Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
breakdirt916
So what is the "right" position for this thing?
All the way up offers the best wind protection but the top of the windscreen obstructs my view
I figure a cinch down for daily, then all the way up of I ever want to hunch behind it//
I put mine down low and leaned back unless it was raining or really cold.
If the latter, cranked it up so I could look through it or barely peer over it. Actually cut down a CalSci XTall to jus the right height, as the Tall was a bit too low.
The NACA duct in the CalSci seemed to help with turbulence, but I taped it over and didn't find much difference. The Madstad is well regarded.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Excellent...So all I need is adjustment...Will try the low with the slant
How tall are you
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Now I'm 6'1 but have a relatively short inseam and long torso. YMMV. There is a height adjustment guide on CalSci, of course, guy is an ultra nerd.
Picking and maintining a windshield
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Garandman
guy is an ultra nerd
That's something, coming from you.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carsick
That's something, coming from you.
Have we met?
He has a PhD in Physics. And his oil recommendation? Duh.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Garandman
Have we met?
Yes, several times, I'm gonna have to start punching people in the dick so they definitely remember me. I should have used Italics or Comic Sans to indicate my ribbing of your mostly helpful posting of facts, figures, statistics(!), links, and other way more information than could be reasonably expected replies. Also, I'm noticing a lack of boob .gifs lately, you're slacking.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Mark Lawrence - the guy who runs CalSci - is a real-world contender for The Most Interesting Man In The World.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Well, as the Dead said, "A friend of Rotella is a friend of mine".
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psgv1rmsqo.png
took it off road...and...liked it
unlike a couple weeks ago, the speeds here were much lower...it was turn after turn, so you'd be in 1st/2nd mostly
obviously in higher speed, knarlier stuff, it would suck...but I am perfectly capable handling it here
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psikqxntrw.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfi0iti05.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psklw9lv6t.jpg
picked up a screw and needed a plug to finish the day...need a kit and pump to keep in the top case ASAP!
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Along with a few inches of snow, temps were 0-20 in the region with winds gusting to 40mph no pics from this side....
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
ha, yup...parents sent me a pic of their deck...and it's still falling
be safe peeps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPJA...ature=youtu.be
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Thoughts on it so far?
Seems like you are enjoying it. Cheap versatile bike.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
"I dunno...I guess so."
Reluctantly...
If I sell the FZR and keep this, will you guys stop giving me crap for riding old POS bikes? :lol:
(And no, I will never ever sell the yz250 ever, ever)
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
first poker run complete!
was definitely really cool...keep the desert and dust out of the way, and just enjoy a coastal cruise with good views and nice people...nice and close too! home for lunch
started at LB BMW...tons of people there
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pswjczz5sx.png
drew my first card and took off
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psbuwb9fk8.png
the route called for a loop towards San Pedro...but I took a slight "detour" as this was a dual sport event LOL
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psu0bkdbzr.png
long beach's finest single track LOL
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshvlzjfmc.png
onwards to the 2nd stop: the queen mary!
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psmms6b2pz.png
got my 2nd card:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psiwbvv0pv.png
and a cruise down ocean boulevard/2nd street
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psknxcpngt.png
to Malarkey's for stop number 3
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps9iqpwx8x.png
then a quick change of pants
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshrczrf7a.png
and slab to stop #4
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psquwsegjc.png
pair of 4's LOL
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfql0lt6f.png
then stop 5
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psaliex4s2.png
for the last, losing card LOL
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psgh1kzkdb.png
then talking to the organizers, realized I missed the better roads...and went back to cruise them
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pszosceh4r.png
ferry ride being my favorite
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfbobnvzz.png
then a ride up PCH back up to LBC
- - - Updated - - -
gotta say, cruising down the coast at 50mph, the DL is a dream
the YZ sucks
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
AAAnd my front suspension is officially shot...
It was leaky when I got the bike, but I was unsure how long I could ride it out. Felt fine at first, but got a little wobbly Saturday night as I rode home from an insomniacs entertainment rave an hour away in San Bernardino (which was amazing!!)
Took the same on ramp as I do every morning today and the bars slowly oscillated side to side through the whole turn...Now every pavement imperfection and it will slowly wobble.
Not safe anymore...Sent an email to RG3 to get it serviced...Will likely pull the forks off, but only off 1 day this week, so will have to drop off next week at the earliest
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
How much do you weigh? For being such a pack mule the VStrom seems undersprung: supposedly the target was a 170lb rider.
