V-Strom 1000

I had the gt one for 18 months did 7k on it and loved it. 2 up touring was easy, heated grips. Amazing engine. Me lass made me sell it when i got knocked off it otherwise i'd still have it now. Did loads to it to make it a really good bike. The engine is a corker but front and rear suspension needs sorting if you are going to travel briskly on it. I put GSXR front brakes on mine and continental road attack tyres, it was very capable and handles much better than it should. Fuelling is an issue and you need to get a yoshi box on it to sort out the flatspot. Idle up 0.5% fixed mine and it pulled very cleanly. I fitted a scott oiler and some big exhausts too and it set car alarms off debaffled. Brilliant.

Only bad points, the finish is terrible even by suzuki standards and parts vibrate off it alarmingly quickly. THe worst thing though is the buffett from the screen. I tried 5 different screens and in the end found the tiniest one was best as it put your lid in clean air.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by kaivalagi

Depending on age versus price requirements have you considered other big twins, what about a KTM 990 Adventure?

£5700 - K6 - 7K Miles - Black: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01040370043371

Just a thought...get an ABS model for a bit more...

Or if you can wait a couple of years for older second hand a KTM SMT, which is most likely what I'll end up with when I can afford it

Put quite simply, I wouldn't buy a KTM

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

Hope this helps.

All helps, thanks.

For the record, I'm a shortar5e at 5ft 8in with a 28 - 29 inch inside leg. I can just about manage the seat height as stock but would probably lower the bike to make it easier day to day. I've found the MRA Vario screens to be the most effective for me on all the bikes I've tried them on.

Whats up with the versys Lozzo,you just bored with it.

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Put quite simply, I wouldn't buy a KTM

Fair enough, simple reason? Too tall? Servicing costs? Reliability? I don't want to de-rail the thread...just curious as knowing the pit falls would better any decision I might make...

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

No, I don't know how they manage that.

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?...pictureid=4041

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Put quite simply, I wouldn't buy a KTM

I had a go on TLWs at the AR, I would buy one tomorrow if I had £5k burning a hole in my pocket

Then again they are massive and you may struggle with height, DL isn't too high.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?...pictureid=4041

haha!

On the KTM arguement if I had 3k spare I'd be buying the DukeII in my local dealers

Originally Posted by Lozzo

All helps, thanks.

For the record, I'm a shortar5e at 5ft 8in with a 28 - 29 inch inside leg. I can just about manage the seat height as stock but would probably lower the bike to make it easier day to day. I've found the MRA Vario screens to be the most effective for me on all the bikes I've tried them on.

Well I had my Strom raised at the back which let it turn in very quickly, I suppose you could just drop the forks through for the same effect. They are heavy when full of fuel but so easy to ride slowly in traffic etc you should have no problems. The vario screen is the only one I didn't try so start there!! Also the tuono mirrors make a massive difference to the wind problem.

I forgot to mention I had both crankcase covers changed under warranty as the paint fell off after 6 months from new oh and first gear is very low and wierd. I really miss the power of the thing now. My 600 hornet is clearly fast but just not the same. I think it'll be my last inline 4.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?...pictureid=4041