V Strom 1000 vs Varadero 1000

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As much as I love it I'm debating swapping my trusty Bandit for something a bit more winter friendly/sensible and I'm have to say, with my tin hat firmly on, I really don't like the GS1200. I took a new one out a couple of weeks ago and underwhelmed is the best I can say.

If I do it it's looking like a choice between these two at the moment. What do we think? Does anyone have either one?

I won't be towing/carrying it with the motorhome so that's not an issue. I also don't want anything with a smaller engine or physically smaller.
 
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Suzuki better looking than the Honda, what about Triumph Tiger?
 
I've got one of the last air-cooled GSs. I didn't appreciate it for about a week. The lack of dive on breaking, the very flat torque of the engine, the unnerving right lean from engine braking when you roll-off tipping into a roundabout, the fact it felt like a barge... What had I done???!?

Now I love it. I can throw it around as much as my old Versys (which is a seriously underrated bike) and it's far better for distance. I've ridden a few of the more recent WCs. They are better in every way, although the improvements have erased a bit of character. GSs are popular for a reason, not just fashion.

Africa twin? Multistrada?
 
Guigsy said:
I've got one of the last air-cooled GSs. I didn't appreciate it for about a week. The lack of dive on breaking, the very flat torque of the engine, the unnerving right lean from engine braking when you roll-off tipping into a roundabout, the fact it felt like a barge... What had I done???!?

Now I love it. I can throw it around as much as my old Versys (which is a seriously underrated bike) and it's far better for distance. I've ridden a few of the more recent WCs. They are better in every way, although the improvements have erased a bit of character. GSs are popular for a reason, not just fashion.

Africa twin? Multistrada?
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I understand the plus points of the GS and it rode fine, it was nice and agile and the one I took out was a new demonstrator so it had all the toys. I hated that bloody engine though. I can’t understand the thinking in building a highly technical top spec bike on an engine that hasn’t been updated in 50 years. That’s quite apart from it sounding like a bag of spanners and having less torque than my lawnmower.

Africa Twin - No. I won’t be buying new and even if I was I’ve heard far too many gearbox horror stories in too short a time period.

Multistrada - Possible but I know absolutely nothing about them.

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'Bag of spanners' = character (y)
(Honestly, with earplugs it's fine. On the rare occasions I ride without, I have to keep reminding myself that it's supposed to sound like that.)

I understand what you mean about the engine torque. You twist the throttle and it just feels like it makes farty noises. There's no rush at the top-end like you get from a peaky inline 4. You learn that there's plenty of power there and you learn to appreciate it.

As for 'not changing in 50 years', yes, it's still a 2 cylinder boxer. But it's now cam-chain, water cooled, multi-valved, fly-by-wire injected. So just as 'not changing' as pretty much all engines then.
 
NickNic said:
I also don't want anything with a smaller engine or physically smaller.
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But !!

The Vstrom 650 is the same size as the 1000 and it's a peach of an engine. Mine topped out at 115 mph on The Ring but would cruise all day at 100 if I wanted to. Handled surprisingly well and arm chair comfort. But it was too top heavy for me, it always worried me below 20 mph.
 
hilldweller said:
Handled surprisingly well and arm chair comfort. But it was too top heavy for me, it always worried me below 20 mph
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Is this a bike or a woman?:rolleyes:
 
I do like this:


Well apart from the overlarge luggage. :)
 
GSXR1000 FTW :)

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I've had three GS's in my time. Excellent bikes for long distance touring which is my particular passion. I've now got a Crosstourer DCT which is fabulous. I love it! ....but it's not for everyone. (See what the Journos say about it (:(). The point that I'm clumsily making is that you have to go & ride several bikes that meet your brief. Not for 20 mins but several hours if you can & don't rely upon what others tell you. Make your own mind up. Compare & contrast. All part of the fun (y)
 
Both are UJM's.. pick the best colour..
 
Try the Yamaha Super tenere. I swapped my R1200gs for one. Love it.
 
Not had a GS but did have a 1200RT. Same engine.
When I first rode one I hated the engine. After using one for a week I loved it and bought one.

As for saying the engine’s not changed for decades. Do you really believe that? That’s like saying four cylinder in-line petrol engines are the same now as they were 50 years ago.

But if it’s not for you, don’t buy one.
I’ve also had a Varadero 1000. Now that really is a dated, boring bike. Crackin’ engine though.
 
D63B569F-344C-45B3-BD7C-0B7FA915C2E3.jpeg
I’ve got a vstrom, great bike, when I got it I wanted new and varadero was discontinued and a gs too dear, but coming from a transalp it is just superb, been to Italy twice on it.
 
Y193iF
Ratcatcher said:
View attachment 196101 I’ve got a vstrom, great bike, when I got it I wanted new and varadero was discontinued and a gs too dear, but coming from a transalp it is just superb, been to Italy twice on it.
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Great pic! Good to hear from another sufferer of Alpinitis!
01043cd0afa4657a38def257367913fb720a055f65.jpg

My VFR in the Pyrenees earlier this year. Off to Italy in 2018. Can't wait!

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we have a 650 vstrom good bike wend to le mans moto gp this year loaded went very well
 
Resurrecting an old thread but it saves starting a new one.

I still haven't done anything about this and ended up using my Bandit all winter which was fine.

I've been looking at the Versys 1000 as another option. Anyone have any opinions either way?
 
I had the big beems until they got too heavy for me and tried a Honda Deauville (650) low torque/economical/good engine breaking/low seat height/weather protection -one of the most under rated bikes I have had in my 50 yrs of biking.

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If a v strome 650 2015 with full luggage and 4000miles of any help please contact
 

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