Ramblings of a Madman: Vstrom 650

[@billgilkerson5294]

I've owned a ton of bikes, a couple of weestroms and DL1000s and the wee is the sweat spot. On paper it is not much lighter that the 1000 but feels much lighter and more flickable. Owned heavier sport tourers and would always hop on the strom leaving the sport tourer in the garage. And you can have tons of fun without the fear of too much power in the twisties stuff. More fun to ride a slow bike fast............than a fast bike slow. It's so true and safer!!!!!! Nice video, no bs, lots of honesty. Ride that old girl till the wheel fall off.

[@zurazza]

Thank you!! I really enjoy the Vstrom 650 and while it might not be the best for going 100mph down the interstate, it's wonderful for country roads and canyon twisties. It's certainly not the best in its class, but I will sing its praises forever. "More fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." Truer words have never been spoken.

[@Bugoutnow589]

Such a solid platform to build on.

[@zurazza]

It really is. In some apocalypse movies you see them riding BMWs or some other fancy bike. But, I gotta say, while those bikes are great, the Vstrom is bulletproof and will get you anywhere in the world, even if you have to fight a bit to get there. :)

[@daveallen8824]

I bought a used '04 for a ride to Fairbanks, AK - did a great job, no worries (though I did start out with new tires and chain and the rear tire and chain were wasted before I got home) for the whole 7500 mile trip. I liked the bike so much that I bought another newer one (2013) on a screamin deal - the former owner put a bunch of farkes on it and then hardly rode it - had 1800 miles over the 5 years he owned it. I'm still riding it most every day. Like you say, it's not great at anything, but it is absolutely bulletproof and a lot of fun to ride. Ride on!

[@zurazza]

That's awesome!!!! I believe the gentleman who owned my bike before me also rode it to AK at least twice - at least that's what he told me!! You may not be the most stylish or fastest person on the road, but at the end of the day, week, month, or year, you're going to get there whether you like it or not. Ride on!

[@in2ADV]

Nice video mate! Regards from Melbourne, Australia :-) Subscribed!

[@zurazza]

Cheers!! Appreciate it!

[@mammydammy]

ive got a 2014 vstrom 650 that i bought new. its bullet proof. zero problems. the only thing that i changed on it was the windscreen. i swapped it for a large one. its an extremely comfortable, enjoyable and easy bike to ride. its solid and never feels sketchy. im the same way as you, ill keep it till it blows up and that most likely will never happen.

[@zurazza]

Vstrom Gang Gang!! Glad to see another Vstrom enthusiast! It's a great bike for what it is. Nimble enough for canyons and comfortable for long days. This is definitely my forever bike!

[@alexandercoll4863]

Honestly, this bike is the best cheap and reliable and not scared to get it a little dinged up. My first adventure bike was a 1997 BMW F650 GS thumper and good condition but used and it’s what made me fall in love with this genre.

[@zurazza]

It really is, though! I cannot say enough good things about this bike. It may not be the fastest or the best in its class, but I'll be damned if it doesn't get the job done, and quite well at that! ADV on, my friend!

[@gregory8282]

Been riding for 50 odd years. Bought my first Wee (05 model) about 10yrs ago. Sold it a year later, cause I wanted change, and got a KLR. Sold it 2 years later and bought another Wee (08 model). Sold it too! lol. I have had my current 07 model for 4yrs now. It's a keeper! Seemed I kept coming back to the Wee..

[@zurazza]

Vstrom gang gang!! It's my forever bike, I think. I've had a couple other bikes around it but I think this one is my keeper. Unless I upgrade to the 1000 but even then, I might just have two Vstroms!! It's such a solid platform that can take a beating and keep going.

[@Weld0id]

Thanks for the review. I’m considering selling my 2014 Yamaha Bolt for one of these. The Bolt is a great looking cruiser, but that’s about where it stops being a fun ride. I bought mine used for an absolute screaming deal, with some nice aftermarket parts but it’s so low seated it’s horribly uncomfortable for me past an hour ride. The V-Strom seems to check every box I need out of a motorcycle. Fairly priced, super reliable and most importantly for me, comfortable and confident in most situation. Cheers.

[@zurazza]

I agree that the Bolt is a good-looking motorcycle! I considered one years ago. The Vstrom is absolutely all of the things you mentioned, and then some! It's not the most handsome bike, but by golly it'll get you to your destination, come hell or high water! Thanks for the comment!

[@charlesharnois3684]

My 06' Was The Best Bike I've Owned, And I've Had A Lot of Bikes in My 45 Yrs Of Riding Always Did What I Asked it To Do, Very comfortable and Ultra Reliable!

[@zurazza]

Well said!! I think no matter what other motorcycle(s) I may get in the future, this one will stay with me forever. Or until it blows up, anyways.

[@nuttyoncrypto9863]

Lovely video thanks... im really looking into buying a new one

[@zurazza]

Thank you!! Every generation of the Vstrom seems to get good reviews overall!! They're aggressively middle-tier but I love them anyways!

