Now I Know Why It Is Called A Wee-Strom....

[RedLdr1]

This afternoon I picked up a new 2011 Pearl Mirage White DL650 V-Strom ABS! I bought it at Mountain Motorsports in Marietta, Georgia which is about 15 miles from my house. When I left the dealership I saw some black clouds off in the distance towards home...:rolleyes1: I hoped they would drift off to the southeast before I got closer... Well it didn't happen that way.... I ran straight in to a fire hose level frog strangler that had water standing over an inch deep on the roads! Wee Strom? More like Wee Wee Upon Thee Strom for my first ride! :rolleyes1:

The Wee Strom handled the rain great, even with new tires, still covered in molding release agent, the bike felt well planted and was a blast to ride home. Riding through the standing water wasn't bad, I know these roads, but cars going the other way throwing up huge wakes kept it exciting... My wife was following behind me and she said a couple of times the "wakes" went all the way over me... Note: While mesh jackets help keep you cool they don't keep you dry, especially when the rain liner is safely stashed in the NT's saddlebags... Along with my rain suit...

I am very happy with the way the V-Strom handled in inclement weather. Riding a new unfamiliar bike in those conditions could have been "interesting" to say the least. The ergonomics feel good, I won't need handlebar risers on this bike, and everything else just overall feels right. I told my wife I didn't want, or need, another bike with hard luggage, that is what the NT is for... Well right now Suzuki is selling their hard saddle bags, including mounts, for $199 when you purchase a new V-Strom! I could not resist the offer, so I will have hard saddle bags for the V-Strom as well... I'm still struggling with explaining that deal was cheaper than a set of decent soft bags.

I'll take some pics and post them when I finish the "washing" that was started today...:rolleyes1: But even dripping wet the NT and Wee look great sitting in the garage! For now I'll just finish washing my clothes, did I mention soaking wet Kevlar smells funny?...and drying off...

 

[Chucksklrst]

Congratulations on the Wee. You will like how it just floats thru the curves. The biggest problem you will have now is, when you go to the garage, deciding on which bike to ride.

 

[Phil Tarman]

Congratulations, Wayne! All you guys with room and money for two bikes are making me feel jealous. I think the Wee would be great around here for all the gravel county roads. My buddy with the Wee says that two many of the gravel roads up in western Nebraska have deep sand and so his back-country bike is not KLX-250.

Have fun!

 

[Mattb]

Nice! Congratulations. I came sooooo close to buying a V-Strom and didn't do so mainly because I wanted shaft drive and a fuller fairing, but also because I ran into a "salesperson" at one of the Suzuki dealer's that tried to pressure me by saying that the Japanese Tsunami meant that the V-Strom he had was the last one in the area for a long time.

 

[Chucksklrst]

Just wanted to let you know that Happy Trails is the place to get your Wee Farkles. Great folks and great customer service.

 

[jwayne]

Congrats on the new bike Wayne. I looked at the V- Strom before i purchased my 09 F650gs twin. I also enjoy having 2 good bikes in the garage; my monthly gas cost has decreased because I alternate between bikes and, not between a bike and a truck. By the way their is a Battle of the bikes competition tomorrow starting at 1:00pm in Conyers the address is: Hooters, 1099 Iris Dr., SW, Conyers, GA 30094.

 

[jsmoe]

Congrats on the bike! I hope to pick up the black one on monday

 

[RedLdr1]

Already Named....

It took me a while to name my NT VarmiNT...

But after my our maiden voyage my Wee-Strom is now DeLuge... somehow that name just seems very appropriate...my jacket is still dripping this morning!

 

[Bear]

Congratulations, Wayne. I agree--wet Kevlar gets a bit twangy.

 

[banjoboy]

Wayne, as you get to know your Wee and put some miles on, I think many of us would like a fair comparison between the Wee and NT. I look forward to hearing from you over time. Thanks. Congrats.

Terry

 

[RedLdr1]

Wayne, as you get to know your Wee and put some miles on, I think many of us would like a fair comparison between the Wee and NT.

No problem... I plan on keeping both, the NT isn't going anywhere, I'll be glad to do a comparison after a couple months...

 

[Mellow]

Congrats Wayne!!!

 

[Laserdot]

Congratulations Wayne! Now you can have fun with a choice!

Stay Safe...

 

[RedLdr1]

Here are the obligatory pictures to prove it happened...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/wecnwise/6025796151/ http://www.flickr.com/people/wecnwise/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/wecnwise/6025794917/ http://www.flickr.com/people/wecnwise/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/wecnwise/6025792581/http://www.flickr.com/people/wecnwise/

And a quick shot of the NT alone showing the Corbin seat and 3rd party backrest I recently added...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/wecnwise/6026350278/ http://www.flickr.com/people/wecnwise/

After two hours of cleaning and rearranging the garage it still looks like a mess...:rolleyes1: But all the toys fit!

 

[Warren]

The V-Strom sure does have a big pair of bug eye's. I can see why Katherine brags so much on them.

 

[Chuck 500]

There is a V-strom parked near me at work. I was a little envious of the dual lights. The white 'vette ain't too shabby either.

Enjoy and keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

 

[Chucksklrst]

Pics look great, Unlike me you still have room in your Toy Box........Er I mean Garage. How many bikes is enough?.........One more than you already have.

 

[fastwally]

Nice choice for a second bike. I sold a fully farkled ABS Wee with Staintune exhaust to buy the NT. I wanted the shaft drive. I think you will find the Wee is going to ride better. I put a Sargent seat on mine and it was great. Good luck and have fun with your toys. :smile:

 

[ataraxia]

Hi Wayne,
Great story,
I went thru a similar trial today with the new NT. I went to this dealer specifically looking at a 2011 Wee strom that was on sale! BUT there was the left over NT sitting next to it for nearly the same price. Honda 1, Suzook 0.

Anyhoo - Congrats on the new ride and the killer deal, those suzook boxes are great looking, I'd love to see a pic of your wee-strom all bagged up.

Happy Trails,
Leo

 

[elizilla]

As soon as I bought my new DL1000, I wondered if I should have bought the 650!

Yes.