Spring upgrades are pretty cheap: got mine from Sonic. Had some questions and the guy emailed me from a tent in Alaska!
There was a guy called Sasquatch on Advrider who would rebuild and respring the rear shock, which was a lot cheaper than an aftermarket unit.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
148lbs
lucky for me, most bikes are "sprung for my weight" right out of the box...so I likely just needs seals/oil/service
even luckier (?) for me - my forks aren't toast yet - my rear tire was down to 5psi !
we did a trail side plug a couple weeks ago when I went up the mountain...although I couldn't hear it, I'm sure it's losing air...after an overnight fill up, it was flat in the morning. Re-plugged the tire with an automotive kit, bought a tire pressure gauge, and am going to watch it.
I was going to grab the tires iglu mentioned...but my front is aight...may just get another matching rear, and run it until both front/rear are toast then go to street tires.
also side note: finally got the sticking brake pedal. Got my snap ring pliers and greased the pivot (greywolf has a tutorial somewhere)
and between flat rear tires, and inflating/deflating to go off road, I finally pulled the trigger on a pump
got this one:
https://webshop.cashconverters.com.a...inflator-0.jpg
w' an awl/plug combo
and a generic $40 motorcycle toolkit...
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....aL._SS110_.jpg
ditched the saddle bags...made the bike questionably too wide for lane splitting...
will likely keep fins and a wetsuit in a saddle bag - planning to body surf this summer before moving to surfing...then just put a wetsuit on the right saddle bag, and surfboard rack on the left side of the bike :hellyeah:
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Those air pumps will fit under the seat on a V-Strom.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
breakdirt916
148lbs
lucky for me, most bikes are "sprung for my weight" right out of the box...so I likely just needs seals/oil/service
Most bikes are sprung for my weight too, at least until I throw the other leg over the saddle..
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
^^ Ohhhhh snap!!
Worked farther than usual today so I took the long way home and did a 90 min coastal cruise on the way back
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshhn2axx5.jpg
Gosh diggity dang
This is GREAT bike for cruising Pacific coast highway
30-60mph...Not about the speed...Just low rpm's thumping along...Take in the view, the scents, and just avoid the idiots...Super calm, super peaceful, very Zen.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
It's a solid bike.
Get the PR4's for tires. You won't regret it.
While the forks are off, check/change the steering head bearing to a tapered roller via AllBalls.
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
The Bridgestone T30 Evo's have a $50 manufacturer rebate if you buy by tomorrow (3/31). Just bought a set for my Tiger Explorer
I'm coming from PR4's (great tires)
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Thanks for the tips!
Not quite ready to buy yet
Took her back for some light off road again
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...pstdgzzhu5.jpg
I finally hit a show stopper: ground clearance.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psawhlxdse.png
jammed the skid plate in this bump/rut...bike stuck, engine stalled
had to wobble front and back until I could steer it to the right and paddle walk it out...was scared AF to drop it!
Backing it off a bit off road...
Then hit the street, and made the sunset at Newport Beach.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdnwoxljl.jpg
another coastal cruise home...the smell of the bonfires along huntington beach :wub:
All in all a good 2 hours after work :hellyeah:
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps37omtck2.jpg
I couldn't
Could barely get a chug in top gear with the fastest running start I could get...Called AAA and got it jump started in 20 mins
Left the key in "on" for 20 mins or so...So I don't think the R/R is up yet
However, after a 20 min ride, it did not fire right up, but rather slowly chugged...Not sure if I didn't ride long enough? EDIT: brought battery inside, battery tended it 4 hours, and bike is back to normal
Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916
Quote:
Originally Posted by
breakdirt916
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps37omtck2.jpg
I couldn't
Could barely get a chug in top gear with the fastest running start I could get...Called AAA and got it jump started in 20 mins
Left the key in "on" for 20 mins or so...So I don't think the R/R is up yet
However, after a 20 min ride, it did not fire right up, but rather slowly chugged...Not sure if I didn't ride long enough? EDIT: brought battery inside, battery tended it 4 hours, and bike is back to normal
Do you have a voltmeter? I'm concerned your battery isn't charging properly. I have one of these and it's handy:
http://www.batterymart.com/merchant2...ze_540x540.jpg
I just plug it into the regular SAE lead that hangs off the battery for my Battery Tender. The VFRs are notorious for charging issues...