Thinking of adding a Weestrom

MacDoc said:
Thanks
CB500x is a very good bike, easy on the insurance and fun to ride.
I was very impressed with the demo ride I took as was the guy that also demoed.

Take those trips....don't wait on it......:D
Click to expand...

Well I'm not sure if you've read my intro on this site, but I've ridden to Cabot Trail and to Las Vegas so far with more plans to come. Australia may be next and I have read all your posts about that country in detail.
 
Cool....the thing to consider for Australia is cost of touring in terms of fuel and accommodation.
If you camp tho it goes way down as there is a strong camping culture.

US is amazing cheap to tour.
 
Thanks for the advice!

But back on topic, I think that Weestrom you bought looks good cosmetically and I've noticed these bikes are seem to have high mileage on them which will attest to their durability. Definitely made for touring not like all the low mileage SS bikes I see all the time, 10 year old bikes with 15k does not justify the insurance people pay for them imo.
 
Built for adventure and a heavy bike off road somewhat like the KLR which is also tough but this is more a tough tourer.
Happy to date.
Hoping to play hooky tomorrow for a few days but worried about that storm front - looking worse today



There is nice warm weather in front and cool weather behind and big time nasty in between.

Tornado Central
Severe Weather Forecast: Severe Risk Shifts Farther East
Published: Oct 2, 2014, 9:49 AM EDT weather.com
Click to expand...
http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/severe-weather-tracker-page#rww

••

Well I'm not sure if you've read my intro on this site, but I've ridden to Cabot Trail and to Las Vegas so far with more plans to come
Click to expand...

You did that on the CB500X?
 
Last edited:
Nice - fast acceleration from noob to cross country man.

I'd be leery of full 50/50 - you will get no distance touring. I'd ask around about tire life very on road/off road.
Maybe 80/20 or 70/30.

It's not really an off road bike tho very good off pavement. Great all around machine.
If you are a light frame the stock shocks should be okay but if not then go to the CB500x section on ADVRider if you have not already and see what is recommended especially if you are even thinking about 2 up which I think would be a stretch for the machine.

Excellent platform to built a low intermediate bike that is light and enjoyable. ( ie under 650-800cc being intermediate and litre plus being pigs :D )
 
MacDoc said:
Nice - fast acceleration from noob to cross country man.

I'd be leery of full 50/50 - you will get no distance touring. I'd ask around about tire life very on road/off road.
Maybe 80/20 or 70/30.

It's not really an off road bike tho very good off pavement. Great all around machine.
If you are a light frame the stock shocks should be okay but if not then go to the CB500x section on ADVRider if you have not already and see what is recommended especially if you are even thinking about 2 up which I think would be a stretch for the machine.

Excellent platform to built a low intermediate bike that is light and enjoyable. ( ie under 650-800cc being intermediate and litre plus being pigs :D )
Click to expand...

My very first ride on the street was in Hawaii on a rental Rebel 250 2up and I rode from Honolulu to North Shore, it was scary and addictive at the same time. My only previous experience was on a friends's 100 cc dirt bike.

The 50/50 would mostly be used on dirt roads and Ganaraska. For touring I would change them. I also have the CBR 125 for city riding now.

I am only 5'7" 150 lbs and don't ride 2up anymore now that my wife rides the Spyder so the suspension feels fine.

Sent from my HTC Panache using Tapatalk 2
 
Macdoc, cloth grocery bags inside the al panniers. That is what I do and it works.
 
You can get nice bags meant for the cases you have, I am assuming they are jessies?

I have ordered bags from these guys before, they are good quality and durable. Price is not bad either for $119 USD. They are great, when I get to where I am staying, camping or hotel, just lift the lid pull out the bag and away you go.
http://www.ceebaileys.com/bags/jesse_bags.html

Top loading cases are the best in my opinion. A lot easier to load stuff without having it all spill out when you open it (if not bagged). Groceries are a good example. On my old GS, I had the BMW vario panniers which open like most of the stock panniers, they opened on the side. Try and pack to much in there and it all comes tumbling out if you are not incredibly careful opening it. With top loading, well just cram it in, close the lid and thats it.
 
Thanks
that's exactly what I need.
I love the Burgman for groceries - amazing what goes in with 54 litres underseat and 52 in the top case.
 
I have heard that top loading aluminum panniers are also good for filling with ice and loading bottles of beer in. Hey presto, instant party at campsite.
 
