I had a DR650 back in the UK in the mid 90s which I thought was a good base for an overlander - until some Fu*$%# stole it...

So 15 years later I picked up a used 2009 with 6000kms on the clock in Edmonton, Alberta and bought it home this Summer, where Ive been busy in the garage for the last 4 months upgrading and modifying it to do a trip 2up with the wife to South America.

I have been drooling over the 650 V Stroms in the motorcycle dealers in Calgary, lots of room for 2up, but at twice the price of the used DR650 before any mods I decided to stick with the DR.

Yes its a bit cramped 2up, but its simplicity and the increasing amount of gear around to turn it into a decent overlander works for me.

Ive been picking up plenty of ideas over the last few years, since I had to sell the KTM 640 Adventure in the UK before I came to Canada - from the DR650 riders here and on ADV Rider, especially JediMaster, Mollydog, Blackbeast, Beddhist to name but a few.

Ive put .50 front springs on and an 8.1 rear with a Cogent Dynamics rebuild on the shock, Safari tank and Happy Trails panniers and top box - I was toying with using soft panniers again that I used on the KTM, but my Ortilebs dont have enough volume for 2up riding.

Ive also put on a Vapor digital speedo, tach and engine temperature sensor which so far has been pretty good and a Centech relay controlled fuse box mounted over the airbox for power outlets on the bars and in the top box, gps power, heated grips, heated jacket (wifes) etc etc.

I will take some more photos before I head out now its finished.

Check out some photos:

Suzuki DR650 pictures by GippersTravels - Photobucket

So now that the bike is ready its time to hit the road again, back on 2 wheels again after a 4 year break. The bike is loaded up and the Trip South Starts Tommorow, however its starting to get a bit chilly here in Banff, its going to be -7 Celsius (ish) in the morning and we had some snow the other day....

Lisa and I are attempting to do a Blog on this trip:

Gippers Travels

I am riding solo to Panama, shipping to Colombia, then Lisa flies in -we have 3 months to head as far South as we can before she has to be back at work, so we are flexible on what is acheivable in that time.

I will try to update the Blog as and when I get Internet access.

See you guys on the Road.....

Attached Images

 

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Hey Grif & Lisa,
Bike is looking awesome. Looking forward to meeting up on the road.
Ride safe
Daryll

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Central America, South America & Africa on DR650's - BLOG

Hey Daryll,

Thanks mate, Lisa and I are enjoying your Blog, photos and great vid clips - keep 'em coming and enjoy yourselves !!!

hope to catch up with you both - is there anything you guys need bringing down ?

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Email sent.
Daryll

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Central America, South America & Africa on DR650's - BLOG

So a few months on, our South America trip is pretty much at its end.I am sat in a Hotel in Cartagena, Colombia sorting out flying the bike to Miami and heading home to Canada. After currently 17500kms in South America for 3 months, a few thoughts on using the DR650 for a 2up trip.

1) If you are much bigger than us, find another bike, Im 180lb and 5'10, Lisa is 110lb and 5'6. if you are much bigger/taller than this then Id forget the DR and pick a bike with a longer seat and more room. It was tight on the bike with 2 of us, Lisa used an Air Hawk seat on the Corbin, to give her a bit more room behind and I mounted the top box as far back as I could, still it was tight though.

2) The DR's gearing is a compromise, standard gearing for 1st and 2nd gear is too tall. I used a 14 tooth front sprocket for all the trip apart from using the Chilean highways/motorways when I used the 15 tooth sprocket. Even with the 14, 1st and 2nd gear are too tall, on steep pistes and in the cities you have to slip the clutch more than you should (especially 2up)and you loose the tall 5th for the highway - in 5th gear 100 kmh is about 4500 rpm on the 14 tooth.
The DR has got the grunt to pull the tall 5th, but what it really needs is a 6 speed box with a nice deep 1st gear and a lazy 6th. swapping sprockets all the time is a PITA.

3) If you are looking for a cheaper bike to do a trip on then you cant beat a DR. I paid $5000 for a used 2009 bike in Canada and spent a few grand on turning it into what I needed for this trip - apart from say a KLR the DR is the best value for the money compared to V or parallel twin.

4) Its simple and tough, air/oil cooled, the bike has had 2 bad accidents on this trip, its been down on an asphalt highway in Canada at 110 kmh and cartwheeled. I rebuilt it for $600, and a guy pulled out in front of me in Barranquilla last week and the bike ended up under the front wheel of the truck. I thought it would be wrecked, but a few tweeks and a couple of parts and its going fine again.

5)Stock suspension sucks. I used a Cogent Dynamics rebuild on the shock and an 8.1 eibach spring - its been fantastic, its taken 2up with loaded HT panniers and top box on some fairly bad pistes and done everything Ive asked it to. The fronts have got .50 eibach springs in, they are a little harsh even with the safari tank full, I might try some emulators or intiminators in the future. The 8.1 is a compromise on the rear, if you are heavier than us then go with the 8.4 eibach.

6) power output from alternator/generator is weak. I fitted the DR with Symtec heated grips for me and a Gebrings temp controller for Lisa's heated jacket and gloves. The alternator can only keep up with all 3 on if the revs are above 4000, under that and things get chilly.

7) brakes. The single front disc is a bit feeble, I fitted a steel braided hose and it made them much better, but for 2up loaded riding they are just adequate.

8) 21 in front wheel - a definite plus especially on the gnarlier pistes and generally handy for potholes and getting over tall kerb stones on the way into hostels!

9) Safari tank. able to carry a lot of gas - tough and the transparent tank is the way to go, piss poor turning circle though, on anything tight and technical or a u turn on a narrow piste, you have to think through your line and make sure you have enough room.

Thats mostly what comes to mind currently, if the DR had a 6 speed box, and ABS it would be bloody great, as it is, its a capable tough bike with some limitations.

Id like to try a DL650 V Strom for a similar trip (without the accidents!) to compare......

hmmm next trip.......


If we look cold in this photo its because it was about 4 C and shortly after it pissed with rain.....

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Good writeup, lots of useful info. How is servicing on the road? How is it is to clean the air filter, change oil, check and adjust valve clearances? Do you need to take half the bike apart, take off the tank or are these easy enough? Did they use shims in the valves?
And what is the consumption like? Petrol, oil, chain, tyres...

Good luck with your next trip!
Zoltan