Opinions on V-Stroms

[nhbubba]

What size shims does the SV/DL take anyway. Is there any kind of standard to these? Do all Japanese motorcycles pretty much take the same size shims or something?

I feel like I am the kind of guy that should own a shim kit. Especially if it would fit most of my stuff. But eff that if each model is different.

[nhbubba]

Google ftw. Looks like there is a variety. From the product description for a hot-cams brand kit:

- 9.48mm OD shims kit works in all the major Japanese brand 450cc four strokes with direct-acting cams. The kit includes three 9.48mm OD shims in each size from 1.20mm to 3.50mm in .05mm increments

- 7.48mm OD shims kit works in all the major Japanese brand 250cc four strokes with direct-acting cams. The kit includes three 7.48mm OD shims in each size from 1.20mm to 3.50mm in .05mm increments

- 8.90mm OD shims kit fits all KTM dual-cam machines. The kit includes three 8.90mm OD shims in each size from 1.72mm to 2.60mm in .04mm increments

Sounds like my SV and DL think they are major brand 250cc 4-strokes and I want 7.48mm shims.
Wonder what the DRZ takes.

[Stromper]

Don't forget to MIC them and a lot of times you can move some so you require fewer new ones

[TheIglu]

Neat.

[TheIglu]

Hey-a Randy, how do you like your Caribou/Pelican setup?

What racks do you have? Which cases?

The Tusk ones I ordered still are in the land of backorders, so I cancelled them. All in, the cost is about $100 more for the Caribou system, and they seem a lot nicer. Didn't like that you had to remove the lid and put it down somewhere to get into the Tusk panniers.

[RandyO]

Hey-a Randy, how do you like your Caribou/Pelican setup?

What racks do you have? Which cases?

The Tusk ones I ordered still are in the land of backorders, so I cancelled them. All in, the cost is about $100 more for the Caribou system, and they seem a lot nicer. Didn't like that you had to remove the lid and put it down somewhere to get into the Tusk panniers.

Tusk are aluminum ? subject to more damage than a Pelican case, denting, tearing, if you have a mishap, Pelicans are pretty much indestructable, I have 1550s, they were largest available when I bought mine, side opening can be a PIA but take em off with a twist of the latch and flip em on the side and they are easy to load, or get the optional soft liners

I keep the stuff I always carry with me on the kickstand (downhill) side, that I don't have to access often, tools, spares for the bike, etc. and use the other side case for storing stuff I am accessing on a regular basis like files and jobsite stuff, I do not have a top case. I did buy a 1495 pelican case set up for my 17" laptop that I plan on making my own mount as a topcase, but have not done yet

Originally I wanted aluminum, cause they are more bling and look cooler, but after research, I decided that pelican cases were more practical and better bang for the $$

Roger, the guy that makes the Caribou system stands behind his product, I had a latch that became loose, and he sent me replacement latches for free with just a phone call, also, he changed the rear brace design that was susceptible to damage if the rear wheel bottomed out on it, he also sent me the updated rear brace that the new v-strom system comes with for free at the same time as I got the latches without even asking, when I called about the latch, he asked if I had the old style.

I am told the Caribou system is sturdy enuf to act as a frame/tail protector in the rear in a sliding crash, I have not tested it yet, but had a mild T-bone incident with a car so I believe this to be true

with the 1550 cases, the width at the rear is 39"

this is setup I have Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 (2013 and earlier) 35 Liter Pelican Side Luggage Panniers but it only cost $750 when I bought it in 2007

[TheIglu]

That's the setup I'd be going with, except I already have some Givi racks.

Randy, check these out, it'll make your life easier when opening the side case while still on the bike:



Caribou Case Liners for 35 L Pelican 1550 Side Luggage - Pair


When I order my cases, I'm getting those put in with the order.

[RandyO]

That's the setup I'd be going with, except I already have some Givi racks.

Randy, check these out, it'll make your life easier when opening the side case while still on the bike:



Caribou Case Liners for 35 L Pelican 1550 Side Luggage - Pair


When I order my cases, I'm getting those put in with the order.

yes, I saw them this morning when I went to the caribou site, something that is relatively new option that I wasn't aware of

I see they also run along the hinge area, that is about the only negative I have with the cases, stuff getting caught in the seam when you close the cases (pencils argh!)

with the givi racks, I think is an inch or 2 wider than the caribou racks (so I'm told)

[TheIglu]

I heard the Caribou Racks are actually Hepco Becker. Solid racks. The Givi's I have were used and I got for a deal with some other goodies, otherwise I would of gone for those. They feel flimsy. Should work for what I do though.

[TheIglu]

What do you guys run for Aux lights?

I'd like to toss a couple LED lights on the new crash bars I got. I don't really need any more light for normal riding, but having some nice lights I can aim up/out for our night run at Deal's Gap would be nice. Obviously I'd have to switch them off for oncoming traffic. Other times I can aim them straight ahead for less than the most twisty roads.


Something like this:

Amazon.com: 2x 4" 18w 6 Cree XBD LED SUV Off-road Boat Headlight Spot Driving Fog Light + Mounting Bracket: Automotive



Twisted Throttle has some nice ones, but for $300, I could just hire someone to drive around behind me with a Baja Truck.

[nhbubba]

I don't run aux lights. The DL headlights are more than enough for me. I've found plenty of other things to spend money on instead.

[TheIglu]

I don't run aux lights. The DL headlights are more than enough for me. I've found plenty of other things to spend money on instead.

I don't race anymore


For $25, might make those tight hairpins a bit less of a crapshoot in the dark.

[nhbubba]

Meh, it's your money.

[RandyO]

I heard the Caribou Racks are actually Hepco Becker. Solid racks. The Givi's I have were used and I got for a deal with some other goodies, otherwise I would of gone for those. They feel flimsy. Should work for what I do though.

Caribou racks and Hepco Becker are not the same

Caribou racks are made from square stock tubing, not round tubing like Hepko Becker, also a different configuration, Caribou is tucked in more for a narrower total width

[TheIglu]

Caribou racks and Hepco Becker are not the same

Caribou racks are made from square stock tubing, not round tubing like Hepko Becker, also a different configuration, Caribou is tucked in more for a narrower total width

Which ones do you have?

[RandyO]

I have the Caribou racks, bought the complete system from Caribou early in 2007, apparently things have changed since I bought my system, new systems appear to come with Hepco Becker

[Rossco]

Well, I finally decided to join you knuckleheads. Just picked this up for short money.



'07 Wee with 17k, a madstad, handguards, a topbox and some Jesse Luggage.

[TheIglu]

Time for a Russel Day Long and Rox Risers.

[Chippertheripper]

Don't forget the seat heater too.

[nhbubba]

Goldilocks of street bikes.

[Rossco]

Time for a Russel Day Long and Rox Risers.

Do you need to mod any of the cables to get those risers on?

[TheIglu]

Nope, just unbolt the cable stay down by the steering head.

[number9]

Can you share what you paid? PM if needed..

[Rossco]

Can you share what you paid? PM if needed..

Who, me?

[number9]

Who, me?

Yeah