I've been trying to make up my mind between a klr and a vstrom. You just convinced me. That's probably rougher than anything I would try even on a KLR. I was worried about the ability of the vstrom offroad, not anymore. The vstrom would be much better getting to the offroad too, 6 speed and fuel injection. No contest after watching this its vstrom all the way. Thank you so much for making this video.
How is the V-Strom working out? I have one, along with several dirt bikes and dual sports, and my advice would have been this: Don't be fooled by riders with unusual desires, freakish skills, and nerves of steel, {and apparently plenty of money on hand to pay for all the damages). The DL650 V-Strom is a street bike, pure and simple, and a pretty good one at that. It is only supposed to be dirt-worthy enough to get you down a gravel or fire road, or maybe to that perfect, secluded campsite just beyond the treeline - if you are careful. It is too heavy and doesn't have enough suspension or ground clearance for any other duties, and doing so, at least on a regular basis, is almost certain to end in disaster sooner or later. Sure, there is always that rare someone with whatever it takes to stretch the laws of physics and post the videos on the web - I once saw a vid of a guy successfully climbing hills and jumping a Goldwing in the dirt - but that doesn't necessarily mean anyone else should ever attempt it.
Thanks all. I am running a Heidenau K60 front and a Kenda Big Block rear. They were on the bike when I bought it. The Kenda is a great tire in all conditions, and the K60 is awesome except in mud.
I really appreciated this as I am looking to transition from a KLR to a V-Strom. I get it's not a 'trail bike' and probably won't go everywhere my kLR will, but It's nice to know it can handle some fun when you find it, and then still be wayyy better on the hwy than my KLR at the end of the ride. Very cool.
Hey, sorry to comment on an old post but I'm looking to upgrade next year, and I more or less decided on the V-Strom, but I've been thinking about the KLR a bit more recently. However I do still want a highway capable bike. Should I steer clear of the KLR?
@@JPower172 what's your plan for the bike? I just switched from a KLR to a V Strom. Here's my advice. If you plan on riding more street then offroad buy a V Strom. If you plan on riding more dirt then street buy a DRZ 400 lol
@@2010ChargerRT I definitely plan on more street, but I just love dirt biking so much that it would be great to have something actually capable off-road (and sadly, no money OR storage space to keep up 2 bikes). Of course highway and dirt riding are opposite ends of the spectrum so I'm probably hoping for something that doesn't exist. Although in the last week, I've been looking at the Tenere 700 a lot... if I can keep my patience until they start showing up on the used market, that may do the trick nicely.
Vstrom 650 is not adequate for trails like this. If you take a trail of this type once a year fine, even for few time a year you will need to mod and disable the abs. One day in a steep downhill you will understand why. If you want to have fun in dirt trails get a drz400.
This was very informative! I was considering one of these bikes, but after seeing someone with more perseverance than I have tackle a trail like that, I’m thinking I need two bikes...a lighter dual sport and a street bike. Great job sticking with it!
Good riding skills, dude. You seem to be getting the hang of when to go slow and when to just power through. I have a 2012 Vstrom 650 that I've only had on dirt roads and construction type roads as far as dirt goes. I plan on trying some trails when I get some time. Thanks for the inspiration for what my Strom can do. ☺
Thanks for posting the video I really enjoyed watching, had a good laugh too, mostly thinking of how badly I would have done riding my dl650, I would have given up before starting these days anyway ? You're like a 130 miles from me, not far by V-strom standards, unless the roads were like that. lol.... Ride safe..!
Really didn't do too bad! Gotta keep that momentum! Hahahaha Less than a minute in I thought the strom had no business being out there. Definitely made it further than I anticipated! Making me want the 650 more than the 1000. No way I'd carry an extra 40-50# out in that madness. Thanks for posting! Good video!
Really enjoyed watching. Ok, maybe you needed help at some points but in general this video once again shows: V-Strom can do anything and is hugely underestimated.
Have installed 50/50 tires, Altrider skid plate & bars, suspension rebuild (racetech strings & emulators), fork brace, Sargent seat, LED headlights, Cycra handguards, and a 13 tooth countershaft sprocket trying to be able to do this. The bike may do it, but the "body" may not be up to the challenge. Now if I had a bunch of buddies to push me up the hill or out of those ruts you had to get past, I might give it a go.