[@connectorxp]

Can't hardly wait to finish schooling and get my license to start riding my 08 VStrom 650 with tall windshield, heated grips, crash bars, center stand, top case and LED lights. Got it from a colleague that heard me wanting an adventure bike and told me not to fall for BMW's leasing scheme as a F750GS is a bit too much for a beginner.. The bike is very tame if you ease the throttle, even as a beginner that only rode a Piaggio scooter, and comfy to sit on it. Started purchasing my gear, went for the Scorpion EXO1400 helmet, an Ottocast C5 CarPlay monitor for navigation, Rebelhorn Chubby IV jacket and waiting to purchase the assorted trousers. Still looking for some gloves that are long yet comfy. For the boots I went for a pair of Haix Rescue One as the 5.11 ATAC Shield 8" are not available in my region and wanted something tall with side zipper and metal free as from my bike I go thru security check when commuting to work, and most adventure boots have copious amounts of metal in them.

[@TrustyZ900]

Good review.I had a '17 DL650 and traded t in on a Z900RS. Missed the DL, so I bought a '22 650 Adventure.I've probabl;y had 30 plus bikes and this is one of my favorites. Just bought a '23 SV 650 which are really hard to find in Idaho. Love these engines. Are you in SoCal? Love it down there for riding. Idaho sucks. Too cold for 6 months and summer is brutal. Anyways !st gen. DL's are tough as nails.

[@zurazza]

Yes I am in SoCal! I have considered selling this bike multiple times, but I just can't bring myself to do it. How are you enjoying the Adventure? Idaho is a beautiful place to ride through, but yeah having the riding "season" makes it not as nice, for sure. This 1st gen DL will hopefully run longer than I do and I can pass it down in the family! Thanks for the comment!

[@TrustyZ900]

@@zurazza Thanks for the response. Love the Adventure. Not the latest and greatest, but this bike is like riding a Lazy Boy recliner with handlebars. Have 3 other bikes, but have a soft spot for it. My brother and I will be in the Sierras this August. Can't wait. Ready to ride PCH and see he ocean again. Cheers.

[@FlyingFun.]

Get and have fun no matter what bike it is is my moto too. Im currently on ebikes ( diy and a frey ex ) they are great for exploring locally, but im getting the itch for a motorcycle again, i wanted a sports tourer relatively cheap ie 2 to 3 grand, been looking at fjr 1300 but thinking i might be better off smaller like this, the better mpg would mean id ride it more often, how much maintenance does it need? The fjr being shaft drive is appealing for zero chain issues

[@zurazza]

No chain maintenance is definitely something to keep in mind, but the WeeStrom really doesn't require all that much maintenance, and most of the stuff you can do with only pulling off the plastics and gas tank. I do take it in for valves still but pretty much everything else I do myself. Just depends how handy you are with a wrench. I purchased the Clymer service manual and I haven't run into anything I couldn't do. Good luck and enjoy!

[@robertcampbell8344]

HOLA SALUDOS DESDE cal la mia la use para ir al trabajo . Me gusta mucho soy uns tortuga en el freeway pero me gusta mucho Saludos que Dios lo cuide

[@zurazza]

Muchas gracias! Asi es a veces esta tortuguita pero en las carreteras mas pequenas es genial!! Saludos!

[@nexoron5396]

Is it good for short people?

[@zurazza]

I'd say if you're comfortable with the ~33" seat height or good with having only one foot down then you'll be just fine! For reference I'm 6'1" with a 34-inch inseam and I can flat foot the bike.

[@svaralen]

Do you think is beginner friendly!?

[@zurazza]

It's definitely beginner friendly, especially if you're taller, with it's ~33" seat height. That can be a turn-off for shorter riders but, besides that, the bike is very easy to ride, its neutral seating position is comfortable for long days / multiple days, it's not so powerful that it will scare a new rider, IMO. It'd be a great starter bike.

[@motorbike650]

Not a pretty bike

[@TrustyZ900]

What kind of comment is that?

[@motorbike650]

@@TrustyZ900 I don't remember making that comment

[@zurazza]

It sure isn't but I love it anyways.

[@filiphedvicak]

Its design is ahead of time. It will look amazingly sharp in couple of years:)@@zurazza

[@artmchugh5644]

Hey rider !!!! What handlebars are those ?????😊😊😊😊😊

[@zurazza]

Hello there! They are Renthal Fatbars! I don't have a whole lot more info than that since they came on the bike when I purchased it!

[@mrniceguy4920]

stop apologising. i had this bike for 5 years. longest ever for me. the headlights are just a matter of cleaning the starter button. it always starts, it has fuel injection and you need new front springs. no one will steal it and every dude on a new bike wants to be you on your ratty km eater.

[@zurazza]

Quite right! I do have upgraded front springs in this one, actually. Some Progressive springs I picked up from a friend. Really helps the feel of the front end. All the issues I've had are minor issues and easy to fix. It does indeed always start, doesn't care about oil level or valve clearance (as long as oil is in there it's happy), and I can take it wherever I want for the most part!