What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[Barbel Mick]

A favourite word! 

[Rixington43]

Tour de Yorkshire today, only 135 miles but took in all 4 regions of god's own country. Dodged the rain and had a very pleasant lunch at Spuds and Berries between Goole and Selby.

[graingerblaze]

Not been an issue last year, but decided to improve the water resistance of the dreaded connectors under the air box. The heat shrink seemed to work but I thought I would try some liquid insulation. It’s not pretty as you paint it on like tar, but it then sets like flexible rubber and stops any water or dirt getting through. If you do want to remove, then you can break it off so it’s not permanent. Will see how this stands up over the year 

[Brockett]

That's interesting. However, I think the damp gets into the connector in various routes and not just running down the wires.  I think that was the benefit of using sections of bicycle inner tube zip tied at both ends. Maybe you packed the connectors with dielectric grease. 

[graingerblaze]

Very true… to be sure I will inner tube them as well. It’s Sod’s Law that I get a bad connection during the summer months, which is when no one wants to be stripping down their bike when they could be out riding. 

[Barbel Mick]

I've done similar a few years ago but used this..... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290783796520?mkevt=
Probably 4 years now & it still seems to be there & doing the job. I opened each connector & forced the grease inside as well covering the outside.

[Rixington43]

Did the same last month, packing the connectors with grease inside and out. It's mainly that black connector it seems as it's not waterproof type, I believe that's all the lights. I suspect the main culprit is running my bike to dry it after a wash as the radiator promptly steams everything behind it. Re-greasing at each valve clearance should keep the rot at bay though I reckon.

[purplebikeunicorn]

+1 on packing the connectors with grease (I use a thick silicone type grease). Doesn't affect the electrical connection at all, but will stop water corroding the pins.

I'd be concerned about totally sealing the connectors just in case water gets in, and can't get out... but saying that, if it can find a way in, it can almost certainly find a way out!

[tonkie]

Had to pick mine up  gale force winds, not had a chance to see if any damage as it’s still pitch black

[UK_Vstrom650]

Oh no Tonkie. Fingers crossed it's OK.

[Flanners]

Lifted up the cover in the garage and had a look, all shiny and clean.....put cover back down and went upstairs.

[Brockett]

when it's windy,  I lean the bike to the lee (away from the wind) on it's side stand and I don't use a rain cover as it can act as a sail.

[tonkie]

Thanks blokes

Had a chance to look at it, it looks like the newly fitted knuckle guards took the brunt of the fall, as the only thing seems to be the clutch grip had twisted out of position and when applying the clutch it pressed on the “flasher” switch, so hopefully moved to the correct position.
Oh, and there is a crack in the guard, but hopefully a bit of super glue will sort that out

Bike now has been moved to rear of house and will take note of wind direction, I just didn’t think for one minute that it could blow over 
Once again Thanks

[Mojo-Jojo]

I'm in the middle of a winter jobs list, valve clearances etc, and I've discovered that I have this TRE unit connected. Whilst that explains why the OD light and gear indicator didn't work, can anyone give me some advice as to whether I should have this connected or not, or what are the advantages/disadvantages of having the unit installed. Thanks in advance.

[Rixington43]

Mine came with one on as well which I found later.
Supposed advantages are better fueling and smoother but faster acceleration in gears 1 to 3. It also removes the timing related speed limiter in 5th and 6th.
I found I noticed none of these changes but did get slightly worse fuel economy and lose my OD light. Some swear by them though so I'd say try it and see which you prefer. I tried with and without and then gave it away on here for someone else to experiment with.

* I also suspected insurance might grumble at anything that has "Race use only" written on it.

[porter]

As Rixington says try it with and without.  I know I'd not be without mine on my 14 L4 model. It has some sort of horrible fuel cut in the lower gears and the  x-tre helps no end with this. Mine also still has the gear indicator, you have to cut into the wiring to keep it but worth doing.

[Cadbal]

fitted a new givi pannier rack, top box mount and ofc the panniers and top box. shes good to start travelling more now.

might have some old bits to sell soon

[Mojo-Jojo]

First time dong valve clearances, and would like someone with more experience to answer my query.
I calculated the new shims to go to the maximum clearance, this worked perfectly on the intakes, but only made a 50% change on the exhaust.
Is this a normal thing to see?
Everything is torqued to spec, and the engine has been turned over many times.
The picture shows my workings out and changes.
Thanks.

[Mojo-Jojo]

To answer my own question.
I forgot that the new shims are only .07mm difference (not .10mm) and the new clearance is now .054mm wider than before, so the discrepancy is only .016mm.
I'm a pillock. 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Rode it for the first time since end of November. Only 77 miles and most of it motorway, but good to be back out on the bike.