smccrory

Wow, I think the new Strom 1000 is styled better than the Beemers: http://www.ridermagazine.com/latest-news/2014-suzuki-v-strom-1000-first-look-review.htm/ Anyway, I'm seeing some really nice pricing on 2013 650 ABS models near Akron and Sandusky, and Suzuki has a $500 rebate running through December... Tempting.

Free to profit the networks I'd guess. Every pure capitalist's wet dream.

And less jokingly... http://www.salon.com/2013/10/18/inside_the_fox_news_lie_machine_i_fact_checked_sean_hannity_on_obamacare/

At the same time, don't belief every anecdote you're hearing. A good bit if it is tripe... http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-november-5-2013/affordable-horror-story

But back to point, I'm personally glad HD is branching out - I'd gladly ride one (though maybe not buy) and it gives consumers even more choices. It's a risky move, so kudos to them!

No don't be bringing government bailouts and import tariffs into this - next you'll be saying that HD didn't build success exclusively in their own and that not all their components are American made and that Asian and European bikes beat them in torque, horsepower AND price and that Jap crap will never take off and India and China will never make decent bikes... Burn the witch!

I personally have no doubt that it's flawed, but near-complete GOP non-participation in its formulation and implementation as a political strategy hasn't done America any good either.

Harley's never win on specs, they win on their lifestyle and the story they've crafted together into a premium brand. To the credit of critics, that's why they are so reluctant to innovate especially into smaller machines - it goes against their tightly laced story and lifestyle.

Ah yes, because God hates Democrats. ;-)

I know, I'm thinking about it!

Very true Tonik.

A little envious...

Agreed, great option. And an enabler to buy more bikes!

I don't know, stuff can be pretty newsworthy.

Awesome input, thanks jnor! Any BMW fans out here?

Not according to the HD old guard if their Facebook posts are any indication! LOL, I personally think it's a good move for HD if for no other reason than to bring new customers into their brand and the hobby. I agree, that white cafe style does look sharp! I wonder how the pricing will work out and how many are brought to the US. I also wonder if Sportster owners will rejoice in unified glee - they may no longer be the ones hairy pirates scoff at for riding "girl's bikes!" :-)

Thanks guys, really appreciate the input! Pokey I was hoping you'd chime in since you're an owner and advocate - thank you for that and for the offer to ride yours. I'll probably decline since the 1000 is even taller, but thank you! What you said about durability resonates with me. Although there's a part that really wants the GS (maybe it's the looks, Bavarian design or maybe a little snob appeal), I also wonder if I'd be reluctant to scratch it up for fear I have too much money in it like how HOGs can get about their $20k+ chrome masterpieces. In the end I'd want a rider, not a showpiece - not that the sport touring segment starts off very attractive anyway - hehe. Suzuki has a $500 rebate going through the end of year on 2013 models, whereas BMW very rarely discounts their bikes. I almost never see late-model BMWs come to market used, so what a dealer wants is what I'd pretty much have to pay. Suzuki dealers seem to understand competition, and they're not managing a luxury brand like BMW feels they are. Part of why I'm stirring up opinions is to see how much of that is justified. I also hear ya about not lowing a bike, and if I get one I'd try not to at first by getting thicker soles and taking the seat's rubber feet off, but it's hard to explain - I really do feel much more confident on a bike I can almost flat foot. I thought that feeling would go away after my first year of riding but 2 years into it, it's still just as strong. In the end I might have to resort to lowering the links and forks by an inch. Does it really disturb the handling that much? That's one of the things that surprised me about the 2014 F700GS - that half inch or so lower/narrower seat made a big difference in my stance. I like its underseat gas tank too - lower CG. But the specs, following, reputation and value of the V-Strom is impossible to dismiss...

Hey all, looking for some opinions and figured OR might have a couple laying about :-). The short version: What do you think about those two models? Every angle and opinion will be warmly welcomed. The longer version: I might be in the market for a new or late model mid-sized sport-touring bike, to purchase this winter or early spring. I'd replace my 2001 V-Star 1100 and a 1985 Nighthawk CB700SC for a single do-all bike that would be equally fitting in-town as on country roads, moderate twisties, long highway stretches and maybe some dirt roads. I mostly ride alone, but I do bring my girlfriend once in a while, so the bike needs to be comfortable for both lightweight tooling around Columbus traffic and weekend (or longer) trips across the states. The bikes I already own are perfect for most of those needs, but my garage is full and I'm starting to see the light re: ABS and fuel injection. I do all my own maintenance so any bike I own needs to be mechanic-friendly. Anyway, after a ton of research and sitting on dozens of bikes, I've narrowed my list to BMW's F700GS and Suzuki's V-Strom 650 - both of which seem to get great reviews from the press and owner's forums. I like the Beemer's styling better (especially in red), but the V-Strom's blue is rapidly growing on me. BMW wants a lot for theirs, roughly $2-3k more for equivalent packages, so while I'd love to pretend I'm independently wealthy and can just snatch up the F700GS and every accessory available, I have a strong practical streak that's giving me pause, even if I plan this to be the last bike I buy for a while. I do also have just a 30" inseam, so I'd need to lower the V-Strom an inch to be fully confident, whereas the BMW fits me really well as-is. The Strom's stock seat looks better for 2-up, and it meets or beats the BMW in almost every technical category except torque, too speed and weight distribution. Unfortunately I haven't ridden either yet, so I can't say how they feel. Have you? Would love to hear how y'all feel about the two models!

I'm glad I'm not the only one juiced by it - My next non-vintage bike will absolutely have ABS.

Interesting article about the FZ-09 in the December 2013 issue of Cycle World. It's actually a Naked Bike shoot out between it and Triumph's street triple and Agusta Brutale's 800. The FZ-09 fared quite well.

Dang. Ditto on the well-wishes and ATGATT sentiments!

My GF and I will probably go and make a weekend trip of it, including some other local venues and such. BTW if you haven't seen the case western reserve historical society auto museum, you really should... http://www.wrhs.org/Properties/category-46b88fa0-b13e-400b-838a-b6616bcffb4f.aspx

Great ride report and more detailed than I would have expected!

We should have paid no more than 1/10th of that. You're totally right about the $24B Teacation, not to mention the massive amount of military waste which is ardently protected by ACA critics every year.

I totally agree - a high ticket item for the white collar crowd, and not terribly fuel efficient either (speaking to Tonik's point). I think that a lot are bought by less-than-wealthy folks with loans or serious cash outlays, and then the bikes aren't ridden much due to time, weather, fuel cost, boredom, confidence, fitness for purpose or any other reality-inducing reason. The end of a season comes along and they look at this big money sink with maybe no place to store it and don't have the same emotional connection, hence a sale. Other bikes suffer similar fates, but I think less so not only because fewer are made but also because their less expensive to purchase and maintain, so there's less of a "holy shit I got a lot of money tied up in that" thing that happens.