Just got a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and promptly dropped it at a red light due to left boot lace snagging on the exposed air bleeder valve on the clutch release cylinder just above the left foot peg, while attempting to place left boot on the pavement. Suzuki says "tough luck, not our fault." Seems like a safety/design hazard to me. The air bleeder valve in this location is a natural-born "boot lace hook." Anyone else have this happen to them?

Let me see if I got this straight, your bootlaces caused you to crash your bike at a light, and you want Suzuki to pay for it.

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Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I say get a lawyer and sue hell out of 'em. That's what I say.

I'm saying Suzuki should install a guard or shield over the air bleeder valve before someone really gets hurt due to a hung-up boot lace. Looks like an easy enough fix...

I don't have that bike or specific issue but I always check my laces for length. As over time one can become longer on one side than the other. I have chain drive so its a concern I always double check for before my ride. Also shorten your laces so its not possible in the future. I know your pissed as I would be but its not there fault, in my opinion.

Like errors I've made and yet to make, it was clearly user error.

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Goldwing 1500se '98
VN500 LTD '07 Sold

I don't see how that's an easy place to get your bootlace caught. Of course I have the 650 and we have the nice no worries cable clutch . I'd ask over at stromtrooper.com to see if anyone has a fix.

At the same time, there's no reason suzuki should have to pay for it. I've seen guys catch laces on all sorts of things that had they done the proper thing and tucked them in would have saved them some grief.

How much damage was done to the bike? I recommend the hepco and becker crash bars. Its' the best setup.

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I have an '05 DL1000, I'll have to look at it when I get home, didn't ride to work today. I can't remember ever having the problem you had. I don't think you'll get far pinning this on Suzuki's design unless you can prove it happens to lots of people.

+1 to Storysunfolding on crash bars. They're on my short list for things to get before I go touring this summer.

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2005 Triumph Bonneville
2005 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
1990 HD Sportster XL883 (for sale; wanna buy a Sportster??)

The way my bikes pegs are set up I could easily snag a boot lace - well that is if I had a boot with laces, which I don't for that very reason.

while you're at it, go after the maker of the boots and laces... in fact, throw in the city too - if the timing of the light wouldn't have been screwed up, you wouldn't have had to stop, thus avoiding the situation altogether....

Yes sir. That's the American way. Get a good lawyer and you can even haul the company that paved the road into court.