I know the emissions regs stopped Suzuki importing them to europe but I've read everything to death and decided I want one.
Maybe buy one in the U.S.A. and ship it back after a trip if thats a path that's been trodden before?


Pleeeeeease stay on topic and NOT suggest bikes that I've more than likely read about and dismissed.
I want the DR650 period! No not the DRZ 400 blah blah blah blah.....

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Ah Ha, you've finally seen the light!

Try this guy Alan, he's recently started importing DR650's from USA:


GooGle is your friend!

I would only buy in USA if you plan a trip starting in the Americas. Bringing the bike back to UK would be pricey
and tricky. Could be done if you toss loads of money at it ... the guy above has bumped price up a bit ... but at least
it's already IN the UK and road legal ready.
Good luck! Let us know what you find out!

The guys from Bridge Moto seem to be really good. They put my
Procycle order in their container. Which is nice

Having said that the bike is not here yet and their primary business is importing collectable bikes from America and Japan.

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks (I hope!)

You reminded me of Bridgemoto immediately.
Bridge Moto
They brought in a container load of USA sourced bikes a while ago; all brand new - DR650s and KLR650s (sorry, off topic!!) from memory.
Last time I looked at their website they all seemed to be sold; the dealer is reputed to be very helpful so give them a ring.
The asking price was around £5200 IIRC.
They also import second-owner machines from overseas and they are not the only ones to do this.

I talked with a vehicle dealer a short time ago who said that most vehicles for sale in the UK are advertised on either ebay, gumtree or autotrader; he concluded that between those 3 the market is more or less covered as far as UK advertising is concerned.
For sure, if you want to visit the north Americas, purchase in the USA, ride there and then import to the UK it should be economic overall; you wouldn't be the first to do this.
Alternatively, look toward the European market, say France or Germany; denizens of those countries have always tended to like the dual sport type of bike compared with the UK infatuation with race track replicas, so there tends to be more of them around for sale second hand although a new DR650 is not for sale, formally, anywhere in the EU because of the pollution regulations.
(It can still be done under single vehicle approval regulations for the UK, at a price of course - see Trip Paperwork for that discussion).

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Dave

Thanks guys. Got a new DR650 on it's way to me. Perfect!
What a great resource this site is

alan

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have fun with your helmet!

Okay so the bike is ordered from Bridge Moto. £5,500 (paid £500 deposit)

Bridge Moto
Tel: +44 (0)118 950 500

When the bike arrives I will post on here so anyone else living on damp-rock and trying to find a DR can see how I get on.
Mean time doing a bit of research and (thanks Martin, nice speaking to you!) It seems one of the must dos is swap the silencer for a rare titanium stocker from a GSXR 1000 2001/2. So, open new tab/ebay/GXSR1000 stock pipe and bingo!
£45 and that's now on its way.
Next area for modification is bigger tank and lots say better seat which throws up a question.
Is there a gentleman's agreement on the seat tank interface ie. do all tanks meet up with all seats and vice versa or if you decide to go with a particular tank does that then necessitate going with a particular seat?
I'm thinking of the Acerbic 6.6 gallon and either a corbin seat or a reform on my existing but I'll wait 'til after I get the tank because there is more option and flexibility in seating than there is in tanks. Cart/horse thing.
I am hoping to keep my M/M slim boxes and buy a couple of M/M standard mounting hoops the get a fabricator to make me a frame as M/M don't do one. Have thought long and hard (or soft and hard) about the luggage issue but I think I'm happier with lockable boxes you get two free seats or one and a small table plus the things are just a darned site easier to pack and unpack in my opinion.
If anyone knows of a pre-fab rack that takes M/M boxes please shout up.
The guy at Bridge said he was bringing another container over soon so if I want to order some bits state side he would bring them in for a small fee. Problem is he was on the way out the door on holiday as I bought the bike so hope that deal still available when he gets back?
Is there a place on here for a thread/blog on this site or should I set one up somewhere. I'm not too familiar with these things as I only use the net for researching and buying so any obvious advice please tell me 'cause I don't know!
I want to put together a blog that I was looking for. I'm sure there are lots out there but I never found them. Someone trying to build a simple bike with only essential mods that has not done any off road travelling before but is comfortable going abroad on big bike trips already. Basically a seasoned biker traveller looking to venture into the dirt side

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Hi Alan,

Tha DR650 is a good work horse for sure.
If you need a little more info, please feel free to look at my bike build blog at MotoExped - Home I dare say Gipper will also point you to some good reading too (when he wakes up lol).
Please feel free to contact me through motoexped if you need any advice.

