VStrom Owners Thread

Someone got a wash today. She now looks like someone cares about her!

What are you guys using for lubing the chain on long trips
I can't find the old 3.5oz Dupont cans for a reasonable price
Ridiculous a small spray is more then the big cans
Think I might go the fuck it and eliminate lubing all together
Just replace the chain every other year

I'm still using a spray can. I am a little negligent with lubing I'll be the first to admit. I hit it every so often, or if I think about it. Before long trips I will clean the chain and lube. Honestly I think some of it is a little over-hyped.

I'm using 80w gear lube in a 16 oz glue bottle with the plastic pop up nozzle
Works great for thinly applying lube every 500 miles or so
Just got back from a 2000 mile round trip out to the Blue Ridge Pkwy
Used about 8 oz

So why not carry a 10 oz. can? That's what I carry, it doesn't take that much more space...

Gustavo

I would carry a couple of small plastic bottles filled with extra tacky chainsaw oil to lube my chain, they fit easily under the seat or towards the small storage under rear of bike near the brake light cluster on my K8 V-Strom thou.
I carry a few rubber gloves to manually lube the chain whilst on mainstand, it only takes a minute or two.

Job done...!

mac

I use regular old 10w40 in my Loobman oiler. I press the button for a couple of seconds every 200 - 300 miles. Keeps grit off of the chain and doesn't make much of a mess.

Been using 90w gear oil lately, read up somewhere that was decent. Just turn the bottle up and spin the rear wheel on center stand every 500 miles or so. Could easily put in old condiment bottle of whatever size/shape fits your setup.

I have 2 bottles of tutor oil and a bottle of Scott's so that what I will be using for sure
Just need ideas on small travel containers

Just pop to your local pharmacy and pick up small clear plastic travel bottles with a screw top and use them, nothing too bulky.

I use the small shampoo bottles you get free in a hotel stay for example..... perfect travel size to store a few away under your seat...! Just wash them out, let dry, then and fill them with your favourite oil chain lube.


mac

Or you can order three of these 1 oz. bottles with flip lids from McMaster-Carr for $5.73.



Fill out your order with the metric nuts, bolts and washers that you always seem to need.

I installed the Givi engine guards on my '17 DL650 last month and I'm getting a very annoying/loud vibration at 5-5.2k RPM. I see many threads about this issue and the solutions are all over the place. Not really sure where to go from here but I do need engine guards since I ride off road a lot. Is there something definitive that was found to solve this problem?

In my case (different brand of bars), the crossover bar was too close to the plastic beak and made a HUGE racket at certain RPMs. I was able to turn it to give more clearance, and the noise went away.

So a sealed chain is really sealed anyway and lube is just to keep the rings pliable (maybe?) & keep off surface rust (maybe).

Many don't bother what so ever with lube with no ill affects.

The core of that problem is the bolt spacer tube that connects at the front is too long.
It does not allow the 2 sides to really clamp down in the inner connector piece.

Those o rings are suppose to eliminate the vibration of the inner connector but don't.

I wrapped my inner connector with electrical tape for a tighter fit and ground maybe 2mm off the spacer on the thru bolt.

Now it bolts down hard clamping on the inner connector between the 2 bars.

No vibration no noise, problem solved.

Some add rtv to that inner connector but that too long of a round bolt spacer part is the core problem.

Remove that thru bolt round spacer tube and rebolt it back up and go ride to test.
Vibe will be gone as the connector piece is held tight.

Then go back with a grinder and wrap and do it right.

Thanks for the tips, will give this a shot.

Is anyone using/used R&G Racing stuff? Partial to these bars as I really dont do serious offroad rides. They seem pretty unobtrusive.

Don

Completely fix my Givi vibs issue.

Great weekend for a trip
Ny
Live

Just an update to the broke tutor oiler
Upon my pre trip inspection today I found my rear sub frame bolt just about completely backed out
This is almost the exact spot I had the oiler mounted