|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Saab92x.com!
|
|
|
|
I typically check Craigslist a couple times per week to see what sort of motorcycles folks have for sale. Well, for once, I checked out new motorcycles at BMW and Suzuki. I stumbled across a damn good promotion at Suzuki - $1000 off, and 60 months 0% financing on a V-Strom 1000 cc Adventure model. The smaller displacement V-Strom only has the financing deal.
Do they normally have this sort of deal? BMW never has anything special going on like this. I'm half tempted to go to Canandaigua Motorsports just to check it out.
Thoughts?
[/original_post]
Since it's already been purchased, I figured I should keep track of the bike and mods in the first post.
Here's the bike in my driveway. His name is Carl.
aftermarket parts installed:
OEM accessory outlet
OEM hand guards
OEM tank pad
parts arrived but not yet installed:
SW Motech skid plate
SW Motech center stand
Oxford heated grips
parts to be brought by the stork:
SW Motech crash bars
Givi Trekker 3 piece luggage set with standard side rack and aluminum top rack, luggage hooks, and luggage bags
Givi Airflow windshield
Last edited by iamchris (2013-04-08 16:16:00)
Offline
Offline
BMW never runs sales because sales are for poor people 
How many bikes have you owned? Do you need the bigger displacement? The two new Strom's are pretty nice. Really comfortable to sit on 
Offline
They're both great bikes. My guess is that the 650 needs no discount to move, and the 1000 needs a little more help, at least to keep pace with its little brother.
I've been on a trip with a few of the 650 V-Stroms, and even two up they were able to keep up with the pace I was comfortable running (most of the time). They are incredibly capable.
Offline
I've got an 05 V-Strom 1000, Scot's got a similar vintage 650. We both like them quite a bit. Bargain adventure bike. I think the reasoning behind the incentive differences is that the 650 is the new model (updated in 2012) and the 1000 is now about 11 years old without many big changes. It's also due for a big overhaul soon. Absolutely great bike but needs some tweaking to get it running perfect, stock mapping is not great. Add a Power Commander and most of the woes disappear. Add a set of pipes and a custom tune and its a pretty beastly bike. Plenty of power for my needs.
Offline
What's better about the newness of the 650? They're both pretty much the same price after the discount, so I'm tempted to go for the 1000 just since I'd like to ride two-up with the girl. The cases also get better reviews on the 1000. Unless there's any reason why I should stick with the smaller displacement one, I think I'd prefer the 1000.
To answer the first question, I currently own two slightly-broken motorcycles. 
One just needs a carb rebuild kit, but I'm going to tear the motor apart to replace the piston rings and check for any issues, and repaint the frame. I've only ridden maybe a dozen times or so. I'm not an idiot when I'm out there, so ignoring factors of temptation for speed, is there any reason to go with the 650?
Thanks!
irme
P.S. It's "funnetiks."
Offline
Geoff, what the hell do you pay for insurance each year? Getting quotes that are much higher than expected from Geico and Progressive so far.
Offline
I'd spend some time over at stromtrooper.com before making your decision, good source of info. Not gonna lie, I would have bought the 650 if one came up at a good price before I got mine. My Vee was just too good of a deal and came loaded with extras.
As I said, the 1000 is not as smooth from the factory, the 650 is much more well behaved out of the box. The other issue some have had on the big guy is clutch chudder, I don't think mine has it but some people can't stand it. As you've seen the styling is now different, so factor that in if you care. Let's see, what else...Hydraulic clutch on the 1000, cable on the 650. Slightly different shift mechanism. The new 650 has an mpg gauge (and does get about 10-15 mpg better mileage). I think that's most of it.
The power difference isn't that big of a deal, you can certainly roll 2 up on a 650 without a lot of pain, but on the 1000 you don't have to downshift as much. AspenMike has a Kawi Versys (650), we took a long ride in the fall and swapped bikes for 30 miles or so. It was nice, nimble (same can be said for the 650 Strom, feels like a lot more than 40 lbs lighter than the 1000), but I did miss the monster power of the big twin. Have you ridden both? Where do you plan on riding?
