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Owner's Manual, oil and check engine question.

8K views 35 replies 17 participants last post by  Big B 
#1 ·
Hey all,

I'm a new rider, just got my license last week and purchased a 2012 DL1000 about a month ago. I have a couple of questions for all of you because I don't yet have an owner's manual (bought used and there wasn't one). Is there a free place online to find the 2012 manual? I've searched and haven't had any luck. I assume I'll have to purchase one and if so, any recommendations on where to go?

Also, I noticed that my check engine light is on and I don't think it was on when I initially purchased. The bike fired up just fine previously but I planned on going riding today and no luck. It appears as thought the oil is low (according to the gauge on the bottom right of the bike). Does anyone have a suggestion for a good oil to use? Any idea if the low oil level could be preventing me from starting the bike? Sorry for all the questions but I'm a rookie and a little lost without the MOM. Any suggestions and advice are appreciated. Looking forward to joining the community and talking about V-Stroms!
 
#2 ·
Side stand safety switch or the clutch side safety switch more than likely, and oil is not to be discussed.....just put some 10W40 in at the correct level. ;) You also sure you did not hit the engine cut off switch as well?
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the response!



The owner's manual is next to worthless IMO. Drop by the Suzuki dealer and ask nicely they might give you one. v-strom.co.uk is a V-Strom owners site and has many available. I'm not sure about this board's policy regarding linking to them so you'll have to poke around yourself. The 2012 version isn't much different than the other '02-'11 models, any owners manual would do the job.

Make sure you're checking the oil level with the bike standing up straight, not on the sidestand.

To start the bike, check your kill switch (we've all done it, and CHEC shows on the dash when it's on), bike in neutral, clutch pulled in.
Brian and Moe - Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Turns out the kill switch was still on. Dumb move on my part and I won't make that mistake again.:-?

Read the site rules. http://www.stromtrooper.com/rules-f...otorcycle-related-questions]/48470-rules.html
You touched on oil and copyrighted materials (manual) in your post and there is important info on those in the rules.

A CHEC is a check your controls, not a check engine. It is almost always due to the kill switch not being in the run position or the bike being in gear with the side stand down.
Wolf - My mistake. Didn't read the rules and posted in a hurry to try to figure what was up with the bike. I'll be sure to read the rules and avoid unnecessary/unwanted posts in the future.

Thanks!
 
#3 · (Edited)
The owner's manual is next to worthless IMO. Drop by the Suzuki dealer and ask nicely they might give you one. v-strom.co.uk is a V-Strom owners site and has many available. I'm not sure about this board's policy regarding linking to them so you'll have to poke around yourself. The 2012 version isn't much different than the other '02-'11 models, any owners manual would do the job.

Make sure you're checking the oil level with the bike standing up straight, not on the sidestand.

To start the bike, check your kill switch (we've all done it, and CHEC shows on the dash when it's on), bike in neutral, clutch pulled in.
 
#4 ·
#6 ·
Jasper

If you are interested in authorized/unpirated copy of the owners manual and/or a service manual (well worth the price), your dealer can order them or you can purchase from many on-line oem parts sites. Example: Ron Ayers, MR Cycles, Oneida Suzuki, etc.
 
#10 ·
That's what I'm looking for, I think both would be beneficial. Thanks for the input.

X100 on the FSM, very good tool to have for your new (to you) DL1000!

On a concerned note, you said something in your 1st post that scares the poo outta me!

"I'm a new rider, just got my license last week and purchased a 2012 DL1000 about a month ago."

New rider? Meaning, you've not ridden bikes at all, or much? I just hope you're not over your head on a liter machine....
I've never been on a motorcycle in my life until a few weeks ago when I participated in a beginners motorcycle safety course at a local community college. I rode a 250 cc Honda Night Hawk during the class and thus far I feel completely comfortable on the DL1000, I'm just not pushing it too much and keeping things well within my capabilities/comfort level thus far.

Your question broke me up. I'm still laughing. I'm not sure who many members that we are; but I expect that there are that many suggestions.
You've joined a forum with a crew of riders that together know everything there is to know about Vstroms.
That's why I'm glad I joined. I'm looking forward to talking with all of you about your experiences and knowledge, hopefully I'll be able to contribute in time as well. Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated.
 
#7 ·
X100 on the FSM, very good tool to have for your new (to you) DL1000!

On a concerned note, you said something in your 1st post that scares the poo outta me!

