DR650 weight loss - how much did YOU lose?

[brianrossy]

Ahoy champs,

I've read a lot about people putting their DR650's on "weight reduction plans" and trying to cut weight. What I'm wondering is how much weight you end up losing for all the work it took to do it?

Are we talking 5kg or...? And does it really make that much difference that it is worth it? Changing indicators and getting rid of rear footpegs etc (which I love to use when riding to change my posture).

Cheers,
Rossy

[MikeS]

I did sod all in that department as my DR was so much lighter than my 1150GS. Mine did have a nice Aussie Staintune exhaust which not only sounded great but think was a bit lighter than the original. The corbin seat felt a bit heavier than the original though.

Use soft bags (ie Andy Strapz etc) rather than metal boxes if you want to keep the weight down. The only other stuff I did was fit high Renthal bars, heated grips and a 2nd hand bash plate I got for $20.

Just ride a heavier bike now and then to remind you how light the DR is!

[BlackBeast]

The weight that you will take off is insignificant to the weight that you will add with irrelevant stuff. Don't ask me how I know this.
Daryll

[SeanF]

The greatest weight reduction can be had by replacing the stock exhaust with one of the aftermarket options. But most, if not all, of the replacements are a bit louder. All of the other weight-saving mods seem to yield minimal results. But as they say, every little bit helps.

[brianrossy]

Cheers all. I imagined there would have been minimal weight loss. The reason I asked was...2 days ago I did my first motorcross sort of play ride on a light yamaha somethin 250 and it was amazing to handle. Obviously my bike wouldnt be that light etc but I was curious to see how much weight had been lost.

I'd always thought the easiest way to lose weight for the rig would've been to gear "cull" (my brother and I do one before every hike/camp etc) or personally lose weight. This seems more practical than grinding off bolts or replacing them with lighter options. I'm loving my rig...and the DR650 stock seat...I love, no problems riding all day for days at a time! RTW here I come!

Cheers again,
Rossy.

[MikeS]

Good on ya, after my first 500km ride in Aus on my DR, I wanted to sell it back to the shop as I was in total pain, my arse and lower back were killing me and the 13.5L tank was no use whatsoever having nearly ran out somewhere remote NE of Melbourne.

But I persevered and bought the Corbin, Renthal high bars and the IMS 20L tank and with my dry bag on the seat behind me , it was the best RTW bike. Good for highways, offroad and I could now ride 12hour days in comfort. Having done the Americas on the usual heavy 1150GS, I know what I'd be taking on my next trip.

Originally Posted by brianrossy

I'm loving my rig...and the DR650 stock seat...I love, no problems riding all day for days at a time! RTW here I come!Cheers again,
Rossy.

[JediMaster]

From The Bikes >Suzuki page of my website (see signature)


26/08/10 – Weights: Inc ALL tools, consumables, tubes & GPS but with NO fuel =163.5kg. Fully loaded inc 35l fuel but NO food or water = 217kg. These weights came from the cement works in Moab, Utah. The original weights were given in lbs – 360 & 480. The figures are so ’round’ that I later wondered what increments and ’rounding’ figures they used.

[LukasM]

For questions like these you should check the more technical forums like Thumpertalk and Advrider. Here is a post I made there on the same topic:

I have done pretty much all the popular mods as long as they improved the bike somehow or at least didn't decrease functionality (for my use!). The first 10 kgs (22lbs) is shaved pretty easily, after that it gets expensive real fast.

All numbers below are savings in grams:

FMF/Hindle/GSXR exhaust 3100
IMS tank 1100
Rem. Helmet lock 250
Rem. Ignition lock 550
Rem. Undertail fender 500
Rem. Sidestand switch 100
Rem. Rear handles 750
Wilbers shock 1000
Vapor computer 500
Rem. chain roller 50
KTM Headlight 500
KTM fender 150
Rem. Passenger pegs 850
LED Blinkers 400
Rem. Sprocket cover 120
Rem. chain guard 170
520 chain with Stealth sprocket- ? about 400 grams

I also have a Pro Taper aluminum handlebar, [COLOR=#22229C ! important][COLOR=#22229C ! important]wheels[/COLOR][/COLOR] with Excel rims and some other stuff. I don't think they are much lighter but obviously much stronger for the weight.

[brianrossy]

Cheers Lukas,
I actually found your thread the other day and put it in my favourites for a guide to compare to for my prep. I quite like the passenger footpegs as it gives an extra seating option where you can put your legs further back. Will keep workin on it all. Leaving in 4 wks now. Cheers!
Rossy.