At 74, my arthritic knees couldn't handle my 850 pound cruiser's weight any more, so I bought one of these. It's around 350 lbs lighter, which makes a huge difference. At 6' 3" with giraffe legs I lowered the pegs 1 1/2" and had 5" of softer foam added to raise the seat and get rid of that ridiculous bucket shape. Now it has all day comfort and am enjoying all the old man perks - windshield, ABS, heated grips. Excellent little bike and will add a lot more years of saddle time. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

I’m with you on the seat it does need tweaking, I’m glad you found something that works for you. Thank you for watching!

I sold my Electra Glide after dropping it in my long sandy driveway and could not pick it up. The seat was wonderful and although it was a 5 speed it was comfy on interstate but a little over stressed. Bought a 20 V-Strom 650 Adventure with 790 miles and drove it home 150 miles in 101 degree heat. Several times looked down to see 84...82 and slow down. GREAT engine. It was more pleasant than Harley on interstate except for the saddle. Wind management better than Geezer Glide. Seat needs improvement. Very happy to have made the switch. Fun easy to ride bike. Dropped twice in driveway sand and easy for this 60 year old to pick up :) Stoked.

@ddanf308

2 жыл бұрын

A little pricey IMO, but I put a Corbin seat on mine and it made a world of difference for longer range trips.

Great video! I had a pearl white '17 and sold it. Bought a Z900 RS. Not the greatest for long trips. Missed my DL, so I bought a '22 650 Adventure. These bikes are a blast. Handle great, good power. and dependable as hell. Local service manager said there was one 650 in with 300k miles on it. Original engine. Next year, these beauties will be replaced. We'll miss them.

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, i’ve had 10 motorcycles and there’s something awesome about the Vstrom 650. It is a Swiss Army bike. Have fun on your 2022!

Loving my 2023 vstrom 😊😊

Took mine on a 10,000 mile meandering trip that included dirt/gravel, interstate, mountain and desert roads with no issues at all. Most versatile bike I've ever owned and there have been many.

@feral664

Жыл бұрын

I'm looking at these currently. Is yours a 650?

@tnmsurge

Жыл бұрын

@Feral Yes. The only modification is Akrapovic slip-ons, heated grips and taller windscreen I weigh 190 and had about a 60 lb load and never lacked for power or comfort

@feral664

Жыл бұрын

​@Mike Surgenor thanks for the reply. I have a cruiser but look at side dirt roads enviously. How comfortable is the ride at freeway speeds?

@tnmsurge

Жыл бұрын

@Feral I definitely prefer the more upright position as compared to the cruisers I've owned. I'm short, 5'6" and used Madstad touring windscreen so turbulence was never a factor And have long been a fan of a sheepskin seat covers for comfort. Heated grips were really nice to have as well. Vibration at highway speeds was barely a factor with bar weights added

@feral664

Жыл бұрын

​@@tnmsurge good to know. I'm 6'4". Going to go test ride the 650 and 1000 this week. Then I get to have the chat with the former ER nurse (wife) that hates motorcycles on why I need ANOTHER bike...

I've been checking these V-Strom bikes out for a while now, they seem pretty ideal. If you were selling them for a living these things would be flying out the door based on this video. Sold! 💸🏍️😁👍

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

I did not expect to fall in love with the bike but it has proven itself under some pretty ridiculous circumstances, to be remarkably resilient especially for what I paid for it. Thank you for watching.

Good review. Thanks for sharing it. Quick Q: Feel any vibration on the handle bars at a certain speed and gear on the highway? VTX 1800 has none; engine just purrs.

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

I wrapped both grips with gel wrap. So there really is no vibration but if I hadn’t done that there would be at higher speeds yes. Up around 80 you feel the vibration in your hands if I didn’t have the grips wrapped. And you’re right about the 1800 there is no vibration at all even at higher speeds. I do not know how Honda pulled that off. I was just always amazed at how well the Vstrom did in windy wet weather compared to my other bikes. Thank you for watching and I appreciate your comments. TG.

@mr.solitude3352

2 жыл бұрын

@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480Thank you as well.

Nice review. Just wondering what tires are you using?

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

At the time Bridgestone Trailwing tires, I’ve since put on Michelin Road 5 Trail tires and they have been excellent in the rain, but not as good on gravel as the Trailwings in my opinion.

Why have three cruisers in the garage instead of just one cruiser and two other different kinds ?

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

Жыл бұрын

Well the VTX 1800 is my speed demon, The triumph Thunderbird 1600 has ABS so I use that one in bad weather, and my Vulcan nomad 1600 has air suspension and it’s very comfortable. I would have 1 million bikes if I could do it. I would be worse than Jay Leno.

Great authentic video feedback! What is on your seat exactly?

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

Жыл бұрын

That was an air seat cushion that I replaced with a honeycomb rubber cushion.

@Rmachine429

Жыл бұрын

@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 Thank you!

what windshield is that? I've tried a few and nothing but turbulence. Lots of complaints of turbulence on stromtroopers. if zuki used a wind tunnel they did a poor job. I like my '13 650 strom otherwise.

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

It’s the stock windshield on the 2015, The top wind deflector has to be pushed all the way forward or I get buffeting on the top of my helmet. But I have found the wind deflection to be very good overall on mine.

@clivekent7465

2 жыл бұрын

@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 I actually have a similar deflector. I'll give that position a try.

Where do you have the windscreen mounted: top, middle, bottom? How tall are you?

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

11 ай бұрын

It’s mounted on the top sets of screws and I am 5 foot nine. But what really makes the difference is the extender.

@user-zb7jv4bg5c

11 ай бұрын

@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 Thanks. Was curious because I have the same bike and model year with the same wind screen & deflector. That screen is the touring screen that came with that model new. After years of running a large CaliSci I've reinstalled the original touring screen and am trying to get it setup for my taste. At 5'10 I get buffeting on the top of my helmet when the screen is at the top set of bolts. Agree that the deflector makes a difference. Agree with you on the comfort and utility of the bike. Have put 75,000km on mine. For me it works well for long distance touring. Stock seat is ok for me but we are all different.

Dude, did you stop at a single stop sign?? :-)

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

2 жыл бұрын

Ummm. Well… I see what you mean. In my defense no stop signs were hurt in the making of this film.

@dingoniner5528

2 жыл бұрын

lol well you make some great videos, thanks for that!

@TrustyZ900

Жыл бұрын

@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 Very good...You ever see a motorcycle cop come to a complete stop ? Never.

@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480

Жыл бұрын

@@TrustyZ900 well put!

Yes.. the seat is awful WTF