Suzuki V-Strom DL650, 2005

Suzuki V-Strom DL650, 2005

by Jan Heiland
(Wales, UK)

Jan

Hi from the UK.

As an older woman returning to bikes, I wanted something that would be easy to live with for touring with camping gear, reliable and affordable.

After a long search of dealers, I finally saw a V-Strom at the back of a showroom, towering above everything else. I asked to try it for size and fell in love then and there...

Since then I've modified it hugely, and it's taken me all over the UK, riding on my own, usually with 60 to 80 kilos of luggage, (large tent, sleeping gear etc etc).

I absolutely adore this bike - it may not be the fastest in miles per hour, but in terms of hundreds of miles per day it just leaves everyone else way behind!

I just love to point her wheel down the road, knowing that she and I are off on another adventure....

Jan, a.k.a "Vixen"

Comments for
Suzuki V-Strom DL650, 2005

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Oct 18, 2011

5"-2? No Strom for you!
by: Jonno

I'm 5'7, and my '05 is much easier to ride since I dropped it an inch and a half in the rear with Kouba links (~$75?), and slid the forks up in the triple tree the same. I just bought a Sargent seat and put 1000 miles on it in a few days; it's a little better than the stock seat (which makes my butt buzz unbearably after ~3 hrs of way-too-fast) but not the miracle I was hoping for (sciatica). And it does take back 2/3 of that inch-and-a-half I gained, so the stock seat is back on for commuting.

I don't know of an adventure sport short enough for 5'2. Or a dual-sport. I have a Kawasaki Super Sherpa, and it looks like it might be lowered some, but it's not a touring bike. Fun around town, tho.

I hope you don't get stuck in cruiser hell, but I've seen women about your size ride some awfully big (and heavy!) cruisers quite well. But they won't take you camping! Let us know what you come up with.

Jonno

Oct 08, 2011

Have a vstrom, what a fun bike!
by: Witt1031

I am still working out the challenges on the seat height -I am 5'8" and I'm trying to avoid lowering it. I don't worry about having both feet on the ground, but I have to admit that I have had some parking mishaps with the high seat. I'm having a Corbin seat rebuilt locally... Will let you know how that goes.

May 24, 2011

Hi from Oregon
by: Anonymous

Hey, foxy lady;

Howdy from Oregon (there's only the one, right?) I'm on the wrong side of middle age, too, and 5'7" ("vertically challenged," as we say) and I finally lowered my '05 'Strom an inch and a half, both ends. Both feet flat with just a little stretch, and much better control with my feet down, on gravel (especially gravel on pavement).

I love that it makes ten more HP than a 1340 cc Harley with just a 650, does 0-60 in less than four seconds, and roll-ons even faster. Over 100 mph is a minimum $1000 fine here, so ~125 max is plenty for me.

When I was breaking it in and riding very gently it got 58 U.S. MPG. I learned to ride it, and started getting ~52 MPG. Then I really learned to ride it; now I can make it get 42! If I behave myself, and keep it to 70 MPH on the freeway, I can count on 52. But it's SO much fun bein' a motorcycle hooligan!

The farthest I've been so far is ~300 miles downstate, for a two-night camping trip to the coast. I visit friends 120 miles south, but I try to go there through the mountains, even though that adds 100 miles and three hours. I've another friend to visit on the way, and the windy-twistys are lovely, the scenery occasionally breathtaking. Sometimes there's wildlife. Hopefully not in the middle of the road.

I've an overnight planned for a couple of weeks from now, from Portland to Lake Wenatchee, Washington (should you care to Google-Map it) and I AIN'T takin' the freeway! ;-)

I ride a Kawi Super Sherpa, too. Looking forward to getting it back into the Blue Mountains in NE Oregon; there's a Forest Service trail there I've wanted to ride for 20 years. Meanwhile it's become my commuter of choice; 60 MPG, 80 MPH max, comfortable at 70 (but too light and twitchy to be a good freeway bike) but agile, and quick enough. I ride a route to school (I'm "retreading") with lots of roundabouts and speed-bumps. Makes every morning an adventure--when it's not raining.

Hey, sis, come ride on this side of the pond some time. Gotta be some place around here to rent a bike....

Jonno

Oct 20, 2009

Love the Strom
by: Steve

Great post. I've just done 4000kms on my Strom 650 down to Phillip Island and back to watch the MotoGP. On the way back the speedo ticked over 100,000 kms. Still runs silky smooth.

I call my Strom Suzy and she has her own twitter account you might like to read: www.twitter.com/suzyvstrom

All the best with your camping trips.

Oct 18, 2009

V-Strom Size
by: Anonymous

Hi Anonymous rider...

The "Strom is tall, and at 5'8" it was close to my limit as standard.

However, first essential mod on a Strom is to slide the fork legs up 10mm in the clamps - this improved the handling a lot and makes it easier to move around. Second mod is to spend a lot of money on a Sargent saddle that is a lot nicer to sit on all day, gives you more control 'cos it's wider, and is also narrower at the front so you have much more leg reach. I can just get both feet flat on the floor, but I do have long-ish legs...

It is big, but I'm a Pensioner, aged 60, and I can do regular 250 to 300 miles days with full luggage and have no problems. The 650 is much nicer to ride than the 1000 and over ordinary roads is faster...

Oct 18, 2009

Looking for a Motorcycle
by: Anonymous

Hi -- you look like you are having fun and that is what I am looking for too - camping etc....how tall are you? I'm 5'2".

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