V-strom 650 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

ubercooper · 10-02-2004, 09:20 AM

Hey, I am a new rider and was looking for some dual sport bike and i liked the v-strom, i am 5-10 and 150, would this be a good beginner bike?

sparrow · 10-02-2004, 10:04 PM

It worked for me, but then I'm an fairly tall person who didn't feel too comfortable on the smaller bikes. Given the height of the bike, if you can flat foot it, you should be ok, although I probably wouldn't recommend it if you're up on your toes. As a new rider, you really want a bike that you're comfortable handling to avoid dropping it when you find yourself slightly off balance (which seems to happen a lot when you're starting out). You can also get a replacement seat to drop the height down about an inch if you're close.
But this is definitely a tall bike.

Other than that, the bike is a great bike. It has exceptionally smooth handling and is pretty forgiving with most minor mistakes. A bike that has quite a bit of room to grow into, such as you wouldn't get bored with it anytime soon.

-Sparrow

wavyredlaurie · 10-02-2004, 10:28 PM

I've got one, and I am 5'-10", too. But I have a lot of my height in my legs, and a short torso. The long legs allow me to flat foot the 650 "strom, and then some. It is a tall bike - it gets a LOT of comments on its size, but it is nimble and easy to handle, because it's not a way heavy bike, and the center of gravity seems to be low - even with the enormous gas tank full! It is really nice out on the road, riding up high, looking SUV drivers right in the eye!

I was scared when I first looked at the bike, but as soon as I sat on it, I knew it would be fine. However, if I had to do it on tiptoes, I wouldn't have felt that way at all. I also have to add I wasn't a total beginner. I had the MSF safety course, and 3 years riding a 250cc scooter.

john merrell · 03-15-2005, 08:17 AM

The Vstrom 650 is a great bike for a beginer or experienced rider. I have one for sale, if interested contact johnmerrell@troycable.net. There is a loweing kit available that will lower this bike approximately 2 inches...that would give you a 29' seat height. Hope this helps.

TomStromie · 03-21-2005, 09:07 AM

While the DL650 has been a great 2nd bike for me, I am incredible happy that it was not my first motorycle. I'm 5-11, and it has been almost 30 years since I weighed 150 pounds. I learned to ride a motorcycle for the first time 1-1/2 years ago on a 1975 Honda XL350. I managed to get over 1,000 miles on it by the time the MSF class was available. Then I moved up to the DL650 and rode it for 4,000 miles during a short Minnesota summer and fall.

The Honda is light and easy to learn on, as well as being forgiving. The DL650 is taller and about 120 pounds (feels closer to 200) heavier. They have a completely different feel, especially on gravel.

I still like to ride the Honda whenever I venture off pavement. I would, however, not recommend a motorcycle this old unless you like to search eBay for parts and are fairly good at tinkering with old carburetors. I plan on keeping it until I am too old to kick start it.

okanagan · 03-22-2005, 04:47 PM

I just traded in my ACE 750 on a DL650 and I will never go back to a cruiser. This bike is so easy to steer, feels planted in the twisties and has great balance when going slow in traffic. I'm inseam challenged with 30" inseam but can almost flat foot. You, I think, would be happy with this bike as a starter as well as a lifetime keeper. I spent the winter reading all the reviews and this one came out very positive in all of them.

Wabbit44 · 07-16-2005, 05:09 PM

Drop the front end 15mm and notice big difference in cornering/handling without the feel that you're resting on your wrists. Every good review of this bike recommends this, and trust me it's true! You might even be flatfooted on it after you lower the front end, no promises though.

Stan

My only real gripe? When you come to rest your legs come down right into the footpegs. Maybe I should wear calf guards! *lol*

I also notice that when I am cruising, the heel of my right foot seems to find a resting point on the pipe guard of the muffler right behind the peg. I only hope it doesn't get hot enough to melt my heels... I don't think so though.

Anyone esle?

10-02-2004, 09:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
ubercooper Newbie Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1	V-strom 650 Hey, I am a new rider and was looking for some dual sport bike and i liked the v-strom, i am 5-10 and 150, would this be a good beginner bike?

