Building a liter enduro

[handyhiker]

I am new to this forum and new to V-Stroms. I have owned and ridden many bikes from dirt to trials to full dress hogs. At this point in my life, I really only want 1 bike to do it all. I have done alot of looking and reading about the different adventure turing bikes and decided to purchase a new 07 DL1000. I went for the bigger bike so I can ride two up with the wife. I have several friends that have the BMW GS's. I can't see paying $15,000 for a bike to get dirty.
So back to the reason of the post and questions that I am going to ask. I really want to make this bike an enduro, not dirt bike. I know that the weight is high for off road but so is the beemer. I have found alot of good ideas and web sites for beefing up the bike. I would like to get some ideas from the people who ride them as to what specific issues need to be addressed to make this bike as off road friendly as possible.
I am not looking to travel the globe on the bike, just some rough trails and keep it some what road friendly.
Here are some things that I think need done:
1. Guards for fairing
2. Guards for engine
3. Gear down the bike
4. Offroad tires
5. Change handle bars
6. Change foot pegs
7. Install progressive fork springs
If you have any other ideas or web site info please let me know as I am gathering info to get the bike ready for next year.

[sporthog93]

I have a set of TAG aluminum ATV bars on mine that work really well. They are taller thatn motorcycle bars and I think more comfortable.



I am new to this forum and new to V-Stroms. I have owned and ridden many bikes from dirt to trials to full dress hogs. At this point in my life, I really only want 1 bike to do it all. I have done alot of looking and reading about the different adventure turing bikes and decided to purchase a new 07 DL1000. I went for the bigger bike so I can ride two up with the wife. I have several friends that have the BMW GS's. I can't see paying $15,000 for a bike to get dirty.
So back to the reason of the post and questions that I am going to ask. I really want to make this bike an enduro, not dirt bike. I know that the weight is high for off road but so is the beemer. I have found alot of good ideas and web sites for beefing up the bike. I would like to get some ideas from the people who ride them as to what specific issues need to be addressed to make this bike as off road friendly as possible.
I am not looking to travel the globe on the bike, just some rough trails and keep it some what road friendly.
Here are some things that I think need done:
1. Guards for fairing
2. Guards for engine
3. Gear down the bike
4. Offroad tires
5. Change handle bars
6. Change foot pegs
7. Install progressive fork springs
If you have any other ideas or web site info please let me know as I am gathering info to get the bike ready for next year.

[handyhiker]

did you have any trouble with cables or wire length?

[sporthog93]

shortened bars 3/4 inch on both sides and then cables didn't pull.



did you have any trouble with cables or wire length?

[BumbleBee]

sounds like your list is pretty good, you might consider a good skid plate, maybe some different pegs? I'm leanin toward going to the tkc80 tyres, from what others have posted they only last around 4000 or so miles but reports indicate considerably better dirt traction. my .02 worth.

enjoy your Vee, it's a great machine and can adapt well to many style of riding.

Keep the shiney side up!

BumbleBee

[Jantar]

3. Gear down the bike.
I changed the final drive from 17/41 to 16/43 and the difference is incredible. The bike is much easier to ride in all conditions, and there is an improvement in fuel consumption.

[handyhiker]

Jantar, I have read this from several poeple, where did you get the new gears? Are they OEM Suzuki? Does the stock chain work or need to be longer?

[Jantar]

My local Suzuki dealer had the 16 tooth front sprocket in stock, and I bought the rear 43 tooth from Adventure Motostuff http://www.amotostuff.com/ . I later found it would have been cheaper to have got both sprockets from Motostuff. The standard chain fitted fine.

Have a look at http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6973

[handyhiker]

Well the new bike arrives on Wensday.:) Can't wait!! I have been reading alot of the posts and checking out all the venders that I could for DL1000 parts and modifications. I now have a good but long list of what I want to do to the bike to transform her into a true enduro. Even though the list of products/parts equals around $3400.00, this will still work out to less or right at the cost of the Buell and still $4000-$5000 less than the BMW GS. I also believe that the Suzuki at that point will far out perform either of the others. This will be a very cool project for me, and while I can not just purchase all the goodies at once, I will allways have the next thing in my sites.
I plane on taking the bike to Colorado next summer and riding in the mountians and the passes. I did this last year with a DR350s.
I look forward to starting and having a blast both riding and modifing the bike to truley make it one of a kind.

[VtSTROM-K5]

HandyHiker, please keep us updated as to how & what you change to meet your objective .And as allways .........Please post pics with each change ,& or modification :rolleyes:

[handyhiker]

I took delivery of the new 07 today. Man, she looks sweet!! The tank and side farings are black. The front faring under the windshield and side covers are charchoal. Now the fun begins to build the enduro that I really want it to be. I have several things on order for it allready. The first is the center stand, tall windshield, aux light mount and lights, and of course the factory service manual. And I almost forgot, the 16/43 sprockets and heated grips. Also a tank bra. I bought a top trunk a while back and will get it mounted in the next day or so. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[ditchdoc1017]

WTG have fun on the new bike.

[handyhiker]

Well I got the bike home about a week ago. Ever since then, except for one day, it has rained or snowed. I have a grand total of 147 miles on the bike as of now.
I have done a few mods and have more parts in the garage to install. Parts already installed: Driving lights and bracket, Removable top hard case, Throttle lock.
The parts I have yet to install are: Center stand, Heated grips, Tank bra, New sprockets 16/43, Stainless off-road foot pegs.
Also I have changed the oil and filter.
The next things for the bike will be the skid plate and crash bars. I'll try to post a few pics if I can figure out how.

[Swedge]

Or you could just get a KTM and be done with it... *L*

[handyhiker]

I looked at the KTM. Wanted more of a road bike with dirt ability vs dirt bike with road ability.

[805gregg]

I recomend straight weight springs in front as opposed to progressive and race tech valves, also if it's in the budget get a Wilbers shock, it will make the bike much more dirt-able. Suzuki has the best center stand, as far as ground clearance.

[handyhiker]

805, I got the center stand and did go oem. Why do you suggest straight rate springs? I thought that with the short(as compared to dirt bikes)front travel, I would want progressive rate. I am by no means an expert, so I am up for advice.
I have also priced and talked to Wilbers Suspension already. I will get there rear shock as money allows. The sugested the progressive for the front. Of course, this is what they sell though.
What is the best place for the race tech valves and what exactly will they do for me??
I thank you for any help with this project as I want to only do this once and not have to redo things several times.

[josh]

I have Continental TKC80's on my DL and love them. They are the same tire as on the GS Beemer. SWEEEEEET!

[BumbleBee]

Josh,
what kinda mileage do you think your going to get from the tkc's, also how do they handle on the paved twisties?

I've been leanin towards these as I doubt I will be doing a cross country ride this year.


thanks, Bumblebee

[josh]

I don't know the mileage at this point. Too early to tell. I recently took an advanced riding course with my Strom with the TKC's and they held up very well. The bike being a bit top heavy was kicking my butt. I got through the course appreciating the bike and had no complaints concerning tires. I have gone off road with the bike and the TKC's were outstanding for such a big bike. I put them on because I wanted something a bit more enduro looking but still functional. Bike looks completely different. I also have the superbrace on the front forks and that does make a difference. You will notice a bit more road noise as well. The positives for me clearly out weigh the negatives. I love my bike.

[handyhiker]

Josh, Thanks for the feed back on the TKC's. I will get a set of these at some time this spring/summer. The brace is also already on my list.

[x5 invader]

Gold valves made much more difference off road than just the better fork springs themselves. Revalveing was the best improvment I have made to my strom. Much easier over rough roads.