My odo reads to 999.9 which is plenty for my needs.

The BBQ rack is the only one I've found of substantial size and it handles a large MotoFizz style bag very well.

To achieve your goal of 45mpg you can't run at high speeds. I've gotten as low as the high 20s at 90mph for extended miles, around 50 at 65-70mph and around town riding, low 40s at 75mph or so. Pushing wind sucks the fuel fast.

I'm using a tall Parabellum wind screen which is great for highway travel., but dangerous for dirt work. Using wingnuts and thumb screws, I can remove it within a couple of minutes and store it under a net on the rear. I prefer the nekkid bike and will leave it that way when not traveling high speeds for long miles.

I'll probably only clean the petcock if it becomes blocked. Blowing air thru the fuel hose, back thru the tank, might clear ir...dunno.

What Andy typed about the high altitudes and jetting was good. That's another reason I wanted to retain the stock setup. At 14,000 ft, I'm not sure if I'd have the energy to even change a plug.

The warranty is pretty cheap, imo. Something like $540 for 4 or 5 years extended. Just over $100 per year, you pick the numder of years. It's offered thru the dealers.

You're totally right on the ODO, my mistake, I'm still learning this bike!

My buddy Bob tested a big MotoFizz mounted on his Tiger on our last Mex. trip. Its huge, maybe too complicated. I have a Wolfman, a Cor-tec and the new Nelson Rig. The Nelson Rig is the best but small for a RTW bag. Perfect weekend bag though. It's stiff and stays supported and like the Fizz, every compartment is expandable but easier to use, IMO.

Great tips, thanks. I tried different cruising speeds yesterday. 70 to 75 seems
fine for me, and on nice roads I'm slowing down more to take in the scenery.
Must be getting senile

Great! I agree about preferring the naked bike but a screen is a must for the long hauls. I'm looking at screens. Are they all handlebar mounted?

By the time I'm done fiddling with jetting my bike will be as lean and economical as stock. Guaranteed. Since the bike is going on a serious weight reduction program, part of that is getting rid of the stock boat anchor pipe which is unbelievably heavy. So basically I'm jetting for the FMF. Once thats
done....I'm done and it should run well at altitude.....but nothing is going to do well at 14K ft!!

I am going to talk to Suzuki about this. Cheap insurance indeed!

I saw your stuff for sale on ADV. When are you heading out? November
if I recall? Perfect timing! Hope you'll post more ride reports or link your
videos somewhere.

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

It mounts to the forks and handle bars. It's big, comfy on-highway...and I can always leave it somewhere if it becomes tiresome to carry on back. It actually gives me more protection than the AeroFlow did on the big GS.

I'll be curious to see how your jetting, etc comes along. I was originally planning the airbox, pipe and dyno kit mods, but after hearing about the loss of fuel economy decided against it. I'd also like to ditch some weight.

The speedo reads 5mph fast.

Yes, you do gets some strong vibes thru the seat.
I recently installed some new foam grips on the bars and should know how well they do or don't work within a week.

Late Nov departure...

getting shot of the stock pipe in favour of a good aftermarket one is a good way of saving a fair bit of weight as well as letting it breathe better which will increase its poke. obviously youll have to go back to square one ishe and rejet to suit the pipe. a few 1" holes in the top of the air box should also help it breathe better.
check out www.keintech.com very helpful with jetting queries an mods for all dr's. if its been done jesse there will probably know about it. may also be able to advise on your suspension setup.

Also.........

You might find the side stand too long, especially when loaded.
I need to remove 1/2-3/4" from mine.

The odo is spot-on.

Yea, I've already noticed the side stand is a bit long. Just have to find some
place right to park. Loaded this may be a hassle. I may go for an stiffer spring
at some point....not sure yet. Anyone know the ideal sag on the DR? Most
Dual sport and dirt bikes like about 3" to 3.5"

I'll be testing air box and jetting mods in the next couple weeks. I've got the
FMF which is too loud and requires repacking way too often. If you ignore repacking it gets REALLY LOUD. The FMF is light weight and beautiful but it may be going on the block. Remus require NO repacking, are quieter and made of Titanium...stronger and better wear than Aluminium. I have had a set on
my Vstrom since 2002. Best pipes I've ever owned.

Jesse is on my to call list.

I am shopping shields too. Post some pics of yours, I'd like to check it out.

On the seat....do you have a Corbin? or stock? Other? I'm thinking maybe its
partly the Corbin letting the vibes get through. Wonder if the stock one is
the same?

Tonight I installed ProTapers....its never easy!!

Also a trick LED license plate light, the PO eliminated the entire license holder and light. Next I swapped out the HUGE and ugly stock signals for small (and cheap) turn signals that look much better and are nearly as bright as stock.

