Hi from sunny Bournemouth

[kennydies]

Hi,

I thought I needed a change so I completed my DAS last week and sold my car yesterday.

I have been looking at a versys or preferably a V-Strom (hense joining the forum)

I am new to the biking world so I have a few questions...

I am confidence to do any maintence myself but I wanted to know what you maintain over what periods?
what regular maintenence do you need to do the the bike?  Do you need to do anything before or after a long ride?

any other tips and tricks to help me start my motorbike career is welcome....

[frez]

Welcome.

Depends what you mean by a long ride. I ride 120 miles a day and don't check anything on a daily basis. I'll check the chain, tyres and oil weekly. I'll check the brake pads every month. I get it serviced as per schedule every 3.5k miles.

Check the owners and service manual pdf links on this site for more information and what needs to be done at each service.

[kennydies]

Great thanks, I will have a look.

It was more around how often do you lube the chain and what do you check after any long journeys.

Also, can you recommend a decent bike cover as I don't have a garage?

[Countrysailor]

Hi Kenny &   .

[bat-kam]

Hi Kenny
I had a scotoiler but found it to dirty around the back end of the bike so I took it off yesterday. Due to the fact that most of the miles I do in the town (Bmth) I used to lube it every fuelup. That' agout every 200miles. I think that it's more then enought as the chais is still covered with lube at the next fuelup.

If you want to change tips and have a look at my bike we can meet up for a ride or coffee at poole quey ;)

Cheers
Kamil

[Chris Graves]

[kennydies]

Hi Kenny
I had a scotoiler but found it to dirty around the back end of the bike so I took it off yesterday. Due to the fact that most of the miles I do in the town (Bmth) I used to lube it every fuelup. That' agout every 200miles. I think that it's more then enought as the chais is still covered with lube at the next fuelup.

If you want to change tips and have a look at my bike we can meet up for a ride or coffee at poole quey ;)

Cheers
Kamil

Hi Kamil.

If I need any tips I will walk down the office and ask you....Do some work  

[MartinW]

Hi Kenny and

[PHIL FAT]

hi and    good tip as you do not have a garage lots of acf 50 spray to coat your bike its great stuff enjoy

[Ptarmigan]

Hi &  

[kennydies]

hi and    good tip as you do not have a garage lots of acf 50 spray to coat your bike its great stuff enjoy

Good tip, that stuff seems to be great from what I have read.

[kennydies]

Well.. My decision is made.  

I drove some bikes this weekend and my favourite was the V-strom.  The bike I rode was a 2012 but from what I understand there is not that much differecne between a 2012 and other years.

All I need to do is find a decent example of one.

What lock do you blokes use with your bikes? And is there a decent cover for the v-strom?

The bike will be outside but behind a heavey duty gate, I am going to put in an anchor point in a concrete post and cover it?

I looked up the ACF-50 spray which was recomended and it looks good stuff. Any other recomendations for me?

Thanks, Ross

[Gassoon]

One thing is:don't bother getting an alarm on it...they are always eventually trouble/embarrassing/irritating etc etc (imho !)

 

[2112]

[kennydies]

Agreed. Unless an alarm comes with it I won't get one.

What is the verdict on locks and a cover ?

[Catballou]