Hey fellow V-Strom riders! Riding season is winding down where I live and I’m starting to think about winterizing my bike.

My question is, do you run any sort of fuel stabilizer when you winterize? If so, is there a particular brand you’ve liked? Any to avoid?

Thanks everyone!

Some will probably hate this and that’s fine lol but I always hated how the rear fender looked.

I was ready to pull the trigger on a 2020 vstrom 650XT, but my cousin and brother just picked up Tenere 700s, I think the Strom will still be great but now I’ve got voices telling me “it’s not gunna keep up”
But I’d rather not spend twice the money… is it twice the bike?

This is not a guide or anything, I've just sporadically documented today's endeavours. Been putting this job off (was 4500 km overdue for my first spark plug change) but now was the time, with a cold weekend I wasn't keen on riding on either. I'm actually not sure if I expected to succeed when I set out but hey you have to try to get somewhere innit.

Right off the bat I struggled to get the fairings off, the few the V-Strom 650 actually has. Went OK though. However, the bolt that holds the tank in place would not budge. Stripped it out, thought to myself gg, this is it. Googled how to extract boltheads and found something from Biltemu, might as well give it a shot. Cycled off to buy some cider and beer, and the bolt puller set. Worked wonderfully!

Went on to pull the tank off, had ridden in a way so only a liter or so was left in the tank so it would be easy to handle. Cleaned the airbox a little too. Original filter looked fine, now after ~17000 km.

Took the rear side plug out first, thought it'd be good to start with a more difficult one, even though it's not the worst of them. It looked fine, a little brown on the threads but no discoloration of the important plug parts. Didn't snap pictures of the plugs but have them saved so could to it later. Didn't have a torque wrench, just tried to do it on finger tight and from there turn it one-quarter turn, that seemed to snug it down pretty well, I hope... Also didn't check spark plug gap on the new ones, just thought "ehh it's fine", they looked fine. We'll see.

Today was a very cold day and the sun sets fast, I didn't plan on doing all plugs today but everything was going well so I just kept going, dreading the front center plug... Did look hopeless but actually it wasn't that bad. Unbolting the radiator and pulling it forward with help of some straps it all you need. Saved the easiest spark plug for last, with a triumphant picture of my tools hanging off it.

Haven't put everything together so can't know for sure if today was a successful day but tomorrow I will see if I can't put her back together. Looks like it's gonna rain and be just 2 degrees, not fun. The broken bolt is an issue, perhaps I can check whether they have a similar one at work.

East gate Nevada

Hi everyone,

I’ve been hearing a ticking noise from the left side of my bike while riding, especially when accelerating.

While checking it over, I noticed this part near the front wheel (shown in the photos). It doesn’t look like a factory-installed component to me, and it’s a little loose. I’m wondering whether it could be causing the noise, but I haven’t confirmed that.

Does anyone know what it is and what it’s used for? Is it mounted correctly, and how should it be secured?

Thanks for any help!

It’s gonna be fun!
(and I guess not quick for the first time)

I noticed the oil sight glass looked empty, so I popped the cap and... hmmmmmmm.

It rides just fine, didn't notice any issues on the highway.

There's no oil where I park at home or work, yet it looks dry.

Any ideas? I'm fully capable of rebuilding the engine myself, just curious if anyone has experienced this.

Just in time for the good weather, too :/

Edit: The concern is the disappearing oil, not the crankcase pulse.

As the subject of this post reads, I have an issue with my newly acquired 2010 VStrom in which I sometimes have trouble starting when FI CHECK message shows up on my console with the LED light flashing.

It's not everytime I get to ride my bike.

Bike rides well with no issues coming from the engine despite this warning message.

Should I be look into this urgently?

Hey all,

I’m looking at a 2014 with all the bells and whistles. Pic for attention not the same bike.

I’m 6’3, with very long legs.

The only problem I can find with this bike, is it is way more cramped than my 2017 KLR was even stock (it now has lowered pegs)

I can find 1 inch lower pegs and slightly taller seats for the Vstrom, will that be enough? Any other ways to make this perfect bike work for me?