I think you've pushed the limits of the vstrom off road as far as I've seen to this day. It seems ruts and steep climbs are difficult for this bike. I appreciate you posting this as it will help me not only know the limits of the bike but to know when the DRZ400 should be taken out to ridee instead. Great job riding as well!
That was very brave of you! I have an old two stroke KTM that obviously is more suited than the Strom for that kind of tracks. I tried taking my Strom to an easier off-road path and let it tip over in a slight downhill because I was going to slow and my front tire slipped sideways over some lose rocks. Wearing road tires didn't help but mainly I was afraid the bike would fall appart over the rough path. I love it for backroads, but I won't probably take it again off-roading... But nice video!
Pretty gutsy. What's the saying...the best mod on any bike is the rider. You handled what was no doubt a much rougher trail than the video lets on, with skill. Thats a lot of bike to be chucking around. Thanks for the video.
I took my V Strom-650 on a trail full of ruts, rocks, mud and hills much like this. I was not master of the trail either. Was happy just to make it out. Then I had an hour ride home. Still love my V-Strom though. I agree you need to keep momentum and it's hard to (for me) on a bike that large.
you didn't put shorter gearing, short gearing helps for traction because if you loose traction your wheel will spin to fast. That is really a brave thing taking that bike out in those roads, great Video!!!
nice riding man! it's good that you are riding with others. i take my k12 v-strom off road a lot, the few time i've ridden with people, i've needed their assistance...for some reason. i love the feel of a big bike off road. thanks for the video, check out my v-strom videos if you have the time.
Wow ! I guess you didn't have much fun with that 220kg bike on those muddy tracks ! I own a 650 VStrom too and for the life of me I wouldn't dare doing what you did ...
Is there any so-called dual sport bike you would consider owning? That's genuine question - I like this particular bike, but might consider something else if this would forbid me from going for a little dirt trail (not /such/ one, but just a tiny bit off road).
Great vid man. I've a strom aswell. Been mainly sticking to fire roads. What kinda tyres are you on because there was some real impressive riding in the mud.
Yeah, I took my DL650 to MMM 2018 this spring... wow was I unprepared for that! New bike to me, I had never ridden dirt or gravel and I had street tires! Then it snowed... but I survived and had fun and learned how much I really needed to learn!
I have seen videos of the newer versions of the vstrom 650 model 2012 and later. How does your suspension handle this terrain? I assume this is the stock suspension?
Great vid... lol. Yup these big bikes just aren't like the commercials say... but you did make it through. I wonder if the BMW 700gs or a kLR would do better...
Klr would do far better same with a xr and dr 650 These bikes do well offroad there not the best at it but there good at it a v strom is a 60-70% onroad bike versys is more 80-90% on road besides the 300x leaning more 50/50 Vs the triumph being a 50/50 bike the ktm and bmw leaning 60% offroad the klr/dr/xr leaning more torwards the 75-85%% offroad
The author is a cool headless racer, my respect))). But now I see the off-road capability of the DL650. Although I will buy a DL650 for good roads. For three years, I owned the DRZ400S, which is a truly magnificent double sport bike, more useful for this trip.
I'm planning on buying as "600cc"ish motorcycle. I'm used to small bikes and enduro...It feels like i can beat all this people with a 50cc and really...used to small bike I fear to ride a 200kg monster offroad. My dream would be a enduro bike, but I cannot afford 2 bikes...so it would be a trail..but as I said...I don't see myself riding 200kg like I love to ride offroad...I might stick with functionality and pick a second hand cheap naked for going from work to home...I have a offroad spirit but not enough money to dream.
Not bad. I would need to see the tires. To get judgy. Going out unskilled is how we learn. Going out on 80/20s, you just stupid. Everyone riding a V-Strom is wishing Santa would bring them three more inches of clearance. Heavy bike, issues in mud and deep fine sand... Skill, when it comes, is more defined and better because you were not pampered.
based on this video I wouldn't buy this bike for offroad, seems is good on paved roads only. mud and heavy offroad is not for this bike. but as for the price it's still considerable.
