which suzuki to choose for RTW
 

hi there. I am currently planning a trip around the world going everwhere, south america, africa, asia, ect. i like the suzuki bikes and am wondering which bike would be best. The things i want out of the bike is to be reliable, easy to fix, being able to find parts around the world, and capable of going through the sahara as well as doing long days on the high way. i am a big guy at 6'1 235lbs so wondering which bike would be best.

the bikes i'm lookign at are:

1. DR650SE

2.DRZ400S

3.DRZ400SM

reliablity i have to say is my main concern and being able to find parts around the world.

The 650.

There isn't a moto made that has parts available 'everywhere'.

Hi,

I did already some tours on Suzukis and I like a lot the DR 650 SE, put a big Tank on the bike and thats it. I also made some tours on a DR 350, for very tough roads perhaps even the better bike(Jungle etc.)

I know a girl who did Alaska - Tierra del fuego on the DR 350 - no problems!

Have fun - Jens

Ride whatever bike you like and fits you well. As has been said before, there are no parts anywhere in the world for any bike you are riding. Heck you can't even find tires most of the time.

So ride what you want and know how to service it and carry wear parts with you.

And most of all----have fun!!!

Curtis

------------------

You might want to consider the DL650. It has lots of room for luggage, is reliable as a brick, and comfortable. Off road, the bike has a smooth tractable powerband and aside from being a bit heavy compared to the DR, is pretty capable. Consider installing cartridge emulators and an upgraded rear shock, as well as crash bars and a bash plate though. I've gone on dual sport rides and had no problem keeping up with the KLR's etc on two track, and on the highway it's no contest. 60 MPG is nice bonus as well. Not a bike for tight single track, but when reliability, economy, and comfort are needed, this is one you might want to check out.

The DL650 is a nice bike, but suffers from a lack of ground clearance.

It's not a bike to take curb hopping, up/down stairs, crossing over deepish ruts or trails with babyheads.

Dry weight is approx 90lb greater than the DR650, before requisite amour is added.

A broken chain can lead to a broken clutch actuator rod which stops the bike from running in any gear except neutral.
...............

It's very quick, reliable as an anvil, has excellent fuel mileage and good range.


A friend of mine has this bike and he loves it.

"capable of going through the sahara as well as doing long days on the high way. i am a big guy at 6'1 235lbs"

If it was ME, i would say DR-Z400S. Capable yes, but i am trying to avoid "long days on the high way" and you got a pound or two or nearly 100 on me.

check out this thread will have so much info for yea.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131867

take care
WIESE

i keep toying with the "which bike", it is down to DR-Z400S or XR650R, but this is just for ME, it is what ever works for ya nothingman.

MY thoughts are there is no right bike. I also feel there is not a correct way to go RTW. With this said there is not a right or a wrong way to RTW, it is what ever works for YOU.

I tried to say the only Suzuki I would think of RTW is the DR-Z400S/kick. I tried to show this with the capital ME. (“If it was ME”)

Patrick

As for, “six feet of crap piled up on the rear rack of your bike” you could not pay me to RTW with that. Nor would I ever think of RTW on a 50cc or a BMW 1150/1200 but people do it. Do people go around the world on dirt bikes yea and I am soon to be one of them.

You may also want to check out that ADVrider again and look into DRZmaui. You know, the guy who has taken his all over the world, Siberia, Mongolia, Egypt and etc. I think he is now on his second one after putting 100+k on his first one.

“To gain more insight into this, go check out my other comments on the other threads here on Suzuki tech." Thank you, but you may wish to do the same my good friend. Do a search and plenty of people traveling 3rd world on DRZ.

Nothingman, it is what ever works for ya. Get on them both and see what feels right. When it comes time to decide, don't listen to anyone but yourself. Good Luck with it and don't worry you will be happy with what ever you are on.


Take care
WIESE

From the manufacturers' websites, so it's always suspect...:)
www.suzukicycles.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com

1200GS Adv - 564 lbs wet
1200GS - 496 lbs wet
F650GS - 425 lbs wet
DL650 - 427 lbs dry
DR650 - 324 lbs dry
DRZ400S - 291 lbs dry

'If' these numbers are correct (big if), then the DL650 is:

27 lbs heavier than the F650 (dry)
35 lbs lighter than the 1200GS (dry)
103 lbs heavier than the DR650
136 lbs heavier than the DRZ400S

From my personal experience, 10 miles of hellacious (and possibly dangerous) off road conditions, can quickly nullify any comfort had over the previous 3000 miles...:)

What are you preparing for........

