Help me choose my next ride

[blue70beetle]

I absolutely love my XR and would love to pick up a dual sported XR650R to replace it, but apart from their trail and MX bikes, they have nothing that interests me at all, and haven't for several years.

[URSledgehammer]

-VStrom... so I doubt I ever go bombing fire roads with this thing. I need to know about highway speeds. I know in town this is going to be a pretty sweet ride, you sit high, good torque and seems pretty airy(Ill find out tomorrow).
-How does the big Vee handle highway miles? Let's say 80+ mph cruise and 65-75 mph cruise. How beat up will the rider and passenger be at the end of the day?
-Lastly, can the Vee be lowered slightly? I am a little over 6' but only have a 31" inseam.

So here is a pic of said bike. It already has crash bar, top box and bags and some sweet foamy grips which I hear are SWEEEET.



And I see the bags are on backwards.

Short negotiations I told them I would need the bike at near $5800 out the door. Test ride to come.

[Paul@VWvortex]

I just did a 600 mile ride to Northern Arizona and back this weekend with my wife on the back of my GS and a buddy who has the maroon version of that exact bike with the same Givi cases on it. We both cruised two-up the entire time through the twisties and on the highway with no problems up to about 90 mph. He weighs about 170 lbs and his wife about 140 lbs and they did just fine.

I think that lowering links are available for the back or you could choose a Corbin low seat to help you out.

[dts]

I saw one riding a track day a couple of years ago -- it did remarkably well. Couldn't tell you if the suspension had been upgraded or not, but it did remarkably well on the track -- the rider wasn't holding anyone up in the corners in the intermediate group.

[nhbubba]

As I've said, I'm on the 650, not the 1000. My 650 runs out of steam a once you clear about 90 or so. Considering the posted limit around here is always 65 or less, that doesn't bother me much. YMMV.

80 MPH => ~6000 RPM. Rev limit is ~10500, but realistically she runs out of steam somewhere in the 9k range. Pulls great from just after 3k. I typically shift with the needle between 3 and 7k.

The 1k has more juice. It revs lower on the highway.

Based on my experience, the 1k should do anything any US bound street rider should legally ask of it.

Test drives are pretty hard to come by 'round here. Dealers don't do that. What sold me in the end was watching youtube of helmet cams of riders on the highway. Pretty much as close as I could get to the real thing. It was enough to put my mind at ease and separate me from my $$.

I hear the Suzuki bags are horrible. I would not pay any extra for a bike with them. I've seen a guy locally trying to move a pair on CL for a while now.

Vees and Wees can both be lowered fairly easily. Several aftermarket makers make lowering links for the rear suspension. I sat on a used DL650 that had lowering links. Personally I don't see the need. I am used to riding taller bikes.

I hear the DL1000 comes with a taller, better padded seat. There is an even taller seat available too. So three seats across the V-Strom line; the lowest being the 650's stock seat, then the 1k's stock seat, then the 'tall touring' 1k seat.



Many are willing to trade seats. Me, I'd gladly go to a better padded 1k seat.

The seat on my DL650 is not the best. That is my biggest gripe with the bike right now.

What else?

I am 5'11", 6' if i work at it. I wear a 30" inseam.
My commute is 60 miles, one way, mostly interstate. I take the bike whenever the weather and my schedule cooperate. Generally I take the 'long way' home when I do take it. But in the mornings I B-line it on the 'slab. I do 75-85 indicated. Like most Japanese motorcycles, it reads high. Per my GPS that's 70-75-ish real speed. Bike gets vibey, but is manageable.

I like the windscreen. Just the right amount of coverage. I had a nekid before this and it was hell. I'm not quite ready for a full touring bike.

The 19" front is pretty nice on our ****ty New England roads. It soaks up crap back roads and dirt roads like it was meant for it. I can't ride it 'off road' or on unmaintained dirt roads. (The state calls them 'class 6' roads.) I get ~200' in and turn around. It is not a dirt bike, IMO.

