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How Stromtropper changed my life...

3K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  GLHS837 
#1 ·
Ok...changed my RIDING life. I am documenting my experience as a noob. My '05 Wee, purchased Feb 2013, represents my first V-Strom and my first motorcycle ever ridden (other than the 250cc Honda I used for the MSF class). I spent all of last winter lurking, RSSing, reading, waiting for the right buy. I didn't want to take all the knowledge from this site (and my father who is a long-time LT owner) and start farkling. I purposed to ride the bike as purchased, and other than ATGATT, wanted to experience the "evolution" of riding. Thanks to this site, I have now launched into full "tweaking" mode. Here's some life changing upgrades...

1. Givi Crash Bar Rattle - GONE
- Found the part causing the noise. Disassembled the center mount, cut 1/4" off the metal bushing, put a rubber washer on either side, retightened and fixed!

2. HID lights
- After reading several reviews, including Greywolf's, got the VVME set and they are frieken awesome.

3. Suspension
- Previous owner was 5'8", about 160. I'm 6'0", about 215. Haven't touched the rear suspension until this weekend. Cranked that puppy up and wow what a difference.

4. Windshield/Buffeting
- More to do here. Started with the washers and changing the angle of the stock. Two metal washer and a rubber under the lower bolts and WOW. More wind in the face, but way cleaner.

5. Easter Beaver
- Never would've found this guy if not for this site. Got his brake light kit and turned the 32" reflector on my Givi E460 top case into a massive brake light. And totally clean install.

6. Earplugs
- Again, knew I needed them but wanted to ride a while without to appreciate. Kept seeing this recurring theme on here from guys saying "I wear earplugs and (fill in the blank) doesn't bother me". Rode today for the first time with plugs and WOW! Felt more confident on the bike and in the wind. Felt like I had better balance in the twisties and little hiccups on the throttle or on the road didn't bother me. Felt more confident in crosswind...wierd but awesome.

Oh and thanks to this forum, I now look at the small battle scar on my crash bar with pride instead of worrying about how to repaint. I dropped my bike coming to a stop on an uphill country road - put my foot down and the berm was like 4" below the road. Classic slow-motion drop. More to come!
 
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#3 ·
Welcome aboard!

This site and ADVrider have helped me get on with the Strom enormously. Never be afraid to ask a question. Between Greywolf and the rest of us we WILL be able to help.

As for being a newbie to motorcycles, take it easy, don't get overconfident and ride a lot!
 
#4 ·
I bought my 05 in February too! and it looks like I am not far from you...In V-Strom Miles that is.

I'm NE of Cincinnati.

The V-Strom is not my first street bike though. Have had several before but this is my favorite. I came from the KLR side of things and have ridden it a pretty good ways...(AK twice)

I think you did good to go straight to the Wee!
 
#5 ·
Nate, welcome aboard.

Look at Richland Rick's Adventuretech site: AdventureTech, LLC. - Home
His fork brace is a huge help, and all this items are well designed and made.

Yann's Enduro Guardian stuff is heavier iron and also well worth having: Home Page
 
#6 ·
I bought my 05 in February too! and it looks like I am not far from you...In V-Strom Miles that is.

I'm NE of Cincinnati.

The V-Strom is not my first street bike though. Have had several before but this is my favorite. I came from the KLR side of things and have ridden it a pretty good ways...(AK twice)

I think you did good to go straight to the Wee!
How far NE of Cincy? I live about 45 mins NE of Jeffersonville. Also, want to talk to you more about riding to AK. My dad has already mentioned it, wants to do it while he still can.

Welcome aboard!

This site and ADVrider have helped me get on with the Strom enormously. Never be afraid to ask a question. Between Greywolf and the rest of us we WILL be able to help.

As for being a newbie to motorcycles, take it easy, don't get overconfident and ride a lot!
No worries there...I have a wife and kids at home. Riding is a lifestyle choice I am making, not interested in becoming an organ donor like others my age. Also a concious choice to pursue an interest that I can share with the old man.

Look at Richland Rick's Adventuretech site: AdventureTech, LLC. - Home
His fork brace is a huge help, and all this items are well designed and made.
Yeah...I have a list started of his stuff. Mirror extenders, etc. The fork brace is something I have purposed to NOT get right away as I want to understand WHY and WHAT it does. I mean I understand the basic concept, but I don't know what I should be feeling that it can correct. I want some behavior that I can associate with NOT having it first.

BTW - another reason I started when I did is because I'm planning on doing an Iron Butt ride in June. It's a fundraiser I'm helping my buddy put on to support Relay for Life. So yes...I am riding every day, rain or shine.
 
#7 ·
you're most welcome

We were all noobs sometime.
I got my MC license in 1969 and started riding and it took me until 2007 to get my shit together and find this site. This forum and with it's never-ending source of info and helpful members solidified the decision to buy a Vee and since then have become afflicted with Vstrom disease.
 
#8 ·
Besides getting a Madstad; I found the single best thing I did to my 2006 was raising the forks/ lowering the front of the bike. This one single modification (that is FREE and reversible if you don't like it!) increased stability and made the bike handle much better in winds and behind semi trucks, made the turn-in much better so that it felt much sportier, and also provided some of the benefits of the Fork Brace by shortening the effective length of the front forks a bit. I did this before getting a fork brace and have to say it was a remarkable change to the bike.

..Tom
 
#11 ·
It's funny, but I had the exact opposite experience. I returned my bike to stock height and I found the handling (especially going slow) to improve dramatically. I seem to be alone in this though. I have never had any issues with crosswinds with the suspension at either position. To each his own I suppose. Dumping the trailwings for scorpion trails helped the handling too IMO.

Sent from Motorcycle.com App
 
#9 ·
funny.. all this site has given me is a shopping list of farkles a mile long... every time I go to this site I find a new must have. I need to win the lotto to keep up.:headbang:

seriously. best site ever for a new wee(glee) owner, lots of information I would not get anywhere else.:thumbup:

now to go buy a lottery ticket.
 
#12 ·
Mirror extenders were on my list also, but after doing the Madstad and new handlebars, haven't even thought about it, mirrors are rock steady, and all my wind issues went away.


As for what you would be feeling in the front end, it's a wobbly feeling in a turn, as the long forks dance a bit finding equilibrium again. Subtle thing, to a new person who is just feeling out handling in the first place especially, unless you have a pretty well developed seat of the pants sense. You would most likely never have felt this on the 250s in the MSF course, those forks are pretty short and you dont go very fast at all. In high crosswind situations, like on bridge tops, it can feel like grooved pavement of the sort you find in construction zones, where the front wants to wander a bit following the grooves. Not as well defined, but that sort of feel.
 
#14 ·
Agreed, getting mine made a huge difference to me. Crossing the local 124 foot bridge over the river is much less nerve wracking than it used to be. Between dropping the WS to it's lowest level to reduce my wind resistance, and the greater leverage from the better bars, and the stability of the brace, it's a lot more fun.
 
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