My Wee-Strom '04

[Ola]

Well, couldn't help it....had to change my old RD04 for a newer bike (Suzuki V-Strom DL650 '04), you know...spring, sunshine etc.

First i mounted H&B racks and Zega-cases for summertrips.









Bike has worked well and hadn't any problems during trip to Norway...8 days and almost 2300miles.

[cabbage2404]

How does the engine compare to the RD04s ?

[Ola]

Best thing is that there is much more torque available under 3000rpm. Even with pillion bike accelerates nicely from 2500rpm when using high gears. RD04 was quite dead under 3000rpm and needed changing couple gears down for nice acceleration. Also fuel consumption is much lower than @ ...during my Norway-trip Suzukis average consumption was 4,8 litres per 100km (bike was loaded with 40kg extra load and pillion). With @ i never got consumption under 6 litres. There seems to be clear difference between carb- and injection-based engine

I really love the engine of V-Strom, but there is one annoying thing; clutchbasket seems to rattle same way than AT's

[EDIT: changed rpm number (typo)....even Suzuki aint that good that it would accelerate nicely from 2000rpm when using high gears ]

[Chad]

Best thing is that there is much more torque available under 3000rpm. Even with pillion bike accelerates nicely from 2000rpm when using high gears. RD04 was quite dead under 3000rpm and needed changing couple gears down for nice acceleration. Also fuel consumption is much lower than @ ...during my Norway-trip Suzukis average consumption was 4,8 litres per 100km (bike was loaded with 40kg extra load and pillion). With @ i never got consumption under 6 litres. There seems to be clear difference between carb- and injection-based engine

I really love the engine of V-Strom, but there is one annoying thing; clutchbasket seems to rattle same way than AT's

that is a very underated bike its good to see one on here anything thats got the stonking engine from the SV cant be half bad plus you get the added benefit of the super smooth suzuki gearbox

[Shep]

I like the Little V Strom very much, it gets rave reviews by the hordes of American owners at ADVrider.com. I think it looks good as well.

If i was to change my RD04 Africa or Varadero it would probably be for the 650 V Strom. But, i am quite happy with my two Hondas at the moment.

As Chad rightly said nobody builds a gearbox like Suzuki

[barftone]

Can you get a decent bash plate for the v strom?

[Rubberchicken]

Looks pretty decent at least...

http://www.cmgonline.com/bikes/artic...One/index.html

[Chad]

hey another recruit to the darkside

as i said a very underated bike and that bashplate looks like it will do the job