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2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

  1. #176

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    actually, I found the tops of legs

    seem to get coldest from the wind ...but I've found it's pretty common on most of my bikes



    I always enjoy a good night run to pretend that I'm racing the baja 1000

    felt pretty comfortable holding more speed, but something in my head told me no more than 35...I just envisioned hitting a bump, having handlebars twist and the front tire land crooked/skid, causing all 500+lbs to go down. nope...slow is fine.

    Rear tire is pretty flat in the middle (down to the wear bars) and I rode just fine for the light fire road deal...convinced me that I'd be fine on a PR4/PR5 setup for 2018. Hopefully I only have to change tires once (or consider a dark side rear).

    still, starting 2018 with a dirt ride - nice!

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  2. #177
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    I appreciate your enthusiasm

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  3. #178
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    When you do your tires, consider doing front/rear wheel bearings while you have the wheels off.

    I lost one of my front wheel bearings a while back, around 30k. Had just replaced the front wheel, wished I did it all at once. May as well, AllBalls kits with bearings/seals are cheap.

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  4. #179

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by TheIglu View Post
    When you do your tires, consider doing front/rear wheel bearings while you have the wheels off.

    I lost one of my front wheel bearings a while back, around 30k. Had just replaced the front wheel, wished I did it all at once. May as well, AllBalls kits with bearings/seals are cheap.
    yeah, yeah...it's due for r&r all around...the steering head bearings/forks wiggle crossing painted lines or any pavement imperfection at speed...

    trying to decide if I want to do the maintenance for 2018 or just move on to another bike

    Quote Originally Posted by TheIglu View Post
    You really sound like you'd be happy with the new Honda Adv Twin, aside from the cost.
    finally rode it today, and yes...yes, I would...but it would just replace the vstrom...not the YZ/vstrom combo

    the only way I'd drop the YZ/Vstrom at this point is when I'm older (and/or body gives out...whichever comes first) and I'm completely past serious off-road torture rides on 2 wheels, then maybe replace the YZ with a Rhino/Teryx and change up the Vstrom to the AT. I also imagine I'd have a more comfortable living situation in the future in terms of garage/storage on site...right now the vstrom is street parked in da hood and yz is outdoors/patio under a cover (although I could drop it to a shed at another location, but it's inconvenient)

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  5. #180
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    I just turned 70

    I have a DL1000 and a DRZ250 just stay in shape

    In August spent a week riding Yellowstone and the Beartooth (recommended) throttle steering the switch backs and I was the youngest of the three

    Crashed into a rock garden in October slow to heal ( knee was a watermelon) but the thought of hanging it up never occurred

    When I considered being an active motorcyclist and cheap I usually bought a new bike every 7 years
    That seemed to give sufficient technological growth to justify a change

    YOLO

    Modern Adventure bikes are just the classic universal Japanese motorcycles renamed .... which is wonderful

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    Last edited by Stromper; 01-04-18 at 10:52 AM.
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  6. #181
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by Stromper View Post
    Modern Adventure bikes are just the classic universal Japanese motorcycles renamed .... which is wonderful
    yep

    '81 Yamaha Xv920r


    30 years later Suzuki V-strom 1000


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  7. #182

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Oh heyyyyy Randyo!!

    How do you feel about a Darkside on a dl650??

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  8. #183
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by breakdirt916 View Post
    Oh heyyyyy Randyo!!

    How do you feel about a Darkside on a dl650??
    I've seen it done, with a 205/50-17, or a 205/55-17 . I did it as winter experiment and had no initial intentions of running it year round, but without a spare wheel, I ended up running it year round, Other than saving me a ton of money and the fact that it was phenomenal in snow & ice, it wasn't any better or worse than the compromise between a full on sport street tire and a dirt knobby. Does it handle different ? ya, but no more than that full on sport street tire, and the dirt knobby, Now I got that spare rear wheel, and the darkside is only a winter thing for me

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  9. #184

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    I think I'm going to do it...I understand chain clearance is pretty minimal, so mixed reports on clearance...more reports on the Vee, not the Wee...and everyone directs their reports to you LOL

    how come nobody just runs a narrower tire?

    I saw a 195/45/17 on tire rack

    and any recommendations on a california tire?

    I usually don't ride in anything under 30...mostly 40-90

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  10. #185
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    I think 1 time I saw a 190 maybe from crocker

    - - - Updated - - -

    I think 1 time I saw a 190 maybe from coker (sp)

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  11. #186

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by TheIglu View Post
    When you do your tires, consider doing front/rear wheel bearings while you have the wheels off.

    I lost one of my front wheel bearings a while back, around 30k. Had just replaced the front wheel, wished I did it all at once. May as well, AllBalls kits with bearings/seals are cheap.
    WAIT

    What does a failing wheel bearing sound like?

    I have an intermittent chirp from the front end that I can't reproduce intentionally that only occurs above 40ish and continues if I idle the engine RPM's at speed

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  12. #187
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    No idea. I just got more road noise.

