Opinions on V-Stroms

[nhbubba]

Mmm, dirt roads.

[nhbubba]

There is some mud to be found off of 126 up there 'round Barnstead way.

From the no-shit-sherlock department: TCX S-Race boots are neither waterproof nor mudproof.

[nhbubba]

...an Elka.

Installed the shock last week. Took me a couple nights as I've got 400 other things going right now as well. That and they shipped me the shock with the reservoir hose fitting oriented wrong.

But I've got a couple miles on the bike now.. I think I'm going to have fun this season!

[gregp]

My wife and I took my new 2012 DL-650 out for its Maiden Voyage yesterday. It was cold and windy, but the bike was *amazing*. Quiet, smooth, plenty powerful enough, and quite comfortable. The bars should come back a bit, and the windscreen does not work very well, but overall, we loved it. I would never think of taking it any more off-road than a smooth dirt road or cart road. Maybe I am just too accustomed to "real dirt bikes", but the DL feels every bit like a street bike to me. We did roll into a few dirt parking area's off of RT 122, and it was fine. LOL.

[Stromper]

What was the bottom line on the elka shock ?

[nhbubba]

A lot. Was it worth it? Jury is still out. I'll let you know next fall.

[TheIglu]

My wife and I took my new 2012 DL-650 out for its Maiden Voyage yesterday. It was cold and windy, but the bike was *amazing*. Quiet, smooth, plenty powerful enough, and quite comfortable. The bars should come back a bit, and the windscreen does not work very well, but overall, we loved it. I would never think of taking it any more off-road than a smooth dirt road or cart road. Maybe I am just too accustomed to "real dirt bikes", but the DL feels every bit like a street bike to me. We did roll into a few dirt parking area's off of RT 122, and it was fine. LOL.

I found the bars to be too far forward as well. Rox Risers fixed that quickly.

MadStad adjustable windshield bracket solved the buffetting issue as well.

[TheIglu]

I took my Wee out for the first ride of the year Sunday. Only did about 30 miles, but it was nice none the less.

First ride on the new full custom Russel Day Long saddle.

OH MY GOD

Tall, REAL tall now. Now I am completely tippy toe on it, to the point that I'll have to lower the bike if my wife wants to hop on (which is half the reason for the Russel, so she's more comfortable).

It is more comfortable for my ass than sitting in my comphy office chair. Really. Going to be a huge improvement over even the decent Vee 1000 seat I had on there.

Still need to do emulators and an Elka, wire in a relay proper for external power and get a Cal Sci or Givi windscreen. The stock screen was great with the Vee seat and the Madstad but I'm just a hair higher now in the Russel and it may buffet a bit. Then it's time for skid plate/crash bars and hard luggage out back. Already have the cheapie hard tail box but the panniers would be a nice addition.

[nhbubba]

You have a Vee seat? Looking to get rid of it?

I did the emulators and springs in the forks the first winter I had the bike. I honestly believe the springs were 70% of the battle. If I were you, I'd order the springs today.

I am starting to itch for larger panniers. The E21's are great for commuting, but somehow I fill 'em up quick. Maybe I just need to pack less crap.

[RandyO]

A lot. Was it worth it? Jury is still out. I'll let you know next fall.

about the same as I paid for my WP shock, worth it ...... every penny, yes , I don't recall the exact price of my shock, but my total bill from Factory Connection was $1400 for the rear shock, fork springs and rebound valves for the fork

[TheIglu]

You have a Vee seat? Looking to get rid of it?

I did the emulators and springs in the forks the first winter I had the bike. I honestly believe the springs were 70% of the battle. If I were you, I'd order the springs today.

I am starting to itch for larger panniers. The E21's are great for commuting, but somehow I fill 'em up quick. Maybe I just need to pack less crap.

My Vee seat is now my Russel. Got a spare wee seat though....

I did springs and tapered steering head bearings before I ever registered the bike. Just need emulators and an Elka now.

[Garandman]

What was the bottom line on the elka shock ?

There was a "group buy" on Stromtrooper for $995. Looks like they've gone up to $1,145.

