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**alan hopkins** · #91 12 Mar 2016

Congrats to everyone who successfully steered themselves through this process. Its taken me months for some reason but it was well worth it as I received my V5 yesterday (the second one as first one they sent had an error so they cancelled it!). Went and got my plate and immediately took my partner for a spin around the country lanes. Well she has helped with all the paperwork after all. Good news is she hated it as it scared her half to death compared to the armchair that is my R1200R so I can fit a single seat and a big rack and keep it to myself. It did feel brilliantly skinny and fun to ride and well worh all the hassle. I'm going to strap on some ProCycle goodies and take it to the HU meet at Hay this year. Come say hi.
Alan

**alan hopkins** · #92 12 Mar 2016

**alan hopkins** · #93 12 Mar 2016

Btw. The speedo was okay as America measures speed in miles like us and the headlight is such a basic affair that it doesn't have the L shaped beam, it's symmetrical. I did however have to fit a position pea lamp which I too bought from fleabay.

**mollydog** · #94 12 Mar 2016

Long road but you got there!

It's true, the DR is not so much favored as a Two-Up Barca Lounger like your RT (a wonderful bike!).

If your partner is petite it may work for her with a good custom seat like a Corbin or Sargent, otherwise a NO GO for long rides with pillion.

I advise riding your bike for a while before jumping in and making a bunch changes before you really understand what the bike is ... what it isn't and the SMART way to solve real or imagined "issues".

Most DR650 Noobs don't believe Suzuki know what they're doing and don't trust the recommended tire pressures listed. Trust them!
Suzuki suggest 22 psi front, 25 rear. These are the BEST pressures I've found ... after about 12 sets of tires of all kinds!

If two up or loaded you may go UP a pound or two ... but if you go too far handling will suffer ... especially in the wet where a well set up DR is simply amazing. Sticks like glue on wet roads.

To Do's:
I would remove the UPPER change roller. It can make "klacky" sounds and will make you insane trying to find the noise. Take it off, no need for it.

If riding at night on dark roads you'll want an headlight up grade. I run an inexpensive HID kit. ($25) More than doubles output and reach and draws 20 less watts than OEM H-4 bulb.

The seat is an abomination lose it. Pay good money for an good after market seat. Many brands available. See the forums. My Corbin seat allowed the DR to go from a 2 hour ride max to a 10 hour ride.

Shields:
OK if you can find a quiet set up. Folks who ride in severe cold or constant rain may consider a shield. I prefer NO shield ... nice and quiet, no turbulence.

A thousand things to buy at Pro Cycle, some useful and required, some fluff.
I'm at 65,000 miles. I spent $3,500 USD on the bike, added about $1200 USD in upgrades. (Ohlins shock, Emulators, racks, HID kit, Bark Busters et al)

After some of the basics listed above, IMO, suspension is most important upgrade you can make, especially if going off road.

Have fun!

**Gipper** · #95 13 Mar 2016

Good Job Alan!

Glad you enjoyed the ride on the new DR

**Walkabout** · #96 13 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkabout

EU harmonisation regulations require Fuel Injection. That was a few years ago - now it is compulsory ABS.
Most of this technology is likely manufactured by the industries that lobby the EU - Bosch for instance?

ps
Frau Merkel clicked her fingers and the VW "scandal" is now forgotten, and forgiven, by the EU folks.

Traffic Technology Today
It's very likely that Bosch had an influence in the regulations.

**Walkabout** · #97 13 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

Congrats to everyone who successfully steered themselves through this process. Its taken me months for some reason but it was well worth
Alan

It will be faster for you next time around.

**backofbeyond** · #98 13 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

Went and got my plate and immediately took my partner for a spin around the country lanes... Good news is she hated it as it scared her half to death compared to the armchair that is my R1200R so I can fit a single seat and a big rack and keep it to myself.

I'm going to strap on some ProCycle goodies and take it to the HU meet at Hay this year. Come say hi.
Alan

That trick always works

My wife was happy enough to embrace the armchair that's the pillion seat on "our" GoldWing in the USA but the normal seats on the various bikes I have here don't, for some reason, seem to have the same appeal

I'll also be at the Hay HUBB - either on my little pink 125 Suzuki (as featured in this month's Bike magazine no less!) or my yellow CCM. If I miss your DR but you spot either of my bikes say hello.

**alan hopkins** · #99 13 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog

Long road but you got there!

It's true, the DR is not so much favored as a Two-Up Barca Lounger like your RT (a wonderful bike!).

If your partner is petite it may work for her with a good custom seat like a Corbin or Sargent, otherwise a NO GO for long rides with pillion.

I advise riding your bike for a while before jumping in and making a bunch changes before you really understand what the bike is ... what it isn't and the SMART way to solve real or imagined "issues".

Most DR650 Noobs don't believe Suzuki know what they're doing and don't trust the recommended tire pressures listed. Trust them!
Suzuki suggest 22 psi front, 25 rear. These are the BEST pressures I've found ... after about 12 sets of tires of all kinds!

If two up or loaded you may go UP a pound or two ... but if you go too far handling will suffer ... especially in the wet where a well set up DR is simply amazing. Sticks like glue on wet roads.

To Do's:
I would remove the UPPER change roller. It can make "klacky" sounds and will make you insane trying to find the noise. Take it off, no need for it.

If riding at night on dark roads you'll want an headlight up grade. I run an inexpensive HID kit. ($25) More than doubles output and reach and draws 20 less watts than OEM H-4 bulb.

