Thinking of Changing to a V-Strom

[mrpete64]

Look at the new Husyk 700 single coming out this spring. i had a v-strom...nice street bike. But, compared to my 2014ES....NO comparison!

Mr. Pete--------->
aging hippie

 

[Defekticon]

I've put in 34K miles on my Tenere and love it....but....been thinking of reducing weight...hence the thought behind a strom.

On roads, the ST is perfect...off road, it gets to be a bit too much of a handful and would think I might benefit from something a little lighter and lower (I'm height challenged....on crowned dirt roads, depending on where the balance is, I sometim3es can't get my foot low enough).

Who's got both? Or, ridden both? Who's got opinions based on experience with both bikes?

BTW: I don;t ride 2-up...always single.

I wouldn't switch to a Strom, I'd just go ahead and get a DRZ400 or WRR and keep the Tenere for touring. I don't think the Strom is enough of a weight difference to get you where you want to be, in my humble opinion. Go test ride one, and see if it's where you want to be. Could be an expensive mistake if it's not.

If I was going to just stay on pavement, shoot..I'd keep the T....it works just fine as a long distance touring bikes, with occasional forays onto well-groomed dirt (hello Colorado!)....it was when I got onto more challenging terrain like the Alpine Loop that I felt like I could have shed 100 or more pounds.

A good friend of mine recently did 3 days in colorado, Him on a Honda CRF450X, his brother on a DRZ400

His direct comment on the trip:

All around – a GREAT dirt bike - geared MUCH better (as in "lower" - with 'creeper capability') than was my brother's DRZ400. His dual-sport gearing required him to maintain a higher 1st-gear speed before lugging the motor - this made climbing extreme-steep, rocky, loose trails a bit more “exciting” for my brother than it was for me.

 

[keeponriding]

Thanks everyone for the feedback...I've decided to put lowering links on the bike instead.

 

[cakeboy]

I have a 2014 new generation tenere and a 2015 650 v strom ..and if your going to ride solo you,ll be fine with the 650 v strom its a great bike . Light weight, comfortable , handles well and excellent on fuel under 80mph ....however if you intend to take a pillion , then the tenere is unbeatable because as you know they pull like a train and is much better loaded up than the v strom after all it is just a 650 . Also ive found the tenere is better on fuel around 80mph than the v strom and also provides more wind protection due to its large frontal area . The v strom is better around town because of its light weight and smoother throttle response. . As far as weight goes i often jump off the v strom and straight onto the tenere and have to say i dont really notice the difference and i am only 5 ft 9inch and 11 and 1/2 stone .. to sum it up , if your finding the tenere to heavy the 650 v strom will be great for you ..cheers...... ps. just another thought ..if you do think about a v strom you do need to take one out on a ride or at least have a sit on one as the seat hight is about the same as the tenere on its highest setting and is none adjustable ...

 

[Big Blu]

It's less than the super T..

But more the the 650cc Wee Strom...

I say the Wee Strom is a very good bike, popular with a large following, and extremely reliable. It's no GS, it's no Super Tenere, but is a very good value proposition, nut'n wrong with that!

Score a test ride, if ya come back smiling.... buy it! Simple really.



Paul

 

[cakeboy]

keeponriding, yes good idea to put lowering links on the back , but if i were you i would drop the front forks as well to level the bike out .

 

[keeponriding]

Cakeboy....after reading many posts here, that seems to be the general opinion...maybe drop 1/4 of an inch.

Can someone explain how to do that for us mechanically-disinclined?

 

[The Ferret]

I wouldn't drop the front more than 13 mm, measured from top of fork stantion to the top of the top yoke.

On main stand, place jack under the sump (protect with wood), take front weight of bike. Leave front wheel on ground.
slacken bottom and top yoke bolts.
lower bike using jack to drop the yokes down the forks to the required level.
tighten yoke bolts.
take bike off jacks and double check the depth you've gone too.
Take a careful ride as the bike may not turn in as fast as you're used to.

 

[Defekticon]

What would happen if you didn't drop the front end? My lowering links just got here from Rideon, probably going to put them on this weekend.

 

[nani]

I think the perfect combo is to have a Super 10 and a big Thumper (dr650, KLR650 ktm690 etc) but If you can only have one bike Id keep the Super 10

 

[Checkswrecks]

What would happen if you didn't drop the front end? My lowering links just got here from Rideon, probably going to put them on this weekend.

Try it.
Lowering the forks will make the steering a bit sharper and quicker.
But you may not find that you like the more stable feel of leaving the front.

 

[greg the pole]

I was actually thinking of the strom 650...and yeah, I would jump on the Tenere 650. I like the T, but would like it a bit...smaller and lighter.

I know we talked about it coming to the States a couple of years ago...I guess the Yammy product managers weren't convinced.

If I was going to just stay on pavement, shoot..I'd keep the T....it works just fine as a long distance touring bikes, with occasional forays onto well-groomed dirt (hello Colorado!)....it was when I got onto more challenging terrain like the Alpine Loop that I felt like I could have shed 100 or more pounds.

I've owned a 2006 dl1000 for close to 5 yrs. good bike. Not tenere territory. Tried the new gen 1000. Lots of good improvements over the prev. gen (modern suspension, abs, tc) again would not trade from a tenere.

The new gen DL650 is a great little bike. Lots of short comings on the suspension side, but they can be remedied easily (emulators on the front). The motor is a peach, and can have character with the right slip on pipe. I would highly recommend this bike over any single

 

[keeponriding]

See my profile: I have an ST and a 650 Thumper

 

[Goldwing]

I'm 5'9" and found the VStrom 1000 to be even higher than the ST. So not sure if you sat on a VStrom or not but if not, try it out first!!

 

[Defekticon]

I'm 5'9" and found the VStrom 1000 to be even higher than the ST. So not sure if you sat on a VStrom or not but if not, try it out first!!

The width of the seat could explain that. It tends to eat up inseam which makes it feel taller than it is.

 

[mbabc]

Anthony, you can not sell your Tenere.

End of story, we've been through this many times before.

 

[keeponriding]

A voice from the wilderness...how's your trip?

 

[Riversong]

Keep the S10 and get a used Yamaha 250 WR, that's what I'm thinking about doing

 

[justlookin]

I rode a ST, a wee-strom, and a big v-strom back to back at the Progressive Motorcycle show in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago.

The ST was excellent. I thought it was as good as a BMW GSW I rode a few months back. The gear change is better and it seemed to be just as smooth.

I was very disappointed with the large v-strom. I wanted to like it but the gear change was really clunky. There was air in the clutch but even with much on the fly bleeding still didn't like it. The other thing I didn't like was the wide gas tank forceing my knees appart.

The wee-strom on the other hand was a far nicer bike. Sufficent power, and much better gearchange, even though the clutch cable was not correctly adjusted. The suspension was nice and compliant which suits me but it still seemed to handle fine.

Also rode an fjr. It was OK but is missing a 6th gear, and pumped out far too much heat for me.

Jumping back on the ST, there was just no comparison. Although I know it's heavier it's not a big difference to the wee strom and its actually pretty close to the wieght of my current ride a BMW r1150r. I think the wee strom is a good bike and is very reasonably priced. Definitely one to consider

 

[carrot]

Keep the S10 and get a used Yamaha 250 WR, that's what I'm thinking about doing

::026:: This is my plan also