V-Tom, how's the new vs. old V-Strom 650? How do the two compare?
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Anybody with a Sport-Touring Motorcycle that Tours?
- Thread starter Triple
- Start date
I wrote the following over on Stromtrooper:
My 2006 was nicely broken in and over time I had the ergos setup perfectly for me. I have had my NewStrom since March 12th and have over 6,400 km.
My thoughts:
NewStrom certainly feels like a higher quality, better built bike. Fit and finish seem much better and the styling is somewhat less ugly (but that's a matter of taste.)
I really love the digital information. Temperature and fuel mileage readouts are things I have been used to in my cars since the early 80's and I love that my NewStrom has them. I initially wasn't overly fond of the digital speed readout even though the vehicles I work with have had them for over 15 years. The digital speed updates more quickly than GPS speed readout so that took some time to get used to and now I have no issue with it. I like that I can change to MPH when I head into the USA. I don't like the speedo error - I have a raceratb faceplate on my OldStrom that made it right on but have mentally adapted for now. (I am thinking about a sprocket change to 16 tooth so that will make the speedo closer to correct or may get a speedo healer.)
Ergos for me were not as nicely setup stock as my OldStrom, but I guess that was to be expected. I have added a set of up-and-back risers and that made a big difference for me comfort wise. I bought the tall seat and, while the NewStrom Seat is much more comfy than the Stock OldStrom seat, it is nothing near as comfy as my Corbin so I will need to change that in the future. Buffeting stock was much better than on the OldStrom stock, but I added a Madstad to that and now have to my Newstrom as well. So far I am happy with the Madstad and my old Givi Screen.
The NewStrom fires up much more readily than my OldStrom (which always started well, NewStrom seems to jump to life!) The NewStrom makes much less mechanical nose and gives a better feeling of quality than the OldStrom. Now, my OldStrom had a 16 tooth Sprocket and the NewStrom has the stock 15, but there is noticeably more power everywhere in the rev range. It just pulls strongly any time. The throttle response is also much more immediate.. it seems to jump and any requests I give it through the throttle. (I have gotten used tio it but on occasion I give it a bit much at low speed.) I had read reviews of the engine being smoother.. I can’t say that mine is. It seems to have as much vibration or perhaps a bit more than my OldStrom but some of that might be the result of the lightweight seat on the new bike vs the heavy Corbin Seat damping the vibrations on the old bike; or perhaps the throttles aren’t synced as well as they could be.
Clutch is lighter than OldStrom. The transmission shifts quite a bit easier than before and this was noticeable from day one. You can be a little bit sloppy in clutchless shifts and the tranny forgives you. It goes through the rev range much quicker than before.. more torque everywhere. The only downside is the (500 rpm lower) redline comes much quicker. I found mine has come up off the front wheel a few times when I wasn’t expecting it. Not quite the torque monster of the DL1000 but certainly better than the OldStrom. The stock brakes are way better than the EBC Semi Metallic brakes I had on my Oldstrom. I can’t say for sure but I swear there is much less hand/foot effort for the same braking than before. The ABS works very well. I didn’t have ABS previously on any bike and this system works as expected. I like that I can use the front brake very hard on slippery roads instead of having to gingerly look for the traction point. As a result I can get more use of the brakes sooner in those conditions.
The springs and shocks are much better than what I recall my old Strom had stock. There could be some improvement with the way damping works up front but I don’t feel any strong need to upgrade either end, and found that full pre-load seems too much for my weight (currently around 240 lbs) I have been riding a lot with my Girlfriend on the back. She’s fairly light but no problem suspension-wise with both of us on the bike and a full topcase. I added a Fork Brace (from my OldStrom) and can’t say the improvement was nearly as dramatic as it was on the OldStrom. I rode in some heavy winds this past weekend and stock the NewStrom handled things as well as the Oldstrom (which I am able to ride in 50 mph crosswinds hands off.)
So, is it worth the upgrade?
I think if you had an older DL650 that is running fine I would just keep riding it for a long time, but if it is time to replace your old Strom; the NewStrom is a nice improvement. I loved my OldStrom. I love my NewStrom.
..Tom
Thanks Tom!
I was getting parts at my local dealer yesterday. While waiting on a lookup, I had a seat on the new 'strom. It felt really nice - a bit leaner and meaner than the old one.
I was getting parts at my local dealer yesterday. While waiting on a lookup, I had a seat on the new 'strom. It felt really nice - a bit leaner and meaner than the old one.
I dont know art, but I know what I like!:salute: Is that a custom setup or something one can buy off a shelf?Oh I can tour!
That's not the half of it, he rides it like and animal too.
I've seen this thing drifting sideways around corners lol.
senojrb
Member
that's not the half of it, he rides it like and animal too.
i've seen this thing drifting sideways around corners lol.
thats awesome!!!!!!
I concur. On par with that guy that drags engine guards on his Goldwing at every turn of The Dragon.
[video=youtube_share;0nrMQ3QwyPo]http://youtu.be/0nrMQ3QwyPo[/video]
part 2:
http://www.myspace.com/video/gus/goldwing-tail-of-dragon/4699595#
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That's a good find. For the price, you can order two so you have a spare when (not if) you yank the cables out of the first one. I have the Chinese BT Interphone that works very well but ordered a pair of these for when I'm riding with my wife and don't need to answer phone calls. We'll see what the sound quality is going to be and I'm a little concerned about how they will work with earplugs or noise in the other ear, but hey, it's worth a shot.
slowbird
Well-known member
Vlad, I'm very interested to see how well it works.
Would you pls be so kind as to post or PM me a review?
Armen444
Well-known member
exact same reason why i ordered them, however my main concerns is them popping out of my ear and it falling into the extra ear space in my helmet...
djez
Well-known member
If that unit is like this from crappy tire, the mic is useless at speed more than 60. I end up using it as an iPod amplifier only.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...tion+Powersport+Intercom+System.jsp?locale=en
Armen444
Well-known member
well right off the bat i can tell you the microphone quality will be much better due to the mic itself is wrapped in foam, eliminating minimal wind, also its technically inside the helmet and much closer to your mouth, also adjustable, ill do a small follow up review next week when i receive it
The box looks very similar, but the mike/earphone units are different. The one I ordered is supposed to have a boom mic. Have you tried to use that CT microphone as laringophone? It looks like it's good for tying around your neck. I don't know of a better way to eliminate background noise than to connect the microphone directly to the larynx.
Will do, but please remind me via e-mail in a few weeks if I forget.
slowbird
Well-known member
Balaclava works well for me in this regard.
Armen444
Well-known member
since we are showing some 'old' sport tourers we've created ... i have this in my garage as a commuter bike / trailer queen sport tourer. Suspension is now done with RaceTechs front and rear and rebuilt front forks from a ZX11, ZRX 1200... and brakes off a ZX12
Now that I'm finished, I'd consider selling it if the price was right
Now that I'm finished, I'd consider selling it if the price was right
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