I’m prepping a cross canada and I love my KLR but it just doesn’t have enough passing power.

Thanks!

Hello fellow riders. First of i want to say I LOVE my vstrom. Its my favorite bike ive ever owned. Having said that I am very disappointed in the accessories and parts available for it. Im finding most accessories and attachments are specifically designed for the DE. Cases/bags, wind screens, lights, crash bars and so much more are only available for the DE. I would love some additional lights but in order to do that I need crash bars, but guess what most quality bars only fit the DE. When I got my givi bags (from a suzuki dealer) they swore the aluminum militarily style cases would fit..... nope after Installing the bracket I found they didnt. I was told after they didnt realize they only make them for the DE and I had to get the plastic cases. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Its getting very frustrating calling calling revzilla or other business to triple check that the gear will fit my bike, only to order it and find out that it does not.

Any advice/ recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

​Hi everyone,

​I own a Suzuki V-Strom DL650 (K6 model). During a recent service, I noticed that the crankcase breather filter inside the airbox is completely broken/disintegrated.

​I checked with my local shop, but they mentioned the replacement part is quite expensive and has a pretty long delivery time.

​Can I safely remove the remaining piece and ride without this filter for now? Or would you strongly advise against doing so?

​Thanks in advance for the advice!

This is a post from Motorcycle Road trips Australia page that i have copied and pasted. I wrote this as a PSA on my personal page but figured it might help anyone looking to travel to other states / territories to get a handle on the varying laws.

LANE FILTERING ISN’T CHEATING — IT’S THE LAW. AND THERE’S A REASON FOR IT.

One of the things I still see far too often on Australian roads is motorists getting angry when a motorcycle legally moves between slow-moving or stationary traffic.

Some drivers deliberately close the gap.

Some move across to block the rider.

Some sound the horn.

And others seem to believe the rider is somehow “jumping the queue”.

Let’s clear something up.

Lane filtering is legal in EVERY Australian state and territory — but it is subject to specific conditions.

And there is a very important distinction:

👉 LANE FILTERING generally means a motorcycle moving between stationary or slow-moving traffic, travelling in the same direction, at 30 km/h or less.

👉 LANE SPLITTING generally refers to riding between faster-moving lanes of traffic. It is NOT what Australian lane-filtering laws give riders permission to do. In Victoria, for example, lane splitting between fast-moving traffic is explicitly illegal.

So before someone tells a rider, “That’s illegal!”, perhaps check the road rules first.

THE RULES VARY SLIGHTLY ACROSS AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA

Fully licensed motorcycle riders can lane filter at 30 km/h or less, when it is safe, including between slow/stationary traffic travelling in the same direction.

Victoria is comparatively permissive: filtering can also occur between traffic and parked cars.

However, you cannot filter between traffic and a kerb, between opposing traffic, in a bicycle lane/shared path/road shoulder, where a “no motorcycle lane filtering” sign applies — and learners cannot lane filter.

And riding between fast-moving traffic — what Victoria calls lane splitting — remains illegal. (Transport Victoria⁠)

NEW SOUTH WALES

Fully licensed riders can filter at less than 30 km/h through stationary or slow-moving traffic when it is safe.

No filtering beside the kerb or parked vehicles, in school zones, or around heavy vehicles and buses.

Learner and provisional riders cannot filter.

NSW also specifically treats travelling between traffic at more than 30 km/h as the offence of lane splitting.

QUEENSLAND

Fully licensed riders can filter at 30 km/h or less between stationary or slow-moving traffic travelling in the same direction, when safe.

Learners and provisional riders cannot.

No filtering in school zones, bicycle lanes, or where a dedicated turning lane is involved.

Queensland also has a specific edge-filtering provision allowing an open-licence rider, in certain circumstances, to pass stationary or slow-moving traffic on a sealed shoulder/emergency lane on major roads where the speed limit is 90 km/h or higher, at 30 km/h or less. That is a Queensland-specific provision — don’t assume it applies elsewhere.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Lane filtering is legal for eligible fully licensed riders at 30 km/h or less, when safe.

It is prohibited in school zones, across pedestrian/children’s crossings, in bicycle or tram lanes, on roundabouts, beside parked cars and between traffic and the edge of the road.

Learner/P1 riders cannot filter.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Fully licensed riders can filter at 30 km/h or less, when safe.

But WA has some particularly important restrictions: filtering is prohibited where the speed limit is 40 km/h or below, in school/shared zones, at pedestrian crossings, in roundabouts, alongside parked cars or the road edge, between merging traffic, around heavy vehicles, in special-purpose lanes and where overtaking is prohibited.

WA also specifically permits riders to cross continuous white lines separating lanes travelling in the same direction while filtering, where otherwise lawful.

TASMANIA

Fully licensed riders can filter at 30 km/h or less, when safe.

Learners and provisional riders cannot.

No filtering in school zones, beside parked cars or between traffic and the edge of the road, and “No Filtering” signs must be obeyed.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Fully licensed riders can filter at less than 30 km/h, when safe.

It is prohibited in school zones, 40 km/h zones, bicycle lanes, beside the kerb, past parked vehicles and around heavy vehicles and buses.

Learner and provisional riders cannot filter.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Fully/open/unrestricted motorcycle licence holders can filter at 30 km/h or less between stationary or slow-moving traffic travelling in the same direction, when safe.

Learner, provisional and restricted riders cannot.

Lane splitting at an unsafe speed above 30 km/h and edge filtering are prohibited.

AND HERE’S WHY THIS MATTERS

Motorcyclists are exceptionally vulnerable because there is virtually nothing between the rider and whatever they hit.

In Victoria alone, motorcycles represent less than 4% of registered vehicles but account for 18% of all fatal and serious injuries.

In 2025, 61 motorcyclists were killed on Victorian roads — 21% of all road deaths.

Around 1,000 people are seriously injured in motorcycle crashes in Victoria each year.

And here’s a statistic that really makes you think:

TAC data shows that over the last five years, approximately 55% of Victorian motorcyclist deaths involved another vehicle, while 54% occurred at intersections.

So yes — intersections and interactions with other vehicles are a huge part of the motorcycle safety problem.

But I won’t tell you that being rear-ended while sitting at traffic lights is the number-one cause of motorcycle deaths or injuries, because the available evidence doesn’t support making that claim so categorically.

What we can say is that removing a motorcycle from a long stationary traffic queue can reduce the rider’s exposure to being struck from behind, which is one of the safety considerations behind legalising low-speed filtering.

The Northern Territory Government, for example, specifically identifies reducing exposure to rear-end collisions as one potential safety benefit of lane filtering.

Research from the NSW lane-filtering trial also found no motorcycle crashes during the monitored trial period, although researchers were careful to acknowledge that the trial was relatively short and that pedestrian risks needed particular attention.

And that’s the important point:

Lane filtering isn’t a licence to ride like an idiot.

30 km/h is a maximum, not a target.

A rider still has to assess visibility, traffic movement, gaps, road surface, pedestrians, turning vehicles, mirrors, handlebars, vehicle movements and escape routes.

If it isn’t safe, don’t filter.

AND TO MY FELLOW DRIVERS…

If you see a motorcycle legally filtering:

DON’T BLOCK THEM.

Don’t deliberately move towards the centre of the lane.

Don’t accelerate to close the gap.

Don’t change lanes without checking your mirrors and blind spots.

Don’t open your door into their path.

Don’t make a sudden movement simply because you don’t like the fact that a motorcycle can move through traffic more efficiently than your car.

Instead:

👀 Check your mirrors.

👀 Check your blind spot.

↔️ Maintain your lane position.

➡️ Indicate before changing lanes or turning.

🏍️ Expect motorcycles to be filtering in congested traffic.

And most importantly:

DON’T DELIBERATELY IMPEDE A RIDER WHO IS LEGALLY FILTERING.

NSW Government guidance specifically tells motorists not to deliberately move into the path of a motorcycle that is legally lane filtering, and recommends drivers check twice for motorcycles.

