Tweaking my Suzuki V Strom 650

DavidFL

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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!

You can turn the lights off.
The default setting is for the lights to come on in low beam, when you turn the ignition on; but you can manually turn the lights off.
They don't have to be on all the time.

Exactly what failed - the lights or the switch?
 

Oddvar

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It happened the day before I left for work. No time to check it out.
The yellow glass plate was missing on one light so maybe I hit something. But nothing visible.
Will give an update once I am back. Amazing lights, when working.
2020-03-19 20.50.23.jpg
 
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DavidFL

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

Enter the Loboo XHP70-2 spotlights
View attachment 136010

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

View attachment 136012

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.

View attachment 136011

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.

A bit of a comparison for those who maybe interested.
Coming home from a Mekong Pizza night @ the GT, riding on R1290, Paradise road.

East of Kiu Khan & looking down towards the Mekong

With LoBoo high beam only
upload_2020-7-1_0-50-0.png


With the Loboo high beam + Mach1 High Beam on together
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Plenty of good light to still ride at a decent pace.

Further long, ascending the big hill after the Paradise Road sign, en route to the View Coffee
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Loboo lights - high beam only

Loboo High Beam + Mach1 High Beam
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Mach 1 High beam only. No Loboo
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The visibility could actually be increased if did not use the yellow filter on the Loboo, but used both white lights.
However I have a strong fancy for the yellow filter because it is much easier to be seen in the day, it gets used all the time & left on at night. I have not yet felt the need to run the white lens when I have the Mach1 lights on, but maybe on a long night ride that will change.
 
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DavidFL

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1st July 2020 @ 154,832 kms
Fitted a new front axle & right front rotor.

upload_2020-7-2_23-22-13.png


A couple of weeks ago whilst fitting a new front tyre @ Ban Chang in Chiang Rai we picked up on a very slightly bent front axle & warped front right brake disc.
Not seriously noticeable, but for a few weeks I'd been aware of more vibrations coming from the front end & I'd originally put that down to the front tyre which had 20,000 kms up on it & was nearing the end of it's life, so I thought.
But whilst fitting the new tyre it was apparent that there must be a slight kink in the front axle, because as the axle nuts were being tightened up you could see the wheel alignment moving.

When did all this happen?
Probably with the Chinese truck accident 42,000 kms ago is my guess. I think.

It's incredible what a difference it makes now.
The front wheel is now firmly planted on the road & the bike steers so much better and precise.
And indeed it's funny how you get used to your bike being off a bit, and as it drops over time you just get used to. That's the way it is, get on it & ride it.
After the truck crash repairs, it was never perfect or the same as before, but it was reasonably close & I could still ride the bike quite well. The 42,000 kms since the accident proves that!

Bring on the 200,000 kms. Only another 45,000 kms to go.
 

DavidFL

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The handlebar pouch put on at about 10,000 kms / September 2015
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Worn out at 170,00 kms / December 2020.
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This has been the most useful accessory I have on my bike; however with covid-19 & international shipping a nightmare it has deterred me from ordering another one from Canada.
So, the solution was to get a copy made locally. Hey presto:
1609403558823.png

and for a mere 1,000 baht I'm very happy.
Let the good times roll in 2021.
 

DavidFL

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Checking for a pin hole radiator leak & it got worse @ 171,000 kms

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Fixed with some epoxy steel
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So looking for a back up 2nd hand radiator.
A new one is 11,500 baht & 2-3 months on back order.
Any ideas or offers?

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DavidFL

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Bike sold @ 176,113 kms genuine, well ridden kms.
The price 80,000 baht for a quick sale.


1625127144907.png


 
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claudiajohnston

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1,000 kms up..after 2 full days use

View attachment 78439

So what does it feel like compared to the Versys (& Africa Twin)

Funnily enough the first time I rode the bike was out of the show room!

I had never even test ridden the bike......but the Vstrom always felt so good, comfortable sitting on the bike that I knew it would not be a problem to ride.

So after plonking down my cash & signing the papers it was time to ride the bike for the first time!

Out of the showroom & into R107 we went.

When I first sat on & actually rode the bike I felt as if I was sitting on top of the bike, not on it or in it.

The handlebars are a wider feel a bit like a chopper.

View attachment 78440

1,000 kms up & it no longer feels like you’re sitting on top of the bike, but the I'd prefer narrower bars & will research what the options are.

The instrument panel set up is superior to the Versys & you hardly need to lower your eyes to see what is going on.

The horn is pathetic & would not even move a mouse.

I love that Vtwin motor – the sound, the low down torque, smoother power delivery than the Versys, although perhaps not as quick acceleration wise.

Amazing miserly fuel consumption = 24.5 kms to the litre. My dear beloved Africa Twin only used to get 12-15 -17 kms a litre. On the Vstrom the fuel warning light came on at 375 kms & I fuelled up at 382 kms for the first tank of fuel = you can get 400 kms per tank, which is enough for me in this region. No need to carry extra fuel whatsoever https://www.motorcyclescreens.eu/en/motorcycle-windshields-for-suzuki/790-suzuki-dl-650-v-strom-2017-2023-touring-windscreen-windshield.

View attachment 78441

The fairing in standard set up was / is poor & it needs tweaking. In the rain I found it pretty much useless. On the Versys the MRA fairing was perfect & riding the Versys in the wet you hardly seemed to get wet; despite looking smaller than the AT fairing the MRA fairing on the Versys performed a lot better than the AT fairing. Whether I get an MRA fairing for the Vstrom remains to be scene, as I will first have a go at adjusting the standard fairing & then if that does not work try a MadStad Adjustable Windshield Mount. And if that does not work an MRA fairing will be the way to go.

View attachment 78442

The Vstrom has fantastic lights & it looks like I’m going to enjoy some night riding again. The lights on my AT were brilliant, but not on the Versys, despite fitting better bulbs & extra lights – I never felt the lights on the Versys were good enough. But the lights on the Vstrom are a winner.

View attachment 78443

I was forced to take cover for 45 minutes from a frightening electrical storm & torrential rain in Chiang Muan & never got into Mae Sai until 9pm that night, but with the Vstrom lights cruising at 120 kph I still felt safe with a clear view of the road ahead. I already have some LED driving lights to go on, so night riding is going to be awesome once again.

View attachment 78444

Seat height seem to be lower & require less effort to lift your leg over. But I note that my knees seemed to ache a little more than usual after a 3-hr nonstop ride from Doi Mae Salong to Chiang Mai & I sincerely hope this is not going to be a problem. The Africa Twin was a big winner here.

View attachment 78445
The bike frame on the Vtsrom is bigger than on the Versys & is going to be more suitable to touring & carrying luggage.

The seat is bigger more comfortable & going to be nice for some two-up touring.

Oddly enough with the wider handlebars & slightly different position the palms of my hands seemed to ache a little – time to toughen up a bit more perhaps. Or get some softer grips.

The Vstrom gearbox is a slick & totally unlike the Versys clunker. What a pleasure that is, snicking it up & down through the gears with that Vtwin motor.

The bike does not have a radiator temp gauge or a voltmeter so I will be getting a TrailTech striker gauge.

View attachment 78446

The 19 inch front wheel is superior to the Versys 17 incher, absorbing most the bumps without a whimper. Oh for a “real bike - Africa Twin - with a 21 inch front wheel” again. The steering is not as quick & I note that I ran slightly wide quite a few times in some corners.

More top come as time goes by..but so far all good. There is no doubt too that the build quality - made in Japan - is better than the build quality on the Versys.
Does anybody know if a decent-looking windshield is available for the 05 650N model?