Anyone had a V-Strom 1k?

I am seriously considering getting a V-Strom 1000 in the next month or so and wondered if any one on here has any experience with them.

Other choices depending on test rides and price are

KTM 990 Adventure
Triumph Tiger 1050

So any info would be great

Hi
My BF has got a V-Strom 650. He uses it for daily commuting (80 miles a day). He has had it since May 2007 and is very happy with it. I tried it as well and it is very comfortable and easy to handle, even for a beginner like me.
One of my colleagues has got a fairly new KMT990 Adventure. He wants to sell it.
Let me know, if you want some information on either.

Regards

Look on Beasts on Advrider.com for loads about them. Americans love them as they have a lot of big fire roads which suits them well. Friend of mine has one (Foolonastrom on advrider), trail rides it and even very nearly finished Cambrain Rally on it. Not popular here, like many good things.
Very capable.
If you have any thoughts about riding tracks I'd probably not go with the Tiger.
On UKGSer.com there was a guy who is fairly reasoned who tried all the big traillies and gave a good report on each one, will see if I can find the links.
Actually just realised my friend has the 650 and you are talking the thou but I think it the point still stands.
But if you are talking the thou I'd throw the Caponard into the equation. I was going to buy the 650, then got hooked on the idea of the thou, then it was a toss up with the Caponard. Didnt buy any of them in the end, but should probably have bought the 650 Strom and popped the 5k saved in my pocket.

That blokes comments (ok hes comparing to a GS but thats what he was shopping around)
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122587 990
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123225 Tiger
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123181 Ulysses if you are interested

I can't add value to the question about the 1'000 machine,but know a guy here who has a 650. On the mountain roads he carves them up brilliantly and it takes the biggest and best to ever go past him. Very impressive indeed.

My lodger has a Caponard... its a good bike but being a Aprilia there can be 'problems'. I won't go into them here but there are lots of niggles that you would not get with a Suzuki or BMW, so think about that first...

Aslo what is a 'big fire road'?

Originally Posted by Grinch

My lodger has a Caponard... its a good bike but being a Aprilia then can be 'problems'. So think about that first...

Aslo what is a 'big fire road'?

Like the gravel roads through forests, forestry tracks basically. Cut deep into the forests to get logging and firefighting in. So like a well surfaced track.

Thanks for the links Dr Rich, I have had a quick look whilst at lunch but will have more of a read tonight.

The bike will mainly be used for commuting, possibly I could go Green Laning with my 70 year old uncle, but he would probably leave me in the dust!!

I really want something that can take solid panniers with little effort, and looks OK with them, obviously they need to be at least mildly securable.

The V-Strom grabbed my attention as it is the new 0% offering from Suzuki, the KTM because my cousins sell them, and I have always loved the look of the Tigers, guess I need to go and get some test rides in.

The KTMs are lovely IMO, but like BMs very much love hate relationships with them. Both the KTMs and the BMs are 'ticklish' and have troubles. Some fine some not. I don't think you will better the reliability of the Strom.

I recall reading of a few probs with the early 1000cc engines, but I cant remember what and this was going back a few year. Someone may remember as I guess the Sv1000 must have had same?

Again, only knowing about the 650 V-Strom...

It's brilliant, I borrowed my dads one to do a Coastal Tour of GB last year and now I love it, once you're used to the extra high it's easily chuckable, and it's SOOOO comfortable I can't quite describe.
I'm guessing the thou would be exactly the same, although with the different characteristics of the larger engine.

After searching the interweb a bit this afternoon and reading the March edition of Two at lunchtime another bike has been thrown into contention the Honda Transalp 650, seems that I could pick up a 57 plate 2007 with 500 miles for 4k, more reading to do!!