Smallest touring motorcycle?

[rorider]

$8500 + HST -- that is the lowest price I could find and was from Suzuki of Newmarket. I didn't buy there though... I basically 'price matched'.

Sounds like a decent deal. Congrats on the new bike and enjoy!

 

[A.K.]

Second the sign up for www.stromtrooper.com also wander over to www.advrider.com

Skidplate isn't as a big deal as it was with the first gen. You don't have an oil cooler asking for rock to go through it. To spend more money look at www.twistedthrottle.com or more local www.dualsportplus.com

Another local guy is http://aviciouscycle.ca/mainpages/productlist.aspx?modelid=13

 

[MacDoc]

Nice :clap:
For distance Sargent makes a nice seat but not sure about the 2013.
You could try a Beadrider instead - lot less and many swear by them including me.

Barkbusters are a good investment if you are taking on dirt tracks.

ADVRider should have a dedicated page for the Weestrom

 

[Zoodles95]

Sounds like you made an awesome choice.

I am still curious about those NC 700X though. I found this but it was too late as you already bit on another bike:
http://rideapart.com/2013/02/rideapart-review-honda-nc700x/

They fitted one with dual purpose tires and did some adventure touring with it. The main concern they seemed to have was the lack of availability of a skid plate but there is one on the market now.

 

[the_mueg]

Suzuki tu250 is the bike that's small and good for touring. It can run at 110km/h all day long and is fine when it comes to fuel. Check out the advrider thread on that bike.

 

[skip]

ADVRider should have a dedicated page for the Weestrom

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Not only the wee but there is lots of information. http://www.stromtrooper.com/ is a dedicated site.

 

[shanekingsley]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a 2013 V-strom 650. Now the expensive task of finding engine guards, skidplate, center stand, trunk, panniers, etc etc...

Resistance is futile.
You have been assimilated.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425717 - the Wee-strom thread index - although technically you have a Glee

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

Just an update:

2 months in, 10000km later: I would like to thank everyone who recommended the Vstrom -- it is the perfect bike for me. Powerful and fast enough to have fun and to tempt getting in trouble, decent mileage (I get around 5l/100km when on the 401 with cases and bike loaded, down to 4l/100km or less when just the top case and back roads).

It is a comfortable bike to ride, as I have done many 12 hour days on the stock saddle. Having highway bars helps though so I can change up positions.

I just returned from New Hampshire -- here is a time lapse video on some gravel my GPS took me on when I accidentally left it on 'shortest distance' mode: (note, it was a lot steeper than it looks!): www.youtube.com/embed/4b9GezeilvQ

 

[MacDoc]

I am still curious about those NC 700X though.

The Vstrom 650 will eat it for lunch in every which way except gas mileage. If it weighed less would be on my short list.

Right now I'd opt for a CB500x in a heartbeat as a solo dual sport.