[URSledgehammer]

Last ditch, is the ST1100 with 22k a better bike than a DL1000 with 7K?

[Paul@VWvortex]

Last ditch, is the ST1100 with 22k a better bike than a DL1000 with 7K?

The ST1100 is a great motorcycle and the V4 motor is one of the best motors made. With that being said it does suffer from being a design developed in 1990 and it being somewhat expensive to maintain having four carbs and challenging valve adjustments due to the mounting configuration of the engine. It also is heavier and has a five speed transmission. The upside is that the ergonomics are fantastic, the bike is super comfy and the wind protection is stellar.

The DL1000 is a more modern bike with a six speed, a torquey motor and fuel injection. The valve adjustment intervals are further apart and the motor is easier to maintain. With that being said the Vee is a less premium bike and has a chain rather than shaft drive. Many folks are split on this camp but you can be the decider of that issue yourself. The Suzuki is also taller and the wind protection is slightly less.... Both have strong aftermarket and in many ways you will have to come down to which one feels better and which oneis better maintained.

[nhbubba]

What he said.

My ass/arms tell me the V-Strom is more relaxed and upright than the ST1300. The 1100 wasn't even on my radar. And the V-Strom is way, way less than a comparable ST1300.

ST is way heavier. Like on the order of 100lbs heavier.

Chain/shaft is a religious thing, IMO. Me, I'm agnostic. I've never owned anything but chain drive and they don't bother me. Plus you can play with sprocket sizes if you want to.

I have my heart half set on adding a Honda V4 to my garage in the form of a VFR750 as a 2nd motorcycle one of these days.

[URSledgehammer]

-Road the Strom today. Nice bike, a bit underpowered from what I am use to. Had some head buffeting issues it was like my eyes were vibrating. Not sure how or if that can be fixed. It was only above 70mph for the most part.
-From my ride this is close to everything I wanted. Pulls well (rolled on wheelie in 1st), cruises well, comfort is good, it sounds ok, egros were nice, and the gauges are highly visible and wow does this thing soak up the bumps. I could see myself pretty happy for the next 18 months I think. This thing is definitely better than I thought it would be. Still no S-T cruise missile.
-The sales manager will not go to $5800, after a long talk between us he finally came down to $6000 out the door. He insisted that the bags and topbox plus crash bar increases the price, I laughed at him. He did not buy those. I balked a little bit and told him I would have to talk it over with the wife. So that is where it is at, $200 difference. I have to think to my self...self can I sell this bike in 18 months for $6000?

The Saga Continues

[Paul@VWvortex]

Personally I think that there is a relative bottom of the market for nearly every bike out there. Think about it this way; you will spend another $300 or so between a new windscreen and/or some sort of adjustment mechanism (Tobinator?) to get rid of that 70+ mph buffeting and in 18 months you can probably sell that bike for $5500.'

With that being said if you do not love the bike it might not make sense to buy it. I think that the VStrom is one of those bikes (like my R1200GS) that is only lukewarm at first until you figure out what a good all-rounder they make.

[nhbubba]

I think anything you put into accessories and bits is money 90% gone. I do not believe that accessories add value when turning a bike over.

So if the bike isn't comfortable as-is AND it is at or over the top of your budget, I think it is a pass.

Wheelies in 1st is a delta between the 'vee' and my 'wee'. Mine will not wheelie without help at the clutch lever. ~60 HP vs ~90 HP will do that.


I rode mine to work yesterday, found a reasonably 'long way' home. I started my afternoon on 'slab doing ~80 in the left lane. On to sub-urban/down-town congestion, out to well maintained state highways, then to beat-up New England frost heave'd hard-top, and even some graded gravel. Bike does it all. Even handled a stop at the pet-store for a 30# bag of food for the hounds.

