Quote:
Originally Posted by TAftonomos
Nice Hyper!
Question for a wee-strom rider. I'm looking for a touring/commuting bike. Although a multistrada has been suggested, the 6K service isn't something I really want to do on a bike designed to rack up miles.
How did you like the 'strom?
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I have to be honest and say that there is a part of me that misses the Strom. It was only the 650 but it had all I honestly needed for the street, for all of the stupid crap I've ever done on the street on a bike the Strom was the 1st bike I got a ticket on.
For commuting it couldn't be beaten. 55 to the gallon with a sensible throttle hand and it was pretty comfortable although a wider seat (Corbin maybe) would have made it comfier. I felt super comfortable with it right from the get go and threw it around like it was a toy and it always stuck...even when the pegs drug the ground
(it had amazing grip considering the rock hard rubber that was fitted).
I rode it using heated gear last winter to around 26 degrees, then the snow and ice came and I quit.
There were only a few reasons I chopped it in;
a) It was paid off and was a good trade in for the Hyper with attractive financing....always wanted a Duc and this one fit the bill.
b) My 675 is track only and so on weekends I rode the Strom and it was just kind of boring.
c) When riding with my buddies on 600 supersports and liter twins I was always flogging the Strom to death, I was always right there with them but I didn't want to be flogging it all the time.
d) I still have an SV650 with 42,000m on the clock and it's never missed a beat so the motor is really reliable, had the valves on the SV checked for the first time at 37,000m and they were still in spec!
e) My wife and I are actually considering picking up another Strom next year to be a dedicated commuter that we both trade off with each other as we work opposite shifts.
Although she seems smitten with a BMW 800GS and I've always wanted a 1200GS....so we'll see.
In short, if you want a great commuter the Strom 650 would work very well.
If you're interested here's a vid or two of my Strom.
YouTube - 2008 1st Commute
YouTube - Stoney Garden Road
YouTube - PA State Route 125 with friends
I'm not the best rider out there but I think they show that the Strom can be surprisingly nimble.