Addiction withdrawal therapy

[Hitcher]

Tragically, a few weeks ago, a conspiracy of circumstances temporarily separated me from my Shiver. This wholely unnatural act is in the process of being remedied, but it will be some weeks yet before we are reunited.

Saying that I have been doing it tough bikeless is a bit of an understatement. Listening to YouTube clips of Shivers on dynos (the Mivv Suono clip is a particular favorite) was starting to lose its attraction. I guess there's nothing quite like the real thing.

This weekend things took a turn for the better. A good mate, let's call him "Dave", because that is his name, loaned me his Strom thou for an outing. Bless him.

To Palmerston North and back our troupe did meander. And it was magnificent.

I feel much better. I even got to try out my new helmet.

I also learned much about Stroms. They go quite well.

But the real star of the weekend was "Dave". The man is a prince.

[FJRider]

Thats what friends are for ....

[DarkLord]

A friend in need is a friend indeed,

But a friend with a bike he is willing to loan to a friend is better.

[davebullet]

Was it the big strom or the wee strom?

[Hitcher]

But a friend with a bike he is willing to loan to a friend is better.

Ain't that the truth!

[Wannabiker]

I recognised Mrs Hitcher (by her bike) when I went past you.....but wondered who the suzuki rider was that she was with.

[shrub]

some dodgy KBer lent me his Multistrada last weekend when I was in Wellington without a bike. Not as ugly as a Strom (just) but one hell of a good bike that had me grinning for days.

A bloody generous thing to do and most appreciated.

[Big Dave]

The versatile do-it-all pickup truck of motorcycles.

[Hitcher]

The versatile do-it-all pickup truck of motorcycles.

And like most Suzukis, it wouldn't cost much to make it bloody outstanding:

• Front suspension (Racetech emulators or similar. It troubles me that one could hear the innards rattling when working it hard)
• Brakes (Braided lines and upspecced pads)
• Bars (Renthals or similar that are a touch wider. That's just a personal thing)
• Bar-end weights (There's a bit too much vibe happening)
• Seat (Upgraded padding that's not quite so plush. You soon end up being trapped in it with nowhere to go)
• Zorsts (So you can at least hear the engine)
• Screen (Trial and error here, but I don't like the stock screen with that funny deflector wing).

In addition I'd chuck on a set of heated grips and a couple of accessories plugs.

Dave's Strom runs on Battle Wings. They're pretty competent for what they are.

As the proud owner of a 750 L-twin, I was pleasantly surprised by the thou's fuel economy. The injection is pretty sorted, indeed it's hard not to enjoy the engine.

The gearbox is functionally robust with narry a false neutral to be had.

All that said, it's a bloody great bike and new they're good value for money. I reckon that the Strom thou is the Gold Standard for this style of bike.