As a rider of over 40 years it was time to give up my big bikes and my beloved - Beemer (160 000 kms). So, on a lark, I bought a new 'Strom in 2009. Never figured I'd keep it the whole season but, as it turned out, i put 60 000+ kilometers on that one, bought a new 2012 'Strom, farkled it to the max and put 65 000+ kms on that, riding from the tundra in northern Canada to long runs in Mexico and Central America. I now own a 2015 'Strom Beaker. Been busy with other things so there's only 13 000 kms on this one. So far. Of the nearly 140 000 kms put on all three 'Stroms at least 40 000 kms were off pavement - 10 000 in knobby places 'Stroms were never meant to travel. Not one significant issue, well priced, regular fuel, easy to maintain. While The Beaker will be a keeper, I'm in the process of adding a new Suzuki S1000F to the stable - just to get that goofy grin back on my face. But the 'Stroms? One of the best bikes out there and certainly a machine that can deliver you the world or get liter of milk back home. I suspect the bike is encroaching upon cult status, and if it does, I'll know why.

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Walter. Great story. I've put 17,000 KM on my Strom this year including a trip up to Yellowknife. I love this bike more every time I ride it.

Picked up a lightly used 2013 DL650 ABS Adventure a few years back with all the factory options. Bought it for a song with only !0,000 miles on the clock and very close to mint condition. I've been riding for over 50 years and have owned well over 50 bikes off all kinds, sizes, and engine configurations, and this one is in serious contention for my favorite of all time. It is the PERFECT combination of size/weight/power/utility/comfort/handling/reliability. The 90 degree twin engine is as close to internal combustion perfection as you are likely to find, with the finest power delivery I've ever experienced on a bike. It is great anywhere on the tach too. It's not he most powerful engine, but it is definitely adequate and sweet. I'm thinking it might finally be time to sell off a few bikes, keep only a single DL650, and enjoy the extra room without missing out on a thing.

Looks so freaking stunning in black & gray. Congrats for your purchase

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I prefer to think of it as Silver :)

you wont be disappointed that is a great package I have virtually the same spec bike(cast wheels no beak) here in England.Hope you have great fun with it.Happy riding😀

Sweet bike! I can't wait to see how she runs.

Congrats Terry! Nice bike!

I took delivery of mine in November last year. What an awesome bike. I love it. Mine is in White. I agree the beak makes it look complete. Your's is identical to mine other than the color. Same hand guards, same crash bars, same engine cover. I put a Givi Airflow screen on mine and it made a huge difference to wind buffeting. For serious off roading you really need a proper crash pan under the engine. This video really reminds me of when I picked up Mine. I felt so proud and so happy.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Ya, the Givi screen has made a huge difference. I quite like it. I'm over 7800 km on the bike now :)

Congratulations on choosing a great bike! I have a 2012 DL650 with lots of comfort and ADV-style mods that I bought new to ride from Texas to Alaska in 2014. It turned out to be the perfect choice for the trip. I had a great time and the bike performed nearly flawlessly. It has since taken me up tall mountains, flat-out on the Bonneville Salt Flats, across deserts, through forests and winding valleys, across the Great Plains, along historical routes, through national parks, and along coastlines. Interstates, gravel and dirt paths, and muddy roads like the Dalton Hwy are all handled without much drama. It's been ridden across Idaho at 108F and through sub-freezing mountain passes in Alberta. I have several motorcycles but when it comes to riding long distances to awesome places, I always choose the V-Strom as my travel partner.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Wow! I hope to get to travel even half of your variety. :) Cheers.

@TeeBeeZee

8 жыл бұрын

I've watched some of your other vids and see that you're already getting "out there" enjoying it proper. I think I picked up that you're from Calgary. I passed through there on the way to Alaska in 2014. I loved the Banff and Jasper area. In a few weeks, I'll be riding the V-Strom to NM and CO for a whirlwind tour of the mountains with a friend. Getting excited.

Beautiful bike dude

Nice, thanks for posting

I just bought almost the same bike on 1 April this year. I don't have the Suzuki skid plates, handguards or top box, but all else is the same. I am loving this bike too, I'm about to complete 1000miles tomorrow on it, not a mile wasted!

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

+Otaner Kcereip Congrats! Ya, it's a very nice bike. I just passed 2100 KM today on it. And I agree, not a mile wasted. I'm taking an off-road course in June. I'm really looking forward to getting this bike way off the beat'n path. :) I've already spent a lot of time on gravel roads, but dirt tracks are going to be a lot of fun.

Beautiful !

I have a 2015 DL myself great bike

Great bike. I have a 2012 model. Enjoy.

Beautifull bike bud ,I bought a 208 in mar 20..2016 with 5300k ,my 10th and best bike ever....have fun ...and be safe

Nice!!! Wish you safe rides!!

