I had a 2004 V-Strom and like it. I sold it to go back to BMWs but now want a try a sidecar rig. I have been doing a lot of research on the internet and came across Dauntless site and saw the pics of the V-Strom. I like it. Would like the impressions of anyone that owns a V-Strom rig. Some of my thoughts on it the rig are:
1.) V-Strom would make a good tug - low maintanace, good power, burns unleaded regular.
I am thinking of the Ural sidecar, is this the right direction?
I am concerned about steering inputs as the pics show no leading link or modified triple tree.
I have no experince with driving a rig, but hey we all have to start somewhere, I currently average 20,000 miles a year on a 2 wheeled bike.
Thanks in advance,
Steve
I've a Ural with a Dauntless subframe attached to an R1100GS. This combination rides and handles okay. Being a GS and softly sprung it does its best work on the worst roads and trails at slow to moderate speeds. The Ural car is strong; other than the spring-over-shock coming apart once, I've some dents but have not been able to break it yet. Some others have repoted problems with the Dauntless front strut mount. I also run a K1100LT with an EZS conversion and a Champion Escort car. It does its best work on well paved roads at moderate to high speeds. My better half says the GS/Ural rides like a tractor and offers little wind or weather protection. She will only go along with me in the K/Escort (which is okay by me).
Botom Line: Your ideal setup will depend on your handling and comfort expectations and how you intend to use it.
Start Slow and enjoy...Danny
We have done leading legs on the V-strom and could also go with a leading link should a person want. We have a V-strom in the shop right now that is getting the legs.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
866-638-1793
www.dauntlessmotors.com
Steve, see my thread started july 17, on dual sport hacks,
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=3405
I have a 2005 DL1000 (V Strom) w/ Ural Sidecar. Have had it since last July, about 8,000 miles on it.
There are some pics in my gallery as well.
Dauntless built it with leading legs and TILT.
I recently added stiffer springs ,absolute must and not expensive, and currently getting a swaybar added. Also added a spare wheel (TKC Knobby) and a spare gas can ala Ural style.
Several other farkles as well. The Strom .makes a fine tug
Feel free to call me if you like, 213-300-3730
greg
Jay and Greg,
Thanks for your reply and links. I am very interested in this rig as I had owned a DL1000 in the past and am now wondering why I sold it. I had the Happy Trails boxes and rack and had it all tricked out.
What are the primary differences between leading link and leading legs. Is there a performance difference as well as a cost diference?
This rig would have to be a good comprimise rig - in other words 1.) Good to mediocre on the highway (75mph) 2.) decent range as far as gas stops go(200 miles to the tank) 3.) and able to handle some offroad, read fire trails and a little worse to enable camping out in remote areas (say Big Bend)
Both links and legs reduce trail on the front of the bike for lighter steering. Legs are less money. They lower the steering effort but you still have forks. Links are stronger and would be prefered if it is going to run off road hard. With links we can add suspention travel and have more options for shocks.
We build both.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
It's a good compromise rig, at last for me.
Limited ground clearance, but fine on fire roads.
Little more detail
1. When Dauntless mounted the SC on the Strom, they bulit a subframe since the Strom does not have a conventional frame to bolt to. This works really nice BUT is goes under the engine. Therefore, at those points, there is very little ground clearance (for tough off road duty). This is no issue for me since my wife has a medical issue and I don't take her off road (and i have other bikes for that). I really like the dual sport look, sorta like the guy who buys a Hummer.
2. Also, I have noticed when offroad that when you need to give it power to get out of a situation, the bike tends to go forward only (i.e. turning the wheel doesn't help too much). Since I have little experience in this situation I can't tell you if this is normal, although I notice it on my Ural as well (just less power).
3. Bike will cruise 75-80 all day. You will need to change sprockets though, the 6th gear on the Strom is an overdrive, won't pull all the weight. I changed to heavier chains (a 530) and a scotoiler.
4. I might re consider the TILT if doing this again. It works, but changing to wider - set back handlebars was more effective, plus the TILT may interfere with the sway bar, which I am currently installing (jmho here).
5. I have Happy Trails aluminum panniers, would probably get a different brand if I did it again.
5. Gas milage sucks due to all the weight (do a search on this forum). Range at speed is 135 miles or so (25-30 mpg depending on speed). I have a spare aluminum Ural gas can (Hummer look) with another 10 liters, so not an issue for me).
6. Changing the springs on the front/rear shocks made an incredible different, stock springs are soft to start with (again, there are other threads on this subject).
7. Bike has enough power, but power is like money..... There are other bikes which might work a little better perhaps, but they cost quite a bit more (Rocket, K 12 BMW, GoldWing, maybe one of new big rice cruisers). For the money, the Strom is a wonderfull choice (I got a black 05 (only year for black, to match the sidecar) with 4,000 miles, etx warranty, perfect, for $6500. I think it was an average deal. I am currently planning on a rig with one of the new Kawaaki Concours (maybe 150-174hp). Cost is very high though.
8. Strom has a relativle weak alternater,relative to spare output. I have installed a voltmeter to monitor, but there doesn't seem many choices to increase the output. Might be an issue with lots of add-ons (heated hear, lights, etc). That said, I have a spare front light, heated grips and plugs in the SC for heated gear there as well. On the highway, with the RPMs up, it seems ok. I turm off the aux light if we have all the heated gear turned on.
9. No reverse gear available. Not an issue for most, but I have one on the Ural, and they are really cool.
Would I do it again with this bike? Yes.
greg
Thanks for your time. I appreciate the info.
The V-Strom in Jay's shop is mine. I am shamelessly following Greg's lead and will add a Ural sidecar to the Strom. I think that this may be the third V-Strom set-up that Jay has done. Before shipping the Strom out West, I changed the sprockets - down 1 in the front and up 3 in the back - to get more ft-lbs to the wheel. I will be flying out to Seattle in the spring to pick up and drive the rig home.
Mike