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  13. #188

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    I will later elevate the front wheel and check for play...but as long as the outer races aren't gouging the wheels, I should be able to get away with just new bearings...will order front/rear bearings and steering head bearings tonight

    January goals:
    -f/r wheel bearings
    -new f/r tires (dark side rear?)
    -12v plug/waterproofed/cell phone charger
    -hand clean bike
    -sargent seat re-covered

    February Goals:
    -Eastern Beaver headlight kit
    -LED lights up front on crash bars
    -P3 tail/brake light bulbs
    -heated grips
    -some sort of cruise control
    -steering head bearings

    March/April
    -front forks - they're leaking - spring them, new seals, etc.
    -touring trips - possibly Nevada/Vegas area before the desert gets too hot.

    As a matter of fact, once a month I feel like I should day trip somewhere new - Santa Barbara, Joshua Tree (on road), San Diego (area), up PCH along the coast, get lunch and come home. Use the Vstrom beyond the commuting duties.

    The question is now, where should I go in January? (after getting tires mounted)

    EDIT: battery dead at Starbucks.



    well, at least I have my handy dandy battery voltage monitor by Battery Tender . Plugged it in to assess voltage.

    Nope, voltage monitor tool is broken.

    uber'd home with battery to charge it. Multi-meter said 12.4ish volts before hooking up to tender.

    NEW January goal - Charge battery. Figure out why battery is dying...again. Find that LED flashy voltage monitor thingie and install it so I can know when battery voltage is dropping before it's dead. Then, say "F-it" and buy a new Africa Twin. jk jk. I'm too cheap.

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-07-18 at 02:58 AM.
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  14. #189
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by breakdirt916 View Post
    I think I'm going to do it...I understand chain clearance is pretty minimal, so mixed reports on clearance...more reports on the Vee, not the Wee...and everyone directs their reports to you LOL

    how come nobody just runs a narrower tire?

    I saw a 195/45/17 on tire rack

    and any recommendations on a california tire?

    I usually don't ride in anything under 30...mostly 40-90
    stock 150/70 = 105 mm tall tire section

    205/50 = 102.5 mm tall tire section 205/55 = 112.75 mm tall tire section

    195/45 = 87.75 mm SHORT tire section, I guess, if you like to scrape hardware, don't mind higher risk of bunged up wheels

    it's not that the recommendation is for a wider tire, it isn't, the recommendation is for a comparable height tire, cruisers that have 15" or 16" rear wheels have an easy time finding narrower tires, in 17" to get narrower tires you have to go to Coker tires, but they are expensive, and being bias replica tires for antique cars of the 1920's & '30s, defeat any purpose of going to the darkside

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  15. #190
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    FYI on USB ports. Wanted to wire mine always on, but it had an LED that stayed on and helped flatten the battery over days. Now it’s with key, unless I find a round one without it.

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  16. #191
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    USB port on my SV flattened the battery pretty quick without anything plugged into it. Ripped that hunk of shit off and tossed it in the trash. No issues since.

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  17. #192
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Any bearing

    put your fingers IN the inner race move it like 180 degrees ANY yes ANY feeling of notchyness bearing toast

    ALL vstrom cush hub (outermost under sprocket) bearings are suspect as off center loading is a ridiculous design

    I think all balls are ok but they are ALL metric bearing OD ID Width with double seals... thats the bearing

    Both Stromtroopers and VSRI have threads on Vstrom Bearing sizes, just replace cushhub bearing

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    The calculus of hate

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    It is not that I should live it is that you should die

  18. #193

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Well, I did it again LOL

    -on 5 freeway when bike got wobbly...I knew this feeling- the rear tire was flat.
    -limped to a gas station - their air machine out of order. I tried the slime pump but it didn't add enough air for the tire to no inflate to hear the air leak.10:30pm
    -limped to another gas station, air machine works but in downtown/industrial LA it's not free...you have to pay $1.50 in quarters (isn't it free by law?). Gas station attendant closing down...only has $1 in quarters left (yeah, right??) ..I have $0.50 on me so I fill up the tire to find the leak. Gas station attendant closes up.
    -saw the screw, pulled it out, plugged it up.


    -connected the slime pump with bike running and tried to air it up the rest of the way...after a few minutes didn't see a differenceim tire appearance. Pulled out key to open top case and put all my crap away (tools, pump, etc.).
    -turned key in bike, battery dead. Grrreat.

    I will tell ya...slauson Ave in LA is shady as $hit. Good thing I have a Vstrom with a torn seat. Got an Uber pool home for $15 and getting the truck...will save my AAA tows for later.

    2nd plug on this tire and wanted a new tire the last time I plugged it.... Time to finally let this one go, get a Darkside and be done with it.