[URSledgehammer]

OK next. 02 ST1100 ABS with 21k on the bike. He wants $3200. It is about an 1.5 hour drive from my house. What do I need to look at? I know I said no carb bikes but I am running out of options, and this seems to fit many bills. Plus its way cheaper than the Strom was. I am also thinking my wife can move into this bike eventually.
The bike has a Corbin seat and backrest, PIAA driving lights and a matching set of bags. He says its well maintained just needs to pay for his kids braces.

By the way guys thanks for the great info on the Strom. It is too bad it fell through but hey I may have a great find on my hands.

[Paul@VWvortex]

Good looking bike and cheaper than your budget! If the carbs have been done recently and it drives well it looks like a winner.

[nhbubba]

I'd rock it.

Dunno your wife, but that is a heavy machine. Sure she'll be okay with it?

That said, my mother rode a GL1100 'wing when I was a kid.

[URSledgehammer]

Another fail. The guy sold it last night. I wish he would have got back to me sooner I would of been that guy with a motorcycle.

Search continues...

[Paul@VWvortex]

I found this ST1100 in South Jersey for sale and thought of you.

[VWCoop]

Saw these on Ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...#ht_500wt_1182


I have bought two Triumph Speed Triples that were posted on Ebay. I negotiated over the phone after asking them a few questions via email. I have since sold both to move on to a newer S3. I didn't have any problems with them. My dad owns a 2008 Tiger and loves it. He had a 99 Tiger that he picked up cheap to try and see if he would enjoy a bike like the new Tiger. He misses the 99 because it was cheap and not in perfect aesthetic condition so he wasn't too worried about it compared to his new Tiger. It was the perfect "beater" bike when the rest of the garage was all immaculate and worth more. We took a 1300 mile trip in 4 days on a 99 Sprint ST, 00 S3, and an 08 Tiger to Deals Gap and it performed excellent for him. He never once complained about being uncomfortable. My S3 on the other hand had the worst seat out of them and made the last leg of the trip painful.

[URSledgehammer]

I found this ST1100 in South Jersey for sale and thought of you.

I saw that. Mileage for the price kinda kills me. It however is an option. 52k is a little scary vs what I missed on.

I have a buddy trying to sell me on a few Triumphs. I would definitely ride one if I find the right one.

Lastly I may have run down a 04 ST13 for rather cheap with 18k on the clock. I will let you guys know. It is a bit of a drive from me, 3 hours or so. Also found a ST11 out on Long Island with 8k on it. I hate that drive into NY. If that bike was anywhere else I would jump on it. Found a R1150RT relatively close, that mileage is pretty high 35k but a respectable price.

[nhbubba]

FWIW: I've heard of those Honda V4's going forever; 100k easy. And I hear those autocom systems are the ****.

My first 'con' when I saw that ad was the price. Seems like a lot for a 10 y/o, outdated motorcycle. For that kind of money I'd have a hard time not going 'just a bit more' for a clean ST1300.

I've ridden the R1150RT. Nice bike. Very premium. At the time I was riding a Bandit 1200 and the BMW's owner warned me to look out for the power of the RT. I passed him his keys back telling him he shouldn't have been worried.

My fear with them is BMW repair and maintenance costs.

[URSledgehammer]

I agree about the ST11. The one I had lined up he was willing to take $3200. Seemed like a good deal. At $5k I should keep looking. The Bimmer is $5500, and I thought about the maintenance also... Let's just say if the ST13 works and does not have a salvaged title I will be getting a better deal than the first ST11.

So I am still willing to take recomendations, no Triumphs in the local area, but I will keep that in mind. On another note I found a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS, but I do not have a local Ducati dealer and maintenance is annual on those Duc's. That goes for the ST3 I found too. Damn valve cycles are not that far apart.

for all who have giving the great input. Thanks guys.

*Update I offered $400 over asking... I will see in the AM.

[URSledgehammer]

*Update*

The guy liked my up'd offer and said the bike is mine. Just trying to iron out logistics.