10-02-2004, 10:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
wavyredlaurie In Training Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 146	I've got one, and I am 5'-10", too. But I have a lot of my height in my legs, and a short torso. The long legs allow me to flat foot the 650 "strom, and then some. It is a tall bike - it gets a LOT of comments on its size, but it is nimble and easy to handle, because it's not a way heavy bike, and the center of gravity seems to be low - even with the enormous gas tank full! It is really nice out on the road, riding up high, looking SUV drivers right in the eye! I was scared when I first looked at the bike, but as soon as I sat on it, I knew it would be fine. However, if I had to do it on tiptoes, I wouldn't have felt that way at all. I also have to add I wasn't a total beginner. I had the MSF safety course, and 3 years riding a 250cc scooter. __________________ My motto is "In all things - moderation." Of course, that means that even moderation needs to be practiced in moderation!

07-16-2005, 05:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wabbit44 Newbie Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 21	My two cents... V-Strom 650 Drop the front end 15mm and notice big difference in cornering/handling without the feel that you're resting on your wrists. Every good review of this bike recommends this, and trust me it's true! You might even be flatfooted on it after you lower the front end, no promises though. Stan My only real gripe? When you come to rest your legs come down right into the footpegs. Maybe I should wear calf guards! lol I also notice that when I am cruising, the heel of my right foot seems to find a resting point on the pipe guard of the muffler right behind the peg. I only hope it doesn't get hot enough to melt my heels... I don't think so though. Anyone esle? Last edited by Wabbit44; 07-16-2005 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Incorrect phrasing

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10-02-2004, 10:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
sparrow In Training Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: '03 Yamaha FZ1, '05 FZ1 (project bike) Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 115	It worked for me, but then I'm an fairly tall person who didn't feel too comfortable on the smaller bikes. Given the height of the bike, if you can flat foot it, you should be ok, although I probably wouldn't recommend it if you're up on your toes. As a new rider, you really want a bike that you're comfortable handling to avoid dropping it when you find yourself slightly off balance (which seems to happen a lot when you're starting out). You can also get a replacement seat to drop the height down about an inch if you're close. But this is definitely a tall bike. Other than that, the bike is a great bike. It has exceptionally smooth handling and is pretty forgiving with most minor mistakes. A bike that has quite a bit of room to grow into, such as you wouldn't get bored with it anytime soon. -Sparrow

03-15-2005, 08:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
john merrell Newbie Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 22	The Vstrom 650 is a great bike for a beginer or experienced rider. I have one for sale, if interested contact johnmerrell@troycable.net. There is a loweing kit available that will lower this bike approximately 2 inches...that would give you a 29' seat height. Hope this helps.

03-21-2005, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
TomStromie Newbie Joined: May 2004 Posts: 6	While the DL650 has been a great 2nd bike for me, I am incredible happy that it was not my first motorycle. I'm 5-11, and it has been almost 30 years since I weighed 150 pounds. I learned to ride a motorcycle for the first time 1-1/2 years ago on a 1975 Honda XL350. I managed to get over 1,000 miles on it by the time the MSF class was available. Then I moved up to the DL650 and rode it for 4,000 miles during a short Minnesota summer and fall. The Honda is light and easy to learn on, as well as being forgiving. The DL650 is taller and about 120 pounds (feels closer to 200) heavier. They have a completely different feel, especially on gravel. I still like to ride the Honda whenever I venture off pavement. I would, however, not recommend a motorcycle this old unless you like to search eBay for parts and are fairly good at tinkering with old carburetors. I plan on keeping it until I am too old to kick start it.

03-22-2005, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
okanagan Newbie Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: DL 650 Silver Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 3	I just traded in my ACE 750 on a DL650 and I will never go back to a cruiser. This bike is so easy to steer, feels planted in the twisties and has great balance when going slow in traffic. I'm inseam challenged with 30" inseam but can almost flat foot. You, I think, would be happy with this bike as a starter as well as a lifetime keeper. I spent the winter reading all the reviews and this one came out very positive in all of them.

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