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Trust nobody's word. Change out everything you can and start a record of the work so you can be on point of the bikes health.

My fuel tank is rusting from the inside out :( You mentioned Fibreglass tanks, where do you get them from?

I don’t regret buying any big purchase. I regret selling the ZZR600

The way you stroked that inner tube, so soft and gentle...

Make no mistake, the “famine” was a genocide. Much love to the Choctaw tribe, they could feel our pain from far away.

Thank you. Very good tutorial.

I have a very limited bike budget nowadays so my $2k Suzuki xf650 will be my ride for a while. I don’t mind because I love it. It starts every time I push the button and gets me everywhere my mates can go, just a little slower. I’ll upgrade eventually I’m sure but for now The Wonky Donkey is my ride😎

Loved my 2008 V Strom 650, thing was indestructible, traded it in for R1200gs, I just simply love the GS, but still miss the V Strom

OC back in the 90s i bought a BMW K100RS ...absolutely hated it and got rid within weeks vowing to never buy another BMW (took nearly 30 years but theres a K1200R in the garage now )

How did you know I was on my toilet?!?!

Nice job .great video . Learned new things 👍

I bought my Vstrom DL 4 years ago and i have looked around for other ones after no way no thanks love my bike !!

I saw one of the CF Moto 300/400 sport bikes parked in town a few weeks back, and I was surprised how good it looked. It'll be interesting to see if they catch on here.

Top, whery thanks.

Never any regrets, except not still having them all now. 🤣 I often see people on CZcams making spreadsheets, doing deep comparisons. Would you do that to find a wife? I think you have to have a bit of a love affair with the bike. Perhaps you see one in a cap park, or in a showroom and you can't stop thinking about it. I certainly had no idea what other learner legal 250's were on the market when I bought my SuperDream. I just saw one. Went to my local shop and bought one. I had it for years, wrote it off and rebuilt it and later it became my wife's second bike and later still my father's last bike. My current bike was the one I fell in love with after trawling the internet and showrooms of Surabaya. Having said that it is always love on a budget. Knowing how much money I have to spend and then looking at things in that price bracket. It has to be a love affair but with boundaries set by your wallet. Thank you for another thought provoker sir! 👍

How to do coolant flush? Do you got video?

Hi there, thanks for another great (and thought provoking) video. Hope you don't mind me asking , but do you have any other recommendations for a great all-rounder, do everything/only one bike for reasonably tall rider? I'm not quite as tall as you at 6'5", and currently looking for my first "big" bike. To offer a bit of background, I've been on a Varadero 125 (great wee bike) for a while, and trying to save up for something bigger. I get about and have fun on the 125, but want to start going a bit further afield/longer trips and camping etc. Probably prefer 800cc and up due to my size, but might include the V-strom 650 as an option. Ideally something suitable for regular everyday riding, as well as carrying some luggage, some longer tours and the ability to get on the motorways/faster roads when necessary (only ridden in Scotland, and wee trips into Northern England so far). I suspect the V-strom (and similar road biased adventure bikes) are probably ideal, and most practical/reliable choice for me/my budget and my height, but have to admit that my heart is more drawn to bikes without all the plastic. Love the look/feel of the modern classic/retro bikes like the Honda CB1100, Bonneville T120, Z900RS, but not sure how practical they would be for the (realistically only occasional) longer trips. Any advice or experience you could offer, or bikes/models i might have overlooked or missed, would be very much appreciated. Many thanks (and sorry for the long-winded comment!)

My biggest spending regrets have normally been cars. At the other end of the scale. I have regretted selling certain motorcycles.

Suzuki gets a bad rap, but as a mechanic i find they have the best balance of cheap, easy to work on, reliability and power.

And you still have my GSXR Guess CF Moto Just has to keep on wining the GPs

I regretted a V-Star 650 when I got to the hour mark of riding. It's not the best big and tall option but it was actually a fun bike to ride for 1/2 hour.

I have a sv650 that's going to be in my stable as long as I can keep her running. Looking at buying a Vstrom or Versys next year.

