Re: Which big touring motorcycle should I buy? Dear all - I got a notice from the Admin that quoting long posts affects the reading experience of mobile users and I should quote only the relevant bits of the posts. I guess they are right and I didn't realize it.
I found almost all the entire posts here fully relevant to my need, so i cannot quote bits of them, rather dont know how to nitpick the relevant lines. As such and to comply with the forums requirements, this is to let you all know that I've read each one of your posts and have replied here in this 1 post below. I hope no one is offended by me not quoting each one of your posts in my reply.
The following bikes suggested by some members here were ignored for following reasons -
BMW 310 - Small bike. I need to upgrade not downgrade.
Bigger BMWs - was told by everyone that the cost of ownership is far higher than the others. May consider it if and when I upgrade.
Multistrada - nice bike but matches my feelings as for the BMW.
Triumph Scrambler - is a good bike but I wouldnt want to roast my thigh.
Final Deliberations -
After intense discussions with friends and folks who own and have ridden all the bikes I listed , I came to the following conclusions.
Between the AT and the Tiger Xca, my heart was set on the AT primarily because of the dct. The Tiger came in as a logical option devoid of heart.
Then again, thinking hard I wondered if I really wanted to ride a 250kg bike with another 200kgs on it (I dont weight 200kgs). Quick reply was - No. Even if I can ride 50kgs lighter, i will be happier.
So that brought me to the Versys and the Vstrom. The Vstrom was initially not even in the list and I somehow overlooked it for reasons unknown to me. However, as I researched more on it, the V Strom pipped the Versys far behind.
What I liked about the VStrom over the Versys -
Fantastic engine, good tank capacity, very good fuel efficiency even posted by some owners here on the forum and also told to me by some friends who own it. It also has a switchable TCS, larger and spoked rims with tubeless tires which make it just that wee bit better offroad and on trails. That is useful stuff not available on the Versys. It now comes with a fantastic new white shade with blue rims and a blue streak, which I feel, grows on me the more I see it.
Other variable was FE. A good long road trip on a bike is when one doesnt have to worry too much about tank range. So FE plays a big part. The folks I spoke to gave me realistic figures. 18 to 22 tops on the AT and the Tiger and 22 - 26 for the Versys and V strom.
Other bike touring thoughts -
The last time I toured on a bike was an approx 10000km solo ride in 2003 on my Pulsar 180. Between then and now, a lot has changed - the roads, the traffic, the bikes, I have changed too. Do I want to jump into big bike touring and replicate what I do on 4 wheels? Yes - but, here i feel the steps ought to be a bit slower as i adapt to a lot of new variables in one go. So my gut instinct which has been my most loyal and trusted companion, tells me to start small and take it easy. Baby steps.
Technical thoughts -
Japanese reliability pips everything else.
Less buttons, less tech and less gizmos means lesser niggles if at all, and less things to go wrong, means lesser cost of ownership and more peace of mind over the long run = happiness.
Price - I had set out with a very flexible mind and a very flexible budget, accommodating Versys (cheapest) to the Tiger(costliest), as per my budget.
The V Strom fits right in between offering the best of both worlds and saves me a fat packet too. Notional money saved can go into getting some good kit over time and spent of trips.
Then the question of need vs want came in.
Do I need a bigger bike?
Im yet to learn the ropes, will i be happy lugging the extra weight?
Will i be happier with more buttons and modes to toggle between or will I be happy and content just with a few basic safety features and good old motorcycling?
What does motorcycling happiness mean to me?
Can I strike a balance?
Should I buy a machine gun when I can do well even with a rifle?
It didn't take me long to answer all the above.
So decision came easy -
It's going to be a sexy white V Strom with blue streaks and blue rims.
Did I test ride any of the bikes?
Nope, none.
Why, What would change if I did?
After Zeroing in on the V Strom I pondered - the spec sheet is good. Seating is fairly upright. Seat is comfortable. The 650 engine is butter smooth and peppy enough for me. Suspension is also similar to the competition or should I say compliant to my needs. Not the best and definitely not what I would want but I accept this compromise.
Braking, not the best, but not bad enough to kill me.
Looks very sexy to me in white and blue streaks and its growing on me each day.
Next question -
If i didn't like it after test riding, would i buy the Versys? - No.
Would I buy the Tiger then? - machine gun ruled out.
So then it's a no brainer.
If I can believe the government, then I can definitely believe a bunch of non journo folks who have posted their honest personal videos and reviews of the bikes they own to help folks like me make a decision.
So there i go - I have successfully attempted another first in my life. 2 weeks ago I set out to buy a bike, while im still out travelling on a work trip. Spent 2 weeks deliberating over the keyboard and on the fone over a bunch of conversations. Decided on the Suzuki V Strom 650 and went for it. Not seen in flesh, not touched it, not felt, not ridden.
Bike booked - I pen this after having made a downpayment for the booking today.
Got quotes from Anzen and Dream Suzuki and Anzen had a better quote, so went with them.
Just transferred a downpayment booking amount and penned this post.
Will I be happy with my decision?
I know the answer already, but I will let it unfold here on a new ownership thread once the Strom storms in.
Thank you all for your spirited, well meaning advice and inputs. I hope the discussions here continue to help others make their decisions and bring smiles.
Cheers
Jay |