To pre-farkle or not...

[Dirt_Dad]

Talked to my dealer today and he's fairly confident the July delivery showing in the computer will hold. Granted nobody really knows, and he freely admits that fact as well. But he thought the date seemed reasonable. So if I assume that means July 30th that is less than 3 weeks from launching on a 14 day ride up to Nova Scotia.

The S10 was always going to need to compete against my DL1000 (Vee) for top spot in my barn. The looser of that competition gets sold. The bikes are too similar to keep both. The Vee has already easily defeated a fully loaded FJR1300 that didn't last a month with me. No tears were shed, I made money on the resale. I have very high hopes for the S10, but it will have to earn the right to stay.

Since it is possible the S10 may not beat my beloved Vee I'm hesitant to buy a bunch of farkles until I know it's a keeper. I suspect I'll know within the first one or two weeks, but that doesn't leave me enough time to get it the necessary farkles for a 3,000 mile ride a week later. I'll still have the Vee, but not sure I'll be as happy leaving the winning bike at home if it works out that way. Makes me wonder if I should roll the dice and get Greg's windscreen adjuster in advance...just in case? And what about crash bars...humm?

Then again, who knows. Maybe I'll be so impressed on the demo ride next week that I'll just trade in my Vee and forget all about it. : Probably not.

 

[rem]

To farkle or not to farkle .... there is no question. You can get a bunch of stuff in, have it all ready, and then you're committed to getting the Tenere. Can't back out then. Maybe you can get intimate with the stuff like Clem. Build a relationship before the bike even gets here. R

 

[Koinz]

Dirt dad,
I also have a 06V and Im pretty sure it will lose between it and the s10. I test rode the s10 today and the engine/transmission combo seems much better matched in my opinion. The suspension soaks up the harsh roads , the brakes are way better and the shaft drive is smooth.

It seems to cruise along effortlessly and power is linear throughout the Rpm range. I tried to lug the engine in 6th at about 40mph and engine smoothly pulled away. That's not what I feel on my v. Revs need to be above 4k for smooth power delivery.

Don't get me wrong, I love my v and that's why I kept it over my BMW, but my opinion is the s10 is superior.

It'll probably be selling or trading in the v when I finally get the raven. YMMV.

 

[motocephalic]

Talked to my dealer today and he's fairly confident the July delivery showing in the computer will hold. Granted nobody really knows, and he freely admits that fact as well. But he thought the date seemed reasonable. So if I assume that means July 30th that is less than 3 weeks from launching on a 14 day ride up to Nova Scotia.

The S10 was always going to need to compete against my DL1000 (Vee) for top spot in my barn. The looser of that competition gets sold. The bikes are too similar to keep both. The Vee has already easily defeated a fully loaded FJR1300 that didn't last a month with me. No tears were shed, I made money on the resale. I have very high hopes for the S10, but it will have to earn the right to stay.

Since it is possible the S10 may not beat my beloved Vee I'm hesitant to buy a bunch of farkles until I know it's a keeper. I suspect I'll know within the first one or two weeks, but that doesn't leave me enough time to get it the necessary farkles for a 3,000 mile ride a week later. I'll still have the Vee, but not sure I'll be as happy leaving the winning bike at home if it works out that way. Makes me wonder if I should roll the dice and get Greg's windscreen adjuster in advance...just in case? And what about crash bars...humm?

Then again, who knows. Maybe I'll be so impressed on the demo ride next week that I'll just trade in my Vee and forget all about it. : Probably not.

It's always a mistake to get a bike and put a bunch of farkles on it and take a trip all within 10 days in my opinion. I never take a new bike on any kind of trip doing any kind of repairs if possible. Too many times it has proven to be a mistake in my life, and something goes wrong. I like putting stuff on and testing it hard, and then I know that stuff works as planned. The last place I need a failure is on the road. I would take the vstrom, proven with no worries. You'll have just as much fun for sure. As far as the new bike proving itself to you, highly subjective, and matter or personal taste. For me, it clearly won. While not nearly as cheap, I think the value is there for me to justify the wait/expense.