+Andy Lipsberg i think a good set of off road tires would do the trick for this type of riding.its not as if you don't have enough power there to get up the hills.you just can't be as aggressive with the v strom to an off road bike because of ground clearance & suspension. so it all depends on what type of tires he had on that makes the difference in this video.
video shows a sloppy, in-experienced driver. dude should sell such a capable bike and get a fkn bicycle. I wouldn't want him to ride in my city for sure. he is dangerous. funny thing is, he REALLY posted such a disgraced driving video on line! .... lol. thinking to show off? lol.
you should probably stick to you fish tank videos; V-Strom is a relatively heavy bike at about 200kgs. looking at the terrain and condition of the track he did really well.
I've been trying to make up my mind between a klr and a vstrom. You just convinced me. That's probably rougher than anything I would try even on a KLR. I was worried about the ability of the vstrom offroad, not anymore. The vstrom would be much better getting to the offroad too, 6 speed and fuel injection. No contest after watching this its vstrom all the way. Thank you so much for making this video.
How is the V-Strom working out? I have one, along with several dirt bikes and dual sports, and my advice would have been this: Don't be fooled by riders with unusual desires, freakish skills, and nerves of steel, {and apparently plenty of money on hand to pay for all the damages). The DL650 V-Strom is a street bike, pure and simple, and a pretty good one at that. It is only supposed to be dirt-worthy enough to get you down a gravel or fire road, or maybe to that perfect, secluded campsite just beyond the treeline - if you are careful. It is too heavy and doesn't have enough suspension or ground clearance for any other duties, and doing so, at least on a regular basis, is almost certain to end in disaster sooner or later. Sure, there is always that rare someone with whatever it takes to stretch the laws of physics and post the videos on the web - I once saw a vid of a guy successfully climbing hills and jumping a Goldwing in the dirt - but that doesn't necessarily mean anyone else should ever attempt it.
I’ve rode my Vstrom 650 in dirt rocks and sand . I’ve also rode a 1000 mile weekend. I never had a break down . The Vstrom 650 is a superb machine ,l.
I'm glad you kept going and conquered your doubt in certain situations. This looks like fun. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks all. I am running a Heidenau K60 front and a Kenda Big Block rear. They were on the bike when I bought it. The Kenda is a great tire in all conditions, and the K60 is awesome except in mud.
Try Mitas E09...They are fine, Chris Birch use them in his videos with 1190r....
Is it spoked wheel or standard wheel?
I really appreciated this as I am looking to transition from a KLR to a V-Strom. I get it's not a 'trail bike' and probably won't go everywhere my kLR will, but It's nice to know it can handle some fun when you find it, and then still be wayyy better on the hwy than my KLR at the end of the ride. Very cool.
Hey, sorry to comment on an old post but I'm looking to upgrade next year, and I more or less decided on the V-Strom, but I've been thinking about the KLR a bit more recently. However I do still want a highway capable bike. Should I steer clear of the KLR?
@@JPower172 what's your plan for the bike? I just switched from a KLR to a V Strom. Here's my advice. If you plan on riding more street then offroad buy a V Strom. If you plan on riding more dirt then street buy a DRZ 400 lol
@@2010ChargerRT I definitely plan on more street, but I just love dirt biking so much that it would be great to have something actually capable off-road (and sadly, no money OR storage space to keep up 2 bikes). Of course highway and dirt riding are opposite ends of the spectrum so I'm probably hoping for something that doesn't exist.
Although in the last week, I've been looking at the Tenere 700 a lot... if I can keep my patience until they start showing up on the used market, that may do the trick nicely.
Vstrom 650 is not adequate for trails like this. If you take a trail of this type once a year fine, even for few time a year you will need to mod and disable the abs. One day in a steep downhill you will understand why. If you want to have fun in dirt trails get a drz400.
The wee Strom is for shit roads not 4wd tracks
This was very informative! I was considering one of these bikes, but after seeing someone with more perseverance than I have tackle a trail like that, I’m thinking I need two bikes...a lighter dual sport and a street bike. Great job sticking with it!
