I'm on my 4th Vstrom and now own two. A 2021 1050XT and a 2020 650XT. They are the finest bikes at this price point known to mankind and do everything very well. This is a great concise honest review of a legendary motorcycle.

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! And for sharing your insights for the benefit of others.

Decreasing valve tappet clearance is a sign of wear and has nothing to do with the type of oil you use. Instead it is a function of how high you rev the engine and how long you hold it there. (high revs = higher valve closing velocity = more impact force on seat) the longer you do this is essentially the equivalent of inducing more hammer blows. For individuals who dont like upshifting a gear because they want more instantaneous throttle response there can be a significant penalty in valve wear. This assumes upshifting wont cause significant engine lugging which should be avoided. Impact force is non-linear and increases with square of velocity. Thus, valve impact effect is 4X greater when you double rpm. On the VStrom 1000 v-twin there is plenty of available torque and there is virtually no reason to hold revs on sustained basis above 4K rpm unless ascending steep grades in 4 -6 gear or cruising at high speeds in 6th. I rarely rev my 2018 above 6K and usually shift just above 4K and even then it provides very brisk acceleration

@RubberChickenMan007

3 жыл бұрын

Unless you have an sv1000. That thing is fun as hell at high rpms 😂😁

@tomthomsen990

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like mechanical engineer speak!

@kannermw

2 жыл бұрын

@@tomthomsen990 Yes sorry mechanical engineer speak but no BS. Not just my words but the realities of physics in engine design. The spread of false information on internet is concerning. It is outpacing legitimate information with preposterous personal opinions and conjecture. Soon we will be living in a world like the movie Idiocracy. Given a choice I would rather ride than wrench. Reving a V-Twin like a 4 cylinder sport bike is pure folly. You won’t get much more performance and the engine components will pay the price in faster wear requiring more maintenance and shorter engine life. My first valve check at 14.5K found one exhaust valve slightly under .001” above low limit spec that I adjusted to be consistent with the other valves. Trust me I drive aggressively above 80 percentile of typical rider but not abusively. Take care of your toys and you avoid big holes in your wallet

@tomthomsen990

2 жыл бұрын

@@kannermw I agree with this comment. Please note that I was very happy to read a comment from someone that DOES understand Physics and engine design. There is a lot of baloney being spewed on line as you said!

I put 75,000 trouble free miles on my K9 V Strom before it's "forced decommissioning” by a refrigerated truck. Valves were hardly off spec at 60K even though it spent much of it's life above 6000 rpm (where I live, we can cruise for hours at 100-120mph). I thought it was due to my OCD changing fully synthetic oil every 3000 miles! I have a 1050XT now and I love it just the same!

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for sharing your insights here for others. Sorry yours got smucked. Hope you were ok. I just ticked 85k on mine and will be doing another clearance check as well as an update video soon.

This channel is so underrated..really great stuff here..thank you

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for saying so and for watching!

@Marc-NZ

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV I'm from Brasil, leaving here in USA for almost 8 years now going back to Brazil for retirement,guess which bike I'm gonna get it? And your channel was a big impact in my decision..thank you sir!

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

@@Marc-NZ Awesome! I'd love to ride in Brazil someday.

Just got a TLS at 54,000 km, only done 500 km and about to do some in depth maintenance when I can stop myself riding it. Just watched your earlier valve clearance adjustment. Nice to know you've only had to make minor adjustments on that 1 valve from what I can see. Nice to see newer video with nicer camera. Well subscribe now as I have enjoyed how you delivery your content. Will have to watch your trip now. Watching from NZ.

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Greetings from Los Angeles! Thanks for watching. Kiwis always welcome here. Yes, I'm almost to 85,000 miles now so will soon have another look at my valve clearances. My riding behavior has been to keep rpms below 5k and I use cheap oil but change frequently. Enjoy your ride!

Fantastic insights. Thank you for taking the time to explain your methods.

