V_Strom

[Christopha]

OK, now I have my tits in a tangle over this;
http://www.bikepoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=2978571&TabID=3424
Opinions on bike, price etc please as I might just be able to swing it. The dealer will let me have it (?) for $8000 wiythout rego... seems a little hot to me as she is 6 years old or am I being a tight ?????

OK, going to Adelaide now to look at bikes and my lady, please post freely all weekend. :)

[JackoH]

I like theTriumph. But alas I'm far too old (and broke!):((

[wheelinround]

FSIL had 2005 model still misses it even tho he has another bike.
His trouble with it couldn't do to many hours in the saddle, vibrations through handle bars caused trouble for his Carple tunnel. With daughter on board he couldn't go as fast as he liked :D flat chat. If touring everything had to be weighed.

Oh to feel the wind in my hair riding again at more than a trot :U :;

[Dingo Dog]

Great bike, this second hand one is a bit dear though, a new DL650 is a couple of grand extra, have you thought of that idea.

D D

[Optimark]

Whilst that isn't what I would call cheap for a machine of it's age, it appears to have extremely low kilometreage, less than 2,000 kliks per annum.

Being in Horsham, it is possible that the machine only saw active service in the cooler months, it really is a warmish place, although slightly cooler than Jeparit where my family comes from. Then there is the harvesting time, not to mention shearing time, or the owner may have been just a Sunday rider.

Those machines are quite good, but if you put a knobby tyre on the front, you may have some clearance problems. I travelled alongside one of those in June 2003 through the Snowy Mountains. In freezing mud they are heavy little things to pick up.

They weigh about the same as my bike (R1100GS) but they have quite a bit more pure horsepower than my machine. I have 80 BHP and these have about 100 (I think) However, in slogging conditions they are a bit of a handful, think sand or mud. Especially in mud they become a bit iffy as the engine requires more revs to work than the lower revving and lower powered 1100GS.

Another interesting titbit of information. When you are slogging away in less than easy conditions and either stalling it, or just stopping often to help others through water/mud etcetera, you can start to run the battery down a bit. The bike also doesn't switch off the headlight when you hit the starter button, at least the one I was travelling with didn't. Running electric vests for both the rider and pillion also taxes the electrical system.

Not too bad a touring bike overall. You can get things going quite well quickly and cheaply with a pair of Andy Strapz panniers, or other luggage fitments. I was recently at a motorcycle meeting where the owner of Andy Strapz, (Andy) gave a talk and demo, still more interesting products are emanating from his fertile brain.

Mick.

[Christopha]

Well, not the V-Strom.....
I went for a test ride through the Adelaide Hills on Saturday and in consequence I have plonked down a deposit on a Kawasaki GTR1000. Lovely bike and it wanted me to bring it home which, work permitting, I will probably do tomorrow week. :D :D :D

[Ashore]

Good choice chris , how old are you and how far are you going to do on a run , the v-storm after 3-4 hours try and stand up straight , yep the klacker is a better choice , though the best choice would have been an early KT 100 BMW :2tsup:

[Christopha]

I am an old fart, 57 recently..... but only 18 on the inside!
The GTR will be carting me 800 odd Kms every few weekends as I visit my girl and I am reliably informed by that lady that I will be following her on her little Duke to the GP at Firrip Ireand so that will be quite a ride too for someone who hasn't thrown his leg over a bike in 5 or 6 years.
As for the KT, I have never been keen on the Ks' but would lurve a nice boxer.

Hmm.. the woodshows on the bike just like the old days... WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!