Hey Guys,

I've been on the road six months now on my 2008 DR650. I started in Seattle with Alex Smith (RR: No Jobs, No Responsibilities) in April and now I've finally arrived in Cusco. The bike has performed admirably the entire 15,000 miles so far, although over the last week my rear end has absolutely given out. I carry a lot of gear, and I'm sure that has something to do with it. It also didn't help that I just covered 700 miles of dirt in ten days fully loaded from Huaraz to Cusco on the inland mountain roads. It was a blast, but now I'm paying for it.

Before we set off I replaced the stock spring with a 8.3kg/mm upgrade from Procycle. It stiffened everything up real nice but has since let me down. I'm 6'2" 185lbs; when I left on the trip I could only stand over the bike with my heels off the ground. Now I can sit on the seat flat footed with bent knees. It has sagged a lot. Furthermore, the shock must be gone because after every speed bump the bike bobs up and down three times before leveling out. It's not fun or safe to ride in the current state. From what I've gathered I need a new spring and a new shock.

I've searched the forums quite a bit over the last few days when I had internet, but I can't find what I'm looking for. What do you all recommend I do for a situation like this here in Cusco, Peru? I've already paid a Peruvian mechanic $60 who said he could rebuild it and he ripped me off. The bike sat higher for about ten miles before it sagged again. I was stupid to trust him anyway.

Are there other rear shocks that fit on the DR650 easily? Anyone know if a 2010 Yamaha Tenere stock shock would fit (my current riding partner Charlie has one in California we could ship down). They don't sell many big bikes here in Peru so replacements are hard to find.

Am I best off ordering a brand new Ricor Racing rear shock from Procycle.us and paying (and waiting) for the international shipping? Can anyone recommend an awesome replacement (I hear Cogent is the best, but I don't have time to send my busted piece home and wait)? I'm willing to spend a considerable chunk of cash to put this behind me and have the bike better off for it.

I arrived here Saturday evening which means most mechanic shops are closed tomorrow. I met a guy on a Harley today who knows a real mechanic so hopefully Monday I can go to him with all these questions as well. Any info you guys can offer before I get there would be great. I don't want to get ripped off again and I don't want some junk Peruvian replacement that will blow out another 1,000 miles down the road. Sorry for all the questions, it's just that most threads on this issue don't pertain to people in the third world. I've learned everything I know about motorcycles on this trip, so anything new you guys can teach me would be awesome.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Tom- pls check your private message box

This place might help - but keep your eyes open- look here
Lobo Moto
Jorge A. Alencastre Linares
Av. Huayna Ccapac No.122, Wanchaq Cusco
23 3337 or 965 4877
who knows?

As for being ripped off in foreign lands, it's a bit like Montezuma's revenge- It happens- sadly but it does- walk away- it's a bit of bad luck- which will hopefully change for the better tomorrow!

p.s if you could post up his GPS loc that would be great- ta-

and as for shocks, consider Wilbers
credit card at the ready! then DHL - I guess there will be import taxes as well :0(
good luck

Jeff at Procycle was pretty good at sending me parts whilst on the road, it may be costly though. Hope you are able to get back on the road soon.
Daryll

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

Hi

If you must order a new shock, my recommendation is Elka suspension. I used their shock on my 2008 DR650 on my RTW trip. I had about 80 lbs of luggage, all in, and with riding gear I'm at around 200 lbs. It worked flawlessly, including three weeks bashing it across Mongolian "roads".

They will ask for your weight and your luggage weight and build it to those specs.

Good luck
Sean

Tom
I've just called Wilbers UK for you +44 (0) 121 501 3321 Revsracing 'AT' yahoo 'DOT' co 'DOT' uk
Here is the info
For your bike Suzuki DR650 2008

• Assuming: your weight 90 Kgs + 50 Kgs luggage but NO pillion
• a semi adjustable back shock £ 437
• Same shock but adjustable hydraulic pre-loader £612
• Weight of package no more than 3.5 Kgs
• Size of package approx shoe box size
• They would be willing to arrange DHL shipping - costs to you of course
• Over to you to get in touch with them directly to arrange if desired and let them know your spec i.e if carrying pillion as well /weight etc

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm off to a suspension expert today to see if he has any local solutions. If not I have to decide whether to have one shipped in or have Alex pick one up i Colombia and wait for him. I'm going to DHL today to talk to them about shipping and import concerns.

I'll check out the Wilburs and Elka sites and see what I think. Bertrand thanks a lot for emailing them for me. I also have a friend in California willing to ship me his 2006 stock shock for a very good price. I'll be considering that too.

I'll keep everyone in the loop!

Tom

If ever stuck (again!) don't forget that there are the Communities ready to help you
To contact them click here or at bottom left of HU Menu.
You just cannot beat local knowledge!
good luck and hope you soon will be up and bouncing around again!
p.s tip: old shocks = new problems! I had them too- fitted a Wilbers and never regretted it- it transformed my much heavier F650 Dakar to the point that it felt I had a new bike!
A high quality rear shock is probably the most important 'must have' on any long trip- not sexy perhaps but very necessary IMHO.

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up going back to Lima and took the bike to KTM. They redirected the shock to thier suspension expert and he fixed it within 24 hours. I think he replaced the oil and refilled it with nitrogen. Between his English and my Spanish, though, I´m really not sure. Since then it´s gotten me all the way to Salar de Uyuni with no problems so fingers crossed for the future. Here are his details:

Dinno Cecchi F.
Av Mariano Cornejo ·735 Pueblo Libre
Lima

Good value at $100.