2006 DL1000. I adjusted the valves at 15,000 miles; four were slightly tight. I just finished checking them again at 30,000 and they're all within spec. and not more that .001 mm different from where I set them the first time. I'm thinking about never checking them again, or at least waiting until 60,000. What's the opinion of the inmates?

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If you get to it...
and you can't do it...
then there you jolly-well are,
aren't you?
---Lord Buckley---

I'm a fan of checking them at least ever 20k. It's not hard to do, and while the odds are they're fine, do you really want to run the risk of a tight exhaust valve? Cost/benefit, risk/reward ratios, and all that.

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Rich Desmond
'07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '99 SV650 (race bike), '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350, '08 Ducati 848

On my 2011 DL650 I did a valve check at 15,000 miles and again at 30,000 miles. They were in spec at the first check and were exactly the same clearance at the second.

I'll still be checking every 15,000 miles. Otherwise, I'd agonize over not knowing if they were right or not...

Ron

Since Wee riders are butting in, I did three checks on my old Wee by 50,000 miles. In that time, one exhaust valve had closed by one leaf on the gauge. I got tired of checking and moved all clearances to between middle and wide on the range and didn't go back in. The Wee doesn't move as much as the Vee though.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

I set my Vee's clearances at or near the maximums at around 50,000 miles (I bought it at 45K). All but one were tight so it had obviously been neglected for a while.

I just checked at 80,000 miles, and none of the clearances have moved at all. I guess I'll check it again at 100,000.

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2002 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, Dark Metallic Space Blue
1983 Suzuki GS850G, Cosmic Blue
2005 KLR650, Aztec Red - Turd II, the ReTurdening

Checked at 15,000 miles. Two slightly tight. Thought about it again at 40,000 miles but had something better to do. Worried a little at 60,000 and got over it quickly. I am now at 78,000 miles and have quit even thinking about it. Maybe around 100,000 miles I will worry about it again.

However, if the bike ever fails to start quickly as normal or develops a decel stumble, I may check again.

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2007 Blue SuperVee 1000
2002 White HD Road King Police
2000 Red Honda XR 400r
2003 Green Honda Rincon 650 ATV

If it is not broken, it can still be fixed

Thanks for the input. So, the opinions vary; just as I thought. No horror stories though. I guess I'll go with my instinct and check them at least once more somewhere around 60,000. I'll let you know what I find. Don't wait up. It will be awhile.

__________________
If you get to it...
and you can't do it...
then there you jolly-well are,
aren't you?
---Lord Buckley---