I'm using old ammo cans as my side panniers. Removed alot of the steel and replaced with AL sheet. Heavier then the nice pretty ones but total cost was less then $100 lol. And yes top loaders are great as cold beerage storage. when you get to your destination you can also pull them off and use them as a seat :)
 
Missed the Burgman a bit today - chilly windy wet ride to the Forks. Barkbusters did okay but sure missed the heated grips.

11 degrees and okay when sheltered but with the wind going horizontal in the rain squall my face was getting chilly. Should have put the neck warmer on which I will on the way home.
The Scott jacket with the liner was excellent - toasty the whole way - zippers a bit stiff but overall that's a keeper. I had my lightest riding shirt underneath and a shortsleeve dryfit T and could not be happier with that.

If I add the ColdPruf long sleeved base layer I can seen core being warm way down.
HAve some heated glove liners coming next week and that will take care of the hands.

Feet were chilled which never happens with the Burgman. Just need to wear wool socks and the taller waterproof boots I think. Might take some thinking but the Burgman is there for local rides and never even have to consider weather protection for legs and feet.

Got cold on the top of my feet - hiking boots and light poly socks didn't cut it - also did not have the waterproof liner in the riding pants tho not really needed.

Glad I did not commit to a Bracebridge run. It was fine up to the Forks and if there was no wind would be a decent day.

But between rain squalls and the wind I suspect it's gonna nail any color.
Bike was comfie an Beadrider lets me move around.

HAve a used Saddleman Adventure seat coming
61Eg7qAb0WL._SL1500_.jpg


I think it has a bit more room in the bucket..
 
Riceburner said:
Remember me if you decide to sell the 'ole Strom....

More off-road focused V-Strom 650 for 2015?
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle...-road-focused-v-strom-650-for-2015/25582.html
Click to expand...

It's true http://lockerdome.com/6417355282587713/7023332050617108 new beaked DL650XT for 2015. While I was indifferent to the fox-earred headlights on my first generation bike, the new one has headlights like Cleopatra's eyes (heavy on the eyeliner) and now made worse by a beak that makes it look very duck-like. But still a great bike.

I'm glad they have kept with the full-time on, dual headlight configuration. Definitely the best safety feature next to ABS. Had many many more close calls on my previous single head-lighted bike than I have ever had in 7 years on this bike, and that I attribute to having much better visibility to drivers. Of course it could be that I'm a much better rider than before, but I seriously doubt that. Differences are night and day in visibility. On-coming traffic is much more respectful. Full-time dual head lights should be law.
 
Yeah - would want to make sure it's well anchored. The Clearview on the Burgman is about the same size and I don't put it up full in cross winds at speed. Suzuki added two more anchor points on 2013 - clearly the recognize the risk of aftermarket screens
Some riders get these tall screens and ride behind them....yuck.

Thaar would only be a winter screen - they were pretty inexpensive compared to most.

•••

Didn't miss the Burgman today - bit warmer so hands were fine ( have some Oxford heated grips coming. Wool socks worked so feet were warm...had kids cotton ones on yesterday - as he swiped my poly and they are buried somewhere in the debris in his room.

Still getting used to the jacket - took one more underlayer off so I'm just in a thin poly shirt that I ride in and warm totally.
Will try the jacket without the liner next....still discovering little details - there was a neck strap that was flapping and a little loop on it - just found the hook to keep it out of the way....that must be the air flow adjustment they were on about.

Nice day out - busy at the Forks. Mostly cagers and about 50 Mustangs that drove by - some sweet sounding Shelby's included.
 
Last edited:
Glad I had the Burgman tonight. Dressed lightly and was warmer especially with the heated grips. Scott jacket worked very well. Down to 8 on the way home in the dark.

Part of it is familiarity but the Burgman is mindless to ride. Roll and go but part of that is unfamilar boots and getting used to clutch and shifting after 6 month off from the KLR. Braking is easier on the Burgman with two hands.

Doing the off pavement and the railroad tracks or rougher pavement the Wee is a total treat.
Daylong seat on the Burgman is superior to the stock Wee but hopefully next week the Saddleman Adventure seat will correct.

Storage easier on the Burgman tho with the tank bag not a whole lot. Like both bikes, the range on the Wee is astonishing.
 
MacDoc said:
Storage easier on the Burgman tho with the tank bag not a whole lot. Like both bikes, the range on the Wee is astonishing.
Click to expand...

Yup, even on my older less efficient model riding...spirtly....I get 4.7L/100km
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom