Hi everyone
I'm new to this forum & the vstrom. I bought an 05 650 last month with 12k miles on the clock, new chain, upgraded suspension, ...I've had it partially torn down for the past month while I install a whole lot of stuff. Mostly electrical things at this point. I started with happy trails crash bars & skid plate, fork brace, rebuilding the seat with some gel & memory foam, ...it had givi bags when I got it. I hope to have it back on the road by the end of this holiday weekend so I can resume commuting on it. I commute 60 miles a day for work. My last bike is an 83 Yamaha venture that I did a frame up rebuild on a couple years ago : put a LOT of miles on that bike. The problem is I put a high mileage 86 1300 engine in it that crapped out on me. I'm tired of doing the big repair jobs, carbs, and old ignition technology. Doug Nordin I need to figure out how to post a pic with my phone.

This is before I started adding farkles.

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Hi Doug,

Welcome from another Utah County trooper.

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How my Strom came to life - How my Strom almost died

Jump in the water is fine!

Well, shucks, couldn't live in a nicer place to go play the back roads. I love riding Utah. Folks are friendly, the kids are intelligent and the roads are clean, Well except for the dang tar snakes on Hwy12.

Hi Doug.....again. If you get bored and decide to ride, let us know here Utah Riders - Post Your Ride Plans Here who knows, someone may want to tag along. Weekends are best time for rides,

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FB MEMBER #133 - 2008 Wee

StromCache 2012 Thread
StromCache 2012 Map

Welcome Doug, you should follow some of the guys down to Vegas sometime.
Mike

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2007 Blue DL650 V-Strom - running out of farkle's to do so bought the VEE
2006 SILVER DL1000 - Riding on the Darkside!!!!!
2007 Suzuki M-50 (wifes)
Las Vegas, NV

I've always had road bikes, and have only ridden dirt once on a dirt bike several years ago, aside from riding about 10 miles of gravel road 3 years ago on my 900lb '83 Yamaha Venture - Not fun!
now that I have my vstrom, how do I go about learning off the pavement riding skills?

Also, I've read here about lowering the front forks 20cm on the triple tree to improve road handling. What does that do to off road capabilities and front suspension travel?

Thanks,
Doug

My brother is way into dirt riding and has KTM's. Should I arrange to ride off road with him on his bikes?
Doug

First wait til Spring to ride dirt
The Vstrom is not suited to dirt, but does OK on dirt roads.
She's a top heavy pig and the ones that call it a dual sport may have some real skills or experience of riding in dirt.
I know some of the guys here have road the Old Pony Express route in Utah so that maybe a place to start and gain your dirt legs.
If you try to keep up with a KTM your going to be replacing parts
You can always come down to Vegas and we can ride the dry lake beds or some of the dirt roads here are OK til you find sand
Mike

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2007 Blue DL650 V-Strom - running out of farkle's to do so bought the VEE
2006 SILVER DL1000 - Riding on the Darkside!!!!!
2007 Suzuki M-50 (wifes)
Las Vegas, NV