Coming from a big ol' cruiser

[oomis]

I currently ride a Vulcan Nomad 1500 bagger, which is a great bike for what it is, but I'm considering making the switch to the Vstrom.  A colleague of mine at work has a 650, and we switched bikes yesterday so I got a chance to thrash it around.  What a bike...

I'm seriously considering giving up the Nomad for a bunch of reasons.  
1.  I'm just not into chrome.  I'd rather ride than polish.
2.  The ergonomics don't work for me.  My back is shot (classic L5/S1 problem) and so the feet forward position of the Nomad puts all the weight on my spine.  The feet under position of the Strom along with the slight lean seems to work better.
3.  I'm also not into the cruiser subculture - leather, studs, fringes - bleh.  Not my kind of farkles.

So in looking at sport-touring bikes, the Strom seems to be the clear winner when all the factors are put together.  I'd like, but can't afford, an ST1300, and I love the fact that the Strom is form following function.  It's beautifully ugly, but it just seems to make sense.

My riding is going to be all over the place.  I commute to work in heavy traffic every day, I ride all year long unless there's snow/ice/salt on the roads, and I like blasts on the superslab.  My wife rides pillion occasionally, and I go away for weekend trips from time to time.  I'll find myself on a dirt road from time to time, but not often at all.

I'm 6'3", 36" inseam, and about 230 lbs.  With the addition of a new windscreen, should I be looking at the 1000 instead of the 650?  The 650 was so smooth, is the 1000 really that lumpy?  And is it lumpy compared to a Japanese 1500cc v-twin?  What RPM does the 1000 run at on the highway, at 120-140 kph?

Thanks very much guys - this is a great forum.

[Peter]

There is no doubt the 650 engine runs smoother. But the 1000 is not generaly lumpy. It is just set up badly sometimes by the factory. It is a very enjoyable engine.

[The Shepherd]

Well my Strom is alot smoother than my old 1100 Virago ever was. Cruising at an indicated 140kph in 6th gear down the #400 the Strom sits just below 4500rpm......, on the Virago that speed was "paint shaker" territory.

The Strom is way more comfortable that the Virago could ever hope to be.

I don't find mine lumpy at all, I'll check the sync in a few thousand km's and see if she is out.

[Redbeard]

oomis,

I just made the jump from a Harley Road King to a 1K VStrom - do it, you will not be disappointed!

Add some luggage, and you can hit the road for as many miles as you like. I had to get my head back into the "chain maintenance" thing again, but it's not bad.

Take care,
Bob S.

[KiroKami]

oomis,
You're riding sound alot like mine. I've found the Strom to be a great all 'rounder. 650 or 1000 is a personal choice, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either.

[Anonymous]

After riding a big twin Vulcan, you'll appreciate the torque of the V-Strom 1000 not to mention the acceleration! You'll be dissatisfied with the 650 in the long run, in my opinion. I have the same problem with the riding position of cruisers as you do, being virtually the same size, although heavier than you. My last cruiser, a new 2003 Honda VTX1800 retro, gave me a back and butt ache in less than 100 miles. I just passed the 700 mile mark on my new 1000 and I love it! I sit bolt upright and have plenty of leg room, the seat is comfortable as is the reach to the bars. The ergonomics are perfect and it doesn't tire me a bit to ride it. It is also very smooth at high speed and rides, handles and brakes well! Try it and you'll like it!   Take care,  Sam

[Anonymous]

i would certainly love to have a vStrom 1000... tested one when they first came out a few years ago. but i'd be hard pressed to think i wouldn't miss my Road King. if at all possible, i'm gonna try to have both... my HD and a big trailie.

[BBurton]

Quote:

Anonymous wrote on 23.04.2006 10:06[/i] i would certainly love to have a vStrom 1000... tested one when they first came out a few years ago. but i'd be hard pressed to think i wouldn't miss my Road King. if at all possible, i'm gonna try to have both... my HD and a big trailie.

My buddy was "hard core" Harley! He had a Road King and loved it, he rode my Strom and really considered getting one. Until......he rode a new Gold Wing....the Road King is now history, and he doesn't miss it one bit!

[Heavy]

Quote:

oomis wrote on 20.04.2006 11:21[/i] I'm seriously considering giving up the Nomad for a bunch of reasons.   1.  I'm just not into chrome.  I'd rather ride than polish. 2.  The ergonomics don't work for me.  My back is shot (classic L5/S1 problem) and so the feet forward position of the Nomad puts all the weight on my spine.  The feet under position of the Strom along with the slight lean seems to work better. 3.  I'm also not into the cruiser subculture - leather, studs, fringes - bleh.  Not my kind of farkles.

