Tweaking my Suzuki V Strom 650

[DavidFL]

75,000 km up & the rear wheel bearings are done.
On the way to Pai, fortunately only 25 kms from home & not in the mountains, so I was able to ride back slowly, gently without too much damage.

Now the bad news Suzuki does not have full stock of the 3 necessary bearings & seals. They are on back order from Japan!

So guys I recommend you keep a back up set ready once your kms start getting up there.
I've ordered mine from Wemoto in the UK
http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/suzuki/dl_650_v-strom_xt_abs/15/

 

[SixPointSeven]

Thanks for the detailed review!!
Must get those foot-peg extensions too.

 

[Oddvar]

On my Valkyrie (340kg) the bearings lasted about 20-30k. Talked to my Chief Engineer about it and gave him the details. He ordered SKF bearings, CC type. And he got me 10 set. Still on the first set 8 years later..

 

[SixPointSeven]

Hi David,
Have a question on those pegs. Im trying to get them from ravetechmotorcycles.com, but can't get the order finalised - after submitting all info the payment page goes to "Fatal Error". Did you order this mod online or got it from the shop?
Does the Jacketboy shop in Bangkok has new web-site? Old link doesn't work, unfortunately..
Thank you once again for the useful information!

Also (and sorry if I'd missed this in the thread), did you extend the front fork as well? I finally managed to extend it to about 3", found a shop here (JP Riders) they are making this pretty smart - machining two 3" long metal cylinders of the same diameter and with the thread that fits precisely into the thread of shock cylinders caps.

 

[DavidFL]

77,777 kms up

and time for a new kit bag

Big enough to take my laptop.
I like the rigid sides on the bag; plus carrying it length ways on the seat, keeping the weight nicely distributed.


DrySpec D38 Rigid Waterproof Motorcycle Dry Bag

The D38 is constructed of RF welded 22oz. vinyl that guarantees 100% waterproof performance even when submerged. The D38 features a rigid core that enables the bag to be mounted to any bike, with or without a top rack, even when the bag is completely empty. Try that with a traditional dry bag! The rigid construction and unique 4-point strap mounting system work together enabling easy access to contents without loosening straps or removing the bag from the bike.

Features:

Rigid Core Construction
Modular packing (mates with D20 and D28)
Universal slip-lock mounting straps (included)
Mounts with or without toprack
Infinitely useful daisy chain mounting strip
Retro Reflective Logo
Adjustable & detachable carry handle
Strap keepers to secure excess webbing
Available in Black,Orange, or Gray
Specs:

38 Liters
100% waterproof (Radio Frequency Welded Seams)
22” long x 12” wide x 9” tall
22oz Vinyl & coated Cordura


Sourced from Twisted Throttle in the USA.
DrySpec D38 Rigid Waterproof Motorcycle Dry Bag | Multiple Colors Available | TwistedThrottle.com

 

[Ian Bungy]

I Just Brought a Waterproof Bag from Lazada. 1200 Baht delivered as opposed to My Bags Connection Bag it replaced which cost over 3 Times that! If I had of Strapped the original one on Properly I would still have it but Unfortunately My Rear Wheel Ate it along with 3 Shirts Ha Ha! What did Your DRYSPEC cost? Looks Great!

 

[DavidFL]

I Just Brought a Waterproof Bag from Lazada. 1200 Baht delivered as opposed to My Bags Connection Bag it replaced which cost over 3 Times that! If I had of Strapped the original one on Properly I would still have it but Unfortunately My Rear Wheel Ate it along with 3 Shirts Ha Ha! What did Your DRYSPEC cost? Looks Great!

All up was US$210, which included US$65 postage.
I'm very happy with it top quality, especially with the stiffened sides.

 

[DavidFL]

94,500 kms up & time for the Guglatech fuel filter as featured on GTR here

Guglatech Free Product Test

Fitted in the fuel tank

And why you need it

dirty fuel at its best.

 

[DavidFL]

Oops I missed one other improvement @ 87,1189 kms I fitted a front fork brace.

from Fork Braces in the USA. TQ Rande for the tip off & delivery.

and fitted on like this

the front end certainly seems more solid and I was actually surprised how much!

 

[DavidFL]

Yet another bag & what I think is going to be it finally.
A Denali Expedition 45L bag, as used by Moto-Rex on all his expeditions.

Not 100% waterproof but good shower proof, solid build & an easy top opening.

Whilst I was happy with the 38L Dryspec bag, I found it annoying packing & unpacking the laptop from the bottom of the bag everyday. The opening was just too tight a fit.
With the Denali the top opening is massive & so much easier to pack & unpack your possessions.
The simple solution for the wet season will be to have a plastic garbage bin liner inside the bag. Absolutely no problem for me, so I reckon I'm set - just right riding one up with this bag finally. I generally don't like hard luggage - side boxes or top boxes. Soft luggage is he way to go. However on small local trips I sometimes put on a Givi box for a couple of nights trip in North Thailand.

The Denali bag is a steal when you can get them for A$40.
Spotlight - Denali Expedition II Duffle Bag

 

[DavidFL]

28 August 2018 & the Vstrom ticked over 100,000 kms.

Sadly I missed the 99,999 kms as I was having too much fun out on a new lop on the Laos border
The Sensational Steep Huai Kuk - Pha Tang Loop

So I've only got a couple of happy snaps @ 100,099 kms & @ 100,100 kms.

Some trivia: the bike was picked up on the 29th May 2015 and the 100,000 kms tick over came on 28th August 2018 = 1,187 days = 84 kms a day.
Time for some TLC real soon.

 

[Ian Bungy]

Impressive!

 

[DavidFL]

The 100,000 kms service was done @ 101,57 kms @ Piston Shop in Chiang Mai.