Penske doesn't seem to make one configured for the V-Strom.

[nhbubba]

Blair's group buy is basically the same as his SVRacing parts price. They are effectively the same. I waited quite a while for a special price.. finally gave up waiting.

My Vee seat is now my Russel. Got a spare wee seat though....

I did springs and tapered steering head bearings before I ever registered the bike. Just need emulators and an Elka now.

Sounds like you are most of the way there.

I have a wee seat. Someday I need to try another seat out.. or just make a pricey decision blind, like I usually do.

But the seat is the next big ticket item on my list. Probably next winter.

I don't recall the exact price of my shock, but my total bill from Factory Connection was $1400 for the rear shock, fork springs and rebound valves for the fork

I'm into the upgrades for less than that. Although maybe not WELL less than that.

I've only had the bike out for a few quick local errands and I still need to set the sag. But the way it eats potholes is noticeably better.

[RandyO]

I'm into the upgrades for less than that. Although maybe not WELL less than that.

I've only had the bike out for a few quick local errands and I still need to set the sag. But the way it eats potholes is noticeably better.

I know I coulda purchased the shock & springs cheaper but chose to go thru a local vendor

[nhbubba]

And I wanted something more common, less one off.

Two paths, same shitting-eating grins, hopefully.

[Stromper]

I assume we have covered lowering the triple tree and fork braces

[TheIglu]

I don't believe fork braces do all that much in a properly setup fork. I'd welcome proof otherwise.

[jasnmar]

Have a discussion with PK about fork braces.

[Chippertheripper]

Anybody go reverse direction from an sv as a platform?

[nhbubba]

Oh yeah? I swear my brace cut the vibes on the highway, made the bike more solid.

[jasnmar]

I have a brace as well on the 'wing. Couldn't stand the deflection when doing low speed stuff in the parking lots when I "fling" the front wheel around.

PK sat in during part of the ARC I attended and talked about how a fork brace didn't allow the suspension to behave in the way that it was designed. Of course the brace will cause stiction as well. He specifically mentioned this to John and I, as we were both running braces on our wings, where actually have 2 different suspensions in the 2 different forks and were designed to act as an entire unit. We're adding a "shunt" to the control system that was designed without actually understanding how it was designed or what the impact of it is.

Opinions vary. Max, from Traxxion Dynamics makes the fork brace I run, so your bike, your choice. I'm still running mine.

[nhbubba]

The stiction thing I buy: meh.. I'll take that bad with the good.

I don't get the shunt view though. There is no designed flex in the fork bodies, is there? Or is the 'wing suspension that much different than mine. The DL650 front end is good ol' damper rod forks installed right-side-up.

[jasnmar]

There is no designed flex in the fork bodies, is there?

According to the statement PK made, in some cases there certainly is.

All of this, is of course beyond my basic understanding of statics from ~20 years ago. As soon as shit started bending in college I decided I'd stick with something explainable like Maxwell's equations

[TheIglu]

I have a brace as well on the 'wing. Couldn't stand the deflection when doing low speed stuff in the parking lots when I "fling" the front wheel around.

PK sat in during part of the ARC I attended and talked about how a fork brace didn't allow the suspension to behave in the way that it was designed. Of course the brace will cause stiction as well. He specifically mentioned this to John and I, as we were both running braces on our wings, where actually have 2 different suspensions in the 2 different forks and were designed to act as an entire unit. We're adding a "shunt" to the control system that was designed without actually understanding how it was designed or what the impact of it is.

Opinions vary. Max, from Traxxion Dynamics makes the fork brace I run, so your bike, your choice. I'm still running mine.

I think it is more specific than universally true, I'd run one on a GL1800 too. Lotta weight on those thin fork tubes. VStrom is a bit different.

[Stromper]

If you properly installed a fork brace, alignment, axle set etc it will reduce the stiction not increase it

The Murphs kit bolt on is 2 pieces so it doesn't force the tube centers

Some frames (GP) are designed to flex so as to provide suspension when healed over in a turn, for all except
Ducatis I believe it is weakness not design