Sorry for the delay, Patrick. If I'm reading the problem correctly, I don't think you have a problem with the fuel filter, but instead need to "bleed" the fuel line of air. As noted (with full details for others), the IMS tank fuel outlet is a little lower than the carb fuel inlet. I have a fuel line that "loops" upward from the petcock and down to the carb to avoid any kinks in the fuel line. For this to work, there has to be gas in the line for it to flow properly down to the carb so it siphons if there isn't enough fuel "pressure". Sometimes, based upon the amount of fuel in the tank or if it has recently been installed, there can be air in the line at the top of the loop and the fuel will not flow. To fix this, I simply disconnect the fuel line at the carb, pull it down until it freely flows gas, plug the line with my finger while putting it back on the carb inlet and tighten it up. That fixes any fuel starvation problem caused by the looped fuel line. Bob - are we talking about the same issue with the looped fuel line?

Also, to get the maximum amount of fuel out of the tank when the level is really low and the bike has started to sputter, I lay the bike over to the left to drain the right tank lobe into the left lobe if I have run out. When I do this, I usually have to bleed my fuel line because it has probably run dry...

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Pain in the Butte Ranch
Durango, Colorado

Xactly
....

I have been offered a new Suzuki DR650 at a really good price. Suzuki seem to be over-stocked on these. I am however struggling to find hard luggage for this bike. The Suzuki dealers in New Zealand are not aware of any. I have considered soft luggage but would prefer hard luggage. I notice from earlier comments that some travellers have used Pelican cases. Adventure Motorcycle Equipment in the USA have a Caribou Case System (it looks like they are Pelican cases) for USD695.00 including the mounting system. Pictures and details are on their website. I like the look of the cases and they seem easy to fit (even for technically challenged people like me).

Has anyone used these cases and are they as good as they are made out to be? Is the company reliable? Are there any other hard luggage systems available?

Peter

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Peter

http://peter-onamission.blogspot.com

Mr Fat Chance runs pelicans.

Try to get Suzuki to send their overstock to the UK; there are quite a few people in this country who would take one!

For your luggage query, do a search for "hard luggage" - there have been loads of posts about this in the past, probably in the equipment review forum.

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Dave

Hi Dave

Thanks for the advice. The DR650's were sent to New Zealand from California. At the price they are a really good buy.

Peter

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Peter

http://peter-onamission.blogspot.com

The Caribou cases are a very nice system. However, they were not available for the DR650 when I wanted luggage for our DR650s, so I cobbled together my own. I used Moto-sport pannier racks and their universal mounting kit for the Pelicans I just bought over the internet. Moto-sport racks and mounting kits can be found HERE. This way, I could do the racks, mounts and Pelicans for right at $500 (usd). What you get for the extra money for Caribou's setup is a quick release capability. My setup requires removing two screws for each pannier. Since I seldom remove the panniers from the bike (I also use pannier liners to remove their contents easily), paying the all the extra $$ for the quick release system was not cost effective. BTW, I have this same system on both my '05 DR650 as well as my wife's '00 DR650.

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Pain in the Butte Ranch
Durango, Colorado

happy-trail.com has some for the dr. I use their set up on my klr. I will be puting their bags on my wife's dr The teton 7" is what I would recomend. They are lighter than the pelican bags. They ship over sea and are good help on adventure rides.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...5-2003-a-31432

I've been offered a 2003 DR650SE in Australia for $5,000Au with 6,000kms and a staintune exhaust which I believe gives a bit more power and allows a wider choice of luggage options.

It seems a good deal but I know very little about these bikes other than the earlier year models might have had a few issues. So apart from the normal stuff you look for when buying a bike, is there anything in particular I should look for and is this about the right sort of money for this kind of bike in Australia?

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Hi Mike

Others with far more experience and knowledge of these bikes can comment on the technical details. I have just bought a 2007 DR650 and absolutely love it - they are fun and easy to ride. I paid NZD8 000 for mine. They really are great bikes. The upgrade options (tank, screen and luggage) in NZ and AU are very limited but you can get much in the USA on the net. I imported a larger IMS tank and a screen. Even in NZD they were reasonably priced.

Would probably pay to see what you could get a new one for.

Peter

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Peter

http://peter-onamission.blogspot.com

I would read up a bit on the bike before you start doing modifications.

Jesse at Kientech is a good source for DR stuff and has some gooe items for sale and knowledge about jetting and re-springing the bike.

Verle Nelson has owned many bikes, lots of KLR's and DR's. Has done lots of miles on them and has some good set up ideas too. Really knows his stuff, IMO. His page is loaded with very specific info on using various items on the DR. Excellent page.

KienTech Engineering

Suzuki DR650

You can read back through this thread to see some of the things I've done. One thing I intend to buy for my bike is a fork brace. Doesn't need it much when unloaded but needs it when loaded up with gear.

The bike is so simple to work on, you will find it a pleasure to own. Mine has performed well on several long dual sport rides, but in Mexico was not so great
in the dirt due to me overloading the bike. I was carrying 100 lbs (45 kgs) in GIVI hard bags on board plus with 5 gallons of fuel in the IMS tank. Not good. Important to balance suspension when carrying a load to maintain good front to rear balance.

You should plan to play around with the bike a bit. Go ride a NEW stock bike to gain perspective and a baseline for adjustments. IMO, re-jetting is essential. The Dyno-jet kit will not only add power everywhere, it also will still get good fuel economy if set up correctly and the motor will run cooler. It's the needle that makes the difference....it's all in the needle. Took me a while to figure this one out. So open up that airbox and re-jet. The only trade off is you'll have to clean your air filter more often .....or use Filter Skins!

The bike seems to work well with a variety of tires but the stock Trail Wings work really well. The rear T-Wing wears out to quickly but the front tire works well, is very cheap and lastl 10,000 miles.

For long road trips try a Avon Distanzia for a rear tire. I'm using Pirelli Scopions AT's for day to day riding. Any front will be OK on a long ride.

2003 model may have a leaky base gasket. Seal it with silicone. Should hold it.
Staintunes are wonderful but very very pricey....and I seriously doubt it will add much power....if any. My FMF Q2 did not.....but saved 4 kgs. of weight. I sold it.....too loud.

I had hard GIVI luggage on for Mexico and this is where I ran into probs. I've now gone back to soft bags and am down to just 60 lbs. fully loaded for the long haul. Bike handling is night and day better. I have heavy springs, fork brace coming soon. The GIVI bags empty and their racks weighed 26 lbs. So that is a lot of weight for convenience and ruined the handling on the DR.

Good luck.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Has anyone on this list had any experance with "those" cleanable oil filters? I see Dual-star have one listed to suit a DR650.

I've been busy sorting out my DR, and was thinking about these filters. Might be easy when on the road to do a service. Ie no chasing folters or carry them. Still for the price you can buy alot of the cheap paper ones...

I'm not to savy with how to upload images and content to this tool. But I'ev chucked photos and note on my face book site. If you interested check it out, I guess you'll have to cut'in paste the link below. Also is their a help page to learn how to 'drive' this tool. I conside put some travle photos up too but I can't work it out.

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Cheers,
Stephen.

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Cheers,
Stephen Ashley,
Alice Springs,
Outback Oz.