Bit by the Strom Bug

[intimid8er]

I've always had more than a passing fascination with the Strom's. It was my second choice behind the M50. I love Cruiser's plain and simple. Not because of the riding position, the attitude, or any of that stuff. Just the simple raw sound a V-Twin makes. Music to my ears, and pure audible trash to others. I love the farm implement torque a V-Twin makes. However, I despise the weight of a cruiser, the slow steering, the feet forward weight on your spine riding position, and many other reasons. Love 'em, and hate 'em at the same time.

However, after more than a year with the M, (it's comfort shortcomings made themselves painfully aware to me within the first fifteen miles) I've learned to figure out exactly what it is that I want in a bike. I had a long layoff from bikes, and I was used to dirtbikes and standards. When I was shopping last year, I sat on a lot of bikes but with a severe lack of saddle time, I couldn't tell what would be comfortable for me on the road. Through all this time, I've kept my eye on the Strom for it's advertised upright dirt-bike like riding position.

Saturday, I had to stop by the local dealership and get a filter and some oil for Mrs. Intimid8er's S40. I sat on a bunch of different bikes since they had all the bikes that I've had my eye on.

Strom's-1000 and 650
FZ6
Ninja 650
FZ1
SV's-1000 and 650

And a nod to Rowdy Red....I did sit on a used Bandit 1200. Dude I can see what you rave about. However, I'd need taller risers, and quite frankly, I don't think I need to be around that much power with a short wheelbase like that.

The SV's.....obviously had me leaning over far too forward than I like.

The FZ6 and the Ninja....great, however, a slight bit of lean that after about 20 or so miles, would become an annoyance. Same with the Bandit.

Strom's-perfect. I actually preferred the seat on the 650 over the 1000.
For me it was the perfect "sit up and beg" position. I had forgotten since last year what the saddle position was like on these things. At a 34" inseam, I liked the fact that if I was sitting at a light flatfooting it, that the bike was right there under my butt, I didn't have to hunch, it just supported me. My arms hung naturally from my shoulders, and the wrists just rested right on the grips. I couldn't find anyone to hold the bike up for me, but I put one flip flop clad foot up on the peg, and tried to emulate a riding position. Everything just seemed natural.

I went home and e-mailed the dealership through their request a quote program. I put the M in for a trade. Of course, I get Jerry Jerkoff e-mailing me back telling me to call him to discuss it. Uhhhh.....no! That is what the e-mail thing is for dude..(Nothing like throwing cold water on a hot buyer!)

Bottom line....I think I see a Strom coming home to roost in my garage reeeeal soon........ When, I don't know. I've cooled off a bit since Saturday. Hell, the M is almost paid off. I feel like keeping it, and adding a Strom.....


To be continued......

[Louis]

Great post Tim!

[stp1971]

Put a set of the 1 3/8" risers from GenMar on there and you will feel even more in love with the riding position. With your inseam Tim you could get teh Suzuki Gel seat and put it on there. It will raise the seat height about an inch but the comfort factor will be alot better,, plus it will also give your legs a little more leg comfort.

Another nice add on I am considering is the peg lowering kits,, not sure yet. But there is a company making a set of higway peg kits too.

If you get a chance to come back up here when it is not pee pouring rain I will let you ride my Strom. Between the risers, the Sargent seat, the madstad windshield bracket, and the Murph's fork brace you can't find a better bike. That little 650 just revs and revs. At 100 mph it is not even taching hardly over 7500 rpm. it has a 10500 redline.

Plus you are gettng the benefit of better handling, better gas mileage, and at least 4 gallons of really usuable fuel. Don't buy that 5.8 gallons of gas or you might find yourself pushing the Strom. 4 gallons is safe and you can easily go 220 miles on that.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Put a set of the 1 3/8" risers from GenMar on there and you will feel even more in love with the riding position. With your inseam Tim you could get teh Suzuki Gel seat and put it on there. It will raise the seat height about an inch but the comfort factor will be alot better,, plus it will also give your legs a little more leg comfort.

Another nice add on I am considering is the peg lowering kits,, not sure yet. But there is a company making a set of higway peg kits too.

If you get a chance to come back up here when it is not pee pouring rain I will let you ride my Strom. Between the risers, the Sargent seat, the madstad windshield bracket, and the Murph's fork brace you can't find a better bike. That little 650 just revs and revs. At 100 mph it is not even taching hardly over 7500 rpm. it has a 10500 redline.

Plus you are gettng the benefit of better handling, better gas mileage, and at least 4 gallons of really usuable fuel. Don't buy that 5.8 gallons of gas or you might find yourself pushing the Strom. 4 gallons is safe and you can easily go 220 miles on that.

I don't believe I'd need the risers. It was a perfect fit. When I sit on a bike, I make mental notes of how much money I'd have to spend to get it right. And higher risers didn't hit the list at all. Don't forget, I scrape my knuckles when I walk erect.

I have to agree with the lowered pegs though. That was one thing that went through my mind. Not as a "have to" though. Maybe as a "I'll check 'em out, and see if I like 'em." Kinda deal. I've seen those forward highway pegs. They look kinda slick too.

BTW-Jerry Jerkoff the 2nd just called. (I specifically stated in a return e-mail that I didn't want to be called. Just give me some pricing. I also stated in my e-mail, since their dealership policy doesn't allow me the buyer to get emotionally involved in the sale by demo'ing the product, don't expect me to do the normal dog-n-pony show with them.) Great call .

"Hi! I'm Jerry Jerkoff II! I got your e-mail, and wanted to let you know, we had a Strom in stock."

Silence from my end.

Uncomfortably long pause.

"Sir....we do have a Strom."

"And?"

"And...........?"

"Let me finish for you. We have a Strom in stock, and your price is ......, and the amount we will allow for your trade is xxxx."

