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**alan hopkins** · #**106** 16 May 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

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

Attachment 17572

Keep going back to this message whenever I try and upload another pic. Bad connection here and by the time all the ads and those hilarious and really useful emoticons have loaded I have lost the will to live. Anyone wanting aluminium work doing in the midlands areas pm me

**mollydog** · #**107** 16 May 2016

Not sure what you have planned with that project ... but maybe weigh everything to get some idea what your On The Road weight might end up being. I see you've got racks under the "new construction". (????)

Why not just fling throw-over type soft bags onto those existing racks?

If you end up building hard boxes to go on there ... then your DR may become about as useful Off Road as your BMW.

I've been down this road before, having used a variety of Hard boxes and Soft bags on my DR650's on many USA and Mexico trips.

Once over loaded, the DR loses advantage off road. Badly. Do everything you can to take weight off the bike if off road is in the cards .... and of course, pack light. BUT ... if planning Paved Road Only rides, then no worries.

**alan hopkins** · #**108** 16 May 2016

I have a lightweight rack and pannier hoops from pro cycle underneath so this is a light gauge aluminium construction aimed at maximising th carrying space. Everything gets squashed in soft bags and the square ali cases get mashed in a spill plus they have that dead space between narrow top box and wide cases so I'm trying a third option. This setup will carry to slim but long side bags and the top tray will carry tent etc. The tray is welded so can be used as a bowl for washing me and pots (yes it will have a drain plug) Lift it off and it's a lift off seat/table. This way I have good carrying platform. Narrow and fairly crash proof and not much heavier than soft bags alone. I'll say how I get on as soon as its been tested.

**mollydog** · #**109** 17 May 2016

That's very clever with your top tray/sink/table multi use thingy! I like it! Great for camping. Try to avoid stacking gear up high on that tray. Can negatively affect handling on the light weight DR.

Looking forward to see how it all evolves ... then how it will (surly) change after
a few trips logged and refinements happen.

Good luck!

**Chris reason** · #**110** 7 Jun 2016

I currently have a UK registered dr650 for sale if you're still interested. 1992 model in black with yellow decals, which I've owned from new, and has a genuine 7600 miles ONLY on the clock, all done in fine weather with love and care by my good self. Good, tough, reliable bike, never dropped, never ridden off-road, not been used for quite some time (garaged, but she's looking a little shabby through lack of use) but new battery fitted and she fired up first time. I did a hundred road miles on her today, mostly at 85/90 mph, and to be honest, I'm asking myself why the heck I want to sell her. But hey, there's only so many toys that you can leave lying around 'cos you ain't got time to use 'em. So, sadly, she's gotta go. No tax or MoT (she's off the radar) and could probably do with a proper Suzuki service, but she's bang on the nail, tough as old boots, and open to sensible offers. I'm posting this here 'cos I read that a couple of folks are looking, and my DR ticks all the boxes, but if no one contacts me soon I shall be listing her on EBay with a reserve that reflects her true current value. Email me if you want any further info, I'm not overly good with forums, but I'm in Bristol, and any test-ride is welcome any time. Cjreason@gmail.com (plus, providing I get the right value offer for her, I'm chucking in my AGV full-face helmet, Nibo gloves, Maakson jacket, and a D-lock, all in matching black/yellow) Thanks for reading.

**alan hopkins** · #**111** 8 Nov 2016

I've been trying to upload pictures off my phone and it seems to work then they disappear. Maybe they're on here somewhere now but this site is so over bell&whistled I'm giving up. It's probably cost me a set of tyres already!
Anyway the setup works. It's narrow and nimble and the bags detach simply then if you want the whole thing comes off with two bolts leaving the bike free to play.
It's been a long slog getting the bike and the setup I wanted but I'm there and couldn't be more pleased with the results. Not saying big bikes aren't capable of doing amazing things in the right hands but not for me. A lesson pressed home when wet sand turned to wet clay during Spanish HUMM and I launched over the bars. This bike sits at seventy mph comfortable, sixty even more so. Carries all I want and suits my needs. Happy bunny :-)
I will try again with the pics when I get home to UK on Mac.

**alan hopkins** · #**112** 8 Nov 2016

Pic??????????

**alan hopkins** · #**113** 8 Nov 2016

Or perhaps two but I'm quitting while something's worked. The upload window wouldn't close with multiple uploads for some reason (don't explain please)

**alan hopkins** · #**114** 8 Nov 2016

Glad I managed to get some images up. It looks a bit back heavy this is because I was on standard suspension. I was actually carrying new shock and spring on back as well as four bottles of fork oil plus spare tyre for HUMM. I've managed to swap suspension now and carb mods etc that I didn't have time to complete in uk and the bike is transformed. Anyone with a DR I can't recommend enough the carb mod. Makes a real difference.

**Pez** · #**115** 3 Oct 2018

Hi Alan. I've enjoyed the story ! To clarify, was it Kingston Shipping you used in the end ? And, given the elapsed two years, how has the bike stood up to your adventures ?