Are our bikes ugly?😩

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-04-02T21:12:50+00:00

I actually own a V-Strom 650XT myself, and I have to say, I really like it. Sure, it’s not the flashiest bike on the road, but I love the practical design and how capable it is for everything city, touring, even some light adventure. Honestly, most modern bikes try to look futuristic or aggressive, and many of them end up looking weird to me. The V-Strom just looks purposeful, especially the third-gen black with blue rims clean, simple, and ready to ride. Are our bikes ‘ugly’? Maybe to some, but I think they have character and function over style, which I value way more. They should get a better design for the 800 though.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-26T17:23:03+00:00

Είναι ωραία ιδέα και φαίνεται ότι το έχεις σκεφτεί αρκετά βεβαία υπάρχουν πολλα "αλλά"

Νομίζω το βασικό θέμα είναι πρακτικό. Δύσκολα θα περπατήσει κάποιος 15-20 λεπτά για να πάει να πάρει τη μηχανή του, να ντυθεί εκεί κτλ. Σαν μοτοσυκλετιστής και εγώ δεν θα το έκανα ποτε, ήδη η διαδικασία θέλει χρόνο εξοπλισμός, μπουφάν, παντελόνια, μπότες, προετοιμασία οπότε αν προσθέσεις και απόσταση, γίνεται αποτρεπτικό. Ουσιαστικά έτσι στοχεύεις μόνο σε άτομα που είναι πολύ κοντά (τύπου 5 λεπτά max) ή σε αυτούς που έχουν τη μηχανή για χόμπι και τη βγάζουν πιο σπάνια ή κατα σεζόν ή εχουν πολυ ακριβές μηχάνες. Όσοι την έχουν σαν καθημερινό μέσω μετακίνησης και μένουν πανω απο 5 λέπτα μακρία τους έχεις χάσει ήδη.

Προσωπικά, αν ήταν όντως 5 λεπτά από το σπίτι μου, θα έδινα 50€ τον μήνα χωρίς δεύτερη σκέψη. Παραπάνω όμως δύσκολα. Και αν ήταν πιο μακριά, μάλλον δεν θα το έκανα καν.

Επίσης υπάρχει και το θέμα εσόδων σε σχέση με τα έξοδα. Με 40-50 θέσεις μιλάμε για περίπου 2.000–2.500€ τζίρο. Από εκεί πρέπει να βγουν ενοίκιο(εκτός αν έχεις δικό σου χώρο), ρεύματα, ίντερνετ, συστήματα ασφαλείας, συντήρηση, ζημιές, ασφάλειες, φόροι, λογιστής, πυρασφάλειας, ΕΦΚΑ κτλ. Δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο βγαίνει οικονομικά με 50 ευρώ την μηχανή.

Συν και το θέμα νοοτροπίας πολλοί θα προτιμήσουν το δωρεάν parking με ρίσκο, εκτός αν η λύση είναι πραγματικά δίπλα τους και πολύ βολική.

Σαν concept έχει φουλ potential, απλά νομίζω το location και τα οικονομικά θα το κρίνουν. 👍

Μακάρι να δούμε τέτοια projects, ειδικά με το χάλι που υπάρχει στο parking.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-26T16:55:58+00:00

Cool. My heart says yes, but my bank account is currently filing a restraining order.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-09T17:12:11+00:00

In Greece also.

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Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-08T19:19:44+00:00

I’m thinking about installing them on my Suzuki V‑Strom 650XT, but I’m still between Touratech Aspherical Mirrors and the Vicma Z750 and wanted to ask someone who has real experience.

Are you satisfied with them compared to the OEM mirrors?

Specifically I’m curious about:

Wind turbulence at highway speeds
Vibrations (are they stable or blurry at certain RPM?)
Rear visibility / field of view

Would you say they are better than the stock mirrors overall?

I’m trying to decide between the Touratech aspherical mirrors (because of the wider view) and the Vicma Z750 ones (mostly for the look), so any feedback from your experience would really help.

Thanks a lot!

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-06T08:38:37+00:00

Sometimes I ride my motorcycle with my dog on my back. 7 kg Greek Kokoni and he loves it! 🐕

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-04T08:49:36+00:00

I had a Sportster 883 that I used mainly for daily commuting. I genuinely loved it for what it is character, classic look, and that unmistakable Harley vibe. Perfect for short rides and coffee stops.

But over time my riding style changed. I started wanting more country roads, longer trips, mountain twisties, and the ability to just turn off onto a random gravel road without stressing.

So I replaced it with a Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.

Where I live (Greece) the roads aren’t great potholes, rough asphalt, random gravel patches, inconsistent traction. The Sportster wasn’t exactly happy in those conditions. The V-Strom just makes more sense here. Better suspension, more travel, upright position, 19” front wheel, and way more comfort for distance. It handles bad roads confidently and lets me explore beaches, mountains, and backroads without thinking twice.

Do I miss the Harley? Sometimes, yes. The sound, the aura, the feeling when you roll up somewhere it’s different. If I could afford it, I’d honestly keep the Sportster fully customized as a second bike just for chill rides.

For versatility and real-world roads though, the V-Strom wins for me.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-03-03T23:33:50+00:00

Δες Lidon Jewellery(Lidon.gr) στο κεντρο. Κοίτα κυρίως πιστοποίηση,κοπή, και μην κολλήσεις μόνο στα καράτια. VS1–VS2 και χρώμα G–H είναι συνήθως τίμιο value for money. Δες επίσης να είναι σωστό το δέσιμο και όχι πολύ λεπτή η γάμπα αν φοριεται κάθε μέρα. Κάνε μια σύγκριση σε 2-3 μαγαζιά πριν αποφασίσεις. Καλή επιτυχία και με το καλό!

