VStarRider
New Member
Hello,
I have been riding Wings since 2015, covering 50k miles. Great bikes, everything you have heard is true. In October 2021, I bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan and fell in love with the adventure bike seating position. Adding the Seat Concepts Tall seat and increasing the seat height to 33" only made it better. As a 6'1" guy with a 34" inseam, sitting on the Wing after owning the RE feels like sitting in a bathtub. This winter, I have had the realization it is time to sell the Wing and move on to a road-biased adventure bike for my longer trips. I have contemplated keeping the Wing and lowering the pegs and adding height to the seat, but I think I am just done with a 900 pound bike that is focused on long distance touring on the slab. The days of the full fairing, integrated GPS and stereo are no longer for me.
Replacements, not in any order, because I keep changing my mind:
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 (2023 model)
Kawasaki Versys 1000
Super Tenere
Moto Guzzi V85TT
Tracer 9 GT
None of these bikes has everything I want. Honestly, the closest one is the 2023 V-Strom 1050 base model. I do not want to buy new, however. I have not kept a bike longer than 4 years and I will probably move on to a different one 3-4 years from now. Buying new is not off the table, but a big factor because in four years, I will lose thousands selling it, compounded by the irresistible urge to farkle it out and lose even more.
Why the '23 Strom? Cruise, quick shifter, heated grips, cast wheels (19/17), cornering ABS, manual suspension adjustment, heated grips. The '22 and older 1050 base models don't come with some of these things, so the '23 hit the spot. If it had a shaft drive, I may have ordered one by now.
I am looking at a used '19 Versys 1000 this weekend. Don't have to buy new and lot of the features that the Strom has are included.
I am also looking at a new Moto Guzzi V85TT this weekend. Simple to maintain, shaft drive, cruise, heated grips, unique bike and lots of aftermarket accessories available. Problem is my nearest dealer is 300 miles away, parts availability makes me nervous, and the V85 may be a little too small. Will see this weekend. Owners love them.
The S10 is in the rotation as well. In my opinion, the lack of a quick shifter is the biggest drawback, followed by no cornering ABS and not many used units. It does have windscreens and seats from my favorite aftermarket providers and is arguably as reliable as the Suzook and Kawi, maybe to a greater degree because it's been essentially the same bike for so long.
I do have a history with Yamaha as well. I have owned two V-Star 1100s (hence the username), last one sold in 2016 after I bought my first Wing. I have also owned three Yamaha snowmobiles and one ATV. Love the fit and finish and use of high quality parts across the lines.
So, I continue to research threads on this forum, watch YouTube videos, etc. I have not put my '16 Wing for sale yet. I am waiting to at least sit on some of these bikes before taking the next step. Versys and Guzzi are first. There is an S10 in stock at a dealer 50 miles away and my buddy ordered a Yamaha ATV from them. I will go with him to pick it up and take a test sit, maybe ride.
I am posting here because I am interested in anything you have to share based on the above. Thanks in advance.
I have been riding Wings since 2015, covering 50k miles. Great bikes, everything you have heard is true. In October 2021, I bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan and fell in love with the adventure bike seating position. Adding the Seat Concepts Tall seat and increasing the seat height to 33" only made it better. As a 6'1" guy with a 34" inseam, sitting on the Wing after owning the RE feels like sitting in a bathtub. This winter, I have had the realization it is time to sell the Wing and move on to a road-biased adventure bike for my longer trips. I have contemplated keeping the Wing and lowering the pegs and adding height to the seat, but I think I am just done with a 900 pound bike that is focused on long distance touring on the slab. The days of the full fairing, integrated GPS and stereo are no longer for me.
Replacements, not in any order, because I keep changing my mind:
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 (2023 model)
Kawasaki Versys 1000
Super Tenere
Moto Guzzi V85TT
Tracer 9 GT
None of these bikes has everything I want. Honestly, the closest one is the 2023 V-Strom 1050 base model. I do not want to buy new, however. I have not kept a bike longer than 4 years and I will probably move on to a different one 3-4 years from now. Buying new is not off the table, but a big factor because in four years, I will lose thousands selling it, compounded by the irresistible urge to farkle it out and lose even more.
Why the '23 Strom? Cruise, quick shifter, heated grips, cast wheels (19/17), cornering ABS, manual suspension adjustment, heated grips. The '22 and older 1050 base models don't come with some of these things, so the '23 hit the spot. If it had a shaft drive, I may have ordered one by now.
I am looking at a used '19 Versys 1000 this weekend. Don't have to buy new and lot of the features that the Strom has are included.
I am also looking at a new Moto Guzzi V85TT this weekend. Simple to maintain, shaft drive, cruise, heated grips, unique bike and lots of aftermarket accessories available. Problem is my nearest dealer is 300 miles away, parts availability makes me nervous, and the V85 may be a little too small. Will see this weekend. Owners love them.
The S10 is in the rotation as well. In my opinion, the lack of a quick shifter is the biggest drawback, followed by no cornering ABS and not many used units. It does have windscreens and seats from my favorite aftermarket providers and is arguably as reliable as the Suzook and Kawi, maybe to a greater degree because it's been essentially the same bike for so long.
I do have a history with Yamaha as well. I have owned two V-Star 1100s (hence the username), last one sold in 2016 after I bought my first Wing. I have also owned three Yamaha snowmobiles and one ATV. Love the fit and finish and use of high quality parts across the lines.
So, I continue to research threads on this forum, watch YouTube videos, etc. I have not put my '16 Wing for sale yet. I am waiting to at least sit on some of these bikes before taking the next step. Versys and Guzzi are first. There is an S10 in stock at a dealer 50 miles away and my buddy ordered a Yamaha ATV from them. I will go with him to pick it up and take a test sit, maybe ride.
I am posting here because I am interested in anything you have to share based on the above. Thanks in advance.
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