More bike muzings from NZ

Published March 19, 2009 | By jrice

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 we’ve rented has turned out to be the perfect bike for NZ roads, and very impressive for just about anywhere I can think of. I’ve always been a Luddite of the old school when it comes to bike technology, preferring things simple (well, OK, I have moved beyond acetylene lighting and hot-tube ignition, but not much).

This bike has a water pump and a fuel pump, for fuel injection and water cooling, two features I had always considered to be the Devil’s work when it comes to motorcycles, but I have to admit it works very well. It confirms my long-held belief that mega-motors are not necessary and are, in fact, counterproductive to my version of motorcycle enjoyment.

This “little” bike (some call it the “Wee Strom” as a diminutive distinction from the 1000cc version) has had no difficulty hauling two adults (who are, how shall I put this gently, no longer possessed of the lithe frames of youth) and our gear over some truly impressive mountain passes for more than two weeks now. One keeps the engine on the boil between 4000 and 6000 rpm (it redlines at 10,5000, so it’s not even breathing hard in the mid range) alternating between 3rd, 4th and 5th gears swinging back and forth through these Alpine roads with no discernible lack of urge.

Passing is easily accomplished, often without even a downshift, because at 5000, the motor has a lot of rpm left in its pocket to get the job done. I don’t know what one would do with more engine here, unless perhaps one was moonlighting as freight haulage. Freed from some portion of its burdens one day, when Brenda and the gear stayed behind in Hokatika while I ran Arthur’s Pass alone, the bike shone even brighter .

While I still remained mindful that I was a long way from home on someone else’s bike and definitely “out of network” on my health insurance, I did try to push the machine, the road and myself a bit to enjoy this road some engineer, who was obviously a motorcyclist, had thoughtfully built through a magnificent mountain range for me. The Suzuki responded by merely doing everything I asked, as soon as I asked for it and like a good servant, cleaning up after me when I screwed up and did the wrong thing. The riding position is perfect, upright with just a hint of forward lean, the seat to peg relationship excellent, the controls light and responsive… well, you get the picture.

It’s a great machine and I don’t think, short of bringing my own bike with me, I could have done any better for touring NZ on two wheels. Not sure yet if I’ve talked myself far enough into the 21st century to consider adding one of these to the garage yet, but it’s awfully tempting.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 we’ve rented has turned out to be the perfect bike for NZ roads, and very impressive for just about anywhere I can think of. I’ve always been a Luddite of the old school when it comes to bike technology, preferring things simple (well, OK, I have moved beyond acetylene lighting and hot-tube ignition, but not much). This bike has a water pump and a fuel pump, for fuel injection and water cooling, two features I had always considered to be the Devil’s work when it comes to motorcycles, but I have to admit it works very well. It confirms my long-held belief that mega-motors are not necessary and are, in fact, counterproductive to my version of motorcycle enjoyment. This “little” bike (some call it the “Wee Strom” as a diminutive distinction from the 1000cc version) has had no difficulty hauling two adults (who are, how shall I put this gently, no longer possessed of the lithe frames of youth) and our gear over some truly impressive mountain passes.for more than two weeks now. One keeps the engine on the boil between 4000 and 6000 rpm (it redlines at 10,5000, so it’s not even breathing hard in the mid range) alternating between 3rd, 4th and 5th gears swinging back and forth through these Alpine roads with no discernible lack of urge. Passing is easily accomplished, often without even a downshift, because at 5000, the motor has a lot of rpm left in its pocket to get the job done. I don’t know what one would do with more engine here, unless perhaps one was moonlighting as freight haulage. Freed from some portion of its burdens one day, when Brenda and the gear stayed behind in Hokatika while I ran Arthur’s Pass alone, the bike shone even brighter . While I still remained mindful that I was a long way from home on someone else’s bike and definitely “out of network” on my health insurance, I did try to push the machine, the road and myself a bit to enjoy this road some engineer, who was obviously a motorcyclist, had thoughtfully built through a magnificent mountain range for me. The Suzuki responded by merely doing everything I asked, as soon as I asked for it and like a good servant, cleaning up after me when I screwed up and did the wrong thing. The riding position is perfect, upright with just a hint of forward lean, the seat to peg relationship excellent, the controls light and responsive... well, you get the picture. It’s a great machine and I don’t think, short of bringing my own bike with me, I could have done any better for touring NZ on two wheels. Not sure yet if I’ve talked myself far enough into the 21st century to consider adding one of these to the garage yet, but it’s awfully tempting.

The Suzuki, through the window of the 'Arthur's Pass Cafe

The viaduct leading up to Arthur's Pass