May be on a bike soon...help me decide
 

ETA: I bought a brand new V-strom, no further advice needed :D

Original post:

Ok, i can`t afford a new Vic or Harley right now, but the Vic dealer has a 2007 650 V-Star classic with 5500 miles or a 2006 V-strom 650 with 7200 miles. I`m going to ride both and may buy one of them. Both are $5k. I will be making field calls for work with all types of road surfaces from dirt to interstate. I need the ability to lock up case files and a laptop, but both offer that ability as hardbags can be added to either. what do you guys think of each bike?

I'll let you know about the V-star next week. I'll be down in your area on Tuesday with it as I'm riding home from FL.

Two totally different bikes.

I like the V-star but it certainly isn't a fast bike. If you are going to be doing any long distance highway riding, I'd probably lean toward to V-Strom.

For what it is worth, my dad has about 5 bikes; everything from an HD Ultra Classic to a Buell XB12S, a jap inline and a metric cruiser. His V-Star 650 is his favorite of the bunch.

V strom I would think is the more flexible of the 2, offering the ability to comfortably go on those rougher roads, whereas I would be somewhat leery of taking a straight cruiser style on them. That and think how much fun you could have riding that Vstrom all over the place (at least thats why I want one :wink:)

Im excited for you, keep us posted!

Vstar 650 is vastly underpowered. The choice is obvious and it is NOT the Vstar. JMHO...:)

I would think if rough roads and possible unpaved surfaces are a possibility you would want the V strom. although if looks plays a part I would vote v star over v strom.

strom

Lies. I dont believe you.

V-strom might be great on unpaved roads, but its ugly and too tall.

V strom... it grows on ya... and actually look pretty cool to me when they've got a set of knobbies on...