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How many miles does your Strom have?

5K views 28 replies 12 participants last post by  Noodle 
#1 ·
Just curious as to how many mile everyone has on their stroms and any problems other than the clutch basket.

I just have over 500 miles on my 04 1000. The weather just has not been cooperating. I came of of an SV that had 21000 with no problems.

Larry
 
#2 ·
From 0 to 1700 miles in three weeks around local area with no problems on a NEW 03

Clutch problem seems to be mostly the nut behind the handlebars..
*These are torquey twins that like to stay above 3000 Rpms....
* I ride mostly in the 3500 - 6500 r's range and have a great time ..
Clutch or Chudder problem is non existent to those who know how to ride a twin cylinder motorcycle... My Riding buddy, another V-Stromer totally agrees with me
 
G
#3 ·
SemperVee said:
From 0 to 1700 miles in three weeks around local area with no problems on a NEW 03

Clutch problem seems to be mostly the nut behind the handlebars..
*These are torquey twins that like to stay above 3000 Rpms....
* I ride mostly in the 3500 - 6500 r's range and have a great time ..
Clutch or Chudder problem is non existent to those who know how to ride a twin cylinder motorcycle... My Riding buddy, another V-Stromer totally agrees with me
I used to agree with you about the chudder, but changed my tune REAL quick when it started to do it on mine. It has nothing to do with the rider. My clutch basket had cuts/gouges in the fingers nearly 3/16" deep caused by the plates. It is fine now, after the basket was replaced with the new design. My chudder didn't show up until around 5,000 miles, it was VERY pronounced.
 
G
#4 ·
rmx250 said:
Just curious as to how many mile everyone has on their stroms and any problems other than the clutch basket.

I just have over 500 miles on my 04 1000. The weather just has not been cooperating. I came of of an SV that had 21000 with no problems.

Larry
I have 7,000 on mine now. I've had one issue other than the clutch basket. I had a mysterious coolant leak that I could not trace down. It turned out to be some junk on the radiator cap seal that was preventing the cap from keeping it's rated pressure. It has been great. The best motorcycle I've ever had.
 
#5 ·
how many miles

My 2002 has 21,500 miles. I just put on the 3rd set of tires, Bridgestone BT020s. Great tires for those who are not going to be riding on gravel roads. The bike has been pretty bullet proof other than the clutch basket which was bad from day one. The v-twin is no inline 4 but runs great above 4000 rpms. Will pull pretty smooth from 2500 rpms as long as you roll on the throttle slowly. If you really want to grab a handfull you better be above 4000 rpms.
 
#6 ·
My '02, #802, has about 9500 miles on it now, with no real issues. I did have a minor coolant leak that the dealer fixed, and it has the idle hammer going on, but no "chudder". The surprising thing about mine is that it will pull hard from way down low with no problem. Something I enjoy doing is idling along at 5 mph in first gear, then whacking the throttle open. It either spins up the rear, or stands right up in a wheelie! :D
 
#7 ·
Hey Noggin,

Those grooves in the basket won't cause the noise, they'll just interfere with the smooth engagement of the clutch. The "hammer" is from the slack in the drive gear on the clutch. Mine hammers away at idle, very annoying, but to make the noise stop, you just pull in the clutch lever, and voila, it is quiet again. I'm trying to get the dealer to replace my basket, and they are talking to Suzuki, we'll see.
 
#8 ·
I picked up my K3 the middle of Feb. 04 and just turned 2600 miles today. All my riding has been local and I can't wait to get to the mountains the first of may. My parents live 12 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway just off SR 276. If I can get free I'm planning on a daytrip over to try and meet some fellow Vstromers at the eastern meet.
 
#9 ·
Scooter

23000 KM on the puppy

Couldn't be happier with the VS. I think it does quiet well for a mult-purpose bike. DL1000 5000 rpm to Redline is a rush. I do not know in the US or else where if the bikes are restricted to a certain top speed, but in Canada the bikes will only go 220Km/h. You wouldn't want to go any faster with the top case on, its one big sail. Tweeked the bike a little for my gerth. Just put clean oil in it and retorque the bolts every so often and you have yourself an enjoyable bike.


Just had my front wheel taken out by a cager. Low speed crash, but who knows maybe my Dark Blue 02 will be replaced by a Dark Blue 04. Still have the Kappa luggage in Dark Blue.

I like that they have not changed the bike too much from the 02 model.
If I bought an FJ 1300 Yamaha I'd be pissed.


These are awesome multi-purpose bikes with a direction more towards Sport Riding.


Ride The Winds of Change


Scooter
 
#12 ·
430mi on a Blue 2004. Besides keeping it under 4500, this bike has been amazing. Coming from a 2003 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic, the most striking difference is the handling. I'm sure with more experience I could have handled the V-Star much better, but the lighter V-Strom gives me more confidence as I work on my turns. The seating position is extremely comfortable, and is much better for my back. So far the windshield (height 2) has been terrific (I'm 5'11''). It has been a busy four weeks which has taken a huge bite out of my riding time, hopefully the rest of this month will make up for it.
 
G
#15 ·
Mouth ahead of brain?

