1.) I have a 2006 Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom.
2.) In 2006 I lost the use of my right arm from extensive nerve damage received from a car accident. It put a damper on my life as I lagged at work, couldn't indulge in any of my hobbies or pass times and could barely function due to the intense pain. and as time went on I got more and more depressed. In January 2006 my doctors told me I'd never use my right arm/hand again and recommended a therapist to help me make that mental transition. I'm not a touchy feeling guy so I went another way.
After seeing so many signatures stating how motorcycles make the best therapy, I decided to go against convention. So in mid January 2007 I walked my one armed self into a Motorcycle Dealership and bought a left over V-strom. I trucked it home, and built custom controls so I could ride it one handed i.e. thumb throttle and relocating the front brake system to the left side. A year later, I regained the use of my right arm and the bike went back to normal.
Since buying it the V-strom and I have plenty of miles both on and off road. Some of the more memorable trips.
-Riding from Washington DC to Jackson Mississippi spending 95% of the time in national parks.
-Riding the TransAmerican Trail
-Come back from California to DC doing the Iron butt 50 hour coast to coast ride
-Numerous Iron Butt rides
-Teaching the BRC, ERC, MSRC, ARC, and various track days from the Strom
-Trail riding to avoid traffic... maybe semi illegally
-Patriot Guard Rides
-Rolling Thunder 3x
-Riding in as Santa Clause as part of a Parade in Fairfax.
In other words, my chain goes through a lot of oil. I've actually had to bury 3 of them and I want number 4 to last as long as possible. It's gold plated and pretty.
3.) My V-strom and I have been through over 100,000 safe street miles. In that time she's been on her side very few times.
-First few days riding one hand I couldn't hold her up when my neighbor slipped on the ice and fell into me. Broken turn signal, but otherwise I took the brunt of the damage.
-The TransAmerican trail had two low speed tumbles when I tried to build jumps over obstacles that farmers put in my way. The V-strom came through without a scratch.
-Got blown over at a Total Control class.... I know, the irony is not lost.
-Recently she was backed over after my neighbor's contractor managed to crush the Vulcan 500 that served as a blocker. After doing 3200 of damage to the V-strom, she was luckily not totalled and my best friend will be back to me on February 24th with some new shiny pieces.
I love my bike. It loves me. It loves Scottoilers more. I also have a HD digital camera I can use to document the install.