The seat is an abomination lose it. Pay good money for an good after market seat. Many brands available. See the forums. My Corbin seat allowed the DR to go from a 2 hour ride max to a 10 hour ride.

Shields:
OK if you can find a quiet set up. Folks who ride in severe cold or constant rain may consider a shield. I prefer NO shield ... nice and quiet, no turbulence.

A thousand things to buy at Pro Cycle, some useful and required, some fluff.
I'm at 65,000 miles. I spent $3,500 USD on the bike, added about $1200 USD in upgrades. (Ohlins shock, Emulators, racks, HID kit, Bark Busters et al)

After some of the basics listed above, IMO, suspension is most important upgrade you can make, especially if going off road.

Have fun!

Cheers mollydog. I did get some Procycle basics with the bike based on previous reading. Big tank, comfy seat, suspension upgrades etc. but I want to ride it as standard first so I can rate the upgrades properly. My road bike incidentally is the R not the RT. I can't fault that bike and have found it almost impossible to replace. It does everything really well from cafe runs to trans continental winter tours and is in my opinion the best kept secret in motorcycling. Better handling and lighter than a GS which on the whole rarely tackle anything more than a dry track in any case. I did try the 800gs in my last attempt at a "one bike does all" but that was in my opinion way too tall, too top heavy and tall geared and a topple would see me spending the price of a DR in replacement BMW plastic.
No, I'm really happy that I eventually found my own sweet spot in terms of motorcycles.

**Walkabout** · #**100** 13 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

My road bike incidentally is the R not the RT. I can't fault that bike and have found it almost impossible to replace.

Please don't be shy of writing up the R Beemer in the BMW tech section.

**mollydog** · #**101** 14 Mar 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

Cheers mollydog. I did get some Procycle basics with the bike based on previous reading. Big tank, comfy seat, suspension upgrades etc. but I want to ride it as standard first so I can rate the upgrades properly. My road bike incidentally is the R not the RT. I can't fault that bike and have found it almost impossible to replace. It does everything really well from cafe runs to trans continental winter tours and is in my opinion the best kept secret in motorcycling. Better handling and lighter than a GS which on the whole rarely tackle anything more than a dry track in any case. I did try the 800gs in my last attempt at a "one bike does all" but that was in my opinion way too tall, too top heavy and tall geared and a topple would see me spending the price of a DR in replacement BMW plastic.
No, I'm really happy that I eventually found my own sweet spot in terms of motorcycles.

Cheers!
Some good mods there!
But you've not found the sweet spot quite yet.
Wait till you get your DR off road. At just 367 lbs. WET (stock tank) the DR is roughly 150 to 200 lbs. lighter weight than the mentioned F800GS or R12GS. HUGE difference. So no surprise you were put off the heavier bikes. When one is laying on you ... you will really notice it!

I don't know your back ground riding off road ... but do highly recommend getting into it slowly with some good tutoring. You won't become an expert over night, but if you work at it and have some instruction ... in a year you'll see huge improvement. I used to teach kids and old geezers dirt riding ... so have a bit of a clue on this.

While the DR is no Enduro race bike it's actually quite capable on moderate trails, most two track, deep sand and does GREAT on very rough washboard roads that would literally tear your R1200R BMW to bits. Been there, seen this in person. The DR is tough. Street bikes are not if put to the test.

before it's recent paving, this famous Baja road destroyed many bikes ... and big tough SUV's. Dinged wheels, parts lost and worse. Best take a road like this at SPEED. Over 50 mph works best. Smooths things out. I did this on my V-Strom 1000 and several times on DR650. (DRZ and XR250 shown)

You mention cost of body work. Good point! One of my fav's on the DR is it's wonderful crash survival. Mine has tumbled over dozens of times, most times just a few scrapes, maybe a bent or broken lever. It's really good in this regard.

While the DR won't match your R1200R on smooth Euro pistes or California Freeways, or roaring through the Alps and 85 mph. But when the road narrows, or disappears, the DR is a joy. Add rain, it's even better.

Deep sand? With good tires and good riding technique you're there. Sand riding takes practice ... even riding the DR650. But if I can do it ... anyone can.

**Kellogs** · #**102** 13 Apr 2016

I lived in Australia and bought one new in 2009, brought it back to UK with me. It's done 35500 miles as done fair bit touring. Well serviced and maintained....bark busters, bb bash plate and racks. Lovely bike condition is used but never abused. Message me if interested and I'll get pics posted etc. IMS tank and stock available. I love this bike just typing this tugs the heart strings.

**alan hopkins** · #**103** 10 May 2016

I meant I've found my sweet spot in terms of motorcycles because I have a fondness for high speed jinks and continental touring as well as dirt travel so no one bike will ever cover those three bases. The new Aftica twin made a good stab at it but would in my opinion still be too heavy off road and too compromised on road. Nice bike though. No, my R puts a smile on my face every time I go for a ride. Be it a Sunday morning blast or a multi country tour and in the short time I've had the DR I'm feeling the same proud smug sense of "I got it right now" for my personal needs and tastes anyway.
Love those desert pics. They remind me of when I'm riding around southern Spain. I'm always straining my eyes left and right, tempted by the vast amount of mountain trails and dried river bed tracks I see disappearing off into the distance. My baptism will be the HUMM in Valencia later this year.

**alan hopkins** · #**104** 16 May 2016

Had this made up at a local fabrication shop from my plywood templates. Well please with the results. Much better use of space than the default three square box setup