Bought a V-Strom!

[gtbandit]

I have a desease! My MBS has flaired up again. I picked up yet another motorcycle. A 2003 V-Strom 1000. I've been wanting one for some time now, but just couldn't justify buying one just yet. But, a few days ago a co-worker told me he was going to sell his Strom (which he just bought 6 months ago after I told him I really wanted one) for a price I just couldn't refuse. So, now I'm the proud owner of a well farklized yellow V-Strom with 3900 miles on the clock.


MBS = Multiple Bike Syndrome

[terrebandit]

That sounds good.  Remember my brothers yellow strom?  He still has it.

Dave

[gtbandit]

That sounds good.  Remember my brothers yellow strom?  He still has it.

Dave

I seem to remember staring at his exhaust pipes and trying to keep them in sight!    I'm glad to hear he still has it. It would be great if we could all go riding again sometime.

[fritobandito]

What is it about the V-Strom that you like? To me, it looks like a sport bike mated with a dirt bike and that's what popped out. Kind of ugly if you ask me. Sorry.

[Red01]

on the new machine.  
I guess I'm in the small % that likes the looks of the Stroms.  
I think it'd be a real BMW killer if it had shaft drive...

[tacoman]

The Vstrom will be my next bike.  For the looks, its function over form, its "purpose built."  There's a nice used one at the local Suz dealer, all decked out with full luggage and crash bars.  Hmmm

[kedeg_97B12]

What is it about the V-Strom that you like? To me, it looks like a sport bike mated with a dirt bike and that's what popped out. Kind of ugly if you ask me. Sorry.

I have to wonder as well. 'Strom owners seem to REALLY love em. Maybe I'll try to ride one sometime.

Congrats on adding another one to the stable!

[silvershadow]

Nice bike for sure.  I had been giving them a strong look before I bought my B12.  Problem was there were no V-Strom's at any dealers in the area.   on the new bike

[gtbandit]

What is it about the V-Strom that you like? To me, it looks like a sport bike mated with a dirt bike and that's what popped out. Kind of ugly if you ask me. Sorry.

Looks have nothing to do with it. Like Tacoman said "function over form". I didn't care for the looks of it at first either. But, it grew on me. I find "functional design" to be very attractive. I didn't buy the Bandit because I thought it was the best looking bike out there either. (Not saying that I don't like the looks of the Bandit.) What good is a flashy or even beautiful bike if it doesn't do what you want (or need) it to do? BTW, it is a sport bike mated with a dirt bike!

I think it'd be a real BMW killer if it had shaft drive...

I agree! Also, a little more ground clearance would be good for the off road stuff. But, I have my KLR if that's an issue!

[banditII]

Congradulations on the new V-Strom Craig!  Those yellow 03's are the best and only good looking Strom's in my opinion.  I had a strom some time ago, a dark blue one, it was real ugly, so much so I sold it.  But it had the most comfortable seat I have ever had on a motorcycle. If you want a little extra ground clearance for the curves, crank the rear pre-load up all the way.  It helps a little.  Good all round bike.  I rode mine from Alabama to Colorado and back.  Set up right, it's a good bike for adventure touring too.

Warren

[Desolation Angel]

Anyone who doesn't know why Stroms are popular needs to punch up V-Strom on their browser and start reading reviews.  Like the Bandit, their funky looks are irrelevant.

[amboman]

I have had sleepless nights debating should I buy a new bandit or a v-strom.  The bandit won but only just.  Maybe next time the v-strom will be the winner.  Congrats I am sure you won't be disapointed  

[Vidrazor]

>>Kind of ugly if you ask me.<<

I haven't seen too many modern bikes that AREN'T ugly. Most new bikes seem to have an "insect" look to them, kinda like a praying mantis. Really annoying.

That's one thing I really like about my B4. I think it's a great-looking bike.

The new BMW F 800 is about the only new bike that comes to mind that is good-looking to me.

I have also considered a V-Strom from a price/performance perspective, but I think it's pretty damnned ugly.

[banditII]

Looks of a bike are always subjective.  I really like the looks of the B-12's.  Since owning both two Bandits and one V-Strom I can say that if a person is fairly aggressive in the curves then the Bandit is the right choice. Adding the aftermarket centerstand to the strom limits clearance even more on the left side.  My strom felt unstable being tossed around, but if the riding style is more touring to semi sport, then the strom is fine.  Some people have trouble dialing in air flow as the stock screen on my 04 model caused near concusion producing head buffeting and being adjustable did not help.  I think there are some fixes out there with different screens.  If I had to do it over again I would simply add a Laminar Lip to the stock screen, the touring lip.  Don't even think about taking a V-Strom off road either, at least the DL-1000.  A real nice smooth dirt road is ok, but it'll only take one time sqeezing the front brake on dirt a tad too much and have the front wheel slide and the bars turn to one side like I did and you'll know what to do......get out of the dirt. And once a strom falls over it's next to impossible to pick it up without help, especially if just just filled up with gas, 5.8 gallons riding high.

Warren

[Swamp Rat]

Being the hypocrit that I am, even though it had an oil leak I really like the Buel  Ulyses. If I were to buy a giant dirt bike that would be the one for me. They all have their plus and minus's but as far as looks to form ratio I would have to go with the Buel.