I got my CB650R based on looks and cc/HP. I'm still a pretty new rider and mostly ride locally, so it's been perfect for me over the past ~1 year and 20k miles I've owned it. I've really learned a lot about riding while I've had it, I had a 1982 CB450SC Nighthawk that I got running and learned on for 1yr, but it was a scooter lmao I learned like just the basics of riding but the hp jump from that to my cb650 was pretty big and I've put way more miles on my cb650 so I've learned a lot more about bike maintenance since owning the 650. I think I want to keep my cb650 long-term, I took it to Asheville recently for the first time and it really wasn't too uncomfortable. Just boring on the highway lol :( I have a 2023, it doesn't have the new 2024 e-clutch or fancy ride modes or anything else. It has ABS, TCS, and a slipper clutch. I like that it doesn't have too many fancy electrical gadgets, it's made it easier to maintain and learn. But I do wish it had a little more power - I went +2t on the rear sprocket and that helped, idk if I want to go -1t on the front, I do want to get an exhaust but I don't think a tune is v cost effective or will make a significant impact. But yeah, I love this bike, it's been a lot of fun, looks great, easy to maintain, etc. I haven't tried a lot of other bikes though, but I think for my use case, it works. It has a good amt of hp, not too much but not too little (I heard the sweet spot for streetable bikes is ~80 - 120hp), it's good for local rides and the twisties - I just have to put on a tail bag for wknd trips to the mts which is nbd. Agree about loans and low mileage, it boggles my mind like why would you buy a bike and not ride it as much as you can?? Riding has been better than any therapist I've talked to haha. You should let me try the z900 some time ;)

I have a 2002 Vee. I think it's one of the ugliest bikes ever, but it just keeps going. You're right, the more time I spend with it, I absolutely love the thing.

I bought a later 1050 after having a VFR1200 for a few years. I asolutely love the thing. Like you said about "trusting" the bike, I agree. I considered a 1290S and a few others but decided the near total reliability of the strom would trump everything on the others. Reality is it does everything I need and more and I can practically 100% trust it

I would love a V-strom together with the GSX -S 1000. I would probably go for the 800, may suit my tiny body more. 😎

Ohhhh this is a good discussion! As an old git, with no reason to have a bike other than I love it, what should I do? I have an old bike, gsx600f, it's stupid low miles, and I find it very comfy. I can do most jobs on it myself, and it cost me very little to buy. I really enjoy riding it, and it's teaching me a lot re riding and maintenance. Now, should I get a newer bike? Do I need a newer bike? No, but would I like a newer bike? Mmmh, there's the rub, haha. I'm not talking spending a lot, but for now, I keep thinking, what would an alternative give me that I need? So I'm gonna spend a bit on the old un (just service, forks, brakes etc) and gain more experience. In the meantime, do a few test rides on possible future candidates. OC - Again, not a vast expenditure, but I bought a 4x4 ("because I needed it"). Bloody disaster, engine blew and wasn't worth repair. So now we have a "sensible" car that is boring but does it all for us and does 50/60 mpg to boot. Head over heart? Maybe, but I get enormous enjoyment from the bike, so for now, happy with my lot. Cheers, Andy.

You bought the bike you wanted and are enjoying it. You didn't buy the bike others thought you should. I tedt rode an Africa Twin AS then the NT1100. I chose the NT because I enjoyed it more and it suits how i ride.

I'm sat in my truck at Taylormade timber Sherburn getting loaded and watching and I definitely love the V Strom best all-round bike in my view.... Only reason I've not gone for one and now bought an 2011 xt1200z is because I wanted shaft drive and also just to try something different 🫣 Personally I wouldn't get a loan on a bike as it could go wrong to quickly in my view.... And make me feel anxious when riding.

Luckily I procrastinate about large purchases so by the time I do actually spend the cash I am sure of what I am doing. Having said that I have also missed out on things because I’m too slow to spend. So I guess it works both ways. I have friend with Vstroms and they love them 😎✌🏻

2 weeks ago I bought a 2012 Super Tenere for cheap with a lot of farkles and custom built suspension. It's supremely comfortable and a well made and cared for bike. My only gripe is the weight, I wish it was 100lbs lighter but then it wouldn't be shaft drive and probably a smaller gas tank among other things. I had a chance at a 2014 Vstrom 1000 but my brother bought it.

