Suzuki V-strom 650 XT
Gareth heads south in search of seafood
I DON’T WANT to give the impression that I’m just roaming around the country using the V-strom to travel from one eatery to the next, but I can understand if that’s how it looks. Two months ago I was in search of beigels, this month it’s cockles. With the autumnal weather fast approaching, I took the opportunity to take a sunny ride down to my old stomping ground of Leigh-on-sea in Essex, right where the Thames meets the sea. Old Leigh is well worth a visit, and still has an active fishing fleet, the lovely old cockle sheds, three quaint pubs and a host of seafood stalls – Osborne Brothers being my personal favourite. Do watch out for the cobbled streets when it’s been raining, though…
As I’m just about to leave for Santander in northern Spain in a few days, I also wanted to use this trip to try out different tyre pressures and rear suspension settings (the forks aren’t adjustable on the 650). Even this short ride confirmed that I really do need to fit a taller screen before the much longer
ride back from the Basque country. I have since ordered and fitted a brilliant MRA screen extender from HPS, which has made a big difference. I can now open my visor on the move without my contact lenses blowing out!
It also transpires that when the topbox is fitted, the change in the windflow causes the front end to feel a bit vague and the bars to shake at around 40mph. It is possible to just open the throttle a touch and ride through it but I’m hoping that the fitment of panniers and a pillion aren’t going to make this phenomenon any worse. Oh, and I really must learn how to ride this bike without accidentally flicking the full-beam switch on all the time with my left index finger too…