08 DL1000 Quirks Questions

[PO-SLOKE]

OK guys , I have just rolled over the 2,000 mile mark on my ODO today .
She seems to be running quite well overall but I have a few questions .
I did have the dealer do the TBS and adjust throttle response due to surginng and some popping . It has done fine since . Aside from that , I am curious if there are any woes I should be made aware of with the 08 DL1000's . I have heard and read allot regarding clutch baskets on other year models , but can't seem to find any info on the 08 .
I know it is allot to ask , but if some of you TOP GURU sorts could dial me in on anything should know about the bike as far as what to expect as far as performance goes , I would be grateful .
If there is one thing I had to say I do not like about the bike , is it's extremely hard shifting from 1st to second . Sometimes it sound like hell to say the least . The one thing I can say positive about the way it shifts is the fact that it NEVER half gears on me like Kawasaki's do . When I shift , it goes dead in with a never fail attitude . Nosiy as hell sometimes .
OK . it is occasionally doing something really friggin odd . It appears to intermittent though . Sometimes when I am sitting deal still , and turn the handle bars all the way to the right , it makes this really funky sound . sort of a steely sound . Like you were dragging a platic comb down a corragated wash boars . It isn't really very loud . The first time it did it , I thought it was a noise that something around me had made . The next time , I knew it had to be the bike because it was the same sound in a different location . It doesn't always do it . But does seem to be when it is warmed up and have been riding for a while .
A couple of more questions right quick . When sitting still idling , in nuetral with the clutch out , it is a bit growly . Is this normal . I know all bikes have certain natural behaviors so I am asking so I can sort the natural anitcs from any possible problems . Hell , nothing is perfect and I am pretty patient with getting one dialed in . They all need that when new . LOL .

OK , I may well be being rediculous with this one but I have to ask . I swear my front fender is Haunted . Someone please tell me I am wrong . When on mild gravel ( mostly my driveway ) or rougher surfaced road , there is this funky hollow , sort of an echo that I assume is my front fender making an deep rumbling echo sound . Does anyone else here this ghost or am I just hearing those pesky voices again ? LOL

Man , I hate to sound retarded , but I am a maintneance freak and want her dialed in good so I can do a long adventure trip with minimal problems .

Thanks for you help in advance , Wes

[Wingspan]

I've got 14k on my '08 Vee. No problems, the bike has been a joy. These are mechanically noisy bikes, the engine has been such all the way back to the TLR (I had ~42k miles on my old TLR) and TLS. Odds are very good that you have nothing to worry about.

[PO-SLOKE]

Thanks Wingspan . I sort of thought they were noisy by nature . It seems most mechanised this and that mouse trap sort of moving parts tend to be noisey when they are tough ones . LOL

I really do like the bike . I am thinking about dropping one tooth on the counter sprocket but I am pretty ignorant when it come to the removal of all the hydraulice clutch aparatus to get to the dang thing . I suppose I will venture soon because my 16t counter sprocket has come in . LOL

I live in western North Carolina in the really mountainous region . Nonstop twisties here , always up hill , down hil and in a curve . Often I get behind some really slow moving cages that tend to catch me between gear comfort from 1st to 2nd . LOL

The good news ( although some call me crazy for it ) is that I rarely let an oil change go over 600 miles but really shoot for 500 . I know , I know , it's nuts , but I do it . Usually run Rotella T synthetic , but the warehouse seem to be out of stock on that so I am running Mobil ! fully synth . I don't seem to like it as well as the Rotella T Synth . Although I am thinking about going to the Purple Max . What you guys running in general that suits this bike the best ? Man , oil preference can truly open up some serious debate , but I am curious if there is an across the board agreeing oil with this bike .

[Big B]

1.Some good ear plugs would be your friend.
2. Lots of good info on how to change out sprockets "read" and learn before attempting.
3. As for you changing your oil at those intervals..........PLEASE STOP!!!!!!
4. You can't do a long distance trip "see answer #3"
5. Some good medication is available for your obsessive maint habits, just ride the wheels of the bike.....paranoia will destroy ya. The bikes run better the more miles you rack up....trust us.
6. No which oil is best talk............. DON'T DO IT!!!!

[PO-SLOKE]

1.Some good ear plugs would be your friend.
2. Lots of good info on how to change out sprockets "read" and learn before attempting.
3. As for you changing your oil at those intervals..........PLEASE STOP!!!!!!
4. You can't do a long distance trip "see answer #3"
5. Some good medication is available for your obsessive maint habits, just ride the wheels of the bike.....paranoia will destroy ya. The bikes run better the more miles you rack up....trust us.
6. No which oil is best talk............. DON'T DO IT!!!!



That's some funny stuff Big B . Tx . I know , it's tough to do long trips when you are stopping at every other red light and changing ghe oil huh ? LOL . I just figure if it looks dirty , it must be . LOL . Lemme see ..... 2043 miles as of today and 7 oil changes already . LOL . Well , I always change it a few times right away on a new engine . More so when new , then I slack off a bit and go to the 600 mile policy . LOL I think that is an average of 291.85 miles so far for oil changes though .

