[rb2399]

Congratulation for your sweet new ride. You have achieved astounding number of miles in short while. Very crisp and to the point report on VStrom. V Strom is a complete package for cross country rides.

Originally Posted by Swap_Abarth

What are service intervals and average service costs? I own D390.

The service interval is 6000 kms (earlier it was 4000 kms but has been changed recently). A typical service (oil+oil filter change,change lube+cleaning+setting etc) will set you back by ~ 7000 Rs.

Originally Posted by Swap_Abarth

Which one you pick for city rides, Duke or V Strom?

It'll be pretty cumbersome to do city rides on the V in my opinion.I'd pick the ultra nimble Duke over the V :-)

Wish you happy and safe riding...

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Congratulations! Well written ownership report and glad to see the V covering miles!

No plans for adding luggage systems?

[alphadog]

Congratulations!, on your ride. It looks superb!.

The V strom does seem like the complete package, for our Indian conditions. Powerful, yet not intimidating or cumbersome, with essential bells and whistles to do the job well. If I had to choose an adventure - tourer, this is what I would choose.

I for one like the look of the V strom over the Versys. The Kawasaki seems rather front heavy with a puny upswept tail area. The V strom, well, has a more balanced design. Also, the combination of having spoked wheels with tubeless tyres is a great advantage.
Although more expensive, the V strom does seem like a better bike of the two.

You seem to have made good use of the bike, munching up the miles rapidly. Does Suzuki offer any specific panniers / luggage systems in India and any idea of the costs involved.?

Keep having fun and do post more updates.

Cheerio!

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

No plans for adding luggage systems?

The prohibitive cost of soft/hand panniers is keeping me away from getting a decent luggage system :(
Apart from that, I prefer travelling light and hence a backpack has been doing its job at least on the V.

Originally Posted by alphadog

Does Suzuki offer any specific panniers / luggage systems in India and any idea of the costs involved.?

They do sell something known as an adventure kit. It consists of a top box and hard panniers. The cost is 1,65,000 Rs.

[hema4saran]

Congrats on getting the Camry of Mid level adventure touring motorcycle. I have specifically said Camry just from reliability perspective. Most of the people in my biking circle in US always sing praise for VStrom as a fun, fast and reliable motorcycle.

Most probably I may add one to my garage next year if things go as per plan to replace my Vulcan 650S.

[ranjitnair77]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

I recommend only Amsoil. Very highly rated and i use it for 10k service intervals. If you have the money, give it a shot,available on Amazon india.

Thanks for this tip Red Liner. I'll try Amsoil on my V-Strom 650. I notice that there are two kinds of fully synthetic Amsoils on Amazon. The Synthetic 10w 40 (Rs 800) and the Synthetic Metric 10w 40 (Rs 1150) which is considerably more expensive.

Synthetic
https://amzn.to/2JxYvIv

Synthetic Metric
https://amzn.to/2M2NMb2

I'm thinking that the regular synthetic (non metric) is the one to get unless you think otherwise.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by ranjitnair77

Thanks for this tip Red Liner. I'll try Amsoil on my V-Strom 650. I notice that there are two kinds of fully synthetic Amsoils on Amazon. The Synthetic 10w 40 (Rs 800) and the Synthetic Metric 10w 40 (Rs 1150) which is considerably more expensive.

Synthetic
https://amzn.to/2JxYvIv

Synthetic Metric
https://amzn.to/2M2NMb2

I'm thinking that the regular synthetic is the one to get unless you think otherwise.

No, only use the metric more expensive one. That is the one which will give you a 10,000 km life. Even if you are doing a 6,000km service oil change because of warranty concerns, i will only suggest the metric series.

[rb2399]

Had a wonderful ride to Karwar over the weekend during which the bike crossed the 20,000 KMs mark :-). So far so good !

Here are few photos:








Mods: Request you to update the thread title accordingly.

[ashwinprakas]

Dang! 20 Clicks so fast! That's how you haul ass! Kudos!

I'm pretty much impressed by the V-Strom going by your review, the best part about it being the fuel efficiency considering that my sub quarter liter motorcycle returns the same, in spite of having two plugs per cylinder.

And good choice on staying away from the Motul 300V, that thing is literally not API rated for extended wet-clutch operation, though Motul has a funny way of mentioning that on their website.

Hope you clock way more miles, it gives a good feeling(tinge of jealousy included) to see such machines properly utilized, restores faith in the Indian SBK scene.

Ride Safe,
A.P.

[rb2399]

Did a wonderful monsoon ride to Wayanad and Sakleshpur during the last week clocking nearly 2500 KMs.

Some snaps from the ride.







The odo now is near the 23000 KMs mark.

Any idea if Bridgestone sell their bike tyres in India ? The stock Bridgestone Battlax A40 are nearing their end and I'd definitely like to continue with them !

[ethanhunt123]

Its very difficult if not impossible to find Bridgestone or Dunlops in India. You can ask the Suzuki dealer but the pricing would be absurd even if you manage to get them to procure one for you.

There are even better options in Michelin (PR series), Pirelli (Angel GT) & Metzeler (Roadtec 01) for these ADV bikes - my suggestion is to switch to one of them. For more 80:20 Onroad/offroad tyres - i am very happy with the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 tires which came stock on my Multi.

[rb2399]

Another Monsoon ride to Indore was done over the weekend. Apart from the ride itself, Sarafa Bazar in Indore was the motivating factor :-)

Here are couple of photos:

Post this ride, the ODO crossed the 24,000 KMs mark !

At 24,000 KMs the valve clearance check and throttle body sync is supposed to be done along with coolant change.

Got the valve clearances checked and coolant change done at Kunal's workshop. The TB sync will be done once Kunal gets a particular cable (for VStrom) for his diagnostic tool.

All the clearances were within specs so she's set for another 24,000 KMs

Next up is the tyre change. The rear one has quite some tread depth left but the front one has almost gone bald.I am zeroing on Metz Tourance as I could not find the stock Bridgestones (online as well as local sellers)

[ethanhunt123]

Do also consider Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2's - excellent 80:20 tyres.

[wolfy]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Another Monsoon ride to Indore ...

Post this ride, the ODO crossed the 24,000 KMs mark !

Awesome stuff! You are living the dream man! Keep those wheels rolling! Always great to see a bike like that get used for what it was built!

Cheers!

[kaustubh_vaze]

Originally Posted by rb2399

Another Monsoon ride to Indore was done over the weekend. Apart from the ride itself, Sarafa Bazar in Indore was the motivating factor :-)

At 24,000 KMs the valve clearance check and throttle body sync is supposed to be done along with coolant change.

All the clearances were within specs so she's set for another 24,000 KMs

Next up is the tyre change. The rear one has quite some tread depth left but the front one has almost gone bald.I am zeroing on Metz Tourance as I could not find the stock Bridgestones (online as well as local sellers)

Hi,

I have been following your thread regularly. Awesome trips! Awesome bike!
I am contemplating between a Versys 650 and a VStrom 650.
Can you throw some light on the overall engine power and refinement of VStrom compared to Versys?

Regards,
Kaustubh Vaze