    So far, of the last 4 bike nights I have been to, I got flats at 2 of them. Hmm...maybe a sign no more bike nights. Or I just ride a lot (in an urban area) so there will be road debris and it will happen. Bring a plug, run the bike at 3,000 rpm before turning on the pump...our just bring a plug and use a gas station pump. Bring a roll of quarters. LOL

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-14-18 at 02:34 AM.
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  19. #194
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    The roll of quarters not a bad idea

    If the tire has run enough to break the bead then a little slime pump probably wont inflate, If you examine
    the tire you may be able to push it into the rim so the air catches then inflates.

    If you are worried then


    ride on sealant - Google Search

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    The calculus of hate

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    It is not that I should live it is that you should die

  20. #195

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Tbh, I have never broken the bead... it's pretty strong, even with 0psi



    It's like being in a big kid store...soon freaking huge (2nd only yo Bert's Mega Mall)...best to know exactly what you want before you get there

    Today:
    -front tire: Shinko 705(?) $44
    -rear tire: Shinko 712 (?) $61

    My experience is that all Moto rear tires waste away at 4,000 (for soft sportbike) to 8,000 miles (if you are lucky). The Darkside would certainly last longer, but I just fear in any accident (with my luck that's not even my fault) an insurance inspector would see a car tire and use it against me. Might as well just run Shinko's... because even if I replace them a little more often, ~$100 a SET makes it hurt way less.

    Rear 705 is down to the cords and smells like burned rubber when I stop at lights... definitely needs to get done today. Front (over 14,000 miles) is getting done too...hoping to get 2 rears for every front.

    Also got a 13t, spare shift lever, and UHD rear tube for the YZ250

    42,254 miles for new front/rear tires

    EDIT: wow I never swapped front and rear at the same time....this is sketchy AF

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-19-18 at 04:55 PM.

  21. #196
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Those are bias ply ???

    My brother runs radial 705

    Are you mounting them for the first time...... get someone to help

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    The calculus of hate

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    It is not that I succeed it is that you fail
    It is not that I should live it is that you should die

  22. #197

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Oh shoot...maybe LOL

    In the tire jungle at Chaparral, I saw a 705 and grabbed it...maybe that's why it was so cheap

    Oh well...I don't care...handles fine...and way better than a 14,000 mile tourance

    And no I didn't mount it myself...local shop is $20/tire off the bike

    Felt sketchy to have two *new* tires on chilly morning pavement...felt like riding on glass

    That part is over though...racked up 150+ miles over the past couple days so I am scrubbed up and ready to go

    Good news: bike falls into turns again! Tire not squared off

    Bad news: the worn out steering head bearings are now even more evident. Bars lightly want to drift side to side at random...that and fork seals are definitely in order over the next couple months

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-20-18 at 10:34 PM.
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  23. #198
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
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    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Quote Originally Posted by breakdirt916 View Post
    but I just fear in any accident (with my luck that's not even my fault) an insurance inspector would see a car tire and use it against me.
    fear mongers have got to you, eh!

    you would be the first to be denied coverage

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  24. #199

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    Yup lol...socal is pretty crowded... traffic is bad... accidents happen often and everyone is looking to blame someone else.

    Tires already installed...250 miles done since Friday...now all I think about is the front wheel bearings, steering head bearings, leaky front fork seals, and new sprocket area oil leak...countershaft seal? Clutch push rod seal?

    Ugh...my friend was right...buy, ride 10k miles, and sell it LOL. But I have a touring bike, so might as well get fresh wear items, tour with it, then sell and move on to a Meyers manx buggy for a year...then... Harley? Sv650 with top case? Triple? Hyper?

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-22-18 at 01:31 AM.
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  25. #200

    Re: 2007 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - breakdirt916

    went to power wash station, hosed all the oil reside off. Pulled off sprocket cover...took off stator cover...hand cleaned the gasket surfaces (used a couple swipes of super fine wet sanding on the areas where a very tiny amount of gasket remained on the surfaces)...made sure the surfaces were immaculate...put on a new stator cover gasket, and rode it.

    same leak, still there. I wiped everything down again, pulled off the peg/shifter/sprocket cover, started it again, and watched...turns out it's actually coming from the grommet where the stator wiring harness comes through!

    the rubber grommet actually came manufactured too fat...it doesn't fit out the box. Google showed this as a common issue with this aftermarket stator, and previous owners calls to the company went like this: "Trim it, if you mess it up, you can return it"...so I just trimmed it without calling...but maybe I did not do it so well...and it recently started getting worse

    oh well...going to try and smooth it out, lay down some yamabond, let it dry overnight, and see if it will hold

    oil change done and I have an open quart...so after the "repair" I'll top it off and hopefully be done. Wheel bearings in hand...may attempt Wednesday. I have 5 more full days off this month so I should definitely have my maintenance goals met.

    EDIT: now FI light on dash

    One step forward, two steps backwards...this bike is definitely out by summer.

    Need to get into dealer mode to see the code...

    FAQ: Dealer Mode & FI Error Codes

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    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-23-18 at 12:27 AM.
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