Your Vstrom looks looks like a great and very useable bike to me, for what it is worth. I was looking into getting one but an experienced mate told to me to watch out for ''trouble with the clutch baskets'' on these. Whether he was right or wrong about this, I bought a Honda CBF1000 instead. The funny part is that soon after I had to replace its stator and rectifier. For me, it seems that for any bike there are up sides and down sides. I like my CBF and I still have an interest in a Vstrom in the future. Thanks for the video.

Have you ever bought a motorcycle you regretted buying? Why and what was it?

Pure drawing was fine. I knew it was a spring straight away

Does the auld bitta maths make sense? I'm overcomplicating it as I've never worked out preload on a conventional fork before, only on upside downs with cartridges!

I replaced my z900rs pegs with some new Puigs thanks to your recent pre-track day video. One of my stock ones broke in half thanks to a driveway drop. I also hope to meet in person one of these days since we’re relatively near each other. Your production value is totally appropriate for the kind of videos you make. That sounded backhanded, but I just mean that people who complain about camera angles on a hobby-style vlog need a better hobby of their own. Thanks for keeping at it.

I had to give my SRAD up back in 2001 as part of a divorce settlement. Currently looking for a replacement, we have unfinished business. I own a few modernish bikes that will destroy a SRAD but there is something about them that makes me want to feel and tame the undiluted rawness bikes from this era have. Depending on what I find I'm certainly looking for a minter for the road and collection and will most likely find a few 40 footers on the way that can become track bikes. I just bought a 2008 R6 for track but its much too nice to mess up. I can sell it and buy 2 SRAD's with the money.

It has been good to catch up on this episode. I like you because you and I are about the same height and size. You are younger and Irish; I am 69 and of Italian ancestry. We both love motorcycling. I recently sold my Victory Vision and bought a 2017 BMW R1200 GSA. I realized watching your rides on your V-Strom that I would be much more comfortable on an ADV than the typical V-Twin Cruiser. As a young man, I had gotten to know more than a few Irishmen who came every summer and worked in the USA. They became good friends and listening to you reminds me of them. I just like you and that is enough in itself. God Bless!

The Algo sent me here, so it's working?

Oh yes, and your voice. There are a lot very strange mostly squeaky Smurf like voices on CZcams. 🙏

Your apparent normality ?🤔🙃😅. Thank you. 👍

I watch all your vids even though I'm a bike mechanic :) n any time your in Ireland your always welcome to come hang around in my workshop

Thanks for the content, I watch mostly Motorcycle stuff on CZcams, I'm reasonably handy at my own repairs but I always try to find some videos just to go through the process, find the gotchas and it's fun watching motorcycle content. You're a laid back dude so your channel is easy and enjoyable to watch. I'm looking forward to the valve clearance check on the RS if you still have it by then. I have the same bike. Thanks again.

I started watching your videos when I was looking for info on the Honda Magna, your content convinced me to buy one and I've never regretted it! Keep up the good work!

Sorry for the thumbnail if you saw it, I don't get to pick them 😂😂

I still watch, probably more of the touring stuff than the garage vids. I remember saying years ago that you were my top tip for CZcams big time. Young, knowledgeable, and fun to watch. I suspect the move to the States and possibly the gap in uploads during the transition hit views. (If you look at your studio stats, where are the bulk of your views, Europe or USA?) At our growth rate, I suspect we will never get to your sub count, but we're happy doing what we do. You have to do what makes you happy. Also, remember that each little video is a time capsule of that moment in your life. Looking back through old videos becomes more interesting the older you get. Cheers and take care

I should make a "why i quit CZcams" video 😂😅 i agree it is SO rewarding when people leave comments about how a video helped them. Big reason why I continued to make vids for as long as i have

cool vid due. keep making the vids

Should be able to grab one on EBay. I cannot imagine due to how common the SV is that it will be hard to find one

you didn't hit the heights? don't worry, it can be much worse mate :D The reason why I don't watch you as often as I did is because you are not riding your bikes to the places I want to visit ;)