Non valkyrie related (but shows how important is maintenance).

[Savago]

Dear friends

I noticed that my vstrom 2008 brakes were not performing as good as the valkyrie I/S (a motorcycle that weights more than twice and it is 16 years old).

I decided to change the brake oil (even though it looked fine through the reservoir crystal and was on the top level). Check this out:


Makes me wonder if that was the original oil when the bike was made in Japan way back in 2008?

And now the new oil:


Lesson learned: don't trust only on the reservoir crystal window. :-)

Best regards


Savago
ps: I tried to use a mityvac but the drained oil reservoir was leaking on it (came broken out of box) and ended using the goodie and oldie push brake lever/bleed method instead.

[WintrSol]

Brake fluid should be changed every two years, no matter how many miles are ridden. And, BTW, it is not oil but a liquid more closely related to anti-freeze, which is why it goes bad so quickly.