Bike info 04 ST13, 18k miles all maintenance up to date. It is Blue which I prefer to Red. Already has HeliBars, matching bags and aftermarket top box with pad and Corbin Saddle. He wanted to keep the ST but no radio. He also owns a big Wing. So one sits and this was the want that had to go. He wanted $4500 and had a previous offer so I offered $5200 and he said its mine. So a little above what I was looking to pay but it ends a search and I end up getting exactly what I wanted. According to NADA the bike is worth well more than what I am paying. So I can still turn the bike if I ever felt the urge.

So the shop trying to sell me the Strom told me I am looking for the perfect deal and I will never find what I am looking for. I hope this is next to the perfect deal ($4500). I feel like riding into the showroom there and doing a burnout laughing. The dealership also has a 07 ST with 75k miles and they want $8900. Ah I wish I had patients like this in the rest of my life.

[nhbubba]

Grats. I like those ST1300's. Was on the hunt for one for a while. I don't think they resell that well. I watched a local guy on CL try to move a real clean one most of last summer, price gradually going lower and lower. Unfortunately he and I still couldn't get together on price. And really I can't blame him; I couldn't afford what the bike was worth. And really the bike is too big/heavy/much for what I wanted these days anyways.

Hope it works out. Enjoy it.

for all who have giving the great input. Thanks guys.

Any time. BS'ing about bikes does not require beer on this end... although it has been known to make the stories better.

[URSledgehammer]

-I bought the ST13, and a mighty fine deal too. The bike is immaculate with all maintenance current and even newish tires. The heat issue is for real no doubt about that. The heat just blast your legs and well the jewels through the tank. I already see their are plenty of simple and cheap fix.
-The ride home is something I could have never done on the Warrior. Today I am none the worst after the ride. It took me a little over 4 hours to make it back. Traffic was terrible and I had a little fuel up issue. The Corbin is a little narrow and drives me into the tank. I raised it to the highest position this morning and will try that out.
-Impressions: while it is not the most powerful machine I have ever ridden it does have great linear power. Some say locomotive I'd call it more like a Sewing Machine. I do love the adjustable windscreen. When it is all the way down I still feel like I am riding a motorcycle, and when full up I can flip up my tinted visor scrunch down just a bit and it is dead calm. Brakes are a bit grabby and may be something I will look into. That front brake really bites hard. Ergos were a little tight, raising the seat today may fix that. I am a pretty big guy at 6' and 255lbs. Id like some new grips, the stock rubber ones are just well plain. At highway speed this thing gets great gas mileage, between 45 and 63 indicated. No jacking at all. My buddy who took the long trip went out for a little spin and was impressed (rides a Crossbones). Looks at and and goes this thing is shaft driven...huh?
-So I am happy with the purchase. I got it for $5200 and it is NADA at $7000 for average. In a few years I will try out the FJR. It really is the bike I want. In the mean time the ST style bike is for me. You can lean it over you can flat out cruise or you can beat it and get some smiles. It will kill bugs by the thousands, found out night riding last night. The Strom may have more leg room but it is no were near the bike the ST13 is.

Lastly thanks guys for all the input. This may be the best forum on the Vortex. I would recommend buying a ST if you ever have the itch. It really is something special. Pics to come after I ride back out to Annapolis to grab my Rav4.

[nhbubba]

Sounds fantastic. Sounds like a bitchin' deal.

Got pix?

Ride the piss out of it!

[URSledgehammer]

*Update- so I blew out my PCL jogging and now can not ride. This is why I have not posted pictures. I may have some other nasty bits loose in my knee. So I may sell, with a 12 month + rehab in my future. I am hoping for better news.

[Silly_me]

*Update- so I blew out my PCL jogging

Professor Hathaway: You still run?
Chris Knight: Only when chased

[URSledgehammer]

Damn Air Force requirement.

[nhbubba]

That's a drag doode. I am preparing a note to my missus.


Dear mrs nhbubba:

I know a guy on the interwebz who is passing on a fantastic deal on a really clean ST1300. Whaddayah say we go buy it?!

Signed,
Guy living on your couch