What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[graingerblaze]

Sounds great Martin, I’m envious as the weather is amazing! I’ve just finished packing the car as I’m driving the family to the Netherlands today for the half term holiday… 12 hours in the car with four over excited children 

The weather forecast looks perfect for next week, hope you all get the chance to go out and ride. The silence of riding, bliss!

[nigel s]

Three in the back,naughty one in the boot?

ho hum

[graingerblaze]

I do have a seven seater so they all good there. I have a roof box but I’m not using it this time as no need… however it is tempting to put them in it sometimes! 

[nigel s]

One time I was follwing a people carrier with a roof box,they had obviously been to the beach,because the driver had forgot to lock it down and balls and towels were going all over.I tooted and flashed but had to give up as things were likely to have me off.
His missus would have been happy when they got home!

ho hum

[Barbel Mick]

@ graingerblaze, those LED lights? I bought some a few months ago, only fitted them a few weeks back & one failed very quickly. (I did get my money back from the seller).
They are very cheap but I liked the size of them, quite neat compared to what I've had on the bike for a few years. I was going to ask if anyone has them fitted & was I just unlucky in having it fail so quickly, it seems not!
The fact that your last set lasted three years though gives me hope & I might try another pair, if they last 18 months at £12 that's not too bad? Plus I have a spare one now to replace a dodgy one if necessary.

[mrp192]

Just got back from a run to Downham Market.

Litcham Common. Makes me smile every time I pass that sign. It means it though, sometimes the ponies leg it around crossing the road at pace. They sometimes have cattle with big old horns wandering about as well.

[Rixington43]

Passed the 40 this week so went for a birthday ride out yesterday, about 160 miles around the peaks and up to my folks place near Holmfirth for a BBQ and camp over party last night.
Had an exciting moment riding round the Longstone quarry road, hit a patch of dumped limestone dust mid corner and the whole bike went sideways and then tried to sling me over the high side when it gripped. Wasn't shifting and it all gathered up OK but it gave the plumbs a good walloping. Noted for future, that stuff is like talcum powder, never known grip disappear so fast 


* GSs in non tarmac shocker attached.

[nigel s]

mrp192,so that's where it was.I was lost AGAIN.
Though it is something that happens to me on a regular basis,if I have got lost it must have been a good day.

Ho hum

[deecat]

Tried out our soft luggage for our holiday today.
Like everyone getting older the weight of the bike two up with luggage was starting to get a bit much for my dodgy knees, so we are trying to do away with the heavy top box an panniers.
When empty all three bags weigh the same as our top box and the wife feels happy enough not to need the box on any more
Another thing I have done is to torque up the engine bars correctly which has got rid of the vibrations that I was experiencing.

[nigel s]

soft luggage is my favourite .I also use coloured tie on zip pulls,no more pulling at the wrong zip,yellow for open red for expand .I have also bolted on little right angle stainless tags with a small hole in it to lock with padlocks,all with same key.

[deecat]

The bags are all Givi, so conveniently they all lock on like the top box or panniers would.
We both retire soon and hope to be doing some trips with one or two nights stop over so we aim to carry as little as possible.
The top bag can be locked but not the side bags, we also use a pack safe for leaving gear locked to the bike.

[SteveO]

First ride or the year. 75 miles through Surrey.

[SteveO]

Less wonky photo…

[timangus]

Just completed a 2350 mile trip that included the NC500, plus a pilgrimage to the Cairn at the Mull of Kintyre. It honours the 31 people who died on 2nd June 1994 when a Chinook crashed in thick fog. My wife’s first husband was on the flight. The picture showing the bike in fog was in bright sunshine only a minute earlier, so changeable is the weather there.   

[porter]

Deecat, I had vibration on my 14 with the Suzuki crash bars. Tried to re torque the bars several times but no joy. But I did notice that the crossbar connecting to two sides was about 10mm to short, so pulling the bars in under tension.  Removed the bar and my 4k-5k rpm or so vibs disappeared.
 Now I know this will weaking the bars but I don't care!  85-90mph was a pain before, smooth now. And I also fitted the standard end can for the mot and found it smoother again, its staying on too.
 I use soft luggage also, I hope yours are more waterproof than mine!  (Givi)

[deecat]

Porter, on mine the cross bar was tight to get in. I did not have any issues with the same bars fitted to my 2018 1000.For me the Givi bags are a bit to close to the standard can but I made a new bracket for the aftermarket can which allowed me to give it more room from the panniers.
The top bag comes with a rain cover and the side bags are supposed to be waterproof! anyway we are not going to Scotland this year so we should stay dry!

[nigel s]

Home made soft luggage lock not to lock on but to lock zips

[MartinW]

An evening ride out to Tetbury and back tonight, so another 70 miles.

Really enjoying getting back out there after some low mileage years.

[rus998]

Home made soft luggage lock not to lock on but to lock zips

Sorry but I can not see the point as it would only take a few seconds to pry open the plastic zip imoa.

[nigel s]

True,anyone going equipped will get in anything,but as a deterrent against opportunists it has some value.