SemperVee said:
From 0 to 1700 miles in three weeks around local area with no problems on a NEW 03

Clutch problem seems to be mostly the nut behind the handlebars..
*These are torquey twins that like to stay above 3000 Rpms....
* I ride mostly in the 3500 - 6500 r's range and have a great time ..
Clutch or Chudder problem is non existent to those who know how to ride a twin cylinder motorcycle... My Riding buddy, another V-Stromer totally agrees with me
:

Only 90% of the riders in here have had the problem. Suzuki has acknowleged the problem and will fix it under warranty (during the warranty period). I think you are in denial :wink:

14,500 miles on my 03. I still have an engine knock at idle even after the clutch basket replacement. Dealer says it's normal. It has been there since very early on and hasn't gotten worse so I'll take his word for it. I am going to try 20w-50 oil next change.

Tires at 9k. Think I'll go a couple of teeth larger on the rear sprocket when it's time for replacement. Power Commander on order for the lean surge at 3-4k rpm. (I know, the bike doesn't have this problem either :) ).

That's all! I have a cross country trip planned. 4k miles or so. I don't hesitate taking a dirt road now and again.
 
G
#17 ·
Nearing 11,500 on my '02 Strom (Old Yeller, the colour not the dog). There isn't a speed limiter on Canadian V-Stroms in the UK. Zoom.

Popped the throttle bodies out of the inlet track back last summer, nothing since. Changed the tyres to Metzlers, haven't looked back.

500mi trip next Sunday, an assignment in Leeds England. Then north of Scotland to the south of France early August. Trying to wear it out so that the wife will let me have a new one...
:lol:
 
#18 ·
Re: Mouth ahead of brain?

rifraff said:
SemperVee said:
From 0 to 1700 miles in three weeks around local area with no problems on a NEW 03

Clutch problem seems to be mostly the nut behind the handlebars..
*These are torquey twins that like to stay above 3000 Rpms....
* I ride mostly in the 3500 - 6500 r's range and have a great time ..
Clutch or Chudder problem is non existent to those who know how to ride a twin cylinder motorcycle... My Riding buddy, another V-Stromer totally agrees with me
:

Only 90% of the riders in here have had the problem. Suzuki has acknowleged the problem and will fix it under warranty (during the warranty period). I think you are in denial :wink:
I agree with Riffraff,

I have 16K+ on my 02 and had the clutch basket replaced after 14K. The were no questions asked and it was done in warranty. The replacement made a huge difference in the way the bike operates through the RPM range. Much smoother and all most all of the vibes are gone.

Other than that, I have gone through 2 sets of tires and went to a D.I.D./Sprocket Specialists combo of 17/43.

No other trouble.
 
G
#22 ·
Mileage

I bought my '03 on 12/31/03 (mfr date 1/03 - Can't believe the poor thing sat on the dealers floor for so long, but I'm glad!) Rode it for mostly short trips (not including a 618 mile Death Valley ride, and 300+ mile Joshua Tree ride) until Jan 13th, then I started riding it full time 190 miles a day to/from work until Feb 12th, when I had to fly overseas. It sat until March 9th, then I started riding it full time again. So as of 5/15/04 it has 13,220 miles. Nothing I would call a problem, I had the typical fart/stall early on. The idle hammer started around the 400 mile mark. I never have sync'd the TB's, but I have checked them (with the homemade manometer filled with oil for now) and they are about 6-7 inches off until about 5k rpm, then they are darn close. I cant' wait to finally get them adjusted right, so it'll be smoother around town.

Jerry
Hemet, CA
 
G
#23 ·
Mileage

I bought my '03 on 12/31/03 (mfr date 1/03 - Can't believe the poor thing sat on the dealers floor for so long, but I'm glad!) Rode it for mostly short trips (not including a 618 mile Death Valley ride, and 300+ mile Joshua Tree ride) until Jan 13th, then I started riding it full time 190 miles a day to/from work until Feb 12th, when I had to fly overseas. It sat until March 9th, then I started riding it full time again. So as of 5/15/04 it has 13,220 miles. Nothing I would call a problem, I had the typical fart/stall early on. The idle hammer started around the 400 mile mark. I never have sync'd the TB's, but I have checked them (with the homemade manometer filled with oil for now) and they are about 6-7 inches off until about 5k rpm, then they are darn close. I cant' wait to finally get them adjusted right, so it'll be smoother around town.

Jerry
Hemet, CA
 
#25 ·
Hi, I am a new registrant, been lurking for the past several months and have been impressed with the wealth of information available.

I have 13K miles on my 03 now. Bought it used in January 04 with 6K on the clock. I have the chudder between 2 and 4K rpm, and the backfires at low speeds . Took the bike to a local dealer about a month after I bought it (Feb 04) for the 7K service. Asked to have the clutch looked at and fixed. The service manager denied ever hearing of a clutch problem. He said he took it for a test ride and did not notice the chudder. Pronounced it alive and handed me a bill for 180 bucks. Even with the chudder it is a fantastic bike. It is currently at a different dealer for the 15K service. Curious to see if this dealer will mention the clutch when I go to pick it up. Heading for Colorado next week for a 4K plus ride. Crossing my fingers that the clutch will not be an issue.

Recently added the Motech crash bars , skid plate and center stand . Then headed for Big Bend Texas for some dirt road adventure touring with a couple BMW GS s . Unfortunately I really had to use those crash bars. No major damage, mainly because I wasn’t going over 2mph because the mud was too slippery to go any faster. Big Bend had more rain in the past 4 months than it normally has all year. All the creeks were rivers and not an option to cross. Ended up riding on the paved roads most of the trip, but it was and awesome ride. Clutch was not a concern the entire trip.

Have explored several more (dry) dirt roads that were calling my name and looking forward to testing many more.
 
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