06-15-2015, 12:55 PM
I've had 2. First a 2006 I sold last year. Bought the CB a few months later. I missed the overall comfort and utility of the Strom and picked up a 2013 ABS in January.
They are kinda boring in the sense they do everything well, but don't stand out in one area. It's very much a care free ride. The engine is smooth and willing, the suspension soaks up bumps like a champ, and I find the brakes quite good. They lack the feel and initial bite of the CB'S binders, but the ABS is well sorted and it still stops when you ask. In the dirt, the softer bite is an advantage. On the street, I have to remind myself it's not the Honda.
My 13 is outfitted much the same as my 06 (skid plate, crash bars, side cases, top case, adjustable windscreen, and various other farkles. The biggest improvement over the old bike I have found to be is the suspension. The older bikes were sprung quite soft which is counter-intuitive when the bike seems to have been designed for tall riders. I had heavier springs front and rear for my then 270 lbs and heavier fork oil to try to maintain enough rebound damping with the heavier springs. That screwed up my compression damping and the bike would slam over square edged bumps. I eventually lost some weight and went back to the stock fork springs with the heavier oil and it was a little better. The rear shock barely had enough rebound damping adjustment to deal with the heavier spring I installed. Needless to say, I really needed to spend the money on cartridge emulators and a good rear shock. The 13's stock suspension has been great out of the box for my 220 lbs. I have no need to upgrade.
The bike is pretty roomy with the stock saddle height. I wanted the ergos closer to a dual sport bike, so I got a used tall saddle off the forum and bought a set of peg lowering blocks which have the option of relocating the shifter forward an inch or two depending on adjustment. Now, it feels more natural to stand on the pegs.
Go over to stromtrooper.com if you haven't already and look around.
I know I could go on for days about various aspects of the bike, so I'll stop here and come back to add anything I think of as important or answer any questions.
I think you are confusing the DL650 (V-strom) for the DR-650 (dual sport). The DL is a large half-faired standard bike that when kitted out makes a decent light duty sport touring bike or adventure touring bike. It's powered by a liquid cooled 645 cc 90 degree twin engine. It's about 50 lbs heavier than the KLR, but is probably the same margin better than the KLR on the road as the KLR is over the DR650.
They are kinda boring in the sense they do everything well, but don't stand out in one area. It's very much a care free ride. The engine is smooth and willing, the suspension soaks up bumps like a champ, and I find the brakes quite good. They lack the feel and initial bite of the CB'S binders, but the ABS is well sorted and it still stops when you ask. In the dirt, the softer bite is an advantage. On the street, I have to remind myself it's not the Honda.
My 13 is outfitted much the same as my 06 (skid plate, crash bars, side cases, top case, adjustable windscreen, and various other farkles. The biggest improvement over the old bike I have found to be is the suspension. The older bikes were sprung quite soft which is counter-intuitive when the bike seems to have been designed for tall riders. I had heavier springs front and rear for my then 270 lbs and heavier fork oil to try to maintain enough rebound damping with the heavier springs. That screwed up my compression damping and the bike would slam over square edged bumps. I eventually lost some weight and went back to the stock fork springs with the heavier oil and it was a little better. The rear shock barely had enough rebound damping adjustment to deal with the heavier spring I installed. Needless to say, I really needed to spend the money on cartridge emulators and a good rear shock. The 13's stock suspension has been great out of the box for my 220 lbs. I have no need to upgrade.
The bike is pretty roomy with the stock saddle height. I wanted the ergos closer to a dual sport bike, so I got a used tall saddle off the forum and bought a set of peg lowering blocks which have the option of relocating the shifter forward an inch or two depending on adjustment. Now, it feels more natural to stand on the pegs.
Go over to stromtrooper.com if you haven't already and look around.
I know I could go on for days about various aspects of the bike, so I'll stop here and come back to add anything I think of as important or answer any questions.
(06-15-2015, 12:35 PM)ride4now_imp Wrote: I wish I had the DL.. bought Kawasaki's KLR instead on the advice of a friend. Not that I don't like the KLR, but I think the DL is lighter and since its air cooled, it's a bit easier to maintain over time. And its probably a better dirt bike where the KLR makes for a better road bike...
I think you are confusing the DL650 (V-strom) for the DR-650 (dual sport). The DL is a large half-faired standard bike that when kitted out makes a decent light duty sport touring bike or adventure touring bike. It's powered by a liquid cooled 645 cc 90 degree twin engine. It's about 50 lbs heavier than the KLR, but is probably the same margin better than the KLR on the road as the KLR is over the DR650.