vara or vstrom?

[Davech42]

The answer is (I think) obvious there are loads of varas they still make varas 1000V-strom is getting long in the tooth Get a Vara i doubt very much that you would be disapointed.

[davsato]

varadero's an older model than the v-strom. suzuki have stopped making them because they wont go through the latest emissions standards, whereas the vara was built so clean in the first place, honda have never had to do much to it. cant see it going on forever though, it might be clean but the rest of the bike is getting dated, hence the coming 1200.

[winxp-master]

I have the DL1000 and id recommend going for the Vara because as previously said the v-strom is lumpy at the bottom and now discontinued due to emissions.

I like my bike and am used to it being lumpy low down and just use lots of clutch control but if i was thinking of changing i'd defo be considering a nice new vara

[davsato]

my mate's v-strom does the v-twin "clunk" now and then, in fact hes layed it down at a junction before because of cutting out pulling away. bigger v-twins dont seem to like revving up from idle, my vara tries it occasionally but ive learnt to expect it to play up at traffic lights and give it half a mo to fire up before i dump the clutch. i think thats one reason the idle is set so high. his 1700cc harley also has a go sometimes, but his boys sv650 or all the smaller older ducatis hes had have never done it. carbs help too of course

[tendays]

I really noticed the lurchy launch going from (carb) 650 TA to (FI) 650 strom. Ended up using much more clutch in slow maneuvers. Its only since the last dealer service (3 oil changes ago) that its been set up a lot better. Throttle body synch is the key with stroms it seems. And its quite tricky to do this properly without the dealer's service mode. When set up properly, bottom end performance is fine... and it revs to 10.5K.

[davsato]

that 650 v of suzukis is a peach, my mates boy's SV goes like a little rocket when its spun up, and i dont think hes had the clunk yet.

in fact engines are something suzuki do very well across the range. the 750 conversion kit you can get is the dogs cohones even if it makes more sense to get a gsxr750. i know they do the wee-strom but with current fashions now might be the time for suzuki to bring out a tricked out off the peg ADV bike, a la 660 tenere? they always seem to miss the boat.

liking the look of the new bandit tourer, that 1250 engine is smooth as butter, much better than the vibey 1200. a lot of bike for the money, or you could have a vfr1200 for 70% more and no luggage or gps? hmm...... i know what id rather have, suzuki cycle parts and build quality isnt as good but it isnt 70% worse than hondas

[jsnhrrwr]

both fantastic buyer preference only ... try both

[jasonbc]

help!
the better half wants me to sell my x reg transalp and buy something bigger. i seem to be torn between a varo and vstrom 1000, any advice on whats best for general comfy days riding and odd long haul? thanks

Depends how much money you want to spend. The Varadero is a brilliant mile muncher no two ways about that in every respect. BBBBut if you looking to buy new or pre-registered (hate to say it) the V-Strom maybe better if your planning on keeping it for a while. Build quality and finish does seem to be better on the Suzuki than the new Varadero, which always seems to happen when production at Honda shifts to the Spanish factory.
If you only looking at spending £2-3k then it doesn't really matter which one mines a 99 carbed model which is smoother than the early EFI models but they have slightly better mpg figures (so i'm told) finsish on the early ones is far superior to the later ones can post photo's as evidence if required. NOt had any major drama's with mine a rear shock did pack up only to be expected and the rest is just wear and tear i.e. tyres, brake pads

[maddave]

I owned a DL1000 V-Strom ansd toured europe on it. I now have an 09 Varadero. The strom was ok but I had lots of niggly little faults on long rides gears jumping and headlights just going off when they felt like it.. They don't hold their value either. The Vara seems more solid and is a more comfy ride. BTW I'm a short arse 5'6" and have a lowering kit fitted. I've not done big miles on the Dero but it inspires confidence.

[jsnhrrwr]

i have just done a 2000 mile round trip in a week and the transalp was fantastically comfortable 2 up with full luggage. i had a v strom in the past and it wasnt as comfy for me but it was a very good bike aswell, 1000 mile of my trip was in a day coming home as i had to come home ..no numb bum of any kind for me or the other half ...