Kindest regards

Nevil

cheers Nevil

couldn't resist a quick look. Interesting you say at the end you would possibly take a KTM 690 next time. I don't want to open that can up again now I've bought my bike but I almost went for one for less than I've paid for the DR but read too many stories about reliability and the DR seemed to serve you well as a reliable packhorse.
Just shows however much reading and prepping you do there's no such thing as the perfect bike. Looking forward to a proper read asap.

alan

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Sure, there is a whole blogging section in the HUBB.

What you do remind me of is that years ago some folks started to write articles about prepping bikes for travelling.
One of those bikes is a DR650 and, would you believe it, that article still exists:-
Bike preparation for long distance dirt road touring | Horizons Unlimited
It's not in the HUBB itself but can be found in the rest of this website.
How good is that!!

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Dave

That is a good score! But now you've got to buy the mid pipe! I've a 040 pipe sitting here I've never mounted ... been waiting years for a good deal on a mid pipe ... about $225 usd. The Ti pipe is a beauty and saves about 1.5 to 2.0 kgs., sounds NICE, no repacking, will never wear out or rust.
If you buy a new Corbin, they will get you the proper seat to fit your tank, so yes, tank first .. and the big Acerbis looks better than my old IMS. If you buy used, just check with seller on fitment.

Most seats you find will fit your Acerbis 6.6. But check to make sure before buying. Lots of seat options. I like my Corbin but many brands out there.

Hard vs. soft bags argument goes back and forth here ... TONS written on this. Up to you. I've used both and now prefer soft panniers as I lost about 35 lbs. going from hard bags to soft panniers. So for me it's about weight. My Nelson-Rigg bags pack up easy ... I use inner bags. No idea on racks in UK, but many options on internet, Pro Cycle and more. Since I use throw over bags my racks are very light weight, don't have to support full weight of bags ... the seat takes most of load. Racks were less than $100.

Once you discover ProCycle you'll be spending a lot. Even with shipping it's cheaper to buy there than UK or EU. (mostly) True one stop shopping.

You can start a blog here on HUBB or just start a thread in the Suzuki section here. I have a very old one there ... I've learned TONS more about the bike since then.

There was some question about delays with the Bridge motos guys ... when do you expect to get your bike? Ship containers can have long, unexplained delays. Good luck, hope it shows up soon!

Hi again Alan,

I think my comment about the 690 was suspension related when I wrote that lol.
I got the DR650 set up very well with the front and rear suspension but it still wasn't as fancy as the stock KTM. Perhaps if i had fitted a Corbin seat instead of the Saddlemen "DIY" seat, I would have been happier over those 36,000 kms.
Youre right, the DR is a darned good work horse and will put up with a lot of punishment to boot!
I wish you every success and happiness with your new purchase!
(I still ride mine all the time when the snow isn't around).

Oh, and Mollydog's right.
a). You'll need a mid pipe for your new can. I got mine from Keintech.
b). Procycle are about to become your new best friend!

Kindest regards
Nevil

Just in case Martin is reading and for some reason isn't aware. The guy from Bridge said the end of May. I'm in no rush but I know Martin (who is buying the other bike in the shipment) has a trip planned

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So do I get the Keintech mid pipe (connecting pipe?) from ProCycle?
It's great with the internet that it's virtually just as easy to purchase kit from a specialist supplier wherever you are in the world. I never take all this tech for granted :-)))

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have fun with your helmet!

Yes,

M.

ProCycle have everything! But not always the cheapest or best. Sometimes they substitute some not great aftermarket part for a Suzuki genuine part ... and sometimes the OEM part is cheaper! (this is rare)
ProCycle are NOT an authorized Suzuki dealer.

So profit motive is there, but overall, very good outfit with stellar shipping service worldwide. The Oz guys claim it's cheaper to buy from ProCycle and pay shipping than it is to buy locally in Oz ... shows just how bad they're being boned by dealers there.

But the very best thing about ProCyle is that Jeff, the owner, is a DR650 owner, builder and big fan. He's done a ton of serious R & D on the bike. He's developed big bore kits, luggage, electrical, seats, racks and lots more ... most tested by Jeff himself. He reads ALL the DR forums ... so you don't have to ... just trust him.

He also knows more about the DR650 than just about anyone outside of the little guys in Hamahatsu, Japan who designed and built the DR650. Truly encyclopedic knowledge, great mechanic and fabricator.

If I was going RTW, Jeff at ProCycle would be on speed dial and I would have an OPEN account there. He's very smart and helpful to international riders, a great problem solver too.