Silence now at the other end.

"I am aware you have a Strom, I was there, I sat on it. If I wanted to "talk" to one of you, I would have chased one of you down in the showroom, but as it was, I was landed on a vehicle, and everybody just sat there watching me, I guess nobody figured I was buying. But your website says 'Request a quote', and that is what I was doing. Not to be a dick or anything, If y'all wanted a sale, you would've talked to me in the showroom, not call me on the phone. So. Can you get me a price or not?"

"Uh...I'll see, and I'll call you back."

Sorry to those of you who don't know me, and those of you who have seen my posts that are laden with disdain for the dealer. There is a good reason for it. I'm not going to go into the why's and how's, but I do know how the Wizard works the machine behind the curtain. Very well too. I get ticked when they try and foist their schlock on the general public. I get ticked when they try and make a sale with ham-handed amateurish techniques that were deemed archaic many years ago. Don't get me wrong, when I meet a pro, no matter what I'm buying, I reward them well. If I happen to beat the guy out of a commission by working a good deal for myself....I pay him on the side out of my own pocket.

[stp1971]

That is sales my friend. If you know the system then you make out. If you don't then we will see your thread about how you got screwed by the dealer.

Hope you find one to your liking Tim.

FYI- Mine was a 2005 and OTD with a free tank protector installed came up to $6,505.00 .... List price on them new is like $6699.00 before the hoopla attached.

I have actually had a couple dealers call me the next few days after I bought mine and they said they had 2006 models for about $200.00 more than I paid for my 2005. But I really, really, really like the blue color of the 2005 so I decided the 2005 was for me.

I have heard of a few people getting their Stroms (650 of course) for around $6100.00 otd.

I am happy with my deal. I got my bike for a fairly good price. Not the cheapest but the most expensive either. I feel i am in the top 20% of who paid the least for their V-Strom category.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

That is sales my friend. If you know the system then you make out. If you don't then we will see your thread about how you got screwed by the dealer.

I can assure you...I don't + won't get screwed on a retail deal.

[stp1971]

Yeah i wasn't referring to you directly,,,just some of the people I have seen post here in the past.

[QuacktheDuck]

Tim is joining the dark side...hahaha. Good for you though, the strom is an excellent bike, hands down a bucket of fun. You won't regret it that's for sure .

[stp1971]

Hey Quack,,, get an '07 Strom!!! It has ABS Brakes!!!!

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by QuacktheDuck

Tim is joining the dark side...hahaha. Good for you though, the strom is an excellent bike, hands down a bucket of fun. You won't regret it that's for sure .

Yeah...I guess deep down, I was a StromTrooper at heart!

It really was a tough decision last year. Strom.....M50. Strom.....M50. M50.....Strom. M50......Strom.

Over a year of dealing with shortcomings. I can really, really, really, define what it is I require in a bike.

Bikes that fit my criteria:

Strom's
Yamaha Road Star
Yamaha Road Liner
M109R
Harley Road Glide

The above bikes require little or no modification for my comfort. The Yammies, and the Harley would require cosmetic mods right out of the box. I'd like to think I'm not that shallow, but.....I'm not. I can't stand beach bars on a bike.

Other Bikes that fit my criteria, but would require mods to be perfect:

Yamaha FZ's (1 & 6)
Kawasaki Ninja 650r (Which I thought was excellent for a small appearing bike!)
Suzuki Bandit

BTW....The Ninja had a certain feel about it. I'd love to get my dirty mitts on one, and flog the ever lovin' dog poop outta it! For a small bike it certainly fit me well. It's got lowered rear sets. I think a higher riser would make that bike an absolute blast for me. Although, I had to sit "down and in" on the saddle when just standing still; whereas the Strom, I put my feet down, and take my hands off the bars, and it's supporting me pretty much standing straight up. Cool.


Although, this now has opened Pandora's box for me. Before I'm going to be satisfied, I guess I have to actively seek out the following:

Buell- Ulysses
BMW-FS650 and the like
Moto Guzzi-Breva 1100 (sadly, I think I'll be cramped up on the Griso)
Ducati-Multistrada

[stp1971]

You will be assimiliated.

[intimid8er]

Two days, and no return phone call.

I was asked if I was going to buy the bike. I felt like saying something along the lines of "No. I just collect motorbike pricing like some people collect Baseball Cards."

Why bother having a "Request a quote" button, if the people controlling that end of it have no intention of using it for it's intended purpose? If I wanted to talk about bikes on the phone, I woulda called one of you guys.

Although, the big Strom had a price on the windshield of $7999. That's a decent price, roughly a hundred over invoice, but I'd rather suspect that the thousand (retail is $8999) is an incentive to the dealer from Suzuki North America so the dealer is not losing anything, and the deal can probably be worked better.

[intimid8er]

Of course, I've been seriously considering this right now:



The bid is up to $3000.

[stp1971]

Will never ride as good as my Strom. But you will be able to carry more WWII vets than I will.

[Mavman]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Yeah i wasn't referring to you directly,,,just some of the people I have seen post here in the past.

Did someone mention pipes

Well I gotta tell ya............

[stp1971]

Funny,,,.

[S83]

I've found several good deals on new DL650's. My concern and still waiting on several replies is what they will give me for my '05 S83. I have a feeling I will be selling it outright which will delay my getting the DL650.

[stp1971]

Never know,, worth a shot. The S83 is getting to be a favorite thin profile cruiser.

[S83]

That is what I'm hoping.

[C2W?]

Originally Posted by S83

I've found several good deals on new DL650's. My concern and still waiting on several replies is what they will give me for my '05 S83. I have a feeling I will be selling it outright which will delay my getting the DL650.

Well worth the wait imo. . .