 

[motocephalic]

To farkle or not to farkle .... there is no question. You can get a bunch of stuff in, have it all ready, and then you're committed to getting the Tenere. Can't back out then. Maybe you can get intimate with the stuff like Clem. Build a relationship before the bike even gets here. R

I am so utterly tired of waiting, patience is not my forte. So I am trying every distraction I can think of.

 

[switchback]

Aside from your love of your Vstrom, another reason not to prefarkle is you can see what works for people and what doesn't. I pre-farkled my Micatech luggage because of the group buy, other than that I am here performing hourly in depth research.... Yeah that is what it is, really

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It's true I don't like to farkle any bike until the bike tells me what it needs. Although I don't wait to hear from the bike regarding crash bars.

Clem I definitely broke your rule with my wife's brand new Wee. I installed 20 farkles in 20 days on that bike and we launched on a 1500 mile ride on the day I finished. It was actually my third Strom so I already knew what I wanted her bike to have. It was a lot of work and a bit of panic trying to get it all done before the launch, but it worked very well. Considering her previous longest ride was 120 miles in a weekend (or month) it was very successful endeavor.

Intellectually I hear what you're saying, and I have no good argument against your logic. But I'll be honest, I know me. If I've had the S10 for a few weeks and know it's a keeper it will be really hard (impossible) to leave it at home. My maturity has limits.

 

[colorider]

Having owned a V-Strom (actually 3) and a Wee, I can understand your attraction for them - but I just see the SuperT in a totally different class than the Vee. The technology advancements found in the SuperT - plus ABS and shaft drive are reason enough to go forward to make it your #1 bike, IMHO.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Having owned a V-Strom (actually 3) and a Wee, I can understand your attraction for them - but I just see the SuperT in a totally different class than the Vee. The technology advancements found in the SuperT - plus ABS and shaft drive are reason enough to go forward to make it your #1 bike, IMHO.

I agree. It is the next generation Strom that Suzuki never bothered to build. It has everything I wanted in my next bike and more than I could have asked for. I strongly suspect this will unseat my Vee. But I have been wrong before and I can't prematurely give up a bike I know I love for one I think I'll like. I will give the S10 every chance to win. In the back of my mind I've already stripped down the Vee and put it up for sale.

 

[rem]

I've only purchased 3 items for the YTen. The Australian windshield thingy, the Micatech panniers, and the Givi topbox plate, since I already have the topbox. I'm pretty interested in the Altrider crash bar and skid plate, but I'm gonna hold off on that. One might say I'm all farked up.

As soon as I get a more or less firm delivery date, I'll decide then. I may decide to go for the Motech stuff. Nothing wrong with their stuff at all. I'll have to see how my revenue generation goes this summer. I'm still looking for a high paying, part-time job with little or no responsibility. I'm thinking politics, but look who you have to associate with. )R

 

[motocephalic]

I agree. It is the next generation Strom that Suzuki never bothered to build. It has everything I wanted in my next bike and more than I could have asked for. I strongly suspect this will unseat my Vee. But I have been wrong before and I can't prematurely give up a bike I know I love for one I think I'll like. I will give the S10 every chance to win. In the back of my mind I've already stripped down the Vee and put it up for sale.

Jon, I just sold my 650 today and will deliver it tomorrow. I am going to miss it for sure. I stripped it down, as I said before, against my will, then guy that bought it wanted all the touring farkles that I had on it but it was too late. I made the same amount I originally wanted when it was set up to tour, except I spent a bunch of cash shipping and boxing stuff. I am using my wife's 650 for the time being. I really placed myself in the "wait" position.

 

[HoebSTer]

i think selling my DL1000 last Thanksgiving was a bit too early as this year I have been bikeless. Better off now, with all I have going on.

 

[motocephalic]

i think selling my DL1000 last Thanksgiving was a bit too early as this year I have been bikeless. Better off now, with all I have going on.

lets you focus on all those other things going on. I just moved and have not had much time to ride trying to get the house usable. It's been 6 weeks and finally I can say I have a roof over my head that won't leak. But getting here was not fun. I have little planned in the way of "honey do" when the new bike arrives.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Jon, I just sold my 650 today and will deliver it tomorrow. I am going to miss it for sure. I stripped it down, as I said before, against my will, then guy that bought it wanted all the touring farkles that I had on it but it was too late. I made the same amount I originally wanted when it was set up to tour, except I spent a bunch of cash shipping and boxing stuff. I am using my wife's 650 for the time being. I really placed myself in the "wait" position.