Not only that but you'd be able to hang around here and be one of the guys.

I picked up my 2006 DL1000 about 3 weeks ago.  I've had cruisers and sport bikes and this is the way to go.  Comfortable and lots of power.  So far, a very capable ride.  

I'd say, without a doubt

[Mudbutt]

I had a Vulcan 1500 for 11 years and I'm never going back. The Strom is down right fun compared to the Vulcan.  At 4000 RPMs the liter Strom is just coming into its element. Unless your doing 70mph+ and cruising on the freeway you don't have to shift into 6th.

[jgrohio]

I went from sport bikes to a vulcan cruiser was tired of being bent forward at my age.  Rode it for three years and was bored out of my mind, hated cleanign it after any rain or muck also didnt fit the culture of cruisers.  I just bought a 650 thought about 1000 but found 650 to have plenty of power and love the way it handles.  ANd so far you cant get me off it. Ive spent a lot of time in rain and never think twice about it and so far I hosed it off once.  Best move Ive made in years I love this bike.

[sarge]

After riding a big twin Vulcan, you'll appreciate the torque of the V-Strom 1000 not to mention the acceleration! You'll be dissatisfied with the 650 in the long run, in my opinion. I have the same problem with the riding position of cruisers as you do, being virtually the same size, although heavier than you. My last cruiser, a new 2003 Honda VTX1800 retro, gave me a back and butt ache in less than 100 miles. I just passed the 700 mile mark on my new 1000 and I love it! I sit bolt upright and have plenty of leg room, the seat is comfortable as is the reach to the bars. The ergonomics are perfect and it doesn't tire me a bit to ride it. It is also very smooth at high speed and rides, handles and brakes well! Try it and you'll like it!   Take care,  Sam

Your post makes me feel better. Coming from a touring dresser to the Strom was a tough choice for me. Good to hear that I possibly made a wise decision. I went with th 1K because of the power & torque

[howard-from-ns]

Buy the DL1000 , for your size it's probably worth it. It vibrates like a v-twin , so did my previous v-twin.
My last was a Suzuki Intruder 1500LC before I got my DL1000 ( 3 months now) , I'm 6'1" 240 lbs 33" leg , the DL1000 fits me like a glove , I'm never going back to a cruiser.
I now have 9000 miles on it, no clutch chatter that I can feel , so far so good. With good rubber the DL1000 corners like a super-sport .
The cruiser killed my ears, tailbone & lower spine and I just can't wear the Halloween costumes either. I also got tired of dragging the carbides on the floor boards on every turn.
The seat is smaller but being able to stand on my pegs makes it all good.
I will probably get a gel saddle , center stand , a couple guards , etc ,sometime.
It is definitely a V twin , you feel ( & hear) it start to pull hard at 3500 to 9500 RPM, not a lot of torque below 3000 though.

[johnofchar]

It vibrates like a v-twin , so did my previous v-twin.

Hmmm, mine doesn't!

[howard-from-ns]

well ...we will agree to disagree...
before the 1500 intruder I had a 750cc 4 cyl (& I weighed a lot less too...) and I assure you I could feel & hear the difference .
My friend has a couple of triumph 3 cyl and they feel & sound different too (thunderbird & daytona).
I like the v-twin motor vibration , not annoying vibration in the bike bars, seat & frame but that low belly rumble transmitted through the drive train .
Honestly I find the inline four "chainsaw" whine at higher revs annoying , but some do like it.
I love the feel in my body & hands from a v-twin in 3rd gear at about 6k rpm...oh yeah...

[moontune]

Its amazing that everyone raves about the v strom. Thanks to you  guys and the trooper site,I did a lot of research and asked questions and sat on all sorts of bikes. My favorite was the Vulcan and love the looks of the Harley, really,really wanted a good looking cruiser? I am an old guy new into riding and the v was too big? I could not swing my leg that high then read about standing on he peg and it was so easy. Anyway I bought a 650 in June and just cannot get off?
 Ride it nearly every day to work have done 10,000kms already and as I ride along waving at the cruisers looking comfy I realize that the Strom is the best and just get caught up with the hum and love throwing it through the corners now I am getting used to it. Of course it takes time to get the windshield, seat and other farkles to set it up as your own. So buy one! you will love it.