What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[Jim13_Wee_Strom]

Congratulations... how much or what do you owe it??? 

[MartinW]

I owe it a few more miles.


Just at 31,017 miles on the MOT.

[porter]

Passed another mot, the tester was amazed how clean it is for 45k miles. Went a 150 mile run around the Antrim coast to celebrate. Missed the rain also, maybe I'll keep the old bike another year!

[nigel s]

Sat, I rode to Ipswich to test a Garmin XT setting suggested over on our American friends site.
First I fitted a screen protector,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324223277264
Works the same as normal and is invisible,now I can drop it in the same pocket as my phone and not worry about scratching the screen.
I was missing the compass mode on the Beeline and couldn't figure out how to get the XT to do something similar.
Motorpsycology on Stromtroopers sorted me out.
In settings go to navigation and turn on straight line/ save /and back.
Now I have a line pointing to my destination from my departure point with an as the crow flies distance.
Also when you move away from the line you get two dotted lines. One dot dot dot.... one dot space dot.The dot one points to the original line , the dot space to your destination from where you are.The distance going up or down tells you if you are on the right track too.
A really simple but effective way of keeping track of where I am during my ambles.As you near your destination the two lines start to merge and a quick glance is all that is needed to see you need to be "over there".
It is a nice option to have, I can find my own route now on my b road ambles

[Rusty Nuts]

Nigel, that's a very interesting function on the xt. Thank you. Will have a peep and digest the info.

[Barbel Mick]

Nigel, just a warning that fitting the screen protector could cause you a few problems in the rain! I've been out a few times in rain & the screen can do random things, it's the rain spots hitting the touch screen that upsets it.
I even fitted one of these but it can still get spots on the screen & cause issues.
Although I don't think a sun shade is necessary on the XT, as the screen is brilliant, but it does protect the unit & it has a lanyard on it to save it in a 'fall off' situation.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355822391792?_nkw=Zumo+XT+sun+protector&itmmeta= 

[nigel s]

Rusty,
It is an interesting way of ambling about if you are not that fussed about time.A couple of touches in the settings and it is back to normal turn by turn , I used it today for an amble out but set it back to normal for the ride home

Mick,
Ta for that, I will keep an eye on that, I would like to say it won't get wet, but that WILL happen , it's summer
The lanyard sounds good.The link was for the XT2, but I found the same for the XT and ordered it


Another amble out today, found some lovely back roads using the Straight line function on the XT.
Found a hand pump Built in 1888 ,by the plaque, some swans on the river and a Helmet hedge, glad I can go in full amble/explore mode now .I wouldn't have come this way otherwise.It is handy for time on the bike if not miles done, and due to the relaxed pace on the VERY minor roads  67mpg is nice too.

Also,
Due to where I have the XT mounted , lined up with the dash on the bars,the counter steer effect is visible, long corner to the left, bars to the right, I knew this happened ...but never SAW it .

Ho Hum

[Sir Trev]

Now my 800RE is up to 800ish miles, I decided to finally change the power map from B to A. Being able to turn the wick down electronically has helped me be restrained while running it in but I'm near enough through that phase now that I can use a bit more of the excellent p-twin unit. The extra torque in the midrange when A is selected  is pretty noticeable, and as expected I'm having to be careful with speed limits.  I'm loving this bike more and more with every mile I put on it!!

Of course, now I have a dashcam with GPS speed logging I'm also conscious that I have to be good. I usually stick to the spirit of all speed limits anyway... honest... 

[Barbel Mick]

We wouldn't normally go out on a weekend but after being on grandkids duty most of the week we were ready for a bit of a quiet day.
Had a ride up through Ashbourne to Buxton & up to The Peak View Tea Rooms on the Cat & Fiddle Road. Nice coffee outside admiring the view.
From there we headed to Jodrell Bank, called into the visitor centre to see if the grandkids might enjoy a few hours there.
Then some back lanes to the A523 & down to Rudyard Lake. Came back via leek & Ashbourne.
No food today, just coffees. 
Very surprised how quiet (well relatively for that part of Derbyshire & Cheshire) for a Sunday afternoon. 
A few photos to prove it happened.

[Brockett]

I see V-Bear is keeping lookout for you. Bike looks nice.

[Barbel Mick]

Cheers Dave. Yeah, he demanded his new position on the back box of the RE. 
I don't even notice the beak now! 

[MilozFolly]

Great pics Mick - I'm finding the new Strom more attractive with each passing day to be honest

[Ian P]

Last night I just completed my 4th valve clearance check on my 2008 650.
All still within spec! I have never had to change out any shims even though I have the kit sitting waiting on the shelf.
That's the 17th service its had, and just a touch under 100,000 Kms of my ownership.
This bike is just so good, I have been thinking of what else I could replace it with but in all honesty there is nothing out there that really fits the bill.

so I think I will hang on to her for a bit longer

[graingerblaze]

I know what you mean Ian P. Although I have just sold my DL650, it was a brilliant bike and so reliable! It was 20 years old, done 40,500 miles (32k by me) and still rode like a new bike. The shims never fell out of spec and it never missed a beat. I was sad to let it go but I changed it for a nearly new DL1050 which I expect to keep for years and years. Love the V Stroms, very underrated 

[graingerblaze]

Started adding extras to the new bike already, a Hepco & Becker bash plate and an R&G radiator guard. I also fitted today a screen protector for the dash and I have a Givi tank lock to fit a some point… the joys of accessorising 

[Pannier Down]

Practice week at the Manx GP. Wet and windy.  Still,  nice to spend time with my youngest son, his is the Deauville behind my bike.

[graingerblaze]

Weather looks good there, considering it is only a few miles west (give or take) you’re very lucky. It’s being blowing and raining sideways here in Cumbria, hope the weather holds for you this weekend as the Isle of Man is such a great place. Enjoy 😉

[Barbel Mick]

Met up with a couple of other members & rode down to the Bikerscampsite for the V-Strom weekend.
A decent ride down passing through 3/4 rain clouds but not heavy stuff so all was good.   
Photo of food stop about 1/2 way. Seasons Cafe, Llwyn afon field, Caersws SY17 5SA, a few miles west of Newtown, mid Wales if anyone's in the area & needs a break. 

[mr_diver]

Going to have a dip in the hot tub and eat last nights left over pizza and I'll make my way down. 

[Phild]

Fitted this……😁

2.5kgs lighter than the factory fitted end can.