Why I've been M.I.A. New Toy.. Me and Jolly Roger apparently

[taylorRichie]

I've been riding motorcycles for a bit, and decided I needed to buy my own instead of driving my buddies BMW F650GS.

http://richietaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/bearlakemotorcycle01-460x345.jpg

It's a 2004 V-Strom DL650 580 Original Miles :D I paid $4,000 for it and I've already doubled the mileage ;)

http://richietaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/vstrom02-300x225.jpg

Drove on a Friday at 6:00 PM all the way to San Diego to pick her up. Trailered all the way back behind a Honda Accord Coupe :D It was a total bonsai run, very little sleep (stopped in vegas on the way home)

Fun Fun... I'll definitely be bringing it to Moab for next years VX meet. If I wasn't going in for surgery I'd be going to Moab this month.


Forgot to mention I did an Epic 1200 mile ride from Ogden -> Around Bear Lake -> Jackson Hole -> Yellowstone -> Beartooth pass (one of the highest paved highways in the US) -> Cody Wyoming -> Rock Springs, Wy -> Flaming Gorge Utah/Wyoming -> Evanston Wy -> Ogden

Fun Fun
Headed to Colorado Tomorrow for the Sigur Ros concert, was going to take the bike, but don't want to do 1,000 miles in 2 days, just too much work.

BTW my Blog is: http://www.richietaylor.com to see more images.

[cyronman]

NICE Bike, man!

you shoulda let a couple of us know you were in town, even if it was for a minute.

Haven't read your blog yet, but did you see the documentary The Long Way Down with Ewan McGregor?

[taylorRichie]

Yes I have the full 6 part series of Long way Down, Long way Round, and Road to Dakar.

AWESOME!! Series'

Thanks for the compliments on the bike, and honestly I was hyper focussed on getting the bike and should have made contact with SOMEONE... cause we slept in an albertson's Parking lot :D would have been nice to crash in someone's driveway instead ;) We were in San Diego for about 6 hours total.

[JoFotoz]

Mr Taylor Richie...SHAME ON YOU!

Ya could of slept in my driveway...

...or even the spare room :p

DUDE.....a BBQ,Hot Tub and Pool....and you chose Albertsons.

Heck... I could of checked out the bike for ya too!

DOHHH!.....big smack upside the head next time we meet , in fact get yer lovely lady to do it NOW!:eek:


jo

[nocturnalVX]

Fun Fun... I'll definitely be bringing it to Moab for next years VX meet.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Gill_T_s_pics_075.jpg

Does this mean a possible VXer side trip on bikes? I've got to get a trailer & bring the Monster? Hmmmmm...

[taylorRichie]

Awesome Gil...

I was looking into a Monster to convert to a dual sport, only I'd have gone with the 696 instead of the 966. Wanted to build something like this: http://www.terramostro.com/

Only problem... One lay down (which would happen off road) and it's an expensive repair. I'm going to bring mine on a hitch mount motorcycle carrier. It's about 500lbs wet, Anyone think that's too much?

And Jo... I know I know I know... Hindsight is 20/20 but honestly it was on such a whim that I didn't even think about getting in contact with anyone. and now... I regret it.

I think everyone here should buy motorcycles to go on some rides... Being that we're all similar minded, I'm quite confident you guys would enjoy a bit of touring. And while I'm at it, might I recommend Suzuki V-Strom 650 for the smaller guys 1000 for the bigger dudes. The V-strom forums absolutely suck and I'd like to have better people to deal with :D

[WormGod]

I have a buddy who got one this summer. He parked his Duc in his garage next to his old Triumph and took off one day on his V. He didn't come back for about 6 weeks. Ended up driving across country and back, by himself, heh. Must be nice to just be able to up and go ya know.

[taylorRichie]

Dude they're insane... I've been riding a BMW F650 GS, and unless I was spending ALOT more time offroad I see no benefit to them, in fact it's not half as comfortable as my V. (Plus they're more expensive, and more expensive to repair) I look forward to doing some adventure riding next year, hopefully atleast a 2500 miler. I'd prefer more. If I could take 6 weeks off, I'd do the same.

On another note, I'll be selling my 2007 GTS 250 ie Vespa If anyone is interested... It's only got ~1050miles, and I haven't driven it in about a month since I've been riding my motorcycle for the past two weeks, and before that the BMW, I just don't see me driving it often enough to Own it.

:D

[nfpgasmask]

This is funny. Seems a lot of us are thinking this way nowadays. I was just in the BMW shop here looking at the 650 and the absolutely gorgeous F800gs. Man, that is a nice bike! I have seriously thinking of taking a riding course and picking up a cheap KLR650. I want a dual purpose bike for sure.