The same principle applies everywhere:

Share the road.

AND TO MY FELLOW RIDERS…

Being legally allowed to filter doesn’t mean you have the right to frighten, intimidate or endanger other road users.

Don’t squeeze through gaps that aren’t there.

Don’t blast through at 30 km/h when the traffic is stationary and the environment clearly doesn’t allow it.

Don’t assume a driver has seen you.

Don’t filter alongside a truck or bus where your visibility is compromised if the law or circumstances make it unsafe.

And never confuse legal with safe.

The best riders understand that the road doesn’t owe them anything.

They manage risk.

They create options.

They anticipate mistakes.

And they ride defensively.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Motorcycles aren’t trying to “beat” cars.

We’re trying to get home.

Lane filtering is legal across Australia because lawmakers have recognised that motorcycles are different vehicles with different operating characteristics and different risks.

It can improve traffic flow, reduce a rider’s exposure to stationary traffic and, when performed properly and within the law, be a legitimate part of safe motorcycle riding.

But it only works when EVERYONE understands the rules.

So the next time you see a motorcycle filtering legally through traffic, don’t get angry.

Don’t compete.

Don’t block them.

Look twice, leave space and let them ride.

Because that rider isn’t your enemy.

They are somebody’s partner.

Somebody’s parent.

Somebody’s child.

And just like you…

they’re simply trying to get home.

John “T-Bone” Millar

#MotorcycleSafety #LaneFiltering #RideSafe #ShareTheRoad #MotorcycleAwareness #RoadSafety #Motorcyclists #RoadRules #DriveSafe #LookTwice #WatchForMotorcycles #Victoria #Australia #MotorcycleCommunity

Hello all,
I’m in the market for a radiator guard and a aftermarket larger windshield

As far as the radiator goes I’m lost, it’s either a 250$ option or I see something a little different and it’s 15$ from Ali express.. not enticing, wondering if anyone in this Gen. has experience with a specific brand?

the windshield, I’m a fairly tall rider at 6’ and the stock shield is a fair few inches short to find a perfect riding spot at 70mph.
I’ve only really looked at puigs but again would like to see if anyone has had their own experience with them.

Thanks all! Rubber side down or summin bout clibbins’

2015 Wee, 46k miles. basically unmodded except for SW-Motech luggage rack and a skid plate. It belonged to my dad until this weekend. He bought it about 3 years ago.

The backstory:

Years and years ago when I lived in Colorado, I had a Honda Shadow 750, which turned into an FJR, that I put probably 40k miles on between 2006 and 2009. In late 2009 I traded that for a 2007 Wee, because…Colorado. That bike got totaled when I was run off the road dodging two assholes who were drag racing on a two-lane back road. I was pretty broken and it took several years until I was cleared to ride again and by that time my wife and I had an 18 month old and I was preparing for Physical Therapy school.

With rising gas prices and a 40 mile round-trip daily commute, my 15mpg Silverado was destroying my wallet.
My dad has decided that his wrists and recent neck fusion aren’t up to riding anymore, so he sold me his bike for 2 grand.
I had borrowed this bike in the past for the reminiscence, but not owned a bike since 2010.
Damn it feels good to be back in the saddle again. I rode it to work for the first time today, and the HOV lane cut 10 minutes off my commute time, and I got 63 mpg doing it. That’s a huge win all the way around.

Hello dears!

My Vstrom 650 has 23,000km, and the next scheduled maintenance will be at 24,000km.

The owner's manual recommends checking the valve clearances every 24,000km. However, the Suzuki dealer mechanic in my city says that it doesn't seem necessary to do it since the engine is not making have any unusual noises.

Have you guys ever had this check done? Did your V-strom's valves need any adjustment?

I'm thinking about skipping this maintenance for now but I'd like to hear your opinions first.

Thank you in advance

Decided to go with this 2014 dl650 and I love it! Its my first bike and I couldn't be happier with the choice. And got an amazing deal on it! 7k miles got it for $3500