Has anyone here used Tire Chains on a V-Strom?

I am preparing my winter riding kit and I have been debating on putting a simple set of Tire Chains in to the kit, so that I can use them if I was ever to get caught in a snow storm while at work or out away from home.

I have been caught in a few and it is not fun riding on a slippery surface using your feet as skis.

I am leaning towards assembling some like these that are shown on ADVRider (Motorcycle snow chains - ADVrider)

Something simple that I can strap on and get home safely and take them off once I am done.

I can't let a little white stuff keep me from riding my Strom

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2009 DL650 Silver

I doubt that they will work on a Strom.

You only have three spokes the ones pictured rely on the wire wheel spokes to keep the individual chains in place. On a Strom you are likely to rip the valve stem out with one of the chains sliding around the rim.

Likewise the bike pictured has knobblies which also locate the chains. They won't stay in place on a Strom tyre.

I suspect that to make these work you will need something that goes around the circumference of the rim and is held in position around the three spokes.

RandyO has expertise in this area

If its a lark you can spike your tires but no high speed or distanse

I recommend a set of studded tires


I considered tire chains, but chains really limit your speeds 25-30mph tops, based on my experience using tire chains on a cage, too much potential for crap to happen, chains stretch, ya constantly have to tighten them, they flail and shred sh!t when they are loose

with studs, you can pretty much ride normal, I only studded the central knobs that way if yer on dry pavement leaning, your not on studs, on snowy roads you'll lean some, but not a lot, about 130 studs in the rear tire and about 180 in front


fwiw, DON'T use yer feet as outriggers you can balance the bike better with your feet on the pegs

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RandyO
IBA# 9560
07 Strom 1k (7x,xxx miles)
99 SV650 (135,006 miles)
82 XV920R
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It doesn't snow enough where I live to warrant studding my tires, I mostly just need something that I can use to crawl home 4-5 miles if needed to be.

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2009 DL650 Silver

You might be better off fabricating an outrigger which can be deployed in slippery conditions...maybe adapting a centerstand by shortening and widening the arms, adding short "skis" on the ends, and putting in a locking mechanism so it doesn't fold up when moving forward. This would actually be pretty easy to fabricate if you can weld -- and have the scratch for an extra centerstand.

There is a fellow on another forum (who does a lot of winter riding in CO) who has made up a single-wheel outrigger A-arm kind of like a minimal sidecar.

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2007 DL650
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -- Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

+1 on all chain comments above. Check your state laws as to whether they allow studs or not on paved roads. If you are spending a lot of time running on paved roads, you are going to lose those studs on a regular basis which is a big time hazard to anyone behind you.

If you just need this for a handful of times a year, I would a) take a cab on those few days needed, b) call a friend, buy them a case of beer for their troubles, c) have a winter/beater car just for those occasions, or lastly d) public transit and walking. I'm all for riding as much as possible, but if it's cold enough for snow, it's probably too cold to be riding.

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'03 DL1000 - "The Vee"
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riddler it doesn't snow that much here in Indiana unless you live where they get a lot of lake effect snows.

I'd just shoe on a set of really aggresive offroad style tires for the winter and call it good. This will help emmencely when the snow flies. I'm not sure what to tell you when its gets icey.

I park my Vee when the snow and salt hits the roads. I don't have a heated wash area to get all the salt of my bike.

for a little snow, plain ole knobby tires is more than adequate, but studs will give you the extra when theres black ice under the snow with no detriment to your normal winter riding, sure, ya don't wanna go sportriding on studs, but I doubt you want to sport ride on freezing cold pavement either



fwiw, my expereince using standard automotive studs in drilled holes (not the molded holes car tires have that are shaped correctly) in the front, I haven't last a single stud in almost 10k of winter riding (2 seasons) the tread is at about 50%, most people that stud tires experience longer tire life than on unstudded tires, my studded rear was used only 1 season, about 5k its at about 30% tread and is missing 2-3 studs out of about 130-140

a 10mm stud is smaller than the average piece of gravel in the road, what is this "big time" hazard that studs create ?

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RandyO
IBA# 9560
07 Strom 1k (7x,xxx miles)
99 SV650 (135,006 miles)
82 XV920R
A man with a gun is a citizen
A man without a gun is a subject
www.gbhsurvey.com
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p...dStatesMap.jpg

I read some great reports about Heidenau K60 Scout.

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09 DL650 ABS

MadStad + stock shield, JCW large topbox, Tuturo chain oiler, Heaterz grips, Suzuki hand guards, GIVI side guards, Aprilia Tuono mirrors, 36l Givi panniers, Richland Rick fork brace, Pipercross Air Filter

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