just bought a new-to-me DL650 V-strom. so far, I am kinda smitten. how many other wee strom riders are lurking out there?
2007 DL1000 bought on this site last summer from Icycold Love the gravel road manners rode last winter but needed tires just got new set of Shinko radials, not on yet KLR is #1 bike Big Vee is a nice #2
I am finding the more I ride the wee, the more I like it. (I really have not ridden it that much at all, but then again it is only May) I was riding down/up 385 the other day and I was wondering how much (more) fun a big DL would be. I have yet to do any type of backroads travel on it. Coming soon I am sure.
The Vstrom second to a KLR. Not exactly a ringing endorsement ;D
Quote from: plumber mike on May 10, 2011, 08:28:42 AM
Not exactly a ringing endorsement ;D
getting a bit off topic but considering that the KLR650 is one of the best all around bikes ever built, coming in second to one wouldn't be too bad. i would consider that a great endorsement! i think the v's and wee's share the utilitarian nature of the KLR, just a little more pavement oriented. they are both cheap, ugly, functional and fun (3 of my main priorities when choosing bikes)!
Loingrader displays knowledge and wisdom way beyond his years ;D
Loingrader, thats 4 priorities. ;D
Cheap + Ugly + Functional = Fun ;D
Quote from: greatbuffalo on May 10, 2011, 10:39:54 PM
Loingrader, thats 4 priorities. ;D
true, but ugly isn't actually one of my priorities when picking motorcycles. it just seems like the cheap functional ones also tend to be beautiful on the inside but not the outside so much. beauty is in the eye of the beholder and riding even my ugliest motorcycle (beat up 83 Honda GL650i) still brings a big smile to my face.
I seem to like motorcycles more if they "need a friend" vs "check my credientials". I love my Road King, but it's for sale...
Crap. Since I just bought a BMW, I s'pose I'm now considered 'oh, one of THOSE GUYS'. :'( :-*
Quote from: The Yeti on May 11, 2011, 03:15:15 PM
Crap. Since I just bought a BMW, I s'pose I'm now considered 'oh, one of THOSE GUYS'. :'( :-*
don't worry yeti, all klr owners, past and present are automatically exempt from being one of "those guys."
Quote from: The Yeti on May 11, 2011, 03:15:15 PM
Crap. Since I just bought a BMW, I s'pose I'm now considered 'oh, one of THOSE GUYS'. :'( :-*
uea, definetly on of "those guys" :) :)
Some call my Tiger esthetically challenged as well. And Yeti, many call the BMW ugly as well.
Those of us that use a different yardstick to gauge beauty are at the forefront of today motorcycle industry. The fastest growing markets in the MC industry is the dualsport / adventure tourer. The nature of these 2 wheeled Swiss army knives doesn't lend to designs "pleasing" to eye. What they do direct is a no nonsense, do it all design that we in the adventure seeking realm find endearing. Chrome, pinstripes, and fancy wheels be damned. If it can get me from point A to B through dirt, rocks, gravel, mud, pavement, and watercrossings with a huge smile plastered across my face...thats where the beauty is.
Had never seriously considered owning a wee, but after 2 weeks of soul searching and web browsing, one followed me home. My first two bikes were zuks but it has been 19 years since I last bought one.
It's a fun little bike. The road manners are great (even fully loaded 2 up), and dirt roads are a blast. I'm really curious to see how it performs on some tough stuff in the hills.
Stay tuned...
Let me know when you bring the wee to the hills
i want to see how it works. ;D 8)
Bret, the wee has been in my sights for sometime, but there are too many in my sights, come to think of it.
I have not heard one negative report from any owner who knows what it is and expects a return on what it is not what they want it to be.
They are cheap (reasonably) reliable, good manners on asphalt and gravel, cheap to outfit, easy to work on, and very versatile.
What more can you ask from a bike.
I agree 100%. I had pretty high expectations, and so far, it is much more capable and fun than I had even hoped.
Full review coming here shortly.
Brian took a guy on a Wee over Pilot Knob! I'm sure it would be no sweat for you. ;D
Quoteit is much more capable and fun than I had even hoped
Yeah but I bet the Wee is not as pretty as Barbie. :D We need photos...
the beauty of the barbie klr will never be contested, but for a wee, this one doesn't look too bad.
of course, that's not saying much.
i'm thinking (hoping) that once my suspension is dialed in, trails like camp 5 or pilots knob will be fun and doable, as long as i can dodge the really tall rocks.
biggest problem will be the mental distraction of being on a $6000 motorcycle instead of a $1200 one.
Its only cash Brett.
:oHowdy
I bought a we in November.I had to go to indiana to find 1 though.I took it to NW Arkansas a couple of weeks ago.I am suprised how well it handles on the fs roads.I am pleased with that part of it,although....I also found it really isn't all that offroad savey.I deffinatly found some limitations.Ground clearance will be an issue for me.Normally I only ride the tame stuff though.The we handles great on the twisty's too.I think I'll enjoy it alot!
Sprout 8) 8)
Just acquired a '14 Wee-Strom ADV model myself, looking to explore some gravel and two tracks that my Yamaha FJR is a little too big for :D
John, Welcome to the forum. Head over to the new members introduction area and tell a bit about yourself.
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My son has a wee and with TKC 80s on it I thought it handled better than a F650GS on dirt trails like Castle Creek. There a lot of Wees on the AlCan.