[rb2399]

Originally Posted by kaustubh_vaze

Can you throw some light on the overall engine power and refinement of VStrom compared to Versys?

Very little to choose between the two in my opinion (specs wise). Both engines generate similar amounts of power and torque and both are equally refined.

My advice would be to do test rides of both and get the one that suits you the most !

[howler]

Originally Posted by kaustubh_vaze

Hi,

I have been following your thread regularly. Awesome trips! Awesome bike!
I am contemplating between a Versys 650 and a VStrom 650.
Can you throw some light on the overall engine power and refinement of VStrom compared to Versys?

Regards,
Kaustubh Vaze

I’d go with the vstrom any day of the week. The kit is far superior and those spoked rims seal the deal. Dynamically better too.

[imp!]

Originally Posted by rb2399

The prohibitive cost of soft/hand panniers is keeping me away from getting a decent luggage system :(
Apart from that, I prefer travelling light and hence a backpack has been doing its job at least on the V.


They do sell something known as an adventure kit. It consists of a top box and hard panniers. The cost is 1,65,000 Rs.

Well, if you do want panniers, I'd look at the after market and Ali express. I suspect a decent set of Al panniers and top box shouldn't run you more than a 1000 USD. A bit of elbow grease and a spanner or three would allow you to prep your bike with them before a long tour.

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Motul 7100 oil quality has degraded a lot after they shifted production to Indonesia or something. I recommend only Amsoil. Very highly rated and i use it for 10k service intervals. If you have the money, give it a shot,available on Amazon india.

Switched to Amsoil for both of my bikes (V-strom and D390). Although these are early days , Amsoil seems to have made a real difference. The shifts have become a lot more smoother especially on the Duke.
Hopefully the oil will hold on for at least up to 7500 KMs given our severe riding conditions.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Switched to Amsoil for both of my bikes (V-strom and D390). Although these are early days , Amsoil seems to have made a real difference. The shifts have become a lot more smoother especially on the Duke.
Hopefully the oil will hold on for at least up to 7500 KMs given our severe riding conditions.

On your high compression duke 390 which you probably use within the city - 7500 kms tops.

On your low compression and lazy vstrom, which you probably use on the highways - 10,000 kms EASY.

Originally Posted by rb2399

Very little to choose between the two in my opinion (specs wise). Both engines generate similar amounts of power and torque and both are equally refined.

My advice would be to do test rides of both and get the one that suits you the most !

From Versys owners who have ridden the Vstrom on long 10 day rides in Thailand:

On a straight line highway, the Versys top line will put wide grins on your face. Its a comfortable sports touring machine and comes alive at above 6,000 rpm.

Come the hills, the Vstrom torque is fantastic low down. Hairpins that force the versys to come down uncomfortably to 1, the vstrom does in 3 with ease.

The vstrom also has a lower center of gravity compared with the Versys.

[rb2399]

Had a wonderful ride to Roing in Arunchal Pradesh covering 7650 KMs in total

Here are few snaps:

Near Forbesganj in Bihar



The Bogibeel Bridge



Near Dambuk in Arunachal Pradesh



Near Jonai in Assam



Bhupen Hazarika Bridge



Near Roing in Arunachal Pradesh.

The bike performed flawlessly as you'd expect from a Jap bike

The Odo has crossed the 35,000 KMs mark now !

Mods: Request you to update the thread title accordingly.

[Ironhide]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Had a wonderful ride to Roing in Arunchal Pradesh covering 7650 KMs in total

-------snip-------

The bike performed flawlessly as you'd expect from a Jap bike

The Odo has crossed the 35,000 KMs mark now !

Mods: Request you to update the thread title accordingly.

Woah ! That's some serious mile munching there - you're truly using the bike as it ought to be , Good Show !

Do we see the makings of a travelogue here ?


Cheers !

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Had a wonderful ride to Roing in Arunchal Pradesh covering 7650 KMs in total

Wow.

Query: How do you manage such a multi-day trip with just a backpack, are you a minimalist? None of your recent photos show any additional luggage, assuming that you still use a backpack.

The Odo has crossed the 35,000 KMs mark now!

You munch miles quite rapidly, just similar to your other vehicles. Do you still have Safari 4x4 with you?

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Query: How do you manage such a multi-day trip with just a backpack, are you a minimalist? None of your recent photos show any additional luggage, assuming that you still use a backpack.

Yes, I prefer riding light (majority of the weight for this ride was chain lube cans and the puncture kit) and hence I use a backpack. Apart from that I am yet to come across a luggage system at a decent price point for the V-Strom.

Originally Posted by sukiwa

You munch miles quite rapidly, just similar to your other vehicles. Do you still have Safari 4x4 with you?

Oh, she's still with me although I don't drive much these days. By the way, she's 4x2

[sreejith.at]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Had a wonderful ride to Roing in Arunchal Pradesh covering 7650 KMs in total
=======
Mods: Request you to update the thread title accordingly.

Wow!! Are you still running on your stock tyres?

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by sreejith.at

Wow!! Are you still running on your stock tyres?

No,they were changed at 24,000 KMs mark. I am running on Metz tourance now.They've clocked ~ 12,000 KMs and going strong :-)

[aghate]

Amazing thread and you are using the bike like it is meant to and was bought for. Kudos to keeping this thread active.

[revv_maniac]

Originally Posted by rb2399

No,they were changed at 24,000 KMs mark. I am running on Metz tourance now.They've clocked ~ 12,000 KMs and going strong :-)

Do you ride solo ? I don't see any other bike in these pics, other than the V storm

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by revv_maniac

Do you ride solo ? I don't see any other bike in these pics, other than the V storm

I always ride solo barring few like the one I had done with ebonho to North Sikkim.

[rb2399]

The V crossed 40,000 KMs during last week.

Did the customary ride to Kanyakumari during month of Jan'20.

Got the oil changed at Kunal's workshop last week (had Mobil 1 10W-40 with me and hence used it) .

I think she'll now see fewer KMs getting clocked as the ADV 390 has joined the stable :-)

Has anyone used this additive named Polytron (https://www.polytrondirect.com/) ?

It was suggested to me by Kunal as he got good results from other bikes.
I took the plunge and it's been ~ 6,000 KMs since I have started using it. The NVH levels have definitely come down for sure. I've also put the same in the ADV 390 as well. The ADV 390 will be the real test for Polytron as the NVH levels are at a different level compared to the V.

Mods:Request you to update the thread title accordingly !