Decent overladen = HPN !!!!!! = ££££££££/$$$$$$$$$/€€€€€€€€€€

On my trip I started with a stripped down Vstrom 650 and did what I wanted to it, it worked perfectly for me all the way down to Ushuaia. IMHO thats the way to go, ride it for awhile and then do what you think is necessary!

Doesnt preparing a bike for long distance travel usuarly mean taking off all the nonsence you dont need (as in third world countrys bikes dont have to apply to some road worthy standart) and sell it on ebay rather then to break it on the road? This way preparing a bike you save money, as long as you build your side cases your selfe:

Build your own panniers made easy

But preparing your bike for the road worthy test eg TÜV when you come home after the trip (replacing new tires, chain, mirrors and other broken plastic stuff) is usuarly more expensive

I've put up a quote from Procycle for their suggestions for a recent Suzuki DR650. You may not agree with all of them and there are no suspension upgrades but interesting reading...

Attached Files

Quote Number 83 (UID 16396) (2).pdf (37.5 KB, 571 views)

Nearly $3000.

People say "no way I would pay that", But if they added up what they buy here and there whilst prepping their bikes the cost would shock.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Exactly. The cables probably aren't going to fail for a couple of years, you could replace/bodge levers as you go, nobody NEEDS a replacement seat and a screen. But it's pretty sensible stuff which would be more expensive in Europe

I have prepared few bike for overland and most of the time my desire was to remedy weaknesses of the bike itself , the best money spent for me were on suspension , gas tank ,luggages and tires . the rest is more for comfort . I normally spend about $3000 to $5000 per bike but on my BMW or KTM I spent over the double . Jap bike always were the cheapest . I wish we could find cheap good shock for our bikes.

Hey Martin,
Quite a list of goods there!
Did you pick out all that stuff? Or did Pro Cycle staff pick for you?

Some items are in the "must have" category ... but a lot of the stuff you could find for less. Some, IMO, you could do without all together. That's just my opinion as a long time DR650 rider.

In some ways it IS a good deal because Pro Cycle shipping is reasonable to UK. But many of these items come up everyday USED on DR Riders or ADV Rider Flea market forums. Some Screamin' deals come up on occasion.

But of course ... you may still have shipping costs to bear. Things like Seats, Tank, Stock parts, cables, levers, forks, carbs, bar kits ... and all sorts of luggage, racks and dry tail bags come up used all the time. (patience!)

What about a seat? I did not see a seat on your list. For me, a better seat is a "must do" for any serious travel on the DR650.

I'm still on my original cables on my '06 DR650 with 60,000 miles. Throttle cables especially, last FOREVER. Clutch cables are good too unless incorrect routing happens.

I would not pay $474 for procycle bags. Cheaper options around.
Lowered foot peg kit is another thing I would pass on unless you have bad knees/hips or are over 6'5". If tall, you will need a built up seat.

Suspension can be done locally in the UK, but I would consider getting Cogent DDS valves for your forks, an easy drop in item that really works! Would also drill out damper rods and add heavier springs, stay with 5 weight oil.
I have Race Tech emulator valves in my forks. Also good.

I have an Ohlins shock (hard to find) but any good suspension outfit can re-spring and re-valve your standard KYB shock. Be sure ALL seals are replaced when you have it rebuilt and make sure you've sprung it correctly for weight to be carried ... something around a 8.0 kg. spring may be right.

Have fun!

Martin,
Keep in mind that Pro Cycle MARK UP all standard OEM Suzuki items they sell.
Last time I bought levers they were around $7 or $8 usd ea. I buy from on line Suzuki dealer ... quite a bit cheaper than anything ProCycle sell.

Also, I should add that Iridium plugs are the way to go. Not sure which ones you got ... I prefer Denso (but NGK are OK) ... you can find them in the UK. Iridiums last 10K miles, normal plugs? 5K miles.

I spoke to the guys at procycle. And very helpful they were too.

To be fair I asked for the spare cables as I've had them fail on me before though after years of riding so probably over cautious.

Suspesion. Ah yes. My initial plan was perhaps springs and oil up front and see how the rear shock shocked. If it didn't work out then perhaps a Hagon shock. Not a bad plan. Then I did a bit of reading and the stuff is being shipped over for free in a container and I had my credit card out... And I got the Cogent stuff.

So Procycle very very helpful.

To return to topic not cheap

I think the main part of a trip is preparing the bike yourself regardless if the bike is classed as an "of the shelf adventure bike" or not people will still tweak them to how it suits them

Agreed. IMO, an important side benefit of doing prep yourself (repairs and modifications) is the learning part.

Most can't do certain specialist tasks (like suspension or motor rebuilds) but at least one would get familiar with what needs be done, the process, dealing with the mechanics/fabricators, learn the why's and how's. By staying in touch with the projects the owner could learn correct steps involved, costs, problems. All this exposure helps once on the road ... and a Riders mechanical "I Q" goes proportionally UP.

But much of what needs doing are "owner friendly" tasks. Fairly simple things like upgrading lighting, adding accessory plugs, power distribute block and generally learning your bikes wiring, charging system and it's components.
A BIG plus once out on the road.

Learning basic elec. system only requires a Volt/Ohm meter, soldering iron, test leads, bikes' wiring diagram and a few tutorials from the forums.

One may hire a specialist to build side or top luggage racks, but it may be your design and hopefully the owner can be present when it's fabricated to understand it's integration with bike's chassis. Another great learning opportunity.

Basic maintenance tasks must be practiced at home before hitting the road.
Tire changes are probably most important. MANY struggle with this from either lack of experience/training or improper tools. Both a MUST HAVE before departure.

I totally agree, if you have the time.

I've just paid a King's ransom to have a load of stuff done on my F800GS, most of which I'm perfectly capable of doing myself but with a planned four weeks away coming up, I just couldn't find the time away from the business to sort it myself. True, I could have taken the odd day here and there that I spent with my wife but she's letting me clear off to Asia for a month so the least she deserves is a bit of my time before I go.

I know that I'm going to have to learn fast or shout loud and pay-up if stuff goes wrong on the road but it's the price that I pay for my adventures.

__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

Sorry to revive an four year old thread, but are there any Canadian companies that do this - farkle-fitting a ride for a great overland trip? My google-foo produces zeros, other than dealer add-ons or do-it-yourself parts.

Rather than pay someone to upgrade your bike for you why not ask the helpful and well inform folk of the HUBB what we think? Tell us about your bike, where you want to go with it and what you think needs to be done, advice here is free and impartial.
You can then source the parts yourself and either fit them or get your local mechanic to, from what I have seen if you ask a "professional" overland company to do it, particularly one based in southern Germany they will sell you a load of stuff you don't need and possibly miss something that you do.
You will also get some great advice on https://advrider.com/ where they have a lot of model specific threads and many of the members are in north America and will know what is available locally.