Dl1000 k8
Re: Dl1000 k8
Have a look on v-strom.co.uk
There is a mint one for sale at a good price atm.
The motors are renown for robustness and longevity as well as grunt.
Fairly good handleing for this type of bike. If you're shorter than 5ft10 the seat height can be a little tall, but a 650cc Strom owner will swap with you as the 650 seats are 20mm lower.
Stock screens are a regular item to moan about, but a Madstad adjustable mount is usually the answer, bt some go through 3-4 screens- It's a personal thing.
I had the stock screen and Madstad on my 06 650cc (same upper fairing).
They are a good tourer, 2up with all the luggage and the kitchen sink.
The Suzuki luggage is crap, don't pay extra for a bike that comes with it. They are oddly shaped and you cant fit much in the panniers and they have a habit of opening on the move.
Givi/Kappa are a firm favorite with owners.
Suspension is fairly soft but new oil and progressive springs up front, and a Hyperpro spring on the back transforms the overall package.
Fuelling is very lean and surges under 4k revs, and the stock cans are very quiet.
A power comander and aftermarket cans soorts the lean running and allows the engine to rev freely llike it should have out of the factory.
Like all TL/SV/DL 1000cc engine the clutch basket is of a crap design (very basic damper) but a bloke called John, know as Sharealike will modify your clutch basket to make it what it should have been again from the factory.
Not all owners find the fueling or clutch 'chudder' to be issues, but it's something to be made aware of.
When my beaten 650 gave up the goast, I went hunting for a good 1000, but couldn't find a good one so I opted for a Varadero.
They are not the most desirable bike out there, but a very goood do it all package that can be tweaked and fettled with and get the bike perfect for for a fraction of the cost of the latsest crop of litre adv bikes.
There is a mint one for sale at a good price atm.
The motors are renown for robustness and longevity as well as grunt.
Fairly good handleing for this type of bike. If you're shorter than 5ft10 the seat height can be a little tall, but a 650cc Strom owner will swap with you as the 650 seats are 20mm lower.
Stock screens are a regular item to moan about, but a Madstad adjustable mount is usually the answer, bt some go through 3-4 screens- It's a personal thing.
I had the stock screen and Madstad on my 06 650cc (same upper fairing).
They are a good tourer, 2up with all the luggage and the kitchen sink.
The Suzuki luggage is crap, don't pay extra for a bike that comes with it. They are oddly shaped and you cant fit much in the panniers and they have a habit of opening on the move.
Givi/Kappa are a firm favorite with owners.
Suspension is fairly soft but new oil and progressive springs up front, and a Hyperpro spring on the back transforms the overall package.
Fuelling is very lean and surges under 4k revs, and the stock cans are very quiet.
A power comander and aftermarket cans soorts the lean running and allows the engine to rev freely llike it should have out of the factory.
Like all TL/SV/DL 1000cc engine the clutch basket is of a crap design (very basic damper) but a bloke called John, know as Sharealike will modify your clutch basket to make it what it should have been again from the factory.
Not all owners find the fueling or clutch 'chudder' to be issues, but it's something to be made aware of.
When my beaten 650 gave up the goast, I went hunting for a good 1000, but couldn't find a good one so I opted for a Varadero.
They are not the most desirable bike out there, but a very goood do it all package that can be tweaked and fettled with and get the bike perfect for for a fraction of the cost of the latsest crop of litre adv bikes.
The Rantings of A Crazed Lunatic.
Dl1000 k8
I've got an 06 GT and mr_diver pretty much summed it up. I didn't realise how bad the cuddles problem was on my bike until I had Sharealike sort the clutch basket, what a difference, £350 well spent, the fueling wasn't too bad until I fitted open cans, a Power Commander and dyno time soon sorted that out. There are lots of other bits and pieces that needed sorting (buffeting was a major issue) but once sorted it's a cracking bike. Still thinking of selling it to buy a Super Ten though!Will wrote:I'm looking at Dl1000k8 gt any owners out there good/bad (thumbs)
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clutchspring
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Re: Dl1000 k8
My friend recently bought a mint 07 v STROM 1000 with only 4,000 miles ,
Great bike but he's been comparing it to my Varadero & deep down I think he wishes he'd gone for a Varadero.
I'm on my second Varadero & I to think there one of the most underated bikes for the money out there .
Ian
Great bike but he's been comparing it to my Varadero & deep down I think he wishes he'd gone for a Varadero.
I'm on my second Varadero & I to think there one of the most underated bikes for the money out there .
Ian
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macvisual
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Re: Dl1000 k8
I bought a new new K8 V-Strom DL1000GT and still ride/own it, just covered 20k miles without any hassles whatsoever, a brilliant all-rounder....!
Standard brakes are pretty poor, I've replaced front/rear brake hoses with steel hoses and EBC sintered pads, such an improvement.
I've slightly lowered both front forks by about a quarter of an inch which I feel improves quicker/faster steering and removes slight vagueness from the front end. A Scottoiler is also another inexpensive upgrade for the chain, I've mine fitted from new and it's been excellent!
We did a European 2wk bike trip in 2014 and rode just under 3k miles without a hiccup, utterly brilliant two up with full standard luggage, I've NO intentions of selling it.
You'll love it, enjoy. . . . . !
Regards;
Peter
Standard brakes are pretty poor, I've replaced front/rear brake hoses with steel hoses and EBC sintered pads, such an improvement.
I've slightly lowered both front forks by about a quarter of an inch which I feel improves quicker/faster steering and removes slight vagueness from the front end. A Scottoiler is also another inexpensive upgrade for the chain, I've mine fitted from new and it's been excellent!
We did a European 2wk bike trip in 2014 and rode just under 3k miles without a hiccup, utterly brilliant two up with full standard luggage, I've NO intentions of selling it.
You'll love it, enjoy. . . . . !
Regards;
Peter
"Progress is not possible without deviation".
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
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Jim Lovell
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Re: Dl1000 k8
Great bike mate, wish I could remember what mine looks like. Not seen it for months but i wouldn't part with the old girl now. Or the Strom :laugh:
Real men ride twins 
