clutch issue but possibly not the infamous chudder

[drjaschumann]

Im am poised to buy '02 vstrom and have riden the prospective bike to be purchased ~50miles. On one occassion I could swear I felt the clutch slip during several repeated high gear roll-ons (4th and 5th gear I believe). It has the low windshield so its difficult to hear the engine clearly with the buffeting but I could swear that rpm flared beyound what vehicle speed was. Ive tried to repeat this on short runs with no luck and now am also suspicious re: the engagement travel at the clutch lever (it has short travel between when engagement begins and 100% engaged)

Question1: do other owners also have this short engagement travel (it works fine but Im suspicious its a symptom of bigger problems)??

Question2: has anyone else experienced a slipping clutch problem at such low miles (this bike has ~5k miles)

Question3: could this be related to the ohter clutch basket problems reported (I dont seem to have the severe vibration symptoms reported by others but some minor vibe at less than 3k when loaded)

Thx

[Pauljo]

I think you are right about this being a different issue. I have an early '03 DL1000, and it has a minor chudder at about 3000 rpm. It doesn't bother me much and it hasn't been getting worse, so I haven't requested a clutch basket replacement. But my clutch doesn't slip. I can't think how much travel the lever has before engagement. Whatever it is, I'm used to it I guess. Mileage on my bike is approaching 6000.

In your position, I'd express my concern to the dealer. If you get blah blah blah it's the nature of the beast, I'd probably walk away from the deal. But if they will pull it into the shop and look at it - it might be just a minor adjustment - or it might be a defective or worn clutch. In any event I'd want it corrected before closing the deal.