Anyone own a v-strom 650?

[Farjo]

Had a test ride yesterday and can't decide whether I really liked its torquey engine and comfort or whether it's just yet another adventure-type bike which felt soullessly efficient

Has anyone gone from a Fazer 600 to Strom 650? Pleased?

[dvdbedford]

Bloke (ex Police bike instructor) in local bike club has one, prev bike was a CB1300 - faired.

Swears by it, 'fantastically comfortable ' and he manages to 'ahem - make progress' on it - torquey engine helping enormously. Know of others with them too, feedback all good - pity it's so fugly!

[pitternator]

I have ridden a vstrom, back to back with a 1000cc bike it feels a bit flat ( expected), worst bit for me was the wooden brakes..putting me leg down might have stopped the bike faster.I am a bit ambivalent to adventure bikes though...only one I liked is the tiger 800 which handles very well indeed. But none have set me pants on fire....must be the breed I think ?
I also have ridden the standard 650 suzy which is a really nice bike to ride, good handling , felt quite punchy.So dont know if the v strom is detuned a bit, or if the whole feel of the bike alters ones perspective of it .... ??

[MikeRBiker]

I went from a Fazer 600 to the V-Strom 1000, mainly to get more torque and comfort for the pillion.  The owner of the local Suzuki dealers had run my 1000 as a demo bike and loved it, then went to the V-Strom 650.  He's still riding the 650 6 years later, and recently said "it's all the bike I'll ever need", but that I would miss the ccs two-up.  This from a guy who could ride anything from Suzuki for nothing...

I've not ridden the 650, but the ergonomics are the same as the 1000, and it's really comfy for long days riding...

Neither have the same top speed as the Fazer 600, but the grunt from the v-twin is addictive, and unless you want to risk your licence, who needs more than 110mph anyway?

[pitternator]

the one I rode must have been a dog then ! ( it was the test bike from Knotts of Stratford with 600 miles on clock...)

[alan sherman]

Why are you looking at changing?

[Farjo]

No one specific reason, had the Fazer many years, coming into some money, think a twin or a triple will suit me better...