Strom - I'm biased toward the motor (I love the V-Twin 650 that it shares with the SV) even though it's geared differently.

You will totally love the ride of the thing

For what you are doing, I think the Vstrom would be the better choice. Solid power plant and more flexible abilities. Only downfall is the taller height.

Go with the VStrom. Yet another bike I will never ride due to my midget status :lol:

V-strom for sure.

No, marko, I'm not lying. I've been waiting entirely too long and I'm tired of "waiting till next year." 99% sure that I will have a bike sometime within the next 2 weeks and 75% sure it's going to be the v-strom.

I also went to the Suzuki/Yamaha/Honda dealer today and looked. A brand new V-strom 650 starts at 7500 (8k if you want ABS, which wasn't offered till '07) and they're offering 2% financing (if you qualify). I checked kelly blue book and retail on an '06 V-strom is 4200, so I plan on offering the Vic dealer 4k (maybe even 3800), after really looking the bike over.

I sat on the V-strom and it doesn't seem to be too tall, even with my 5'7 height. Sure, it's a small stretch, but nothing extremely uncomfortable. I intend to ride both bikes tomorrow at lunch, weather permitting.

The thing I like about the strom is that I can, as Rae said, ride it damn near anywhere. I also talked to a guy in the parts dept at the local dealership who has a 650 strom and absolutely loves it. Says it's good on highway and fun on dirt roads at good speeds, without getting squirrely.

Bags can be found on twistedthrottle.com for them.

Can't wait to ride it tomorrow.

Big con on the V-Star is valve adjustments every 4k miles...$$$. It's a decent bike but old design.

Of the two, I'd go with the Strom.

I can't wait to hear your ride report tomorrow!

V Strom.

you said that already numbnuts

Ulysses. find a bargain, V twin does it all.