"I'm a new rider, just got my license last week and purchased a 2012 DL1000 about a month ago."

New rider? Meaning, you've not ridden bikes at all, or much? I just hope you're not over your head on a liter machine....
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
"Does anyone have a suggestion for a good oil to use?"

Your question broke me up. I'm still laughing. I'm not sure who many members that we are; but I expect that there are that many suggestions.
You've joined a forum with a crew of riders that together know everything there is to know about Vstroms.
 
#9 ·
Your question broke me up. I'm still laughing. I'm not sure who many members that we are; but I expect that there are that many suggestions.
You've joined a forum with a crew of riders that together know everything there is to know about Vstroms.
Oh yeah, the answer is Shell Rotella T6 5W40 full synthetic. Always replace the oil filter with a genuine Suzuki filter and use a torque wrench on the oil drain plug.
I would not recommend that at all, that is how guys have been shredding their drain plug threads. And GW is gonna smack you on the hand for bringing up the "O" word.......:mrgreen:
 
#11 ·
that's great jasper, congrats on license and bike. take it easy and practice in a lot if/when you're able. head on a swivel and ride safe, have fun.

btw, you have a '12 k, the ecm is on a 'recall' and if it's not been replaced, check with your local dealer about doing so, and replacing the plugs with irridiums. it'll smooth out the lower end rpm's.
 
#12 ·
Thanks Duchess! I just started riding on Monday and so far so good. I started out practicing on some side roads and worked my way up to the interstate last night. The focus is definitely on safety and I think the course helped out a lot with that. Thanks for the heads up with the recall, I'll contact the dealership and see what they'll do for me. As far as the plugs are concerned, is that something I can do myself fairly easily? It may be a dumb question but I've never worked on a bike before but I have a feeling I'll being learning quite a few things in the near future. :thumbup:
 
#18 · (Edited)
Jasper

Buy a manual at a dealer's parts counter.
Check the oil with the bike standing upright and engine off, not on the side stand. (Get someone to help you hold the bike upright while you look into the glass.)

The youtube CaptCrash videos are great for a new rider. https://www.youtube.com/user/CaptCrashIdaho

Practice, practice, practice. Parking lot practice is very important. You are starting on a big, tall, powerful, top heavy bike. You can do it, but take it very carefully.

Very highly recommended books:
Mastering the Ride: More Proficient Motorcycling, 2nd Edition by Hough, David L. (Jul 24, 2012) Buy this, read it, re-read it.
A Twist of the Wrist Vol. 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding by Keith Code, ask your local public library if they can find a copy through an inter-library loan for you. Note that is the 2 or II version, not the #1.

Protective gear...ATGATT...All The Gear All The Time. Full face helmet that fits you just right. Leather gloves. Sturdy leather boots. Riding coat with armor in the spine, elbows, shoulders. Riding pants with armor in the knees and hips.
 
#19 ·
Oh, and another thing....once you become a little more accustomed to the bike, try the MSF Advanced Rider Course. Far more info than the basic, and a good trainer every few years...HTH!!
 
#21 ·
Free online Suzuki manuals are copyright violations. Suzuki owns the rights, only puts out paper copies and does not give them away.
 
#23 ·
How do I get that beating a dead horse icon on here...
 
#25 ·
That's probably true. Cleaning up after people who don't read the rules influences me to be brusque at times. That's not a fun part of a job I spend hours on every day with no pay. I want more of the fun part. For me, that's mostly helping people who have problems.

When I join a site, I read the rules and spend some time just reading posts to get a feel for the site. I think anything less is rude. It's like walking into somebody else's house and doing whatever you please.

Read the house rules. Follow them. Introduce yourself. The host is more likely to be nice to you.
 
#27 ·
No good deed goes unpunished eh greywolf. Since you posted the link I took the time to read the "rules". Pretty common sense stuff IMO.

To the OP, good luck with your new sport. Statistics will show that new riders are safer than moderately experienced ones. There is a time in ones experience when you think you know it all....and you get bit. Once bitten, you start the second learning curve that should never end.

Stick around, while I have disagreed with greywolf in the past it was over technical specifics and not policy. This forum is in his soul....some others here should show him the respect he has earned and deserved.
 
#29 · (Edited)
I signed on to help Fatalerror because nobody else was. Show me the volunteers.
 
#34 ·
Thanks for your understanding Jasper. Sorry we went off on a tangent. Ride safe.
 
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