Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I love the way the Triumph Tiger is styled. It looks modern, yet maintains an upright riding position.

Can anyone else point out other makes and models that look similar? Other bikes that fit my taste are the BMWs, Ducati Monster 650, and Buell Blast.

I was seriously considering the V-Strom before purchasing my MeanStreak. I'd still like to have one, but gotta pay this one off first.

You might also check out the Yamaha FZ6 or FZ1 as well as the Kawasaki Z750S if you like having some fairing on it. Otherwise there's also the Honda Hornet.

That V-Strom looks pretty sharp. I especially like the Blue.

TheReaper wrote: That V-Strom looks pretty sharp. I especially like the Blue.

The blue one is a 650, the black is a 1000. I was torn over which to get. The 1000 is not just "more of a good thing", on the contrary, the reviewers all said the 650 had better handling and felt more stable off-road. The 1000 is better on the highway and is a little more comfortable.

I'm still torn...

I hate that feeling.

Too many bikes, not enough money. It's not fair........

Have a look at the BMW GS's and the KTM Adventure, similar style bikes to the Tiger, and all very capable bikes.

KTM has a nice dual purpose, I think it's the 950 Adventure, but the looks aren't as good as the Tiger. Its had some great reviews for both its on-road and off road performace. Probably worth a look at.

And I can't believe I forgot to mention the Ducati Multistrada...

As good as any of these bikes are, and as suited to my riding habits as they are, I still find all of them horribly ugly ..... go figure.....

zootech wrote:I was seriously considering the V-Strom before purchasing my MeanStreak. I'd still like to have one, but gotta pay this one off first.

Zoo: Interesting I ran across this thread. I just got back from a dealer. Earlier in the week, a kid was at a trainging session we were giving. He had a FZ6. I never thought I would want a sport bike and still don't but I thought about getting another bike for a change of pace from cruizers. Maybe a standard. Well a buddy of mine had recommended the V-Strom when I first got interested into motorcycling (Jan). After sitting on the sportbikes, the SV650, and a few others, I really like the V-Strom. It will probably handle differently from the cruiser (maybe a little more responsive and fun), can carry two comfortably (larger seat than the sports), partial fairing for wind/bug protection, windshield, FI, etc. It just feels better than some of the other bikes for about the same price. I would want to ride one and compare somehow to an upright sport model (FZ6). I'm not bored at all with my Vulcan but thought it would nice to have another style bike also. I really don't think the ability to go to moderately off-road conditions is a plus for me. I will 4 wheel for off road. What about the V-Strom do you like and what are you comparing it to?

jeff_connors wrote:What about the V-Strom do you like and what are you comparing it to?

I rode two standards before my Mean Streak and prefer the upright seating position over anything else. I live in the country and actually hit some pretty rough roads just visiting family, so the pseudo-off-road ability is a plus for me. I also like the fuel-injected V-twin engine for its low-end torque which suits my riding style better than a 4-cylinder. The fairing and windscreen are both added bonuses for colder months and those tedious trips to and from work every day. I had planned on adding a couple speakers and an MP3 player...something I don't think I can pull off with my cruiser.

Before I bought my Mean Streak, the biggest bike I had ridden was a Sportster 883, so at the time the V-Strom 650 seemed like the bike for me (that and the reviewers' comments regarding its flickability). But now that I have seen the light (i.e. an engine >1000cc) I think the V-Strom 1000 might occupy space in my garage some day...assuming the Yamaha FJR 1300 is no longer around (it's missing from the lineup for '06).