Suzuki DR200SE an even better lightweight tourer soon

[steve gs]

The biggest problem for DR200SE riders was the total lack of accessories for this model. To date, I have been using a Wolfman Mini Beta, tankbag, and backpack. Well some of our problems have now been solved.

Happy Trails (www.happy-trails.com) is about 2wks away from offering a billet top rack and a pannier rack system for the DR200SE. I already placed my order. When received I'll update post. FYI; pricing will be the same as the components they have available for the KLR 650.

[steve gs]

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.

Anyway, Happy Trails is www.happy-trail.com. Oh well.

[mollydog]

The DR200 is a great little bike

[steve gs]

Yes, the pace is slower.

Having spent many thousands of miles in the saddle as a cyclist I actually prefer a slower pace. With a 15:42 final I set the speed at 42-45mph on the open road which is 4500-4800 rpm and plod along. I wind it up when I have to in an effort to manage traffic then settle back down. I also have an F650GSD (and others) and still prefer the 40-50mph speed range as a cruise speed. On the backroads I find the 200 less intrusive on the senses than the big bikes. So, the answer I have found for myself is why carry the extra 200 lbs and mechanical complexity if I'm traveling at the same speed anyway regardless of bike size.

The 200 does lack a 6th in the tranny which I could surely use at times but that's the way it is.

Continent crosser; maybe not, but I have found consecutive 200 mile days manageable and certainly would be willing to make the attempt. The playbook for the Suzuki 200 or any "small" bike would be different than on a "big" bike.

Like many, time off is an issue, and having spent many years putting my biz together it would not be fair to my customers to disappear. I sneak out for 1-2 week stints at times but that was nixed this year when I was laid up over the summer with a broken leg. Plans and sights are set on 2007.

Steve

[mollydog]

Hey Steve,
I totally get the slow pace thing

[steve gs]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Hey Steve,
I totally get the slow pace thing and I like it. Having recently re-read
Ted Simon's "Jupiter's Travels" I recall that Ted loved to just cruise along
at 45 or 50 mph and smell the roses, look at the people and just take
it all in. He crossed Africa, S.America and Australia at this pace.

I go through phases on the road where I can slow down on my Vstrom
and take it all in, but other times I'm into making time. On open, straight,
boring highways sometimes cruising at 85 mph helps get you to were
there is actually something to look at. As I get older I'm spending more
time slowing down and enjoying the ride. A good thing.

Amen brother!

No doubt, there are times you just have to put your head down and saw off the miles. In cycling, with an average speed of 10-12mph (good days)on a loaded touring bike, attitude and route planning are everything. I'm off my bicycle and on the motorcycle now. My state of mind does not currently fit the bicycle.

So many things translate from cycling to low speed motorcycle traveling. Packing light and smart, dealing with other road users that are ALL faster than you and the politics involved, being among people as the countryside is crossed as opposed to the interstate chutes (here in the USA), and that attitude thing whether in the doldrums or surrounded by unimagined beauty.

Good things indicating we are ALIVE!

[littlesnuzuki]

Mine's a 1998 and has the ugliest color scheme you're ever seen: purple, yellow and white.. Gag! It has just over 3,500 miles on it, which works out to about 400 miles a year. Not a whole lot. Why? The seat is a plank, no if's, ands or Butt's! After about 60 miles I get the worst case of Monkey Butt ever! I'm saving for a Gel seat. I bought a rear rack from the dealer back in '02, sight-unseen, and when it arrived it was the God-awfullest huge thing! But I have a milk crate bolted to it and they are both the same width and depth. I bought a 16tooth countershaft sprocket from Sprocket Specialities and it solved that constant hunt for a 6th gear. Now I can keep up w/traffic @ 55mph w/out herniating the little girl. Aftermarket parts are really rare, but I saw, back in '03, a similar bike offered in the U.K. and Canada as a "Farm Bike" and it had the coolest stock accessories on it: bash plate, small rear rack, mud flaps, headlight guard, hand guards, and a KICKSTARTER! I could buy those then, but it's disappeared off the dealer's parts availability. Anyone out there know about that bike? I need more aftermarket parts tips! thanks from Arizona

[antony_nz]

Tell me about the seat, I’ve just ridden my DR200trojan Suzuki New Zealand - DR200SE Trojan from Cape Town to Nairobi some 9000km. ye a 6th gear would be nice, can you tell me where you brought the 16 tooth front sprocket from, (cant seem to fine one anywhere on the net) do they have a web site I can order from? And what size sprocket do you have on the back?
Thanks Antony

My bike came with all that (bash plate, small rear rack, mud flaps, headlight guard, hand guards, and a KICKSTARTER!)

[littlesnuzuki]

Stock gearing is 15/45. I tried a 42 tooth rear sprocket which is available from Sprocket Specialities of U.S.A ($25 U.S.) but I had too much chain slack that I couldn't adjust without cutting into that nice chain. So i put the stock rear sprocket back on. S.S. also has a 16 tooth counter shaft sprocket, I think for a Suzuki TR250 (check shaft size and chain #) for $12 U.S. so I gave that a try and it fit. Watch your spacers. The new sprocket does not come with the stock's cush drive, so sometimes your shifts will be a bit "clunky", but no apparent damage after 1,500 miles, or 2,200 klicks. My current gear ratio is 16/45, with 15/45 available for off-road use. takes about 1/2 hour to change a counter sprocket, a lot more time to change a rear sprocket.
Also, check out this webb site for cheap performance upgrades:
mods:KienTech Engineering

hey, you can't order parts or service from downunder? maybe we can work something out, like a trade or sumptin'. I want a bash plate/engine guards.

Oh yeah, O.E.M. brake hoses are expensive. Aftermarket Stainless braided hoses at about 1/2 the price and better performers!

Why did Suzuki name their farm bike a "Trojan"? I mean, that's a universal term for a condom here in the U.S...!!!!

Little Snuzuki from Arizona