I found three unused 12 volt switched plugs available too. Nice. One up in the headlight, another above the shock and a third on the right near the CDI box.

Anyone know for certain the alternator output of this bike? I heard 200 watts,
is that right?

I custom made gromets to allow the use of my stock bar ends on the ProTaper bars. I got the Protapers in a trade from a guy on the Vstrom list.
I've had them for over a year....finally got something to use them on.
The mounting kit cost $40 They look great...I will post pics next
week.

I'm building a custom tool kit for the DR as well. I've also found a trick place to stash my two 9 inch tire irons down in the skid plate (Utah) on the right side along the frame rail, zipped tied in. Wrapped in inner tube, they are secure, won't vibrate or do damage. Perfect.

This weekend I'm pump shopping at bicycle shops. Need a trick tiny one. I could go with an electric pump or CO'2's, but in the end a pump always seems
to be best. Not much storage space on a DR, not like the cavernous Vstrom.
On the Strom I've got stuff stashed in the fairings, side panels and the huge
area under the seat. Great bike for storage.

I've ordered the countershaft sprocket spacer for the 15 tooth sprocket to get rid of the "clicking" sound. Also Iridium dual element plugs and a replacement for the lower chain roller which is prone to failure.

The stock chain is a low spec 525 DID O ring. A good chain but if I were heading to Central America I'd get the DID 525 VM X-ring. It will last double of the stocker or longer.

I may also sell off the IMS 4.9 gallon tank. The quality is crap, the finish
junk and I don't need that much fuel. Acerbis make a 4 gallon tank that looks
and feels much smaller. This for the future.

Additional mods :

1. I'm hoping Fast Way will do pegs for the DR. If not then I'll go with IMS pro
series wide pegs. I've got them on my XR, had them on two other dirt bikes.
Really reduces fatigue while standing for hours dirt riding.

2. Wrap header pipe. Engine runs cooler, will get better mileage.

3. Shield of some kind....no idea which.

4. Experimenting with soft bags but may end up with hard bags.

5. Tires. Mefo and other endurance tires.

6. Heated Symtec grips.

7. Louder horn. (relay)

Should keep my busy for a while.

Patrick

__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I'm using the Happy Trails bags on my DR 650.

The soft bags are OK but will not keep out prying fingers in when the bike is not being watched !!

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LUNATIC

I just got back from a 6000 mile 5 week tour of Mexico on a DR. Perfect bike for it. MEFO tires went the entire way with some serious dirt and rock sections; I recommend them. They don't hook up quite as well as TKC80's but they are a smoother ride on pavement and last much, much longer. I bought the Happy Trails rack and put Pellican side cases on the bike. I crashed on the dirt 4 times and one was at 35-40 mph I'm guessing. My friend hit a horse at 50. The Pellican cases did not have any side effects from these crashes except for minor causmetic damage. I was extremely impressed. On the other hand, the next bags I get are going to be top loading. Period. What else can I tell you? Hmmm. My friend had a DR650 with the FMFQ2 and used a 160 jet with a K and H. It worked well. We drove several times up to 11,000 from sea level and used the fuel screw and idle adjustments to deal with the altitude. No problems. I used a collapsable camp chair in addition to my corbin which made long days easy. That and a throttle lock. The only thing I would do different is to sort out some sort of windshield. I don't mind wind but I think I damaged my hearing. I used the MRA streetshield which wasn't enough to get the wind up over my helmet (which I am used to on my dl1000). Oh well, it is a dirtbike. Anyway, congrats on your purchase and I love my dr. It is the perfect dualsport bike for me.

On Blinkers (indicators)

There are some cheap small honda XR replacements around .. they come with 10 Watt globes .. you can get 23watt globe that fit (and don't melt the housing!) .. that means they are bright enough.

I blot the front ones under the handel bars .. using the mirror mounting .. behind the bark busters. This means they are less likely to get hit!

On the panniers .. I use the pelican 1550 .. but they are avalible in different sizes. Place the rear blinkers inside the panner line and they are safe.

The only advice I've had for DR650s is the starter motor can get crap in it .. may be a yearly clean out?

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Patrick,

I like the idea about the Remus. Are you sure that they make one for the DR though? I looked on their website and couldnt find one. Maybe I will drive over there and see what fits, they are only 1 hour from where I live.

If you decide to sell the IMS or the Corbin let me know as I am probably going to pick up a stock 00 this weekend.

Lukas

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Currently on a RTW ride:
https://www.facebook.com/AroundTheWorldWithLukasM

are those 12 volt plug/switches stock?