Hi,
I have been a biker for the last 36 years. I bought a 2002 V-Strom 1000 a year ago as a bike for longer trips and have had a great time with it covering @ 6k miles. The bike had 37k miles on it when I bought it and I have used this site for various bits of info as a non member. I thought it would be good to share a few experiences/info from the last year. So here goes
1. Speed weave- I noticed the bike developing a slight weave at higher speeds, nothing too dramatic but still a bit unnerving. I fitted a fork brace and this has pretty much eliminated it. The brace was from ebay see
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182115287805?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT2. Front brake judder- Bike had a mild judder as you braked through 55-50mph, new pads improved it but did not eliminate it. Checked front disc thicknesses and they were down to 4.3mm, service limit is 4.5mm. Bought some second hand SV1000 discs from Ebay with 4.9mm still on them and break judder is gone! The SV discs have 8 "float" buttons instead of the V-Strom 6, but the same bolt mounting pattern, so they fit. Discs cost me £90 for the pair from the US including delivery
3. Hot start issues/cutting out- Had a problem with this @ a month after I had serviced the bike. Read on here about throttle position sensor being the probable cause. However I also read a post about checking the spark plug tightness. I rechecked the tightness on the plugs and the sealing ring must have relaxed after I fitted them and I could put another 1/2 turn on them. Problems solved! Zero cost
4. Tyres- Put a pair of Avon Storm 3D XM on the bike when the existing Tourance tyres wore out. I am very impressed with these in wet and dry and would highly recommend. Pricing is good too.
5. Mirrors- Noticed quite some wind buffeting coming off the standard mirrors and swapped them for some recommended on this site. A big improvement. Available on ebay see
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391377590222?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITHope these comments are of interest. The V-strom is a great all round bike and I expect to keep mine for a good few years.
Oliver