzzi is taller - but if you're too short, perhaps you shouldn't be going off-road.

If you can live with a bit more weight, an Aprilia Caponord is a vastly better road bike, a very much better dirt bike, costs less used, holds 24 litres of fuel, is supremely comfortable and has that unburstable Rotax 1000 V-twin engine.

Comparing a Strom to a Honda car is being over-generous - think of it as the two-wheeled Suzuki Jimny or an early Kia Sportage: it's built down to a price, and for good reason. This is perfectly fine for the penny-wise, the inexperienced, the tentative rider or as a first-time-ride. But with a little more knowledge or money or experience - most riders will pretty soon graduate to something else. Anything else, in fact.

Riding the Wee for 5th year I do not feel as I very much disagree with that. Well, there is something offensive in the character of wee owners, but otherwise it all has a merit. Unfortunately, if one does not want a cruiser he better buy a bicycle around here, nothing but cruisers are readily available, let alone used Guzzis. There is in fact a dealer nearby, but I yet to see a single Guzzi sold.

Performance does not take me very much, the bike has to have a practical value in it. My value is described at the first post.
I had run KTM990 for a while, no comparison to Wee, totally in different league, but I found myself running exactly in between gas stations, it drank premium by 8liters per 100km, and had a safe range of 200 km. It also broken the fuel pump at the middle of no where, not surprise with such appetite...
Nothing against this or other high performance brands, just to stress out, I, personally, need practical riding value, preferably both, value and performance. If there is only performance or value, I take value.

[buls4evr]

Originally Posted by amk

Riding the Wee for 5th year I do not feel as I very much disagree with that. Well, there is something offensive in the character of wee owners, but otherwise it all has a merit. Unfortunately, if one does not want a cruiser he better buy a bicycle around here, nothing but cruisers are readily available, let alone used Guzzis. There is in fact a dealer nearby, but I yet to see a single Guzzi sold.

Performance does not take me very much, the bike has to have a practical value in it. My value is described at the first post.
I had run KTM990 for a while, no comparison to Wee, totally in different league, but I found myself running exactly in between gas stations, it drank premium by 8liters per 100km, and had a safe range of 200 km. It also broken the fuel pump at the middle of no where, not surprise with such appetite...
Nothing against this or other high performance brands, just to stress out, I, personally, need practical riding value, preferably both, value and performance. If there is only performance or value, I take value.

For my part , if you don't like the Wee that is fine. But it is offensive to brand the RIDERS of such bikes the way that you did.... Guess you thought you were in Jo Momma.We will accept your apology now....

[ph0rk]

Originally Posted by buls4evr

For my part , if you don't like the Wee that is fine. But it is offensive to brand the RIDERS of such bikes the way that you did.... Guess you thought you were in Jo Momma.We will accept your apology now....

Aw c'mon, everyone knows that strom owners aren't real motorcyclists.

[kantuckid]

Originally Posted by GeneC

OK, thank you, I will check it out. Where did you net out as far as the Wee goes? -Gene

As compared to my R1150R it is definitely less of a road bike but still very capable.That from those that own both. As to parts prices compared I have no idea but tell me what parts are cheap these days? I've wrenched for years and can say that the price point of many cars & bikes is no indicator of the parts prices,e.g., VW parts cost more than BMW parts @ wholesale level. Why not do your own maintenance? Not for everyone but can be learned to a certain level by most. Also consider that many bikes become garage queens and that the used markeplace can yeild bikes with very few miles which were high priced new. The 2012 used wees hitting the mkt they seem to want nearly what a discount will offer on new bike.

[kantuckid]

Originally Posted by GeneC

Thank you, that site is great!!!!!

I'm Kantuckid there-just read my posts for insight

[fastnlight]

Must be those twin rear shocks that put the NTX over the top...

[3B43]

Two buddy's of mine Wee's and love the bike! One of them has been to Alaska and back....& has 65,000 miles on his and going strong! Absolutely no complaints with them. Another buddy has a fully loaded '09 GS and has told me that he would never buy it again. In fact, he said he buy a 'loaded VStrom and save $15,000!' His words not mine, so you GS lovers relax. Everyone Wee rider I've talked to when I've been on my trips, love the bike. No, I don't ride one...I 'want/need' something much more sporting.....Ducati MTS!