What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[Ianmc]

    Had a run over to the Bill Lomas cafe/museum at Clay Cross today.Some nice old bikes and a small cafe.The day started fine,then turned to drizzle and then continuous rain,a nice touch was a log burner in the cafe,very welcome as it went chilly as the rain got heavier.

[ThunderStrom]

Right behind the ignition, the keys were scratching my handlebar.

I decided to apply a piece of carbon wrap foil.



It would look even better if I'd loosen the clamps and take the bar out so the foil ends under the clamps, but this will do for now.

Also, I've added some wheel trim.



And today, I went for a ride to make sure it all sticks to the bike.



I'm affraid today's ride was inconclusive and it will take all summer to be sure. 

[Rusty Nuts]

I only have the bike key in the ignition lock. Saves damaging the top yoke, saves damage to the other keys and stops you losing all keys if the ignition key bounces out and disappears like my dr600's did. Never found it.

[purplebikeunicorn]

Interestingly my ignition key has become loose to the point that I can remove it with the bike on... so that is a very real possibility (and am considering some kind of tether).

Or, just sticking it in my pocket, as it appears that the bike only checks for the key once... knowing me I'll forget to turn it off again though!

[pb]

I use the outer sleeve of a 13amp plug wire to cover my spare keys to stop them damaging the top yoke, works a treat, a trick picked up from the Suzuki dealer in Bournemouth many years ago when I purchased a new 650 Bandit.

[nigel s]

Changed oil at 11250 miles.Half way between 7500 mile service and 15000mile service.My '22 is still under warranty but 7500 miles for oil seems a bit long to me.When the 15000 mile valve check service is done if everthing is OK I may blow off the warranty and go to 5000 mile oil changes and just get 15000 mile valve check done, do the rest myself.

[graingerblaze]

I’m bad for oil changes, in that I probably do them too often. I typically do an oil change every 3,000 miles, sometimes less if I know I have a big trip round the corner. The filter I plan to do every other time, but lately I’ve been getting the filters with the oil so just end up changing both.

My friends Ducati, the new V4 Multistrada has ridiculous service intervals… 9,000 miles between oil changes. I wouldn’t run a 170bhp engine that far but I guess Ducati want the service work 

[nigel s]

Ducatti ,like other manufacturers , look at the mileage/reliability/servicing/sale ratio and make a decision about service mileages. most ducatis fall under the annual service requirement due to the lack of miles done.If you only do 1000 miles a year it get's serviced at 1000 mile intervals.
Try doing 20000 miles a year on a ducati with 9000 mile? service intervals the f@cker WILL blow up

[nigel s]

On average , maybe, allegedly, don't want a visit from sicilian "lawyers"
ho hum

[Barbel Mick]

Me too graingerblaze, every 3000 miles or before a tour. Filter every time too. I also like to change the oil before winter just in case it's sitting for a month or two with all that dirty oil in it. 
Works out at about three/four times a year.

[Pete O Tube]

@nigel s - my neighbour's Diavel has done 25k+ miles......it hasn't 'blown up', the two issues he's had other than routine servicing, has been a dry suspension bush and a warped brake disc.
The 1200 Multistrada that I had use of for a week in Spain, had done 50k+ kms......it hadn't blown up, the only issue with that was a bearing in the rear hub.
Considering the hp output of modern cars, they have big oil change intervals although they don't have the gearbox oil crunching up the oil molecules.
Modern oils (and fuels) do their stuff (reducing carbon deposits) and catastrophic failure of any motorcycle brand is now rare, yes, even Ducati (another neighbour owns a Ducati franchise, he doesn't have any horror stories).

[nigel s]

oh oh
the brotherhood have shown up
ho hum

[nigel s]

oooh
a ducati that has done 25000 miles
ho hum
25000 miles unheard of round these parts

ho hum

[graingerblaze]

I apologise to any Ducati owners if I have started something off here… I only mentioned my friends Ducati as it’s the longest service interval (on a bike) that I had heard of. I have no doubt the latest machines can stretch out the oil intervals compared to my 18 year old thumper.

I personally like often oil changes regardless of what the manufacturer recommends, it’s not expensive and a good way to inspect the inside of your engine. Not great for the environment mind you, but I hope the local recycling centre uses the spent oil for some good.

[RokhandRoll]

I recently got some accessories from Cosmos in Greece so I have fitted those today,
Fork brace
Radiator guard
Handlebar hanger with 12v socket, volt meter and duel usb.
All fitted perfectly a bit fiddly to get to some of the fixings but that's mechanics in general.
Parts seem good quality, my only gripe is not with Cosmos but that UK Customs hit me for £50.00 import duty the thieving bastards  .
All in all a productive day.

[Joe Rocket]

I ride with a couple who've had Ducatis since I've known them from 10 years ago. All three of their bikes have passed 50k miles, no serious problems whatsoever. We meet and tour with them a lot each year. Got that 'ol boy'?

[Rusty Nuts]

Thieving bastards? For charging import duty on goods you were, um, importing? 

[RokhandRoll]

I don't mind paying but 1/3 of the value is excessive in my opinion.

[Joe Rocket]

If only you stayed in the Customs Union. Blame your government. 

[purplebikeunicorn]

Noticed a quirk with getting the FI light to go off after managing to set it because I managed to pull the key slightly out of the ignition when I turned it on. It took a very long ride (no amount of cycling ignition/dealer mode/etc would do it).

However, if you've got an OBDII -> Suzuki cable, you can clear it immediately with that (which I couldn't do with the IAT caused FI... strange huh!). Shows up on the OBD app as "P1610 Loss of PZM Serial Data".