Thanks for sharing your experience, well done. Obviously you did have fun and push your limits a bit . Congrats
Good riding skills, dude. You seem to be getting the hang of when to go slow and when to just power through. I have a 2012 Vstrom 650 that I've only had on dirt roads and construction type roads as far as dirt goes. I plan on trying some trails when I get some time. Thanks for the inspiration for what my Strom can do. ☺
Thanks for posting the video I really enjoyed watching, had a good laugh too, mostly thinking of how badly I would have done riding my dl650, I would have given up before starting these days anyway ? You're like a 130 miles from me, not far by V-strom standards, unless the roads were like that. lol.... Ride safe..!
Awesome video of a true adventure ride. I live in W. Tn. & often ride my KLR in similar terrain but, it's even more impressive on the Wee.
Awesome video - truly inspiring, my strom's been having an easy time of it, looks like I need to challenge myself and the bike a bit more
Really didn't do too bad! Gotta keep that momentum! Hahahaha
Less than a minute in I thought the strom had no business being out there. Definitely made it further than I anticipated! Making me want the 650 more than the 1000. No way I'd carry an extra 40-50# out in that madness. Thanks for posting! Good video!
Really enjoyed watching. Ok, maybe you needed help at some points but in general this video once again shows: V-Strom can do anything and is hugely underestimated.
Have installed 50/50 tires, Altrider skid plate & bars, suspension rebuild (racetech strings & emulators), fork brace, Sargent seat, LED headlights, Cycra handguards, and a 13 tooth countershaft sprocket trying to be able to do this. The bike may do it, but the "body" may not be up to the challenge. Now if I had a bunch of buddies to push me up the hill or out of those ruts you had to get past, I might give it a go.
I think you've pushed the limits of the vstrom off road as far as I've seen to this day. It seems ruts and steep climbs are difficult for this bike. I appreciate you posting this as it will help me not only know the limits of the bike but to know when the DRZ400 should be taken out to ridee instead. Great job riding as well!
That was very brave of you! I have an old two stroke KTM that obviously is more suited than the Strom for that kind of tracks. I tried taking my Strom to an easier off-road path and let it tip over in a slight downhill because I was going to slow and my front tire slipped sideways over some lose rocks. Wearing road tires didn't help but mainly I was afraid the bike would fall appart over the rough path. I love it for backroads, but I won't probably take it again off-roading...
But nice video!
Pretty gutsy. What's the saying...the best mod on any bike is the rider. You handled what was no doubt a much rougher trail than the video lets on, with skill. Thats a lot of bike to be chucking around. Thanks for the video.
This is hilarious, and you are nuts!
I took my V Strom-650 on a trail full of ruts, rocks, mud and hills much like this. I was not master of the trail either. Was happy just to make it out. Then I had an hour ride home. Still love my V-Strom though. I agree you need to keep momentum and it's hard to (for me) on a bike that large.
Good ridin' thanks for posting!
you didn't put shorter gearing, short gearing helps for traction because if you loose traction your wheel will spin to fast.
That is really a brave thing taking that bike out in those roads, great Video!!!
That was impressive.
The gulley ,as gnarly as it seems ,is the way to go
nice riding man! it's good that you are riding with others. i take my k12 v-strom off road a lot, the few time i've ridden with people, i've needed their assistance...for some reason. i love the feel of a big bike off road. thanks for the video, check out my v-strom videos if you have the time.
Cheers I was looking at getting one of these maybe no so much now.
You really kept your composure. I would have been cussing like Samuel Jackson ridding through that crap.
Wow ! I guess you didn't have much fun with that 220kg bike on those muddy tracks ! I own a 650 VStrom too and for the life of me I wouldn't dare doing what you did ...
yes. It is mostly a Tar machine. not enough ground clearance and too heavy for off road. Got a thumper for real dirt.
.
Ron Sadler yea I shut the video off when you got stuck. V-stroms are not dual-sports by any means n I own one.
Is there any so-called dual sport bike you would consider owning? That's genuine question - I like this particular bike, but might consider something else if this would forbid me from going for a little dirt trail (not /such/ one, but just a tiny bit off road).
kgsz v strom 650 XT or Yamaha xt660z Tenere
That was like taking a knife to a gunfight!
Great vid man. I've a strom aswell. Been mainly sticking to fire roads. What kinda tyres are you on because there was some real impressive riding in the mud.
