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Fixing a DR 350 in South Africa - good idea? Fixing a DR 350 in South Africa - good idea?
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  #1  
Old 9 Jan 2019
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Fixing a DR 350 in South Africa - good idea?
Hey guys!
Just rode my 1993 Suzuki DR 350 to Australia, she has 70.000 kms on the clock and suffers from some general issues..drinking a lot oil eg. Still I want to ship the bike to South Africa at the end of the year.

Can anyone recommend to fix the DR in SA? Are parts available? I'm sure there are good mechanics and it should be cheaper than in Australia I reckon?
Cheers,
David
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Old 10 Jan 2019
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Why not get a quote on the price of the parts you think you'll need in both places??? If you need labour then get an idea of the hourly rate in both places too.
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Old 10 Jan 2019
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Imagine paying all that money to ship your bike to be told that you need a new crank etc and the repair is worth more than the bike.

Fix it in Australia. Parts in South Africa will likely be more expensive due to taxes anyway. Bikes cost a fortune there.

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Old 10 Jan 2019
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Workshop prices are definitely lower than in OZ. Used bikes are fairly cheap. Check out https://www.gumtree.co.za/s-motorcycles-scooters/


But remember that you need a carnet for your bike in SA, which implies that you cannot just scrap your bike if repair costs are too high.....
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Old 10 Jan 2019
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Dr 350
Hi there,

you want to ride overland back to Europe from RSA? If the answer is yes, make sure your bike is in top conditions and dont try to save a few dollars on the repair. Find a good mechanic and get it done completly and properly, it does not matter where the mechanic is or how much he costs, its important that its done well.

As Touring Ted said rightly, it will cost you more than the value of the bike ...

I had an engine overhaul done to my DR350 at 100.000km in Germany with only original Suzuki parts by a very good mechanic. Yes, it costed a lot more than the value of the bike. But now (3 years later) at 150.000km I am still happy riding the bike every day, and for me it was worth every penny.

Enjoy Africa.

mika
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Old 13 Jan 2019
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Hi everyone,
thanks for the useful advice!
I think parts are a bit cheaper here, and obviously labour will be cheaper in SA, so I might try to bring parts with me..
Or fix it here, in any way you wanna have a decent bike to start going through Africa of course.
Thanks everyone, I'd like to keep the DR with me and this sounds all doable, just need to save up some money I reckon.
If anyone can recommend a mechanic please let me know!
Cheers!
David
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Old 13 Jan 2019
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Originally Posted by davidleising View Post
Hi everyone,

thanks for the useful advice!

I think parts are a bit cheaper here, and obviously labour will be cheaper in SA, so I might try to bring parts with me..

Or fix it here, in any way you wanna have a decent bike to start going through Africa of course.

Thanks everyone, I'd like to keep the DR with me and this sounds all doable, just need to save up some money I reckon.

If anyone can recommend a mechanic please let me know!

Cheers!

David
Where in Australia are you ? I have a contact in Darwin who may be able to set you in the right direction.

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