I would surely appreciate someone recommending me touring bikes like Suzi DL and BMW R after I asked SPECIFICALLY about DR 400 and 650SE?

Apparently the OP has given it some thought and narrowed down to three lightweight semioffroad Suzukis.

IMHO there is not much of a difference for you between the three bikes you consider. I like the 650SE very much and ride it a lot myself. I currently have four of them and they are very reliable. 100000km is no problem for the engine. Whilst the 400 definitely give you better off road performance the 650SE scores a few points on tarmac being more road orientated and the engine running at lower rpm at highway speed in top gear (might influence fuel economy and range).
Problems on the 650 are rare and maintenance is very simple.

I would go with the DR as it comes. Try to cut down your luggage to 30kg. Get quality tools to replace the onboard ones plus tire levers / 2 inner tubes & patches. Also feeler gauge and Suzuki tool to adjust valves.
Extend your fuel range with a 10l jerrycan. If that's not enugh travel in convoi with cars.
Spares to take: Clutch and brake levers, duct tape and cable ties.

If you weren't such a big guy, I would say DRZ400S for sure.

I rode 18,000 miles on mine, with simple mods an extremely capable and comfortable overlander. DRZ400 with the 3x3 mod has power comparable to the DR650, albeit a bit less torque. It is light and you can venture off road should you choose that. It is reliable. Simple. Inexpensive.

The basic mods: for long distance comfort: modified Cee Bailey windshield, Renthal bars and Rocky Miller seat.
Plus: 41 T rear sprocket, case and radiator guards, 3.9 gallon Clarke tank, Pro billet rack, Avon Distanzia tires with heavy duty 4 mm tubes (no flats ever). Motosport panniers (mounting rack had to be welded repeatedly).

Not a whole lot of mods. Solid bike. Do not mess with the engine apart from the 3x3 mod.

Wish I did:
Red loctite on the front sprocket. Came loose after 12,000 miles.

Only one other problem I had: one of the electric connectors burnt out. Otherwise an extremely solid bike. No problem cruising 75 mph all day long with above mods.

If I were to go around the world now, without a doubt on a DRZ400S.
Can't imagine a better bike that could handle dirt and tarmac this well.

Cheers
Let us know what you picked.

.....double .... post ....

Hey Traveldog,
What fuel consumption/range were you getting from the 400 with the Clarke Tank ?

Cheers
Grif

I would average about 50 mpg on tarmac, less on the dirt roads riding in lower gear.

So the range was about 200 miles with a full tank, plus I had a 1 gal fuel cell on my back rack.

Generally in Mongolia, Russia, Europe and the U.S. 150 mile range is all you need. Once I did run out of gas in Siberia when a gas pump in a village was closed, and I was also sharing my gas with another guy who had worse gas mileage. In the end we both ran dry, but easily hitchhiked to the nearest pump.

Mounting the Clarke was straightforward, and 18,000 miles later I have no regrets for buying it, good product.

dr and drz
 

I have owned the dr and drz both. I would choose the dr for around the world the way I would do it. Taking a little bigger bike would let me take some camping gear and put presents for my family on the back until the next post office, pass the annoying truck on that corner just that much faster and cruise that booring stretch of road at 90 mph without a blink. It is weird for me; I know that both bikes have about the same horsepower but the 650 is a very noticeable difference in power delivery for me. Either bike would do just fine.

Vstrom Accessories?
 

Where can you get a bash plate for the Vstrom? What's some good places to after market for the Vstrom? I know of Happy Trails, Twisted Throttle. Haven't been able to locate a bash plaste.

I was tossing up between the 400 and 650 too.

In the end I went for the 650.

Simple mechanically, plenty of grunt, air cooled, plenty of places to attach a luggage rack and plenty of room to work on the bike.

My only problem is the small tank, but I just carry a $5 jerry can. The advantage of a jerry can over a bigger fuel tank is that you can jettison the jerry can to reduce weight in the more populated areas, and then buy another jerry can when you head out into the unpopulated areas. You're not stuck with a 40 l tank everywhere you go... It's also way cheaper. IMS tanks etc are quite pricey and not really needed in my opinion.

