Fantastic thread....

I'm looking to pick up a Suzuki thumber soon...

I'm 50:50 about a trip from the UK to capetown so I was considering a DRZ400S which I think would be perfect for the tracks which are classed as roads there, but the miles of tarmac to contend with inbetween the nightmare offroad sections, has my ass screaming in protest.

Mollydog, how do you think the DR650 compares to an XT600E (which I have good exxperience with) ????

I heard the DR650SE is smoother and quicker on the road (XT is not happy over 60mph)

How do you think the DR would do in Africa ?? Offroad capable ??

I didnt like my XT600E offroad at all. The suspension was awful and it didnt give me any confidence at all.. My XR650R was much much more capabe

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted, I really liked my DR650SE for my last trip. It was so light and manoeuverable compared to the beemer which I still have (ie it hasn't been stolen yet...). I was concerned about hitting Europe, especially Germany however it sat at 120/130kph quite happy, ie normal motorway speeds. My GS1150 still feels way too big and heavy even after being home for 6 months.

Definitely go for at least the 20L IMS tank, the 30L Safari one is a bit excessive IMO. The Corbin seat was a bit hard, but is wider than the original which kills your ass v quickly. I put on higher bars which helped my lower back and a wee windscreen. Mine had an Aussie made Staintune exhaust which sounded fantastic, really dirty sounding. Its a bit lighter than the original.

I also recommend the Andy Strapz bags (or similar) in conjunction with some simple metal racks (I still have my set which I need to get round to selling) to keep the bags off the bodywork/exhaust although I secured them with 55L Pacsafes which got really annoying to get in and out of. However I was surprised at the amount of stuff I had nicked/broken in Asia compared to having nothing nicked/damaged in the Americas. But thats a whole other thread...

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

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

Hey Ted … I just finished a ride on a DR650 from Morocco to Cape Town. IMHO, the DR was the ideal bike for Africa. Light, maneuverable, fast and super reliable … great fun to ride!

Like you, I had considered the DRZ400. Glad I chose the DR650. Yes, once in a while the terrain was so bad that the DRZ would have been an advantage. But the DR650 was more than capable off road and overall the DR wins hands down.

I agree with MikeS – soft panniers are the way to go. Saves a lot of weight vs. aluminum boxes. I used an SW Motech Trax top box on the DR, providing security for laptop and other valuables.

I ran the 30L Safari tank and needed that all that fuel more than a few times. With the 20L IMS, I would have been toting fuel bottles a few times. Good luck.

Mark

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Looks like the DR650 could be the one...

They are very rare in the UK though. You very rarely see them for sale

I'm also a soft bag convert for overlanding. First time I dropped my XT in the rough stuff, I totalled my Metal mules... £900 OUCH.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hey Ted,

I sold my KTM LC4 and bought a DR650 specifically with a trans-Africa trip in mind. Unfortunately it has been delayed due to a job offer I couldn't pass up, which at least it gave me some more time to tinker with the bike.

The DR has a really good base for an adventure bike IMO: Simple, very solid engine/frame/subframe, reasonable weight and good quality overall. It's a lot lighter than KLR and F650 and about the same as a KTM LC4. About 20lbs more than DRZ, which is worth it for the added comfort on tar roads. Suspension is decent stock depending on your weight, but it does need a seat and tank.

Another cool thing is that it has a very big following, especially in the US, Australia and Germany. This means a big aftermarket with just about anything you could want, as well as a very supportive group of owners on ADVrider and Thumpertalk. Some of these creative guys have come up with cool cheap mods, eg carbs (Keihin pumper), exhaust (GSXR titanium) and even suspension (KTM front end basically bolts straight on). None of this stuff is needed, but it can transform the DR into performing like a KTM while retaining the Japanese reliability.

If you can't find a used one in the UK, you could check in Germany. I am probably going to pick up a second one next week to make into a permanent supermoto for commuting, a 97 with 10'km for €1600. My 96 cost me only €700, and although it was ugly it has not had a single mechanical problem in the last two years.

Let us know if you have any specific questions if you do end up getting one, and we'll be glad to point you the right way.

Cheers,
Lukas

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