Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1395615 times)

MartinW · « **Reply #8320 on:** June 02, 2018, 13:44:07 »

Went for a short shopping trip to Hungerford and found a bloke looking all around my bike when I got back.

Turns out he has an 08 Wee in the same Blue and has fitted most of the same extras as me too.

I pointed him to the forum sticker and he may well be among us soon.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #8321 on:** June 02, 2018, 15:09:23 »

Was it one of those crappy silver framed ones?

MartinW · « **Reply #8322 on:** June 02, 2018, 16:17:26 »

Being a 2008 he will have one of those Black ones I'm afraid. If only he knew that 2004 was the best year.

Black Wheels too TLP

You should be thanking me for trying to allure a new member to your retail outlet rather than making derogatory remarks about my splendid Silver Frame.

hotbulb · « **Reply #8323 on:** June 02, 2018, 17:10:14 »

Stuck transparent protective film onto the tank .... had it over a year ago, finally got round to fitting.
I didn't think it would mould to the contours of the tank being a thick stiffish film (although official Suzuki parts), but it did, as if by magic: moral... follow the instructions, and don't try to second-guess

Fat Rat · « **Reply #8324 on:** June 02, 2018, 18:57:09 »

If this was a retail outlet, I'd be skint

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #8325 on:** June 02, 2018, 22:54:37 »

Rebuilt the rear caliper today - I probably could have got away without bothering as the piston only had a small bit of surface dirt. Anyway it's done now

40k out of the original rear pads, though they look like they may need replacing soon... I'm also trying to measure the thickness of the disc - it's somewhere around the 4.5mm mark so looks like I'll need a new one soon (MOT due beginning of July)

Also looked at the front discs. I think they're above the minimum spec, though there is some pitting on them. Is this 'excessive'??

(You can also see where the popped seal caused rubbing on the clutch-side disc)

king1 · « **Reply #8326 on:** June 04, 2018, 00:42:54 »

fitted hyperpro rear spring and new bearings

front forks at shop having hyperpro springs fitted and new bushes. I managed to blow fork seals the other week at touratech

cannot wait to get them back and fitted to see what she rides like

ZipcodeUK · « **Reply #8327 on:** June 04, 2018, 10:44:20 »

Well, just got back from a 9 day trip through France, also ventured across into the German black forest and then home via the Ardenne. 1700ish miles. All completed effortlessly by the trusty vstrom! Most roads used were country / mountain routes staying off motorways...... bloody great trip excepts for the final 215miles which were on motorways from Belgium (biker loft) back home.

infidel · « **Reply #8328 on:** June 04, 2018, 18:46:05 »

Fitted a Puig Screen to my banana - Just as bad as standard - in all positions.
What do I have to bloody do to stop washing machine head on this thing?

Graham62 · « **Reply #8329 on:** June 04, 2018, 19:08:24 »

Madstad bracket and Givi Air flow screen.

Old Biker · « **Reply #8330 on:** June 04, 2018, 20:29:00 »

Not sure about the bracket but the airflow is brilliant

infidel · « **Reply #8331 on:** June 05, 2018, 18:48:29 »

The puig screen is damm right ugly and no-offense to the givi - but I don't want that much plastic in front of me.

Does switching mirrors have any beneficial effect?

Best solution so far is just to remove the damm screen.

porter · « **Reply #8332 on:** June 05, 2018, 20:59:49 »

I have the givi air and an mra screen. I use the givi for trips and spring, autumn and wintet riding. Switching to the mra in summer. The givi is better by far but I like the look of the mra better but its not as good. I've never had the puig, looks to big for me.Maybe you could cut it down, start a few inches over the oe screen and work from there.
I'd heard the 2018 screen was better. Is it worse now you've the low seat fitted?

SimStrom · « **Reply #8333 on:** June 05, 2018, 21:18:07 »

Took it up to Tesco's for a full tank of fuel. All in readiness for this (long) weekends 'Jolly boys' outing down Dorset

infidel · « **Reply #8334 on:** June 06, 2018, 18:57:42 »

Hello Porter - 2AurQ - New 18 screen better than 14-16?. No idea. But stock certainly improved with lower seat. (5'11, 31"IS) Beginning to think the side flow between the screen + mirrors is responsible for the washing machine.

Will take mirrors off tomorrow for a blast and test - as removing the screen makes it fine. If a little 'naked like'.

Anyone got a wind tunnel handy I could hire for an hour?

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #8335 on:** June 06, 2018, 19:23:29 »

Quote from: SimStrom on June 05, 2018, 21:18:07

Took it up to Tesco's for a full tank of fuel.

You really know how to treat a lady!

Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to put some fuel in to bring her back.........

mr_diver · « **Reply #8336 on:** June 06, 2018, 21:18:07 »

The V-Strom mirrors are a pile of crap. They are tidy size to see what's behind you if you have narrow shoulders, but boy do they cause massive amounts of turbulent air.

I swapped to the Aprilia copy option and they were far better.
I took them off when the Wee died.
I offered the bike breakers the OEM ones and even they said they didn't want them... that's how s**t they are.

By the way, the xrv750 and Varadero 1000 mirrors may stick out like dogs bollocks but don't cause much buffeting. They are convex mirrors so you can almost see around corners. But they are not cheap

infidel · « **Reply #8337 on:** June 09, 2018, 16:16:02 »

Thanks will look for some options. Mirrors off seems 50% better - clearly a combination of both setting up some serious turbulent air which I'm guessing is low pressure - feels like being in a vacuum cleaner over 90.

Back to topic went exploring for new-b roads today to add to my collection and found some absolute crackers in the froxfeld-petersfield valley and following b-roads to alresford and Winchester. One was pre war for sure, probably earlier. Narrow, Overgrown, potholes, one Ford! and loadsa grass in the middle rise - great. A challenging ride but DL lapped it up. Even managed to flash the TC a few times

B-Roads Rock.

Dark-Strom · « **Reply #8338 on:** June 09, 2018, 17:12:03 »

Cleaned and oiled chain.
Adjusted clutch lever so it wasn't hitting bar end mirror support.
Fitted new tank pad

Doug McLaren · « **Reply #8339 on:** June 09, 2018, 19:18:05 »

Put some Renthal handlebars on, the old ones were a bit bent after the bike fell over on my drive. The Renthals are almost exactly the same as the originals although the inside diameter is a bit smaller so I had to cobble up some new internal fixings for the bar ends. Other than that everything swapped over very easily.