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

+gloryths Thanks! I'm up to 370 km on it now. I really like this bike. So comfortable and fun.

@gloryths

8 жыл бұрын

+kitecraft Totally agree with you. The spoked new wheels and of course the beak makes it so damn bulky as it should have been.

Nice bike mate. Don't think about falling off...or you will.

Looks nice and safe

I'm a little surprised the bike didn't roll back after you had it in neutral on an a downward slope like that. Lucky man.

Congratulations dude... great bike, a clever choice!!! (V Strom is a very nice "horse"... I own two of them (650 and 1000), hehehe!!)

@exothermal.sprocket

7 жыл бұрын

Which horse do you prefer more of the time?

Like your video. I have a non xt model (But i added the beak and wire wheels because i agree that the beak completes the look) I hope you enjoy the bike. I absolutely love mine, to the point i will ride 500 miles in a day and that night i will dream about riding it more. If you plan on taking it off road, i would advise that you swap that skid plate out for another (metal) one. Those plastic ones are fairly weak.

Great, dude, You're gonna have a lot of fun! I've got 13k on mine. Love the gray fairings. Mine are black, been thinking about having them painted. Your locks (ignition & bags) look like the shop lubed them, which is good. But get a tube of graphite and keep it in with your tools: the locks get so stiff, you could bend a key. You'll wish you had the heated grips: extends your temp range by 8-10° easy. Yeh, you'll need a proper bash plate if you go off road. I thought that was what I was getting when I ordered the OME "cowling", but no: plastic and already busted. If you're going off-road, make your next set of tires more off-roady than the stock. Also, buy a small electric air compressor (and install a plug to run it). That way, you can "air down" for the rough stuff and return to normal pressure when you get back on pavement. Anything else? Oh, yeah: the engine guards put out a vibe at, what is it, 4200 rpm or so? It's disturbing at first, then just annoying, then you forget it.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks Griffin. That's all really good advice. I'm up to 5800 km now on the bike (in 2 months!). The video called 'V-Strom update 3 - It got muddy shows the latest mods I've done to it. Givi Airflow windscreen, Rox 2 inch risers, couple other things. Cheers.

That is my dream bike. One day.

Congrats! Yes it is a beautiful bike, very happy for you, nothing like the first moments of a new relationship. I've been thinking about trading in my big cruiser for this exact bike. Thanks for the vid, happy trails!

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

+cobrakenny Glad you like it. I'm up to 230 KM on the bike now and I really do like it. A very comfortable and capable bike. Cheers.

Love bike looking to buy new one myself

Belíssima moto!!

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Obrigado!

Congrats mate! Please tell us about the average consumption and the riding position! (the handlebars feel a bit uncomfortable?!)

any news about the consumption and the riding position? pros and cons for us who are thinking this bike as the next bike?

Nice bike! I have a 2012 myself. You'll want to add some bar risers. I'd suggest Rox Risers.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks!. And, I've already added Rox 2 inch risers. I talk about them (and the Givi Airflow windscreen) in Update 3. Cheers.

What is the beak for , I cant see any purpose for it other than adding weight and a bit of style.I didn,t notice a center stand , that was the first thing I put on my bike. Did Suzuki make it any easier to do maintenance on the 2016/17 models.

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

No version of the bike comes with a center stand. I installed one the following week myself. The beak looks great. As for weight, it really doesn't weigh enough to matter. The maintenance I've done has been easy enough. Oil changes are easy. Removing the body work and fairing is easy enough once you figure it out. Re-assembly is also quick and simple.

Re. kitecraft , where did you get your longer brake cable from

"The expedition pack is added on at the dealer." Does that mean if I went to another Suzuki dealer, I couldn't get the same bike? It looks really awesome though. You don't seem perfectly upright on it, is it comfortable over long distances?

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

What I ment was that it's installed at the dealer. You'll get the exact same package everywhere. I'm 6ft 1 inch tall with a 32 inch inseam so I've added 2 inch Rox Handlebar Risers and I do sit upright on the bike. It's very comfortable over long distances. I've planned a 13 day 5000+ km tour in August :)

Greetings from Coos Bay Or, I just purchased the same bike (XT W/O the the expedition pack) after returning from SE Asia where I rented the same and put 780Km riding the mountains of northern Thailand....I knew it would be my next ride here in the states. Congrats on your V-Strom, and thanks for the video. Now shopping for bags, would you mind giving the pro and cons of the OEM's . Thanks

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

Hi papa. I'm glad you liked the video. I've love the V-Strom. I put just over 17,000 KM on it last year including a trip up to the Northwest Territories. I like the OEM boxes very much. They are sturdy and mount securely. Easy to open. They are just a touch wider than the handlebars I think, but I've not had a problem with that. I'm very happy with the boxes and have not even considered changing them for anything else.