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/bmw/2008/26494_0_1_2_f%20800%20gs_Image%20credits%20-%20BMW.jpg

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Headed to Colorado Tomorrow for the Sigur Ros concert

Huh, I didn't know they were touring again. You will probably see Biju there! I should see when they will be playing out this way.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

T1000 voice ON


......Man, that is a nice bike!.......
Bart

T1000 voice OFF

Ya probably hate that movie too;)

[nfpgasmask]

T1000 voice ON

T1000 voice OFF

Ya probably hate that movie too;)

Terminator 2? Naaa, I like James Cameron a lot. T3 was kinda weak, but the ending made up for everything. I can't wait for the new one.

Bart

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Thanks for the mention in the thread title..lol..nice looking machine you got there! Yeah, I haven't had a bike since '95 ('80 HD Sportster) and was looking to buy one for a few different reasons:

1) Alot more bikes on the road these days with alot of events to go to in the summer (bike nights, etc). Plus, so many people I know kept bugging me to get a bike!

2) Always wanted a "cool" dual purpose bike..not just a dirt bike with headlight & turn signals...something that could easily perform on the asphalt and handle traffic without being underpowered or uncomfortable. Also read that the V-Strom's are pretty good touring machines with bags available.

3) With gas prices most likely heading in the upward direction...can help cut down on the days I have to drive either my Dodge Ram (17 mpg) or VX (17mpg) into work which is a 60 mile round trip. My bike (V-Strom dl 1000) gets between 40mpg-45mpg depending how I ride. The V-Strom 650's supposed to get 50+mpg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXYSlNu1H3Q&feature=related

I was looking at the KTM 990 Adventure but it leans heavily in the dirt direction.


Crager34 here told me he had a V-Strom DL 650 but had to sell it to move.

I think if any of you VX'ers are looking at getting a dual purpose bike...you owe it to yourself to check out the Suzuki V-Strom's...In my warped mind there is so many parallels between this bike and the VX it isn't funny!

1) (I)suzu(k)(i)------> VehiCROSS, V-Strom
2) VX has cladding....V-Strom has cladding like plastic on sides.
3) V-Strom's dual headlights resemble the VX's and shine really well @ night off to the sides...like the VX!
4) Both have the same Aircraft style Fuel Door's.
5) Both dual purpose machines. The VX is sports-car like on the road and The V-Strom sports-bike like on the road. My VX was comfortable to ride from PA to California and back...My V-Strom is a comfortable touring machine too!

If Batman (Dark Knight) can have a Tumbler & Bat Pod...I figure I can have a VehiCROSS & V-Strom..lol.
I bought mine with 3 miles on it and now have a little over 2,200miles!

P.S.----nice Ducati NocturnalVX!!!!!

here is my new toy!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/4T_Racing_003.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/12011)

To hear the Two Brother's Racing Exhausts, click link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL7sM0Bjh98&feature=related

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

http://www.revver.com/video/680317/triumph-tiger-adventure-motorcycle-review/

http://www.tiger1050.com/

http://www.staintune.com.au/exhausts/triumph/images/Triumph%20Tiger%201050.jpg
http://st.blog.cz/a/acermoto.blog.cz/obrazky/5281940.jpg

and for you Paris Dakar Rally 'o' holics: KTM Adventure 990
http://www.endorphin-express.com/motos/images/KTM_990_Adventure.jpg

nice look'in bike nfpgasmask:


http://www.bikez.com/pictures/bmw/2008/26494_0_1_2_f%20800%20gs_Image%20credits%20-%20BMW.jpg

[taylorRichie]

Ha... Yes V-strom owners are just as fanatical about their choice as the VX owners.

Bart, the F800 is a killer bike, and that was originally what I was going to buy, it's just the replacement for the F650, but I honestly didn't LOVE the F650, it just didn't do that well on Road, but in all fairness, I never tried it with a better windscreen, which was my main complaint.

The F800 I would still consider, but I definitely didn't want to buy it Brand New, $10,000 OTD, because a 2007 650GS can be picked up for $5,000 with less than 2,000 miles (That's what I've been riding)

Then after buying the V-strom, I don't like riding the BMW (on Road) however, I can tell the BMW would dominate offroad.

Here's my opinion on how the bike split.

ON ROAD / OFF ROAD (performance)

V-strom: 85/15
KLR: 25/75
BMW: 60/40

KLR's are mean machines, but not good for touring, great for heading out into the desert and disappearing for a few days.

