V Strom - what to look out for

austin

Well-Known Member
Son #2 is in New Zealand looking for a bike to commute on and tour the country on, including grave roads. He keeps posting me links to Vstrom 1000s from mid 2000s asking for my opinion. I know nothing.

What should he be looking out for?

Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 2004

Suzuki dl1000 2006

A $NZ is worth about 2 to the the £.
 

hotbulb

Active Member
Son #2 is in New Zealand looking for a bike to commute on and tour the country on, including grave roads. He keeps posting me links to Vstrom 1000s from mid 2000s asking for my opinion. I know nothing.

What should he be looking out for?

Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 2004

Suzuki dl1000 2006

A $NZ is worth about 2 to the the £.

I don't know much about the big ones, but I'm very happy with my 2014 VStrom 650. Maybe worth looking at..
Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650 & DL1000 - Index
For Suzuki V-Strom Enthusiasts
 

nick949

Well-Known Member
The guys I rented from in Chichester in February used to rent out the V-Strom 1000's but had so many negative comments about the bikes 'just not feeling right' that they stopped using them. I have heard the same observations before from many sources. The 650's have more than enough go. Encourage him to look at the 650's instead. Great bikes!

Are there a lot of grave roads in Kiwiland? :happyspin:
 

Axe

Member
My last big bike was a DL1000 but it was the early (2002) model.
That year had issues with clutch basket rattle (which I think was sorted around 2003+) and the screen didn't reduce buffeting (which made it almost impossible to see properly at high speeds) IIRC the adjustable screen didn't eradicate this but did reduce it.
The clutch basket issue doesn't apply to the bikes you have posted, but buffeting might be an issue on long journeys? (I just got used to it)

They are great bikes (in my opinion)
The later ones (with the adjustable screen) also had a better instrument cluster with larger decals for the speedo, not a problem for most but I hated having to guess how fast I was going, Pugsley (his original XRV forum name) had later 650 with the newer dials and I was insanely jealous, but never told him. :)

Axe
 

austin

Well-Known Member
Thanks all, from what I can find that are considered pretty much bullet proof as long as maintained - same as most bikes these days.

You try persuading your son that a 650 is plenty enough. No chance. I told him to get a KLR650 as there's loads of them over there and lots of them are cheap and cheerful well sorted travel bikes - exactly what he needs. I also told him the 650 V strom was considered the better bike, especially in the older models. But, he does have a girlfriend in tow so its a two-up tourer he wants and if it aint close to 1000cc it seems he's not interested. And its a serious business is biking in Kiwiland.
 

nick949

Well-Known Member
Thanks all, from what I can find that are considered pretty much bullet proof as long as maintained - same as most bikes these days.

You try persuading your son that a 650 is plenty enough. No chance. I told him to get a KLR650 as there's loads of them over there and lots of them are cheap and cheerful well sorted travel bikes - exactly what he needs. I also told him the 650 V strom was considered the better bike, especially in the older models. But, he does have a girlfriend in tow so its a two-up tourer he wants and if it aint close to 1000cc it seems he's not interested. And its a serious business is biking in Kiwiland.

Is he a closet American? Does he lust after huge, v8, jacked up trucks (oops, that's his Dad :whistle:). I understand and generally suffer from the same disease, however the v-Strom 650 and now the Burgman 650 scooter have cured me of that. The Burg is the best two-up bike I've ever ridden and does not lack for power, even two-up. I'll be in a better position to report after Chris and I get back from Newfoundland (she's wisely flying).

But I know about sons - I have two of the buggers and whatever Dad says must be wrong :thumbsdown:

Nick
 

The Don

Well-Known Member
Forum Supporter
Austin, I am pretty sure Allun Davies did a full report on the ABR magazine on VStroms....possibly both the big daddy one and the 650 one, from memory both came up with very good reports. Maybe worth checking the mag......?
 

-XP-

Well-Known Member
Forum Supporter
Austin, as you know I had the DL1000 for many years and it was a great bike. 2002 model so suffered from a leaky clutch but a £26 new slave kit with the modified seal sorted that and it wasn't difficult to fit (if I can do it etc...) but if I was to go fro another Strom then I'd choose the 650. Negligible power difference but a lot better tank range form 650 and a lighter bike.
 

tendays

Member
Can't comment on the big one, but 650 has a really good grunty engine which will also rev quite high if you want. It is v good 2-up. Way quicker than the TA. I did 70K miles on mine.

Downsides: Mine had a slightly snatchy throttle at on-off which was the bike's main downside. The screws for balancing the throttle bodies are hard to get at and can seize, don't ask... Valve clearance adjustments are difficult on rear cylinder.
 
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