@papamotofshr4780

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, good to hear your happy with them. Great that your enjoying your ride, ping me via this string if you get into my neck of the woods.

i own the DL650 ABS 2014, with alu wheeles.... my duck nose is much smaller....lol but the bike is wonderfull to drive...without boxes it does 190+km/h ( 118+mph ) sitting upstraight relax...i live in Germany, no speedlimit ... i went from here to South England and back...no trouble at all...and some wonderfull curvy roads...but the peopel drove at the wrong side of the roads....

@XxDeckxX

7 жыл бұрын

And is it comfortable? I am looking to buy the 2016 to ride my girlfriend and I, and I am looking for a comfortable 650 motorbike. I am between the Kawa Versys or the V Strom ... I'd have to sit on both to check which one is more comfortable.

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

It's very comfortable. I recently took a trip of 5200 KM over 12 days and felt very good on the bike the entire time.

@Arltratlo

7 жыл бұрын

kitecraft I came back last week from a 3500km tour around the north island of New Zealand. ...but with the 2013 version.....but still a good ride.....but the people there driving on the wrong side of the road. ...lol

@Arltratlo

7 жыл бұрын

Martín Valls u got more space to put stuff and your girlfriend on the Suzuki...lol....with all my boxes attached u can still sit comfortably on the back....the power is sufficient for 2 people and luggage. ....the Suzuki V Strom is a long distance travel bike.....my last tour was 3500km....and no trouble....or back pain...lol

Your trips inspired me to get a vstrom 650. just picked it up today. Which adventure bike groups are around Calgary? Just Meet up and Everything Else Group?

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

Woo-Hoo! Awesome! You'll be very happy with the bike. There's 2 meetup groups for motorcycle riders in Calgary. I'm a member of both. The "... and everything else' group is the more active one. Usually has 2 repeating scheduled rides a week. Last year, the Thursday night ride was split into 2 groups. Street and Adventure riders. We'd hit the gravel roads and often end up at McLean Creek for a bit of off-road fun. I'm hoping to schedule an adventure ride for Waiprus in a couple weeks when it gets a bit drier out there :) I Hope you'll come along. So, what color is your bike? Did you get the full adventure version? Cheers!

@ARC9478

7 жыл бұрын

Perfect let me know when, I'll probably be up for it.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

nice bike! I have a 2004 with just under 40,000 miles. I rode from Ohio out to Denver and Taos, then back to the Smoky mtns and up to OH last summer with nary a hiccup. I highly recommend a fender extender for the front. it will keep crap off your radiator and oil cooler (and boots, too). I also have a fork stabilizer, which made a world of difference. Not sure if you need one on the newer ones, though. I know you love "the beak", but I think it looks like ass! lol - to each his own, though, right? ride safe! Also - join the "Stromtroopers" owners forum. It is an amazing group of people.

@ignatiuslaurent58

7 жыл бұрын

Richard Witt it look like the road runner or woodpecker cartoon

@albion2742

7 жыл бұрын

In 2014 I took a similar trip from OHIO to Zion, Grand Canyon , Pikes Peak among other sites.on my 2011 Weestrom 5000+ MILES. Where in Ohio are you.I aM IN mEDINA.

could you tell me which is the exact name of the colour of your bike?Forum example mystic silver,metallic mat fibroin grey or something else?

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

I think it is Metallic Matte Fibroin Gray

I bought NEW Kawasaki Versys 650 2017 alse great

Just beautiful !! 2017 or 2016? Ride safe :)

Let the Farkling begin....

What do you think about the new 650? Are you tempted?

@kitecraft

7 жыл бұрын

I'm not tempted with the new 650. I actually don't like it's look as much as my model. I just really like the looks of mine so much more. The side-by-side headlights look better. And I prefer the more closed in rear end that mine has over the new one. Don't get me wrong, I do like the new bike, but I just like the looks of my model more.

nice i am looking at getting one aswell. how tall are you. im 6ft 4. im seeing if they can lift the seat up a little too.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

I'm 6ft 1. I added 2 inch Rox pivoting handlebar risers and now they are the perfect height for when I'm standing up on the bike. Very comfortable to sit for long rides as well.

@mattshell231004

8 жыл бұрын

have you still got the standard seat on it.

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

Yep.

@mattshell231004

8 жыл бұрын

cool. happy riding mate, keep the blogs coming, enjoy watching the videos.

Ah the beak. Just right for impaling careless pedestrians!

@kitecraft

8 жыл бұрын

And it's just the right height to really make an impression ;) lol

Good on you, you'll love that bike more as it matures. I kept a blog of one of my 'Strom rides, you can Google Islandbikers PEI to Panama or see: islandbikers.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/pei-to-panama-2/. These bikes are far from fashion accessories, and they have a face only a mother could love! But, they're wonderful bikes worthy of many an adventure.