The list of goodies to do
Oil & Filter Change Repsol 20-50
New radiator Coolant Repsol
New front brake fluid Repsol
4 new Spark Plugs NGK Iridium
Clean & check front brakes
New Air Filter
Fit New Spotlights
Check Valves
New Chain & Sprocket Set – Supersprox
New Clutch EBC
Clean Throttle Bodies
New Front Wheel Bearing
Grease Rear Wheel Bearing
Check & grease steering head

Piston Shops fee = 10,335 baht.
I supplied the Supersprox Chain & Sprocket set from BDS Performance in Bangkok.
The Clutch kit came from Suzuki via BDS in Bangkok, after Cnx said there was no stock & EBC Bkk failed to deliver.

A few pics from the service
The steering head bearing before & after

Yuk!

The Clutch before / after

The brake system before after

The throttle body and injector, before and after. Another Yuk!

Rear wheel bearing & Supersprox sprocket, before and after..

\

Two months later I've got another 7,000 kms on the clock & still loving the Vstrom.

 

[DavidFL]

110,730 kms & time for a suspension rebuild.

29,000 kms since the last rebuild & I thought I'd be getting a bit more than I did; but the Snail calls me the shock killer with my track record of Technoflex, Wilbers & YSS shocks on the Africa Twin, then Hyperpro & Nitron on the Versys, and now it's the Ohlins suspension taking a beating. Let's see what the experts say....

 

[Ian Bungy]

I think everyone is Staggered that Your suspension keeps Failing regardless of the Manufacturer? You do a lot of kms of continuous riding but I wouldn't have thought that would matter unless the Shock overheats? You have had the Experts on to it so if anyone should know they should? Good Luck once again!

 

[DavidFL]

Hit by a 22-wheeler Chinese trailer truck in Laos on 13 January 2019.
My lucky day...written up on GTR here

R13n - Hit By A 22-wheeler Chinese Truck

Back in Chiang Mai stripped down

Back on the road patched up 30 March 2019

Next step re-stickering the bike back to original GTR livery, plus new spotlights & horns Wo-hoo, then all good again.

 

[DavidFL]

111,884 kms / 1 June 2019
Finally the last repairs after the crash in Laos - new electric 8-tone musical horns, plus new stickers to make the bike like new again. Woo-hoo, I'm a happy man again - fully recovered from getting hit by a 22-wheeler.

4500 baht for new stickers @ Panda Racing Shop Chiang Mai.

Location: Google Maps

 

[DavidFL]

136,500 ms up & Ive been enjoying some night riding of late, so much so that is time for some better lighting.
The cheap Chinese 12-16 W LEDs don't really cut it for fast riding at night.
So I searched around & found Mach1 lights in Chiang Rai.
MACH1 Lights Co.,Ltd.
To my delight when I visited the shop I discovered they actually had the Baja Design lights I'd been considering from the Canada.
It was a toss up between cheaper 40W Chinese Goldrunway lights, Mach1 lights & Baja Design, but in the end I bit the bullet & went for the 12,900 baht 20W Baja Design lights. The reason I'm tired of Chinese products coming up short in both performance & life, not going the claimed distance.

Baja Designs

And WOW these babies offer some blinding light to light up the road at night

The Baja Design lights are on top & the 600 baht Lazada specials are below.

Mach1 lights fitted the BD lights for no extra cost.
The 600 baht Lazada specials I use for running lights via a manual switch & the 20W Baja Design lights are wired into the high beam switch.

See also
Lights & Lighting
An Electrical Glitch On The Vstrom 650

 

[DavidFL]

140,059 kms on 4 December 2019

Fitted a super lithium battery via the guys @ Chiang Rai Big Bikes / Chiang Rai UTV Adventure tours, as featured here on GTR

Motorbike Lithium Batteries For Sale.

Excellent service.

Chiang Rai UTV & Adventure Tours

The weight difference alone is incredible.

 

[DavidFL]

152,000 kms a bit more tweaking on the bike = more lights.

Enter the Loboo XHP70-2 spotlights

These are a fantastic addition to the bike & riding.
There are two colour options, yellow or white via a flip up screen

There are three beam levels
Low - 10 Watts / 800 Lumens
Medium - 36 Watts / 4000 Lumens
High - 76 Watts / 8000 Lumens
I keep mine on low, yellow & use them as running lights, finally being able to discard the el cheapo 600 baht Chinese Lazada specials, that needed replacing every 9-12 months.

There are also multiple flashing light set ups, should you wish to get a masters degree in flashing.
I just use the basic quick flash, passing light when needed.

These are highly recommended should you wish to be seen & wish to see clearly at night.

I sourced mine from Steve in Chiang Rai @ Chiang Rai UTV & Adventure Tours

The guy to fit them for you is North Thailand's # 1 motorbike electrician Mr Kong @ Kongs Motorbike Electrics in Chiang Rai.

 

[Heineken]

In the photos above David are the Baja lights on or off, it is hard to tell ?...................and are the Loboo lights on high beam ?

 

[Oddvar]

Mine lasted less than 3k km on the AT. Low beam all the time as this is the standard when starting the bike. Just sayin!

 

[Heineken]

Mine lasted less than 3k km on the AT. Low beam all the time as this is the standard when starting the bike. Just sayin!

Thats no good Oddvar, is it the switch or the lights, do you know ?

 

[DavidFL]

In the photos above David are the Baja lights on or off, it is hard to tell ?...................and are the Loboo lights on high beam ?

Baja Design lights are turned off.
I think I had the Loboo on low : Low - 10 Watts / 800 Lumens & I may have had a dirty phone camera lens.
I will take some more pics this week, or we can meet up somewhere at night for you to check em out.

 

[Dodraugen]

Can you reach as much kms on the V-Strom as you did on the Africa Twin?