V-strom is great for heading on the highway to remote places and taking the dirt roads / fire roads etc. Off to even more remote places.

I personally plan on doing a trip up through Idaho -> Banff -> Vancouver -> Seattle -> Oregon - > home next year.

and here's a thread
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156028

Of people who would argue everyone that the V-strom is just as capable offroad as the BMW's ;)

[SlowPro48]

Oh, yes. The Wee-Strom is the shiznit!!! Embarrasses sport bikes in the twisties, doesn't mind a bit if you mix a dirt road or two in the route and you can ride it all day. Nice choice there, TaylorRichie!

Just be careful on those dirt roads! Well... be careful everywhere! But on dirt roads try to keep in mind that an adventure bike like the V-Strom has a lot more weight and a lot more paint than a dual sport. This is what it looks like when you forget: :eek:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/1007070850a.jpg

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Actually, I think a bath and a new turn signal (a few minutes to change) and she would be good as new...looks more dirty than anything else! Can't tell if there is damage to the oil cooler or not in the photo.

Just be wary of wet grass...especially on hills....this comes from personal experience..lol. The power 2 weight ratio I think constitutes to this! roughly 98hp and only about 425lbs for DL1000. (my new titanium exhausts supposedly shave 10 lbs off this.)

Also..on the V-Strom sites there is alot of advice on different tires for different situations. I feel that the stock tires (Bridgestones) are mostly a road tire to begin with and virtually worthless in the mud (yet another VX/V-Strom parallel...lol). There are other options for leaning more towards off-road.

I think your rating of the different bikes on/off road was dead-on. You can further break it down between the V-Strom's too. I'd say DL650 85/15 and DL1000 90/10 with tires tweaking it one way or the other. The DL1000 IMHO gives you a hair more latitude for 2-up touring with bags plus.......an extra exhaust pipe :-)

[taylorRichie]

I've been riding 2-up on my 650 and I'm surprised at how comfortable it is, and how little it seems to effect my power. However, I'm only 150lbs, so I'm not bogging it down much to begin with. I also have Givi sidebags, and a givi trunk. Haven't driven with it loaded down yet. But I'm very excited to start touring. Next spring/summer is going to be great!! You might have to drive out west some, and I'll drive out east some, and we'll meet up along the way.

I wish the 650 had an extra pipe, but some people just install a dummy pipe and make it into a tool storage area... :) Which exhaust did you go with?

I'm thinking StaInTune

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I've been riding 2-up on my 650 and I'm surprised at how comfortable it is, and how little it seems to effect my power. However, I'm only 150lbs, so I'm not bogging it down much to begin with. I also have Givi sidebags, and a givi trunk. Haven't driven with it loaded down yet. But I'm very excited to start touring. Next spring/summer is going to be great!! You might have to drive out west some, and I'll drive out east some, and we'll meet up along the way.

I wish the 650 had an extra pipe, but some people just install a dummy pipe and make it into a tool storage area... :) Which exhaust did you go with?

I'm thinking StaInTune

I went with Two Brother's Racing exhausts...have gotten many great compliments about them from strangers, friends & surprisingly...neighbors (coming home at 8 am in the morning from work with loud pipes..hmmmmmm..)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL7sM0Bjh98&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dynv2LLPvbg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXwZQ0tvN00&feature=related

[Ldub]

I went with Two Brother's Racing exhausts...have gotten many great comments about them from strangers, friends & surprisingly...neighbors (coming home at 8 am in the morning from work with loud pipes..hmmmmmm..)

"The URL contained a malformed video ID. "...:sighwgray

[Ldub]

"The URL contained a malformed video ID. "...:sighwgray

All better...Thanx:thumbup:

Loud pipes save lives!

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

All better...Thanx:thumbup:

Loud pipes save lives!


LOL..I think I was fixing that the same time you were trying that..;)

yeah...I think the OEM pipes were about as loud as my vaccuum cleaner,,,ugh.

Actually, if I can swing owning a 2nd bike...these videos below got me hooked on a Suzuki SV1000 w/ Holeshot exhausts. The last year for these bikes is 2007. It is almost the same V-Twin in my current bike but tuned for more top-end hp (they tuned my engine for more low-end torque). Strictly a road, sport-bike with crotch-rocket sitting position...but, man I like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-bLwchfo54&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMuQ5X_8Ujc&feature=related

[SlowPro48]

Actually, I think a bath and a new turn signal (a few minutes to change) and she would be good as new...

Ha! Yeah, he was wishing all that road rash would wash off.

It was an expensive ride that day. The piece that got gouged up the worst was $180 by itself.

I bet he shows up with knobbies this weekend... :bgwb: