V-Strom Winter Warmers

Although the V-Strom has very good handguards, and mine has heated grips fitted, I was still experiencing my fingers and thumb freezing in sub 5degC temperatures.  This is becuase your fingers when wrapped around the grip actually hang lower than the bottom edge of the guard. And as there is no bottom to them, the negative air pressure causes the cold wind to be 'sucked' up in to the guard area.


So I organised a group buy on the VSRI of a set of handguard extenders from forum member 'Warhammer' in the States.  Once P&P and customs had taken a slice, they cost about £40.  This includes 4-pieces, a top and a bottom section for each handguard.


Here's my installation method..  

Firstly, clean all handguards and mod pieces with IPA/Isopropenol to ensure a clean surface

I started by heating the additional pieces with a hairdryer, to the point where they were quite hot to make them nice and pliable.  Then whilst warm I moulded them to the shape of the stock guards to make them fit snugly.  Using a 5mm bead of clear strong waterproof adhesive/sealer on the edges

I clamped them in place and left to dry for a couple of hours.  The heating gave a really snug fit and prevents leaving a huge gap that would leave an unsightly void filled with adhesive. I couldn't believe how strong the adhesive was, once cured they felt extremely solid

But edging on the belt n' braces approach, I drilled holes as shown and used 7mm Snap Studs

 to give them a mechanical fixing as well

In fact I quite like the look of the studs

The finish guard.

I think it gives it a 'rugged' look and feel

I have also bought a replacement set of stock Suzuki guards and in Spring time I just swap them back over.

Make Your Turn Signals Brighter!

Although the stock turn signals on the V-Strom are nice are large and very visible, much of the light is lost within the indicator housing.  This is because apart from the lens the inside of the whole unit is black, thus if 50% of the light travels out the lens, that means 50% of the light from the bulb doesn't!


This is another cheap and easy modification that I think is extremely worth wile taking the time to do.  And if you are already planning to buy some 3M Solas tape to modify your OEM topbox (see my previous blog entry), then you already have the materials anyway.


So it couldn't be simpler..

Remove the lens and this is what you have.  Pretty dull right?

Stick 3M Solas tape all around the edges

There you have it, looking better all ready

This is WITHOUT the Solas tape

This is WITH the Solas tape

Now you have lovely bright turn signals

Its quide hard to quantify without a light meter, but looking at the before and after images, I would say the difference is about an extra 50% light.

Have fun.

Topbox Reflector's

The Suzuki OEM luggage sports some very nice red panels.  Although these look really nice, they are actually just red transparent pieces of plastic.  It would have been nice if Suzuki had made them with an option of installing additional lighting like what is available in the Givi luggage range, or at the very least made them reflective panels.


The later is a very easy mod though, and something that I would highly recommend you do.  For a few quid, it makes a lot of sense.  You need to make sure you buy a good quality reflective tape.  Personally I used 3M Solas Tape.  This is the same tape that is used on RAF pilots helmets and clothing so that they can be found during a search - so its pretty good stuff.  You can find it on eBay for a few quid a metre.

First, remove the red plastic which is held by a couple of screws from inside the lid

Next, cut and stick the Solas tape as shown

The left side is modified, the right side is standard so far

Here you can clearly see the difference it makes under a camera flash

In the real world in front of a cars headlamps, they really show up brilliantly.
Job done.