BlueSky

For several years the BMW bikes had servo assisted ABS brakes and if you don't flush the brake fluid annually, the brake module fails and it's expensive to replace. But, I think there is a place in the USA now that rebuilds those for much less than BMW parts. Additionally, there are several videos on youtube showing how to remove the faulty unit and eliminate the ABS. I think the 2005 year had the servo assisted brakes. Something to check into.

Buy what YOU like to ride. The BMWs are expensive to repair but they are beautiful bikes. There is an LT club with their president based in Chicago who makes some good videos on what to look out for and what needs to be improved.

If you get serious about a V-strom 1000, join a forum and discuss. I was thinking about one and the forum I joined warned me off on a used one I was looking at. Seems the earlier ones, if I remember correctly, 2010 and older had some issues. But, I do like the sound of that 90 degree V-twin. The 90 degree vtwin has good primary balance and doesn't vibrate like most vtwins. Plus since it does have good primary balance, it can rev unlike most V-twins. 100,000 mile review of a 2005 V strom 1000

I try not to complain about the heat because I really don't like cold weather. After spending over 3 1/2 years working in Homestead, FL, south of Miami, I think that is my preferred weather, about 2 weeks of winter. But, the crime rate is too high to move there permanently. That is when I started carrying.

Is it possible to get a lower gear for the rear of the Hannigan kit? Seems to me that would be the best/cheapest fix if it exists. Or lower profile/diameter rear tires if it wouldn't drop the rear too low?

I drove out to Montana's Glacier National Park from NC and crossed the mountains on the "Road to the Sun" on Labor day. I was expecting it to be a little cold but it was about 85 degrees! Then, 3 or 4 weeks later they have a snow storm! What a change in the weather! My wife who is still working full time flew to Denver, CO. I left early and picked her up and we drove up to Glacier National Park on the east side, crossed over and stayed in Whitefish a couple of days, then drove down to and through Yellowstone National Park. Man, I love my senior National Park pass! Going and coming we spent some time in Thermopolis, WY. My wife loves the pool there that is fed by mineral water from a hot spring. Dropped the wife off in Denver and drove home. Put 6,125 miles on my old trusty 2002 F150! Three years ago, we did almost the same thing when we went to Yellowstone. We love it out there!

Or a Goldwing trike?

As you know the V-strom is a totally diffferent bike from the sport tourers. But, I suspect it may be the best at two up traveling due to the more upright seating position. I owned a 2004 Concours, the old style, for a couple years and it was very top heavy/tippy. But, when I had it, I was going through what Freebird is going through now, I had been taking lisinipril bp med for several years and my balance was totally messed up. After changing meds, I got better and by the time I sold it, I was liking it much more. After breaking a bone in my foot with the concours I promised the wife I'd sell it, so I did.

Hey, it happens to the best of us sometimes!

Always turn the fuel off when the engine is off. I like Gumout for high mileage engines with PEA for carb cleanup. Add a whole bottle to a tank of fuel and let her rip.

My smelly opinion is that the groove down the middle helps keep the tire from hydroplaning in the wet. Many motorcycle front tires have that groove down the middle.

Probably it would just reduce traction especially in the rain.

I admire their riding skill but both should go to jail.

How were the front forks on the parts bike? I don't remember if you've replaced them but the MkIIs have bigger brakes.

Gee, I was assuming the RSV front calipers were 4 piston calipers like the Gen I, MkIIs but nope. I just looked at them and they are 2 piston......

Congratulations on selling the house so quickly! And Best of Luck with your new life! If I moved, I would hire a mover at my age. No way I would try to move myself. It's plenty of work even when someone else boxes and moves everything. I sold my first home myself in one day because I let the buyers assume my VA mortgage so the closing costs were almost nothing back then. Interest rates were going up and I let them have a discount that equaled what would have been the realtors fee.

I don't use the pillow because of height deficiency. I have to use it to support my decrepid lower back! Same with my desk chair. I always have a small pillow pressing agianst my lower back.

Mine is a La-ZBoy and it's made for a taller guy than me, 5'10". It's comfortable but I still keep a small pillow behind my lower back for support.

Yours may be rebuildable. I'd disassemble it and inspect it. And if the rotor isn't scoured or warped, it may be salvageable too.

I put up to a whole bottle of Gumout for high mileage engines with PEA in my 3 1/2 gallon tank on my Kawasaki several times when I let the bike sit too long. It hasn't hurt the carbs yet and I've had this bike for 10 years. I've also used substantial doses of this in my 07 Venture and 89 Venture with no ill effects. If you leave the bike idling for extended periods, it may be a good idea to but a floor fan in front of the radiator to help make sure it doesn't overheat even though the radiator has a fan.

I just checked my electronic copy of the 84 to 85 manual and the compression readings are listed as: minimum 128 standard 142 maximum 156 so yep you are correct, they are different. Are those specs the same as what you have for an 83? I've never experienced stuck rings but I think it's when the rings stick to the piston and don't press against the cyl walls any more. Carbon buildup could cause it to be high. If the valves are adjusted properly, I think I would put some cleaner like Chevron Techron or Gumout with PEA in the gas and run the heck out of it and see what happens. I think there is special top end engine cleaners out there for that purpose too.

The manual for the 86 to 93 says compression should be minimum 142 psi and max 199 with a standard of 171. The rings could be stuck in the low cylinders after sitting so long. Yeah, add some oil to the cylinders to see what happens.

Wasn't Eagleton the guy who had a mental breakdown of some sort and underwent therapy and caught a lot of bad press about it? Didn't he drop off the ticket because of that?

I wasn't home but my neighbor tells me that Dorian wasn't that bad in Wilmington, NC. So we survived another one. The eye came very close. Several small tornadoes were spawned around the area but none hit us.

That's a good idea but the cams are the most concerning parts that needs lube before running an engine that's been sitting.