What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[JohnB]

Noticed yesterday that my front brake light switch was not working. Cleaned and lubricated but still intermittent so will have to order a new one.. could be worse ( only 2700 miles on the clock  2011 wee)

[Rusty Nuts]

Changed the clock back to BST whilst out, no manual or Internet help.  Only took 10 minutes! 

Just have to remember how for 6 months from now.

[MartinW]

Good News Rusty, there are only 5 months until the next clock move, so your real problem is that the one after that will be 7 months.
 

[Rusty Nuts]

 

Back in the 1970's in technical college when digital clocks had only just arrived in Dewsbury I came up with the idea of a digital clock that would adjust itself to the "pips" and automatically change gmt/BST. I was ridiculed.

[Doug McLaren]

As I use my bike all year round I gave it a good wash yesterday and today sprayed waxoyl over all the shiny bits in an attempt to keep corrosion from road salt at bay. Worked a treat last year, sprayed it round about this time of year then didn't wash it until about March. Gave it a good going over with Gunk and all the accumulated crap came right off and left a nice shiny bike.

[ukiboy]

Gave it a really good wash as I'm toying with the idea of chopping it in for another ride.
Anyone on here got experience of owning the BMW F800 series bikes?
I was looking at a F800GS and GT.
though my sensible side says stick with the Glee as it's given me no issues and has been brilliant in 2 and a bit years of ownership.

[SuzukiSte]

@ukiboy Keep the glee you know you want to 

[mrp192]

When I bought my Glee I spent a day testing six different bikes including the F800GT on the same 35 mile route to get a good comparison.
It was a very nice bike, comfortable but you had to rev it to make it go and then once it was away it really wanted more. I found the Kawasaki 650 Versys similar so it may be a parallel twin thing.
Also I felt the F800 had been built down to a price and was very ordinary compared to bigger BMWs that friends own.
Bottom line I went just as quickly on the Glee but it was more comfortable and a nicer engine to use in the real world.
BMW dealers are very good for test rides so give both a go and see what you think?

[ukiboy]

Fair point gents! Today's MCN (with a comprehensive VStrom review), has pretty much convinced me. The DL is a really superb bit of kit.
For the money I don't think you can go far wrong with a DL. You buy a motorcycle (bloody good one), rather than a badge...

[Ianmc]

Whilst cleaning my chain this morning,something caught  my eye that didn't look right.The cover under the ABS pump was hanging down.On further investigation the two retainers had broken,leaving the cover hanging on one metal screw.Spoke to Robinsons Foundry and new ones are in the post.It may pay everyone to have a look under their bikes,I think it is only ABS models that have this.The remnants of the plastics rivets when examined were VERY brittle.I am wondering if its the oil that is in the area causing the brittleness,as it is next to the chain.

[Ianmc]

More grief,noticed a furry fastener on the bottom of the ABS cover,removed battery to access it and the battery is leaking !!! Cleaned out the whole area with bicarbonate of soda mixture and hot water.Ordered a gel type battery.The old one was an unknown make(Landport BV)It was on the bike when I got it,just goes to prove it's not good practice to buy cheap batteries,apparently the bike was totally dealer serviced,I wonder if the dealer charged full whack for a cheapo battery ? As an afterthought has anyone ever heard of plastic being affected by battery acid ? Something has attacked the plastic bolts/rivets to make them fall out.

[Faz1966]

  I ordered some decals from cypress graphics about 4 weeks ago.DL
ADVENTURE decals.£18 approx both sides.two days had card from post office saying I owed import duty of £7 plus £7 post office handling fee.so be aware of hidden goverment taxes on some things.  

[Rusty Nuts]

Not hidden. If you buy in the UK the price will be higher, incorporating import duty.
Which,  in a way, is me hidden than paying duty separately.

[mrp192]

You expect to pay the UK tax but it's the Post Office handling fee that takes the mickey.
I bought some knee braces from the US and expected to pay the tax but the PO charged £12.50which I thought excessive.

[Stonec0ld]

I got stung before, the item I bought was 50p over the limit and it cost me another £9 in duty and "handling" fees

.

[Brockett]

With the £ recently being revalued down by 18%, it may be time to buy. On the other hand we do not know what, if any, import duties are due to our current EU membership. One thing is certain though, everything will be going up in price. 

[SuzukiSte]

Deep washed the bike and then dried it and cover in ACF50 could not believe that the gritters were out last night.

.

[Faz1966]

 
well why should we be surprised in this country.we pay tax on our wages then we pay tax on our goods we buy.then if we buy from another country we pay import tax then the post office taxes us on the import tax.the country of taxes.

[Hondaman]

Isn't that applicable to any other country?
If you were the post office, would you handle goods from an external courier & collect/redirect the tax due for free?

Tax is a part of life wherever you live, sorry but I get fed up of British moaning how we get ripped off for everything. It's the same whereveryou live just dished up in different ways

If folks don't like it, move to some mythical, idyllic tax free haven where houses are cheap, wages are high, holidays long & the roads well surfaced and twisty (then let me know where it is & I'll move there too! )

[Faz1966]

Sounds like Heaven..