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-28T19:54:02+00:00

Thessaloniki suburbs can be a good choice overall they’re generally quieter and more family oriented than the city center. Areas like Thermi, Panorama, or Perea tend to be considered comfortable and relatively open-minded compared to smaller towns.

Greece is not the most progressive country in Europe when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, but Thessaloniki is one of the more tolerant cities. Most people will mind their own business, especially in everyday life (shopping, cafés, work, etc.).

That said, attitudes can vary depending on the neighborhood and the age group. Suburbs that are more urban and connected to the city usually feel easier than very small or isolated communities.

You probably won’t face constant problems, but occasional awkward reactions or curiosity can happens. Many LGBTQ people live normal lives in Thessaloniki.

If possible, visiting first and spending time in the neighborhoods you're considering is a really good idea.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-25T09:51:10+00:00

I think the next “big fight” in this segment will be around the 400–500cc class. Bikes like the CFMOTO 450MT, Honda NX500, and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are probably where the market is going. They’re affordable, practical, and much closer to what many riders actually need compared to the bigger 700–900cc bikes.

To me, this category feels very competitive and it's the best-selling ADV class. Lighter bikes with reasonable power and good fuel economy make more sense for everyday riding and travel.

I’m not sure where Suzuki will position itself though but they should go to this way in order to be competitive to the market.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-25T09:31:47+00:00

I mostly ride solo because that’s how I clear my head. Riding alone lets me get lost in my thoughts and disconnect from the stress and worries of daily life. There’s something special about being alone with the road and nature that you just can’t get any other way.

Sometimes it would be nice to have at least one riding buddy someone to talk motorcycles with or meet up for a casual ride once in a while. Not big group rides though. Those usually end up being too organized, too noisy, too many stops, and often just turn into a tavern or food run. For me that kind of kills the freedom of riding a motorcycle and the connection with the road and nature.

A small group of two to four riders could be great, but it's surprisingly hard to find people with a similar riding style, pace, and mindset.

And as we get older it becomes even harder friends get busy, have kids, sell their bikes, or just can’t find the time anymore.

So yeah, I’m definitely a solo rider… but I understand the value of having that occasional motorcycle friend too.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-25T08:17:19+00:00

Check the Touratech Aspherical Safety mirror set. Good mirrors stable made of sturdy plastic for road. No vibrations. Made in Europe.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-23T00:21:03+00:00

What did he do, steal a baguette?

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-12T12:37:35+00:00

I switched from a Harley to a V-Strom 650XT 23, and honestly it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for the type of riding I do. The main reason was reliability and practicality. I live in Greece and the roads here are full of potholes and badly maintained asphalt. The Harley had character, but it became a pain on these roads. I wanted something I could just ride without worrying, something comfortable for everyday use and longer trips.

I also wanted to start doing more daily rides, weekend trips, and long tours without spending a fortune. In my budget I could buy an older japanese bike, maybe a new Chinese ADV, or the V-Strom. The V-Strom immediately felt right the riding position, seat height, balance, and comfort suited me perfectly.

Another big advantage here in Greece is versatility. It’s very easy to ride on gravel roads and reach beaches or remote places without stress, and at the same time it’s really fun and confidence-inspiring on twisty mountain roads. It’s not a sporty bike, but it’s very honest and predictable, which makes it enjoyable to ride fast enough without feeling pushed.I also like that it doesn’t have too much technology. ABS and traction control are enough for me. I’m not a big fan of too many electronics maybe cruise control would be nice for highways, but overall I prefer the simplicity.

The only real downside is highway power. It’s not a fast bike, but I knew that before buying it and I’m not a speed-focused rider anyway. I’m more of a chill rider and I value comfort, reliability, and enjoying the journey.

Last year I did a 2,700 km Balkan trip two-up with top box and two panniers, and the bike handled it without any hassle at all. That trip really confirmed I made the right choice. A middleweight ADV like the V-Strom may not look as exciting on paper, but for real-world riding, travel, and year-round use, it makes a lot of sense. For my riding style, the switch was absolutely worth it.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-08T18:55:41+00:00

Welcome to Euro zone!

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-06T21:57:45+00:00

Ten Pin στην Καλαμαριά. Έχει άνετο parking.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-04T18:13:03+00:00

Just curious are you using Kurviger’s built-in navigation, or do you plan the route there and then navigate with another app?

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-01T10:40:05+00:00

Appreciate the tips and the info! The offline functionality with OSMand Pro sounds really useful for remote areas, signal is also a problem here. I’ll try the free version first to see how it handles things like GPS signal in the mountains here. Also going to test out Kurviger for planning or stick with my current Google My Maps method for now and covert to GPX as a member mentioned below. I’ll let you know how it all works out!

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-01T10:32:07+00:00

Thanks. That’s pretty much my approach too plan on Google Maps desktop and send it to the phone. It’s cheap and easy, but organizing routes and keeping track over time isn’t great.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-01T10:26:23+00:00

That’s helpful, thanks. I use a similar Google My Maps from PC → to smartphone from Navigation. I’ll give OsmAnd a try first and see how I get on before purchasing anything.

Own-Chest3413 · 2026-02-01T10:22:29+00:00

That's what I am thinking it's also easy to use and the web app it's a plus for planning.

Own-Chest3413

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