Well, I guess you're truly commitment at this point. I know you've heard me say it before, but I think it's a shame to return my Vee to stock, but I do know it's the best thing to do...but just a shame.

 

[HoebSTer]

lets you focus on all those other things going on. I just moved and have not had much time to ride trying to get the house usable. It's been 6 weeks and finally I can say I have a roof over my head that won't leak. But getting here was not fun. I have little planned in the way of "honey do" when the new bike arrives.

that is what i was sort of thinking too here, do the chores now, and ride when bike gets here.

 

[rem]

Oh yeah, this old dog needs some of that stuff. The windshield thingy is for comfort. Old dogs like comfort. The crash bars are for protection. Old dogs need protection. The first three times I got on my KLR, I laid it over. Hard to be cool. The crash bars saved a lot of wear and tear on my fairings. I also laid it over hard on a gravel road one time, and I'm pretty sure the crash bars saved my leg from a lot of damage. So I'm down for certain things. If I were a more skilled rider, I might not require these things, but I'm not, and I do. If you don't need 'em or want 'em, don't buy 'em. This old dog will ride with maximum comfort and safety.

Old Dog Gone. Or Doggone Old Dog. R

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I figure if a bike needs "farkles" to be usuable, it's a farken piece of junk and it goes bye, bye. You guys really think we need crash bars, windshield adjusters and the like? I'm hoping not or the bike won't be around for 100 miles with me.

Crash bars are a must. While I've never used mine on the Vee, I was the first one to drop my wife's Wee when I took it off the center stand in a weird way (long story). Stuff happens, plastic parts are way more expensive than they should be. Crash bars save money. I'm assuming based on everything I've read that the windscreen adjuster will be necessary. It was on my Vee and has worked very well. In the end I setup a bike for my personal enjoyment. Farkles are the price I need to pay. I don't think I could enjoy my Vee if it were stock, I love it the way it's been setup. Not junk, just needed some tweaks.

 

[motocephalic]

I figure if a bike needs "farkles" to be usuable, it's a farken piece of junk and it goes bye, bye. You guys really think we need crash bars, windshield adjusters and the like? I'm hoping not or the bike won't be around for 100 miles with me.

It takes me 6 months to get a bike "right". The ergo's have got to be perfect for very long days in the saddle. I don't mean just ok. And if the seat does not cut it, it's gone. Russell will have it's way with it. Boxes and lights are mandatory for me.

 

[colorider]

I figure if a bike needs "farkles" to be usuable, it's a farken piece of junk and it goes bye, bye. You guys really think we need crash bars, windshield adjusters and the like? I'm hoping not or the bike won't be around for 100 miles with me.

Hmmm, I hope you are not disappointed with the SuperT. Coming from a Wing, I guess I can understand some of your thinking as they are pretty much set up for what they were designed for right out of the box. But I do not think this is the case with the average Adventure Touring bike since everyone's idea of Adventure Touring is different and there is no way for the manufacturer to make one that fits all.

 

[rem]

Exactly right. Remember that the bike (automobile, snowmobile, ATV, etc.) manufacturers put a lot of effort into keeping MSRP as low as possible. They leave off anything that they think won't detract from the basic appeal of the bike. They leave it up to the consumer to add any extras that are not absolutely essential, unless it is promoted as a fully decked out luxury item, such as a GoldWing. Your basic model bike that is designed to appeal to a large number of people will only have what the designers think will do just that ... appeal to a large number of people. Even a few bucks per unit is a big deal when you're building something and hoping to sell it at a certain price. And, of course, they are hoping you will buy THEIR accessories.

Hopefully, you are happy with the bike right out of the box. Some people likely will be. Others will add a couple of items. Still others will load it up like a Christmas tree. It's entirely up to the individual's personal taste and requirements for comfort, safety and even just overall appearance of the bike. And how rich you are. That's is my primary limiting factor. My wife refuses to increase my allowance. I'll have to try harder. R