I wouldn't take a fuel injected bike RTW. If an injector clogs up or shits itself etc you can get into all sorts of trouble. The DR650 carb takes about 5 minutes to take off, disassemble and blow out using a small air hose and the air in your tyres. (Carry a small pump to pump your tyres back up when you're done)

The 650 is also quite a bit cheaper than the 400.

I'm 6'2", 92 kg. I don't have any problems pulling an 8 hour day on the 650. Put a bit of sheepskin on the seat if you want a bit more comfort. I'm in the process of making a wind screen out of a Lexan off-cut and a luggage rack for it. I'll post some pics when I'm done.

I can't advise on parts because I'm not sure exactly where you're going... Have a look at the global Suzuki site for dealers around the world.

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globallinks/index.html

Brake parts, some spark plugs and a few brake/clutch levers is all you're likely to need. Consider taking a chain and some spokes too if you're going to be miles from anywhere for more than 10,000 km. I know a guy who did 31,000 km on his DR650 through asia and the mid east and it never missed a beat.

Good luck!

There are bigger fuel tanks available for both the 400 and 650 ranging from three to over seven gallons (us) Some of the fuel tanks say will not fit S model, however I put on an IMS 4 gal on mine that was not supposed to fit. Two friends of mine did the same thing. Also the diffrance is the fan. The S model has one, the E does not. Some people retro fit computer fans instead.

For the 650

http://justgastanks.com/products.php?type=1&model=124

For the 400

http://justgastanks.com/products.php?type=1&model=47

thats a good looking bike there .

I have been deciding on a bike for long adventure riding(round oz etc) and it sounds like thr DR650 would be the best choice for me out of the single cyl machines. how would a transalp compare to a DR650?

Hahaha....I wonder where he got that!

I like your DR650....and I've read a lot of what you're written about the DL650, and agree with a good share of it. I've got 16k miles on mine now and would definitely prefer something else (like your DR perhaps) for an all purpose ride. I don't care for the DL650 off-road at all.

That's the difference in perspective, Patrick. I'm in New England and the Vstrom is too nice to ride in the woods. I've done it and will do it again, only I'd much rather have something like your DR for the trails that pass for "fire roads" in this area.

350?
 

ive done 10 k in vietnam on a minsk, a few hundred in the himalaya on an enfield, i am convinced anything is possible if u swear at it enough but not at the locals.

still tho im trying tofind a dr 350, as i reckon that its gotta be better than a 650 for long distance, go anywhere; cos its lighter (-40kilo down on the 650) thisin my experiance is really important if ur tired and somewhere remote and logically will have better fuel economy, smaller pot to fill, smaller metal to push, tho it will be more stressed if u try and keep up.

cant be dr z cos theyre mechanically more complex with water jackets, water cooled motors are designed to operate within a narrower band of temp. this would not be idealin some sandy places i wanna go.

the point raised that ur more nlikely to spend 3k on a paved road getting to the unpaved ones is good, but i would say fit a proper seat, spend ur time going a longer way around slower. and enjoy, should i want to tour on paved roads i will take my gixer.

think carefully bout what u want to do, i'll be back regreting the motors notbig enough u'll see

Did a 4000 mile trip last year on my DRZ, 1000 dirt and 3000 pavement in two weeks. Longest day was 520 miles. Performed beautifully. Mechanically stock, added Kenda 270 tires with heavy Fly tubes ( no flats ), Clarke 3.9 tank, stock seat with 1 inch of foam shaved off, homemade windshield from Rubbermaid container lid ( brilliant performance for $7.95), B Bags soft luggage ( love 'em. used on every trip dirt and street for six years), and the usual metal protective parts. Love the bike but decided to sell it and replace with the DR650. Though they have the same horsepower, I like to lope along but then have the torque to slide the rear a little cornering in gravel. The lower height and greater weight will help a little with stability on gravel as well as pavement. Gas mileage should be similar ( 55 to 62 with the DRZ ), and hoping the 650 won't need rejetting as the DRZ did above 8,000 feet. Good Luck and rest assured they're both great bikes!