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]

Originally Posted by stanbloke

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]

Originally Posted by Chad

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]

Originally Posted by stanbloke

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]

Originally Posted by Chad

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]

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

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