Wilsons Sandbox

Motorcycle Daily says the U.S. is getting the Suzuki V-Strom for $8,899, if anyone is interested in a liter-class adventure tourer. It's got the 996 V-Twin, (is that close to 3 times the horsepower of our KLR's?) but they're claiming only 456 lbs dry weight. Other vitals include a 6-speed and a 5.8 gallon tank. Mounting hard bags could be a challenge, but I'm sure someone can figure that out. That name, though!! Do they really like Strom Thurmond that much? Check out http://www.motorcycledaily.com/08october01suzuki2002dl1000vstrom.html .

> Motorcycle Daily says the U.S. is getting the Suzuki V-Strom for > $8,899, if anyone is interested in a liter-class adventure tourer. > It's got the 996 V-Twin, >

When that motor first came out gas mileage in the low thirties was reported by all. Hope they've improved that or this bike won't have much range. Always something, Bogdan

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Bogdan Swider wrote:

> > snip... the Suzuki V-Strom for > > $8,899, if anyone is interested in a liter-class adventure

tourer.

> > When that motor first came out gas mileage in the low

thirties was

> reported by all. Hope they've improved that or this bike won't have

much

> range.

good point. i looked hard at the tl1000 and the honda superhawk. they both sound like fun, but both get low 30's, which is just ridiculous. that's a big part of why i bought a bandit. don't ask me why aprilia and ducati seem to be able to get good mileage out of fuel-injected twins but the japanese mfr's can't. mw

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Bogdan Swider wrote:

> > > > > > Motorcycle Daily says the U.S. is getting the Suzuki V-Strom for > > $8,899, if anyone is interested in a liter-class adventure

tourer.

> > It's got the 996 V-Twin, > > > When that motor first came out gas mileage in the low

thirties was

> reported by all. Hope they've improved that or this bike won't have

much

> range. > > Always something, > > Bogdan

That's it. I'm buying one. It was either the TDM900 or the VStorm, which ever got here first. V-Storm wins. The TL1000 engine used in the V-Storm is an excellent motor that is quite thrifty. You may be thinking about the Honda motor used in the Super Hawk. Gino

> the japanese mfr's can't. > mw > >

Hey, isn't that a bit strong ? I know they've dropped the ball on the mileage thing, but still. Bogdan

> the V-Storm is an excellent motor that is quite thrifty. You may

be

> thinking about the Honda motor used in the Super Hawk. >

below taken from from a tl1000 faq http://www.micapeak.com/TL1000S/faq/p3.html "Gas mileage You'll never get 50 mpg. Live with it. Seriously, your mileage will improve as the bike gets broken in. The ECU upgrade and a careful and proper TPS adjustment will improve your mileage significantly compared to the early shippment bikes. Expect to get in the 35mpg (40mpg British, 15km/liter) range, plus or minus, depending upon how you ride. " i think i saw an alarming figure (32 or so) in the back of cycle world, or whoever it is that has a couple pages of stats and stuff on recently tested bikes in the back. mw

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., MWeaver@n... wrote:

> below taken from from a tl1000 faq > http://www.micapeak.com/TL1000S/faq/p3.html > > "Gas mileage > You'll never get 50 mpg. Live with it. > Seriously, your mileage will improve as the bike gets broken in.

The

> ECU upgrade and a careful and proper TPS adjustment will improve

your

> mileage significantly compared to the early shippment bikes. Expect > to get in the 35mpg (40mpg British, 15km/liter) range, plus or

minus,

> depending upon how you ride. " > > i think i saw an alarming figure (32 or so) in the back of cycle > world, or whoever it is that has a couple pages of stats and stuff

on

> recently tested bikes in the back. > mw

Okay. I'll live with it. Hell, I used to tour on a Sporster with a 2.25gal tank. The V-storm will carry 5.8 gallons... That's good enough for me, but not nearly as good as the king if thrifty; ZRX1100. Just flat out amazes me how that bike can haul in 50+ mpg while cruising at high speed. Gino

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "West Hovland" wrote:

> I'm sorry, but this thing looks "Adventure Tourer" as much as the

Bandit does. High pipes and a sump guard doesn't qualify it as one. My 97' Tiger looks like a friggin' motocrosser compared to the V- Storm. I'd love to have that engine though.

> > West > >

I agree, and if I do get it, it will probably never see dirt. What it appears to be, however, is a relatively light, all-weather, all- arounder. Much like what the TDM was intended to be. Gino