Yeah, I took my DL650 to MMM 2018 this spring... wow was I unprepared for that! New bike to me, I had never ridden dirt or gravel and I had street tires! Then it snowed... but I survived and had fun and learned how much I really needed to learn!
th-cam.com/video/6RpCOqZpI7c/w-d-xo.html
What tires are you running?
Nice work!
Dude, that poor bike! I have a K7 and wouldn't dream of trying this
I have seen videos of the newer versions of the vstrom 650 model 2012 and later. How does your suspension handle this terrain? I assume this is the stock suspension?
what year bike is this?
Not bad brother other than picking the wrong line at the first difficult spot you got stuck at.
Great vid... lol. Yup these big bikes just aren't like the commercials say... but you did make it through. I wonder if the BMW 700gs or a kLR would do better...
Klr would do far better same with a xr and dr 650
These bikes do well offroad there not the best at it but there good at it a v strom is a 60-70% onroad bike versys is more 80-90% on road besides the 300x leaning more 50/50
Vs the triumph being a 50/50 bike the ktm and bmw leaning 60% offroad the klr/dr/xr leaning more torwards the 75-85%% offroad
I wonder if tires were what slowed you down the most.
newer slow down or stop going up hill , when committed, keep the pace going with the bike like that .
Were was this at in tellico
do you use offroad tires ?
I'll give you extra credit for effort!
Did you have full off road tires ? I'm impressed.
The author is a cool headless racer, my respect))). But now I see the off-road capability of the DL650. Although I will buy a DL650 for good roads. For three years, I owned the DRZ400S, which is a truly magnificent double sport bike, more useful for this trip.
Looks like you ran out of suspension a few times... great video though!
Haha got some balls riding that with a dirt bike posse
I guess it would be better with off-road tyres.
Dude you have wicked skills. That bike doesn’t belong there tho
I'm planning on buying as "600cc"ish motorcycle. I'm used to small bikes and enduro...It feels like i can beat all this people with a 50cc and really...used to small bike I fear to ride a 200kg monster offroad.
My dream would be a enduro bike, but I cannot afford 2 bikes...so it would be a trail..but as I said...I don't see myself riding 200kg like I love to ride offroad...I might stick with functionality and pick a second hand cheap naked for going from work to home...I have a offroad spirit but not enough money to dream.
cool man
Athanasios Georgiou s
vstrom ole!
Надо было туда на спорте ехать.
no es para esto, sufre la moto y el piloto...y tengo V-Strom hace muchos años..
Celou dobu v sedle místo ve stupačkách?? 👎 Chyba
I'll stick to my Drz
looks like more slower you go more worse is
No
Totally wrong bike for that . Need light Motocross or trail bike large nobblys .I wouldn't take mine through that destroy it.🥶
1:10ahahaj
Not bad.
I would need to see the tires. To get judgy. Going out unskilled is how we learn. Going out on 80/20s, you just stupid.
Everyone riding a V-Strom is wishing Santa would bring them three more inches of clearance.
Heavy bike, issues in mud and deep fine sand...
Skill, when it comes, is more defined and better because you were not pampered.
based on this video I wouldn't buy this bike for offroad, seems is good on paved roads only. mud and heavy offroad is not for this bike. but as for the price it's still considerable.
+Andy Lipsberg i think a good set of off road tires would do the trick for this type of riding.its not as if you don't have enough power there to get up the hills.you just can't be as aggressive with the v strom to an off road bike because of ground clearance & suspension. so it all depends on what type of tires he had on that makes the difference in this video.
Keep that pavement queen on those trails that have tar and gravel with painted stripes on them dude...............
what fun would that be?
I have a TE310.... you seem like an unhappy fella.
Well ride it then and keep the Strom on solid ground so you won't embarrass yourself any further................
I love you rico.
Dood.....
Drama queen
learn to ride
you are not that good buddy
Your just ruining the ride for the others
video shows a sloppy, in-experienced driver. dude should sell such a capable bike and get a fkn bicycle. I wouldn't want him to ride in my city for sure. he is dangerous. funny thing is, he REALLY posted such a disgraced driving video on line! .... lol. thinking to show off? lol.
you should probably stick to you fish tank videos; V-Strom is a relatively heavy bike at about 200kgs. looking at the terrain and condition of the track he did really well.