Machines
I have been thinking about a new machine, a Suzuki 1000 cc V-Strom in black of course. Actually, I have been thinking about 3 different bikes: the DRZ400SM, the 650cc V-Strom and the 1000cc V-Strom.
Why these models? Well, it is a toss up. I can see the shortcomings in my bike for the way I ride it. It isn’t really designed to do 400 miles in a day. I have done it, but those days are always best followed by a trip to the hot tub. I can’t slide it, not that I want to. My wheelies are lame, usually ending in a severe crunch to my groin when I chop the throttle because I never intended to point my nose to the sky. Not good. All of those reasons point toward a DRZ… I can’t buy and/or attach hard bags. This means I can lock my gear down, nor is it out of the sun, wind, and rain. Sure, I can do rediculious speeds on pavement, but becomes a boundary when I want to go ‘over there’ without regard for asphalt and yellow striping. Which points toward the V-Stroms…
The DRZ is a play bike. The more I think about it, the less I like the idea of owning that bike right now. After, I have/had good a touring bike? Sure. Absolutely. It would be a blast to take up into the mountains. Today, with only my YZF and a DRZ? Hmm… That doesn’t sound like very much fun.
The V-Strom seems to be the right bike at that right price at the right time. But, which one? Well… What do I want? I want reasonably good milage. Reviews have shown both bikes get over 50 mpg. The 650 is a bit better but not by much in a real world test through Baja. 50 vs 53 or something like that. I want power to pass at highway speeds without drama. The 650 doesn’t have it. The 1000 does. I want black. The 650 is Blue/Black or Red. Did someone just puke on my shoes? Oh, that was me. I was looking at the Red 650 V/S. The 1000 comes in BLACK. Ooooohhhh. Aaaahhhh. Yes, I know some might consider it shallow, but I don’t want any other color. I want black. I am paying for it and I want black. Flat, gloss, metallica, whatever. I want black. I also want adjustable forks: 1000 check, 650 nope. I want more than enough power to ride two up (am I ever going to find a girl friend who wants to ride two up?!?) while fully loaded for an extended trip. 1000 check, 650 nope. I want hand guards… I want… I want… <Sigh> You get the picture.
So what am I going to do about this moto lust? Tomorrow, I think I will visit my local Suzuki dealer.