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I bought my first gen vsrtom 1000 last year after watching your reviews and breakdown really appreciate your insight and detail orientation mine also has the power commander unit on it which I have not touched I don't know if you might have a video that shows you setting that up or did you take it in and have it tuned looking forward to your trip video be safe enjoy!

The only "problem" I've had on my 2005 DL1000 is the dreaded stator magnets coming off their location on the rotor. I lucked out in that all of them were intact and just needed to be reattached. I followed a guy here on YT that did a video on the process using JB Weld and have had zero issues since.

@UrbanMonkTV

3 жыл бұрын

Oh that's a great fix! I may check that out sometime.

@rehansardar4205

2 жыл бұрын

Mine got loosened up at 30,000 kms and damaged the stator coil

@happytrucker1000

11 ай бұрын

Has the same on mine😮

The valve stem adjustment is very interesting.

Thanks for this 👍 Wish you all the best 😊

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Glad that I found your channel, I will be picking up a mint 2008 Black WeeStrom 650 next week with 4000 miles after seeing this it looks like it may verry well out live me. I will check out your other videos thank you

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Enjoy your new Wee! Great bikes. One of the best values to be had out there. I love my DL1000 and you'll enjoy better gas mileage than I do, but not much less power.

@verbalwidget7267

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV Thank you, I'm excited to get it.

Amazing just confirmed my purchase choice

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

After I made this video I rode my Strom 8500 miles coast to coast across America and back again without issue. I now have 81k miles on it with no plans to sell. You can watch my trip in my Palms, Pines, & Fishing Lines playlist. Thanks for watching!

great music in the background. looking at a new version vstrom 1050 myself

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

I'd buy a new one in a heartbeat...If I needed one. Thanks for watching.

@milesdavis8665

Жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV indeed!!!

Hope you are having a good trip Monk and that your wife is doing well ...Your videos on the Vstrom along with others helped me decide what ADV/touring bike to look into ..all things considered including what my local mechanic said... I found a 2004 650...registered as a 2005 with 41,000 miles.... couldn't be happier ..just haven't been able to ride it as much as would like being my mom's caregiver last couple of years and the covid situation ... but that will all change soon... besides now it is just too hot (for me anyway) to ride in the Coachella Valley (85-90 at 5:00am!...LO.... looking forward to your trip videos!

@UrbanMonkTV

3 жыл бұрын

I can resonate with the challenges of being a caregiver. My thoughts are with you there. And congrats on the V-Strom! I've nothing but good things mostly about the 650s and they're they're bike essentially as my 1000 so I am happy for you!

Hi again forgot to mention it only started to happen after the first service which I’ve heard of before.

Hi I think your channel is brilliant full of all the right info . I have a 2018 1000 and really like it but apart from the crunch from 1 to 2nd I’ve fitted a gear enhancer which is basically a spacer fitting in between the rear hub and sprocket if you weren’t aware of over their across the pond . as they are made by a small company here in the uk . No doubt you’ve heard of this annoyance before so have you any ideas other than alignment . Any correspondence would be greatly received.

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I have heard of that mod but have not done it to my Strom. Perhaps one day.

I bought a 2010 DL650 with 5000 klms on the clock 4 months ago. It had been garaged for years.Mint Condition. I just added Pirelli Angel GT tyres,front and rear. Love it.

@UrbanMonkTV

7 ай бұрын

Lots of fun to be had for the next couple decades with that one! Thanks for watching!

I just finished watching your first episode of the road trip and remembered something that is better suited for this video. When you have the Givi crash guards you can disassemble the fairings as follows: Remove all the fasteners and fairings as you normally would - EXCEPT for the two side fairings that the Give bars interfere with. Temporarily secure them so that you can remove the tank. Remove the tank and the fairings should come out without having to mess with black inserts. To be fair I didn't remove the fairings since I was just replacing the fuel pump. I will try it next time when I do the valve clearance check.

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

I believe your logic is good for tank and top end related repairs/adjustments, but for getting into that front cylinder I like having the radiator and the fairings completely out of my way. Personal preference thing. Thanks!

@szaneman791

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV Oh no, to be clear I'm not saying all those don't need to come off to get to the head, JUST ONLY that you can bypass taking the three screws each out of the little fairing inserts on the larger fairing because they can be a pain :-)

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

@@szaneman791 Ah! I misunderstood. My right side crash bars are bent in ever so slightly from a drop years ago and I need to remove the insert on that side to get the fairing off. I didn't mention that in the video. Frankly happened so long ago I've almost forgotten why I do it.

Dude you're awesome

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Geez. Thanks. I really appreciate that.

@sercio994

Жыл бұрын

He really is hahah

Great tips here, helping me keep going ('04 V Stromo) Peace3ed

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great Motorcycle they are still numerous on the road specially in France. 👍

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Vive la V-Strom!

Apart from adding fat 'o' rings to change the screen angle to stop buffeting, my only problem was the misalignment between the sprockets (apparently normal on uk spec bikes) fixed with a shim from Cymarc through the Stromtroopers website gearbox became slick & sweet ....then traded for a bmw gs as the Suzi became too fast for an old fart living in Devon.....we have twisty single track roads with stone hedges🏍️💨🚜😵🚑🤕🍻😁👍🏍️💨💨💨💨

Hey man. im looking at a 2007 DL1000 with 32k miles mmm are there any common issues i should worry? i see yours is in great shape. i read the clutch basket was an issue but on 06 or 07 got solved.

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Short answer is these are great value machines. Low cost of acquisition, low cost of ownership, reliable, big time capabilities. That said, I can't speak to the exact machine you are looking at and its particular history. The clutch basket thing is real but never puts a bike on the side of the road. And yes, there is a fix available. You can feel it in a "idle hammer" or knocking feeling when the clutch lever is out. If it goes away and gets smooth when you pull the lever in, it is beginning to have the issue. Mine only just started to show the slightest signs of it at 80k miles. I will eventually just send my basket to the guy who fixes them and get the mod. I expect to ride mine to 150k before I'm serious about looking at another bike. Hope this helps.

You mentioned adding a power commander -what map are you using?

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

I had a shop with a Dyno install my PCV and they custom mapped it to my specific bike on their Dyno. It's really the best way to do it. That said, I've read of cases where people have downloaded maps off the web and had good results. Thanks for watching!

hey great video,is the v-strom same engine like the tl1000s?and can we apply your knowledge to one?

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, they are the same engine and fueling system (including computer). I've used videos made for the TL in learning how to do things on my DL.

@thebear6529

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV great!

Do you add some sort of a friction additive? I was always told that standard automotive oil would ruin clutch pads

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! It is precisely those friction additives found in a lot of automotive oils that ruins wet clutches. So, no, I do not add friction additives. I have a video on the specific oil I use and how to choose the right type of automotive oil for wet clutch bikes. I recommend everyone watch that. There's clear marking on oils to determine the difference.

69,000 miles on my 05 DL650 . Huh probably need a valve check. next summer 6th set of tires , chain and sprockets maybe!

@UrbanMonkTV

10 ай бұрын

Are you implying you've never done a valve check? If so, yes, you probably do want to check. Probably won't need adjustment on most but there could be 1 or 2 out of spec after that many miles. Thanks for watching!

hey, you should do a ride to canada!! we can meet up and travel canada together.

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

I'd love that, but family needs me here 100% for the next year or so. Much going on here. All good.

Hi! I have a Vstrom 1050Xt and don't have the owner manual long story short i wanna do some adjusting to my forks could you point me out where to look for the torques setting for each nut and bolt but for free...all i look you have to pay ...also want to do it myself as i don't trust the dealerships down my place..

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

I can't find a manual for the new 1050s. I'd give you the torque specs for the first gen 1000 (as I do have that manual) but diameter of the fork tubes is different and the bolt size could be different also. There's too much risk that I could lead you astray with that information so I must refrain, sorry. I will say the torque spec probably doesn't differ much from another bike with similar diameter tubes and same size bolts, if you can find such a bike and the manual for it. Thank you for watching.

cool chanel! new subscriber

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hi, my bike has been a total nightmare since i bought it second hand, the bike is very snatchy on the throttle, ive been told it could need the top end doing at 25,000, so do i need to balance the throttle bodies with tappets, and also i was going to fix a booster plug, a third of the price of a power command, whats your thought's, thank you.

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. Agree that having TBs synced, tappet clearance checked/adjusted, as well as fresh spark plugs and air cleaner are needed before assessing what more may be needed. Using a booster plug to "trick" the computer into enriching the mixture may solve the inherent lean condition this bikes seem to have, but I can't speak to it with any firsthand experience as I went the Power Commander route. I know the fits and hesitation that occur before the issue is fixed are frustrating and I also know my bike has been a wonderful machine to own since I fixed it. Hope that helps.

@MrWhothefoxthat

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV thanks for the reply, your info has gone along way, ride safe and good health.

Mine were all at the very minimum at 33k miles (2004 650). I ground .0035” off each one. Now they’re about .0005” from the max, so I should be good for a few more years.

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! All were worn evenly? Exhaust and Intakes? Other viewers have in the past suggested that these engines will wear the tappet clearances more if the rider is in the habit of regularly exceeding 5K rpms for extended periods of time. Since I don't do that I'm curious if that scenario is consistent with your riding. All my questions are purely academic curiosity. I want this channel to be full of insights for owners, even those that are not my personal experience. Thanks again!

@followingflinn8311

Жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV yes, mine were all .0035-.0045” intake, and .0075-.0085 exhaust. I bought it with 15k miles on it, so I suppose they could have been done once before. I did a friend’s 2007 with 22k at the same time. They were very much scattered. All in spec, but I evened them out.

@followingflinn8311

Жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV also, I rarely get above 5k rpm. I’m up a tooth in the front, and mostly avoid the interstate.

Is oem gaskets fails on theses..like near water pump...

@UrbanMonkTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I haven't experienced that. Have you?

@christianxzowner2958

Жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV nope ..but seen some videos that showed that...

How had were u on this bike

@UrbanMonkTV

Жыл бұрын

First, thanks for watching. It is a little difficult to quantify exactly what you mean by "hard on it." I have been described as a spirited rider and I like to go fast. I don't however do wheelies or ride for extended periods of time with the engine speed above 5000 rpms. Being a v-twin, this bike delivers good torque and doesn't need the engine rev'd high to provide the "fun factor." Hope that answers your question.

I was wondering if you were planning on trying the new Regina HPE maintenance free motorcycle chain at some point? I have a 2014 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 with just under 5K miles, don't ride it as much since I have two other great motorcycles in the stable, but I recently found myself with an avenue to use the V-Strom DL1000 as a daily commuter and am looking into this technology. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

@UrbanMonkTV

3 жыл бұрын

This is honestly the first I've heard of it. Thank you for introducing me to it. I'll definitely check it out. Thank you for watching!

@michaellemasters9591

3 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV You are very welcome. I also ride in the desert southwest, Nevada, Arizona and California. I hope you have a safe trip!

Hi,im looking into a used 2009 v-strom 1000cc.Can anybody advised me on the bike?Fuel consumption/maintaneance costs etc. Im currently riding a ST1300 and i cant stand the heat from the engines😅😅

@UrbanMonkTV

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out my more recent 85k review of my V-Strom. Also I now have 91k on it and still going strong, issue free. I believe it's the best value to be had in motorcycling. Rider feels little or no engine heat. kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWmZx5isgLK1j8Y.htmlsi=tzVIVZWkTYzvUC2m

@user-hg3kc4dj7u

6 ай бұрын

@@UrbanMonkTV Alright,thanks for the reply and noted🙏🏾