Anyone know a good CHEAP therapist ? LOL . I will change it again pretty soon then go to the Purple Max and prolly start doing 1,000 or slightly more miles between changes . But that dang stuff is like $17.00/qt . At least I am using synthetic instead of pertoleum based products made from foreign oil huh ? lol

[Big B]

I was just ribbing you a bit....here is a smiley for ya!!!!:var_9:

[PO-SLOKE]

:new_shitsmiley::cheers2:

[Big B]

That is the oil Gods raining down upon you.:p

[Heavy]

So, is this your first bike?

Are you over 18 years old?

You're joking with us about the oil change intervals...right?



That's some funny stuff Big B . Tx . I know , it's tough to do long trips when you are stopping at every other red light and changing ghe oil huh ? LOL . I just figure if it looks dirty , it must be . LOL . Lemme see ..... 2043 miles as of today and 7 oil changes already . LOL . Well , I always change it a few times right away on a new engine . More so when new , then I slack off a bit and go to the 600 mile policy . LOL I think that is an average of 291.85 miles so far for oil changes though .

Anyone know a good CHEAP therapist ? LOL . I will change it again pretty soon then go to the Purple Max and prolly start doing 1,000 or slightly more miles between changes . But that dang stuff is like $17.00/qt . At least I am using synthetic instead of pertoleum based products made from foreign oil huh ? lol

[PO-SLOKE]

So, is this your first bike?

Are you over 18 years old?

You're joking with us about the oil change intervals...right?


UH... Yeah , it is my first bike and I turned 18 2 1/2 weeks ago . PLease don't tell my mommy I bought a bike . She wanted me to by a moped with the money she gave me .

[Bisbonian]

You're joking with us about the oil change intervals...right?

You know if I used that oil change interval I'd be servicing my Strom every other weekend.

Perhaps the OP is independantly wealthy and just likes to throw money at the oil companies?

That interval is a waste of your time and money; I know opinions vary and all that garbage but seriously, 5-600 miles?

Put down that oil filter wrench and go for a ride, your Strom and wallet will thank you for it.

[PO-SLOKE]

Bisbonian ,

Nope , I would be dead serious about the oil change intervals . Yep , it's about every other weekend for sure . I am seriously thinking about going to 1,000 miles on my intervals just to try to break that nuerosis . LOL

I am gonna do the Purple Max oil change this week and let it go for a bit . It is high end stuff and worthy of letting it do it's job and earn it's keep . LOL

Mostly I get in the habit of that due to the new enigine routine . I have bought three NEW bikes this summer so it has really gotten the nuerosis lit . LOL


Sythetic all the way for me though . Brake fluid , oil , grease , you name it , Synthetics it is . Oh , you think the oil change intervals is nuts . I guess I shouldn't say that I completely flush my brake lines and radiator every 3rd oil change . Nothing like clean fresh fluids and lubricants to keep that machine happy you know . LOL .



PO

[Big B]

I am practically speechless............I'm sure that enviromentalists are going to put you on their watch list soon.:p If you are a mechanically inclined person and know your way around "any engine", then you should be very aware that what you are doing is totally loony. You seriously need to put about 4000 miles on some good ole dino oil, and find a company to send an oil sample in for analysis. I'll bet you'll find that oil is still doing its job pretty well. I also think if you had a rational explanation for why you are changing "all your fluids" on the intervals that you are, then maybe some of us could try and understand. You are actually probably doing much more harm than anything else........tighten, loosen, tighten loosen etc. Your engine will also never break in the way that it should.....have you read any of your new motorcycle manuals? Hell....they don't even have you changing the filter every interval, and the OEM is known for being conservative. Ok I'm done now.....the psychiatrist is waiting for you to set up an appointment.:bom_jester:

[PO-SLOKE]

Big B ,
Yeah , The EPA has got folks staked out in the woods behind my house .
Tightening and loosening was a concern at one time . But with proper torque values , the GURU SUPER TECHY sorts say I am ok .
OK , for my reason other than insanity is this . If it looks dirty it is dirty . Never have I seen clean dirt . LOL . Yeah , I know , it is a form of mental desease but I am seriuosly going to seek a resolution as soon as I do the Purple Max Oil . I did at least go to only changing filters every other oil change . When they hit nearly $10 a pop it slowed that madness down . LOL


PO

[Big B]

Big B ,
Yeah , The EPA has got folks staked out in the woods behind my house .
Tightening and loosening was a concern at one time . But with proper torque values , the GURU SUPER TECHY sorts say I am ok .
OK , for my reason other than insanity is this . If it looks dirty it is dirty . Never have I seen clean dirt . LOL . Yeah , I know , it is a form of mental desease but I am seriuosly going to seek a resolution as soon as I do the Purple Max Oil . I did at least go to only changing filters every other oil change . When they hit nearly $10 a pop it slowed that madness down . LOL


PO

Granted....if your torque wrench is of good quality and properly calibrated, otherwise they are much more harmful than wrenching by feel.

As for "if it looks dirty it is dirty", that is a HUGE misconception when it comes to motor oil. It is your bike my friend, you must do whatever suits you. Somehow I think no matter what any of us would tell you, you aren't gonna change.;)

Peace out,

Brian

[PO-SLOKE]

Big B ,

Thanks for the good words Bro . But hey , half the battle is admitting it a PROBLEM isn't it ? LOL

For real though , I am really gonna slack off on that . Economics is killing us all and I might as well do my part in saving my own arse .

Oh yeah , no need to convince me , Hell , I know you are right . LOL . That's the worst part of it . LOL




ciao , Wes