>I have it narrowed down to 2 very different bikes. I'll probably buy used unless I get a smoking deal on a last-year closeout. Looking at 2005's and newer. Can't decide if I want the maintenance-free shaft drive hydraulic valve cruiser, or the very versatile V-Strom with the chain drive and shim/bucket valves but awesome fuel injection. I'll mostly use it to commute to work, with some

timeOday wrote: YTKinWI wrote: If you are looking for the reaction of a (former) V-Strom owner I'll offer my 2cents. In nearly 42 years of ridding I've owned 21 motorcycles. The V-Strom (see My 21 Bikes at http://sportbikeroads.com) is one of my two all time favorites. I am 5'9" and the bike was tall for me but I'm a short guy in a tall world so I've learned to "live with

YTKinWI wrote: If you are looking for the reaction of a (former) V-Strom owner I'll offer my 2cents. In nearly 42 years of ridding I've owned 21 motorcycles. The V-Strom (see My 21 Bikes at http://sportbikeroads.com) is one of my two all time favorites. I am 5'9" and the bike was tall for me but I'm a short guy in a tall world so I've learned to "live with it." I loved the torque

a 650 is a 650 that is a 650. IOW's under powered and buzzy. v-strom is not a dirt or dual sport bike. its a adventure touring bike. the key word being touring. the difference is weight is only 35 lbs. not 41. i eliminated 21 lbs. on DL1000 by changing stock muffs to two bro's muffs.. furthermore, the DL1000 has 6th. gear Over Drive.. which equals 95mph @ 5k rpm's..

In article <13ahr4e6v90u1ee@corp.supernews.com>, Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote: Steve T wrote: The V-Strom needs valve adjustments every 15K miles. I don't want to know what that costs. I'll let the dealer take care of it. The chain I suspect the DL1000 engine will be a lot like the SV engine and other shim-under-bucket engines, if the valves are in spec at the