[mullerrj]

If you would, please prioritize your Top 5 farkles/add-ons. Make sure you prioritize your list and do NOT include any more than 5. Also include manufacturer and model number. I think this would be rather useful info. as some riders might be missing something that they should definitely have on their VStrom. Here are mine (in priority order):

1. Garmin Zumo 660 GPS- I don't go anywhere without GPS these days.
2. Givi Luggage- e36 side bags and e52 top case..to lock the GPS and Helmet in when I'm away from my bike.
3. Cortech Tank Bag- I put all my essentials in there when I ride. i.e. phone, money, EZPass, etc.
4. Madstad adjustable windshield bracket- if you don't have one, you don't know what you're missing. What a difference!
5. OEM Hand Protectors- functional and they look cool- at least I think.

So, there ya go. Whatcha got? Thanks Rob

 

[Fyrman]

1. Madstad bracket. Top of list, no question. The buffeting is enough to drive you batty without it.
2. Mirror extenders. They should probably be included with the Madstad since I'm sure they help with the buffeting but the big advantage is finally being able to see around my apparently too broad shoulders.
3.Dual sport tires. I'm running Shinko 705s and am loving the difference over the Road Attacks I was running. Don't get me wrong, the Conti's are a fabulous tire right up until you get into anything slick. Mud, wet grass, peat bogs, road kill...
4.Heated grips. Mmmmm. Warm palms and I'm not standing in the shower... Still bordering on euphoric. :mrgreen:
5.Center stand. No brainer. Plain and simple.

 

[kapenagary]

Let's see -----------

1. Russell day long saddle - a no brainer
2. Kaoko throttle lock
3. Jesse bags (all three)
4. Amotostuff bash plate
5. Hepco-Becker engine (plastic) guards

I should have squeezed in my GPS with sat radio somewhere

 

[mullerrj]

Awesome stuff guys..keep it coming. It's already giving me ideas on new farkles- down the road. Thanks

 

[greywolf]

1. Fork Brace
2. Sargent Seat
3. Madstad Windscreen w/bracket (sold as a set so a single item)
4. Center Stand
5 CCS-100 Cruise Control from Murphskits.com

 

[slt824]

1. Center Stand
2. Sargent Seat
3. Madstad Windscreen w/bracket (sold as a set so a single item)
4. HID Bi-Xenon headlight kit with relay 4300K with digital slim ballasts
5 CCS-100 Cruise Control from Murphskits.com

Wow. I'm a little surprised that your first farkle wouldn't be a fork brace.

 

[tytek]

1. Suzuki gel seat
2. Aux lights: front aux lights/ rear LED light strip
3. N-B tank bag
4. Madstad bracket
5. Center stand

 

[greywolf]

Wow. I'm a little surprised that your first farkle wouldn't be a fork brace.

Me too. I guess I don't consider it an add on but a necessity and it slipped my mind. I can adjust.

 

[mullerrj]

Center Stand

Wow, a couple of you guys had a center stand in your top 5. I have one (OEM) but the freakin' thing is tough to use. I actually have to back up on a small piece of 1x4 wood to get it up. And, I aint no lightweight either. Maybe there's a better technique to use (other than using wood) or I best get my a$$ back in the gym weight training..ha

 

[acududeman]

Wow, a couple of you guys had a center stand in your top 5. I have one (OEM) but the freakin' thing is tough to use. I actually have to back up on a small piece of 1x4 wood to get it up. And, I aint no lightweight either. Maybe there's a better technique to use (other than using wood) or I best get my a$$ back in the gym weight training..ha

You're using improper technique. It has very little to do with brawn and muscle. Simply stand on the left side of your bike, with the front wheel straight. Balance the bike upright with your hands. You can keep the side stand down if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Left hand on the left handle bar, right hand on the rear rack behind the seat. Step with your right foot down on the center stand peg. As you place your full weight down onto the peg, simply guide the bike up onto the center stand.

The short of it.......it's mostly in the transfer of your body weight down through the right foot......effortless after some practice.

 

[acududeman]

1) Fork Brace
2) Sargent Seat
3) Elka 3-Way Shock
4) Bestem Top Case
5) Sonic Springs + Emulators

 

[Heavy]

1.) Fork Brace
2.) Sargent Seat
3.) EBC HH front brake pads
4.) Givi engine guards
5.) 43 tooth rear sprocket
6.) GIVI windshield
7.) ZUMO gps
8.) Stebel horn
9.) MSR ATV HIGH handlebars
10.) Vortex Generators
11.) Pro-Grip 714 grips
12.) Cheapy, from China, shorty levers
13.) Handguard vent plugs

 

[greywolf]

No fair. The limit was five.

 

[dl1busa0]

steering dampener
fork brace
heated grips
lambswool seat cover
gsxr calipers

 

[tytek]

No fair. The limit was five.

It is not like it is in the title... and in caps in the post :headbang:

 

[jeems]

I'm not sure I have 5 farkles.

1.) mirror extenders - I miss looking at my shoulders. ebay ones from seller simcawallows
2.) Top box - I have the JC whitney large and it works great for me.
3.) grip puppies
4.) DL1000 seat - this is only borrowed but I like it better than the 650 stock seat
5.) Eastern Beaver 3 circuit solution on it's way.

Hey I made it. 5 farkles (pending)!

 

[adh6501]

So far:

1. Throttle Rocker
2. Power Commander
3. TraX EVO top and side cases
4. Accessory fuse block
5. Fork brace

 

[Chefdave]

1. Suzuki Gel Seat
2. Madstad Bracket
3. Grip Puppies
4. Kaoko Throttle Lock
5. Pat Walsh Crash Bars (due to a recent lowside)

 

[Heavy]

No fair. The limit was five.

I know.

I would have been more receptive to the "5 only" if it had been a request, rather than a demand.

I do have more items I could have put on the list but I got bored.

 

[biggyfries]

Now I'm feeling self-consious. I don't have a center stand and don't miss one--I only want the rear wheel up to lube the chain, and I do that with a floor jack in my garage. If I lube the chain out on the road it is admittedly more difficult than if I had a centerstand--but relatively rare.
I don't use a GPS only because I don't miss what I never had--same with a cel phone. I would like the accurate speedo on a GPS, but thats about it.
My list is pretty short because I eliminated the mods to make the bike fit the rider--everyone's different, but I like to make windshields and have made several for my Vee--no madstad, because I simulate the same setting as is most popular--I have very little buffetting. But a suitable windshield is one of the first farkles,
Second is a fork brace--I use Rick's and it makes a long fork as stroms have feel much more planted.
Third, each of us needs a better seat, I use a Suzuki tall/touring seat--I will probably get a better seat one day--for now the tall seat is okay.
Fourth, I added a 16-tooth front sprocket--and I'm still thinking she's over-geared a little. But I have gotten some decent mpg's, I've cracked 50 mpg a couple of times.
And fifth, I have a Manta magnetic tank bag, and I use it on all my other bikes too, so I really get a lot of use out of it. Love it.

Those are my top five. I think farkles are one of the fun things about motorcycling, so I have a bunch of mods on all my bikes--its hard to zero in on the top five.