Bike_UK_July_2017

Cult of the V-Strom
All too often overshadowed by more shouty choices Suzuki’s 650cc
middleweight is a travel/adventure/commuter and high-mile marvel…
By Ben Lindley Photography Wayne Lennon
John Dawson: the world traveller
>> Age: 69 >> Job: semi-retired builder >> Started riding: 22 >> Year: 2x 2010 >> Mileage: 84,000 international miles
BACK IN 2010 I booked a place on a Nick Sanders Ushuaia to
Alaska tour. At the last minute I decided my 1250 Bandit was
too heavy so I went and bought a V-Strom 650. Every man and
his dog has a BMW, and I wanted to buy Suzuki. I’ve been able to
directly compare the small V-Strom with the R1200GS in some
really harsh conditions. Its lightness means it’s easier to handle on
gravel, and if you lay it down, you can pick it up on your own.
The furthest I’ve been on one tank is 310 miles. We were in
Argentina, short of fuel and slowing right down to 30mph to
improve economy. Only three bikes made it to the next petrol
station: a Triumph, a Yamaha, and a BMW with a 30-litre tank.
I was last to run out, in fact if I’d managed to get up the next hill
I could’ve coasted into town.
I’ve now done seven long distance trips with Nick on V-Stroms.
The ten days in Iran on the way to Mongolia really stand out. It
was absolutely boiling in Iran, but my 650 never had issues with
overheating. I did crack the chassis in Uzbekistan, just a few
countries later. I hit a massive pothole in the dark, which cracked
the aluminium frame just under the swingarm pivot point.
A local welded the frame back together, but it just got worse over
the next week. The only option was an 8000 mile trip back to the
UK across Russia – just me and my son on his 660 Ténéré. Carole
Nash would have picked us up in Lithuania, but the bike managed
the trip without incident. Back home again, I decided I needed a
replacement while I tried to get the frame fixed. Time for another
orange V-Strom 650. That one’s just been shipped back from a New
York to Argentina ride, 32,000 miles showing on the clock.
Servicing? All I do is change the oil and filter. Both bikes usually
see major services a little late. We rode from Ushuaia to New York
for 22,000 miles and all I did was the oil and filter. At that time, oil
changes were supposed to be every 3500 miles. I run both of my
bikes at 6000 and they are fine.
One bike has OE heated grips and the other aftermarket items.
I can’t tell much difference between them. The first Americas trip
absolutely knackered the stock suspension so the forks got new
internals and the shock was replaced by a Touratech Level 1. A
friend of mine has welded up the frame for me, good enough for a
few trips to Europe. That bike’s now done 52,000 miles.
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