Regarding insurance, I think I pay somewhere between $80 and $90 a year for liability and comprehensive. I do have 3 cars and 3 bikes on the policy so that helps keep it low.
Offline
I think both bikes are probably mild mannered enough to own as your first full-size modern bikes. I've only read this, tho 
Also, 90$ a year is insanely cheap compared to the 250$ Geico is quoting me on a 990cc bike for only 6 months 
Offline
I don't think iamchris should be on a motorized bicycle.
Offline
Are you referring to my CB175? The pedals don't work, but it goes just as fast.
Offline
iamchris wrote:
I'm concerned for your safety on a bike as you would spend more time making wierd faces at other drivers then paying attention to the road.
Offline
iamchris is vry srs in realz life 
Offline
I'm so screwed. Went to the dealer nearby, and he was asking '12 650, $8,613 out the door, tax, title, freight, everything included. White '12 Wee-Strom. I haven't even negotiated at all on the price yet, or checked out the other 2 dealers in the area.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up with a Wee-Strom.
It's really a shame that I don't get a bajillion vacation days per year or I'd totally join you jag bags on the Alaska ride. 
Offline
Why the change of heart from the Vee?
Offline
Mainly because of your post here. Also, I saw how big the Wee was and didn't think I'd want anything bigger. It was larger (and also taller) than I thought it would be.
Annnd after sharing my excitement with Angela, I just found out that she's no longer comfortable riding with me. Looks like I'll be just myself and gear for the near future. Anyone want to buy a medium helmet? Never dropped, used twice.
Offline
iamchris wrote:
Mainly because of your post here. Also, I saw how big the Wee was and didn't think I'd want anything bigger. It was larger (and also taller) than I thought it would be.
Annnd after sharing my excitement with Angela, I just found out that she's no longer comfortable riding with me. Looks like I'll be just myself and gear for the near future. Anyone want to buy a medium helmet? Never dropped, used twice.
My post on my profile? 
It's really a solid choice, the Vee is good but huge, I dropped it putting it in the van (doesn't go in there anymore coincidentally) and it is not easy to get back up alone. You getting any bags with it?
Offline
I'm dumb.
Probably no bags to start out with. The aluminum ones that come with the Adventure got some critical reviews, so there's no point saving $500 on something I don't want. I can get the rack and bags later as I need 'em.
Offline
I think the Adventure bags are Trax IIRC. They can leak but are decent. I'd take a good look at Happy Trails or Jesse if you want hard bags, Giant Loop or Wolfman if you want soft. I got my scratch and dent Happy Trails for like $580 to my door and they're bulletproof.
Offline
Thank you for the tips!
Going to confirm tomorrow with my home/auto insurer that they used my no-fault deer collision when they gave me the quote. I actually got a reasonable one from State Farm (Geico and Progressive were way high). It would suck to see it ballon up after their review and I already bought the bike.
Offline
iamchris wrote:
Thank you for the tips!
Going to confirm tomorrow with my home/auto insurer that they used my no-fault deer collision when they gave me the quote. I actually got a reasonable one from State Farm (Geico and Progressive were way high). It would suck to see it ballon up after their review and I already bought the bike.
My insurer seems to *only* factor in the engine size. Weird, considering that at one point I was insuring two bikes for the same amount, but the one with the smaller engine was triple the price new. Anyway, the 650 is a great bike. Everyone I've talked to with a 1000 really likes it, but eveyone I've talked to with a 650 loves it.
Offline
I'm with State Farm and have been told that the displacement is the big factor. I remember my GSXR1000 was like $600/yr (though I was 20 at the time) but it doesn't seem to matter anymore, my 650, 750, and 1000 are all within spitting distance of each other and all under $100/yr.
Offline
Both of these bikes are near me and I'm mulling them over. Sorry for the thread jack.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3665479251.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3546022787.html
Offline
|
|
Site problems, bugs, or questions? Contact Administrator
All content copyright Saab92x.com 2005-2010
SAAB and the SAAB logos are trademarks of Saab Cars USA, Inc.
Your Privacy Choices