I feel like a bit of a traitor

[Sharribee]

Whilst Twinkletoes was having a checkup today, the very nice man in THunderroad asked me if I wanted to go play on one of the other bikes, now who am I do refuse such an offer.


I took the Suzuki DL Vstrom 650 for a little ride. Had such a blast. Now not that I am considering changing Twinkletoes quite yet but I do quite heavy mileage - in 2 years I have ridden 24,000 so would be looking to change it in about a year or so



I found that it was very responsive seemed to be a bit more pokey than the transalp, I didn't like the brakes much, the front brake was very harsh and back non existant. I noticed that it has the same problem as the transalp with wind noise and speed above 40 mph and there was quite a bit of wind blast around the mid helmet with noise was deafening.

It was a little heavier than Twinkletoes getting it off the side stand but once up and moving I thought it felt a bit lighter, it was ver responsive and handled really well around the bends that I threw it around. I did like the mirrors they were huge and gave a really clear picture of what was behind me with very little vibration at speed. I also really loved the sound of the engine, I had been put off before because MOM had told me that you had to rev the nuts off it to ride it I really didnt find it a problem, yes it needed more revs than the transalp but I thought it added to the fun of the ride.

All in all I got off the bike with a huge grin, I had a blast. When the time comes to trade in old Twinkletoes if Honda hasn't produced anything to rival it then I would definately look at either the 650 or it's big brother the DL1000.

[stanbloke]

Have you tried the Vara then ??

[Chad]

Have you tried the Vara then ??

the 650 is quite a bit lighter than a vara..and a good little bike you could do a lot worse than one of those ma..sharribee..le the sv engine is a corker and sounds fantastic with and end can on

[Tarka]

I`d have thought a Buell XB12STT to be more your kind of bike.........


It`s lower than....but not unlike..... the Buell Ulysses you may or may not know that I`ve recently bought.....


Which is now fully run in and available to play..........or even just sit on... hint hint

[McVicar]

You must test ride the Kwaka.

[stanbloke]

the 650 is quite a bit lighter than a vara..and a good little bike you could do a lot worse than one of those ma..sharribee..le the sv engine is a corker and sounds fantastic with and end can on

I had an SV650 for a while and can highly recommend the grin factor, i presume that the dl is an SV lump chad ?.
The Versys looks like an excellent bit of kit, love to try one miself, but I'm a confirmed Honda fan, so if Sharribee can ride a Vara , Have it !!!!!!.

[Chad]

I had an SV650 for a while and can highly recommend the grin factor, i presume that the dl is an SV lump chad ?.
The Versys looks like an excellent bit of kit, love to try one miself, but I'm a confirmed Honda fan, so if Sharribee can ride a Vara , Have it !!!!!!.

sure is dude its got that sweet little sv lump hidden away in there


got to say that mcvicars anisseed twist is a real sweet little bike..just dont tell him i said so goes well to

[Sharribee]

Ohhh so many bikes so little time.

Tarka, I know you have it, are you coming up to the National so I can play with it , I would love a Uly but the my own experience and the Buell reputation for reliability really does put me off, I would be really stuck without my bike and the short time I had the XB9S left me almost 5 weeks back and fore to the dealers trying to get it sorted out.

Stan - I did think about a Vara when I bought the Transalp and I can't see why I wouldnt be able to ride it but it did seem a very big bike, I know the Vstrom is still a big bike but it didnt seem that much taller than the Transalp where as I thought the Vara was. I think I would be more confident on a bike that is a bit lower.

Having said that when the time comes then I have every intention of trying all of them.

Mc V - I really do like the Versys and it would be one on my list to try

decisions decisions

[Lord Vader]

sure is dude its got that sweet little sv lump hidden away in there


got to say that mcvicars anisseed twist is a real sweet little bike..just dont tell him i said so goes well to

and with baffles out is even louder than your bike chad

[Chad]

and with baffles out is even louder than your bike chad

nah its too high pitched. not deap manfull tone like mine .and it got the **** drowned out of it going through that tunnel on the way up to bealach ba na ask geof he was right in the fireing line