Hi there, I just bought a used 2005 v Strom and would like to install a center stand and skid plate and would like to know if any of you can recommend products that are available in USA and proven to work reliably.
dietri
I just bought a 2008 with an HTP (Happy Trails Products) skid plate. Seems to be of high quality and the mount seems solid. I took it off to change the oil and coolant. I don't ride anything other than paved road so I haven't given it a harsh test. I've got an SW-MOTECH center stand scheduled for delivery tomorrow. By all accounts, its one of the best.
Choosing a skidplate / sumpguard can be a pain. First identify how the skidplate that you are considering, will attach / bolt to the bike. Does your bike have crashbars or do you intend installing crashbars at some point? If not, will you be able to install this skidplate without the crashbars?
I’d also consider if skid plate/centre stand would work well with future mods like exhaust, etc. anyway never thought I’d need a centrestand.
I copied this from anuther thread. Backwards swap should stil work (12-25 stand on a 04-11)
[The 650 frame is the same on all year models so I dont see any reason that an early gen 1 stand wouldnt fit on a 23 model. Jus add the stop change on the 12-25 models]
Anuther member installed a gen 1 stand on his 23 model
Also T Rex adjustable height center stands are listed to fit all year model 650s
& I seem to remember sumthin about Happy Trail stands also fitting all models. Not exactly sure though.
[The 650 frame is the same on all year models so I dont see any reason that an early gen 1 stand wouldnt fit on a 23 model. Jus add the stop change on the 12-25 models]
Anuther member installed a gen 1 stand on his 23 model
Also T Rex adjustable height center stands are listed to fit all year model 650s
& I seem to remember sumthin about Happy Trail stands also fitting all models. Not exactly sure though.
On my 2006 Wee, I went with the OEM center stand. It worked flawlessly. I did have to lube every couple of years. For a skid plate, I went with SW-Motech skid plate and crash bars. Easy install and both worked great. The skid plate is on the light side but I am not a stump jumper so it was never a problem.
YMMV
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YMMV
In support of the comment on reply #7, https://www.happy-trail.com/find-yo...nd-your-bike/suzuki/v-strom-650-2017/happy-trails-v-strom-skid-plate-dl650.html, "HAPPY TRAILS V-STROM SKID PLATE DL650 ALL"
Have a look at the kit on the Cosmo site, Suzuki DL 650 V-strom 2004-2011 Parts | Cosmo Accessories, for more options on skidplate and centerstand, etc.
Hyde Racing Products for Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Adventure Bike Motorcycles, is the option that I ended up with. While this skidplate is not strong enough to allow in using a jack under the skidplate to lift the bike, it does offer the best ground clearance due to the sump wrap around plus it doesn't reflect engine noise as some of the metal skidplate brands do.
Another plus is that the front of the Hyde skidplate fastens to the exhaust header, so it doesn't need crashbars to be installed to be mounted. If you do install crashbars later or already have them installed, you can make your own DIY bracket to attach the front section of the Hyde skidplate to the crashbars or continue using the exhaust header pipe as per the OEM installation instructions. Both options of mounting the front of the skidplate works well.
I had no problems wrt to skidplate clearance or any fawling with the SW-Motch center stand installed.
Have a look at the kit on the Cosmo site, Suzuki DL 650 V-strom 2004-2011 Parts | Cosmo Accessories, for more options on skidplate and centerstand, etc.
Hyde Racing Products for Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Adventure Bike Motorcycles, is the option that I ended up with. While this skidplate is not strong enough to allow in using a jack under the skidplate to lift the bike, it does offer the best ground clearance due to the sump wrap around plus it doesn't reflect engine noise as some of the metal skidplate brands do.
Another plus is that the front of the Hyde skidplate fastens to the exhaust header, so it doesn't need crashbars to be installed to be mounted. If you do install crashbars later or already have them installed, you can make your own DIY bracket to attach the front section of the Hyde skidplate to the crashbars or continue using the exhaust header pipe as per the OEM installation instructions. Both options of mounting the front of the skidplate works well.
I had no problems wrt to skidplate clearance or any fawling with the SW-Motch center stand installed.
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