2006 Suzuki V-Strom 650
August 4th, 2008 | 
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2006 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
Much better!
Getting the dry weight of the next bike down from 654 lbs to 418 lbs made a dramatic difference in my ability to keep this bike upright. Too bad it was probably too tall for a still-inexperienced rider.
Nevertheless, this was the first bike I felt comfortable enough on to ride regularly and even leave town for a trip – the whole reason I got into riding in the first place.
The V-Strom had an incredibly smooth motor, torquey, with a nice powerband. I kept this bike nearly a year, put several thousand miles on it, managed a 1,500 mile trip, and only dropped the bike once in the time I had it. Parking parallel to a downhill slope (again!) on the way to a Pashnit Spring Gathering in May 2006 was the culprit. That event caused me to miss the gathering as I then had to go into Carson City for parts.
First Long Motorcycle Trip - 05/2006 - Death Valley, CA
As much as I liked this bike, it wasn’t without it’s issues. The biggest one was a buffeting problem that I couldn’t solved after two adjusters and four different windshields. As a newbie, being on my tip-toes at stops was unnerving, and I had a constant issue with false neutrals between 2nd and 3rd gear.
Switching rides with a buddy one day, I got some time on a Harley Davidson Sportster. I immediately caught the bug, as it felt so much lower to the ground, and more “planted” at speed. After 10 months, I sold the V-Strom and rode home on a leftover 2006 Sportster.
Posted in
:O the v-strom was not ugly! i loved it! That one was my favorite. But of course that is from a girls point of view. I love the newest bike you have its very stylish and it seems like you have the most fun on it.
Love ya,
Kido
I have come from the other direction, after owning a string of cruisers, I managed to fluke a ride on my mates BMW 650 Dakar, while it wasn’t a speed demon it did however put a new bee in my bonnet so to speak. That XMass I was given LWD & LWR. Things really changed for me, two month later I had my first V-Strom (2nd Hand) I have a 2nd, with over 60,000km (in 3 years) purchased new. I another 2 years will move up to a BMW F800GS. I would never return back to cruisers mainly because of the lack of well ability to just go anywhere.
On your wee what lower fairing did you have?
It was a product made in France and sold by Eurobikes out of Virginia here in the U.S. I don’t think they are importing them any longer unfortunately. Too bad, as the fit and finish were first rate, and the paint match was perfect. For more current information, you might check out the V-Strom specific boards at http://www.StromTrooper.net or http://www.VStrom.info.