welcome to the forum, I turned my V-Strom into my winter ride, studded a block knobby for the front, darkside winter car tire in back, surprised the heck out of me how easy it was. Keep yer feet on the pegs, slow and steady

 

If you are in an area with a lot of snow, perhaps the following bolt-on mod is an option to enjoy your ride during the winter months, La DL 650 à Skis de Keker52. Use a language translator if required, but the pix alone should explain the concept.

 

If you are in an area with a lot of snow, perhaps the following bolt-on mod is an option to enjoy your ride during the winter months, La DL 650 à Skis de Keker52. Use a language translator if required, but the pix alone should explain the concept.

as someone who rides in less than ideal conditions, I can tell you that is an accident waiting to happen, I can see someone spinning out of control

 

Well, I don't think I'll be doing much riding in the winter months. I know there are people enjoying their bikes all year round, but that's not very common up here in the north. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen a bike on the roads in the wintertime here in Norway. It's not only the snow, but also the dark, the freezing cold and the icy slippery roads. Nah, I think I'll just let the bike rest through the winter, and resume the fun next spring.

 

well, I can understand a few seasons experience before the urge to defy logic, I find riding in snowstorms on unlit back roads in the dark, relaxing, no traffic, just you. Here in central New Hampshire, USA, our shortest days are just under 9 hours, and longest are 15 hours. How far north are you ? Above the Arctic Circle

 

Welcome and good luck with the bike and your riding.

 

Welcome to biking Svein_H....you are going to love it.
I am in the east of the UK so don't get the extremes you deal with. But when the snow is on the ground and the mud is frozen I go out on my e mountain bike on the trails . Surprising how that helps to keep your eye in, a lot of the same skills are involved .

 

Welcome! Congrats on the bike, license, and first ride. I've been on two wheels since 1978.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm already loving it, and trying to squeeze out as much riding as I can before it gets too cold this fall.

Filled up the tank and had a very nice long ride today, my second solo ride with my own bike. It takes some time getting used to it, it's much larger and heavier than my training bike, but it feels wonderful when on the road, that's why I bought it in the first place.

BTW, how much weight can the side stand handle? I was rather stiff and sore after the ride today, and struggled to get my right leg over the seat when I got off the bike at home. It gets even worse with the panniers mounted, thankfully I didn't have them today! Can I use the left peg to get my 120kg body off the bike while on the side stand, as I do when using the center stand, or will it break under the extra weight?

(edit: typo)

 

Side stand will be fine to mount and dismount, but try to be smooth loading onto it , making sure it is down fully and secure on a good surface. A side stand foot is handy here.
Picked at random...

Pardon our interruption...

 

Thanks, that is excellent news!

 

Norway! My grandfather was from East of Stavanger!

 

Cool! Stavanger is on the southwest coast of Norway, a region I have't had the pleasure of visiting yet.

 

First enjoy the ride, low traction is one thing. No traction is another. Spring will come and have the maintenance done. The strom is heavy but after a while its no big deal.