A smaller, lighter, nimble stable mate to the CB?

[Deanohh_imp]

I had a 2010 650 vstrom for a year. Popular bike but seemed top heavy and gutless to me. The newer ones look more trim and may be better.

[flynrider]

Smaller, lighter, nimble stablemate? There's only one that I'd definitely pull the trigger on, but Honda just won't cooperate.

2014 CB400 Super Four


2014 CB400 Bol D'Or


It generates 52 hp at the crank and weighs 100 lbs. less than the CB1100. That power/weight ratio should make it a quick and nimble ride.

[Cormanus]

Yes makes a lot of sense. The term "power corrupts" I think is true. Once you ride a bike with a certain power level, it's really hard to go back. I am truly a liter bike junkie. Every time I get on a bike smaller than 1000 cc, I think there is no way I could live with that on a day to day basis. I rode my other nephews NC 700 out in Nevada, in August. Two up, thru Monitor and Ebbets passes in the Sierra Nevadas. Nice bike..a little tall for me. Just needed about 30 more horsepower to make me happy.

Then again I ride our 400 Majesty around and I think this is all the power I need. guess I'm a non decider as well. It's all so confusing lol.

Which V-Strom did you have, oh undecided one? They come in litre or 650-ish capacities here as I recall.

I had the 650. I had planned on buying the 1000 version before I ended up with the FJR, but I got such a good deal on the FJR, the idea of owning a V-strom went away for a couple years. By the time I came back around to getting a V-strom, I was set on the 650 because I felt it would be noticeably lighter and nimble than the 1000. The smaller motor is also happier to rev than it's torquey big brother. That 90 degree 650 is a nice motor to wring out. I liked to think of it as a poor man's Multistrada.

I can't say anything bad about it and sometimes I miss it. I would prefer I still had it over having to pay for another motorcycle. A better measure of a person's material wealth is not what they can buy, but what they already have. I might one day learn to live by this instead of getting rid of something perfectly good for the latest and greatest.

Statements of truth, gentlemen, and well put.

TU, isn't your solution to buy another VStrom?

[the_undecider_imp]

Yes makes a lot of sense. The term "power corrupts" I think is true. Once you ride a bike with a certain power level, it's really hard to go back. I am truly a liter bike junkie. Every time I get on a bike smaller than 1000 cc, I think there is no way I could live with that on a day to day basis. I rode my other nephews NC 700 out in Nevada, in August. Two up, thru Monitor and Ebbets passes in the Sierra Nevadas. Nice bike..a little tall for me. Just needed about 30 more horsepower to make me happy.

Then again I ride our 400 Majesty around and I think this is all the power I need. guess I'm a non decider as well. It's all so confusing lol.

Which V-Strom did you have, oh undecided one? They come in litre or 650-ish capacities here as I recall.

I had the 650. I had planned on buying the 1000 version before I ended up with the FJR, but I got such a good deal on the FJR, the idea of owning a V-strom went away for a couple years. By the time I came back around to getting a V-strom, I was set on the 650 because I felt it would be noticeably lighter and nimble than the 1000. The smaller motor is also happier to rev than it's torquey big brother. That 90 degree 650 is a nice motor to wring out. I liked to think of it as a poor man's Multistrada.

I can't say anything bad about it and sometimes I miss it. I would prefer I still had it over having to pay for another motorcycle. A better measure of a person's material wealth is not what they can buy, but what they already have. I might one day learn to live by this instead of getting rid of something perfectly good for the latest and greatest.

Statements of truth, gentlemen, and well put.

TU, isn't your solution to buy another VStrom?

Which V-Strom did you have, oh undecided one? They come in litre or 650-ish capacities here as I recall.

I had the 650. I had planned on buying the 1000 version before I ended up with the FJR, but I got such a good deal on the FJR, the idea of owning a V-strom went away for a couple years. By the time I came back around to getting a V-strom, I was set on the 650 because I felt it would be noticeably lighter and nimble than the 1000. The smaller motor is also happier to rev than it's torquey big brother. That 90 degree 650 is a nice motor to wring out. I liked to think of it as a poor man's Multistrada.

I can't say anything bad about it and sometimes I miss it. I would prefer I still had it over having to pay for another motorcycle. A better measure of a person's material wealth is not what they can buy, but what they already have. I might one day learn to live by this instead of getting rid of something perfectly good for the latest and greatest.

Statements of truth, gentlemen, and well put.

TU, isn't your solution to buy another VStrom?
Now that I don't have it, I'd prefer something lighter. I had gotten bored with it, but I realize I would be financially better off had I kept it.

This mirrors my recent car buying habits. I bought 8 different vehicles since March 2010. I want to stick to just one car, but it hasn't worked out that way. It really does bother me, but I try to make light of it when I can. My username is a reflection on this.

[kDiqq_imp]

If I had the cash, I'd have a Ducati Scrambler. 414lbs, ample ground clearance, 70hp, and the Ducati reliability!! Oh wait...

[avsbezzy_imp]

If I had the cash, I'd have a Ducati Scrambler. 414lbs, ample ground clearance, 70hp, and the Ducati reliability!! Oh wait...

AGREED, THE FJ09 IS VERY CLOSE IN THE DESIRE SCALE.

[the_undecider_imp]

If I was going to have one bike, get rid of the CB, the FJ09 would be at the top of my list.

[DGShannon_imp]

If I was going to have one bike, get rid of the CB, the FJ09 would be at the top of my list.

Seems like many reviews like the 07 engine more than the 09. If "lighter & nimble" were the objective, I would look hard at the smaller brother.

[the Ferret]

I just got a call from my dealer, looks like 2 FJ09s hit the shop today and will be set up and on the floor tomorrow. Going for a looksee.

the 07 is a twin isn't it?

[the_undecider_imp]

If I was going to have one bike, get rid of the CB, the FJ09 would be at the top of my list.

Seems like many reviews like the 07 engine more than the 09. If "lighter & nimble" were the objective, I would look hard at the smaller brother.

Seems like many reviews like the 07 engine more than the 09. If "lighter & nimble" were the objective, I would look hard at the smaller brother.
If I owned just one bike, I think the extra leg room, wind protection, and luggage capacity of the FJ would be appreciated. That triple is pretty sweet. Most of the complaints have been on the fuel injection mapping on the FZ. This has been fixed on the FJ and rumored to have been fixed on the 2015 FZ. I rode a 2014 FZ and can tell you the way that triple howls at full song is intoxicating. I also found the suspension too soft and under damped for my weight. I actually prefer the ergos of the 09 over the 07.

For a second bike, the 07 makes more sense to me than the 09. With a louder exhaust, it's 270° twin sounds like a Ducati or SV650. This bike gets me more excited than any of the others on my short list. If I can make it fit better with some adjustments to the foot pegs and handlebars, I think it can work.

FZ-07 Akropovic Exhaust Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtwFEKFecm0