Thoughts on small bikes (200cc) in the USA
 

I'm planning to fly into SF shortly to buy a bike. I'd like to travel around CA and perhaps a bit further East before heading to Mexico.

I'm debating getting either a smaller bike (like a DR200) or something like a DR650.

Last year me and my girlfriend crossed China two-up on a Suzuki GS125. It was fine, even comfortable, on the highways at 85-90kph with luggage. We did 12,000km. Only at high altitudes (above 3000m) was power really lacking.

I have only about 10kg of luggage. I don't mind cruising at 50mph on the DR200. But, will this greatly limit my choice of roads in the States? What about in Mexico? The Dr200 seems to be available cheaply used, uses little fuel (2.5l /100km), and parts are easily availble in Latin America (Qingqi manufactures licensed copies that are widely sold). Seems like a decent choice. But 650s aren't that much more.

Also, just to confirm what I've read, can I use the temporary documents from the californian DMV to cross into Mexico, and have the title forwarded to me later?

At this time I don't know exact answer to Temp Title question Dave. In the past they would allow a temp. title for TVIP, then they changed and DID NOT allow it .. but some folks got through anyway.

Now?? I'm not sure of Banjercito policy ... things have been changing a lot lately, some good, some not so good.

Go to Bancjercito web site, see what you can find out. Theoretically you should be able to use a Temp Title as it is a LEGAL DOCUMENT in the USA.

In years past you could present only current registration, not a title. But in last 10 years they want the title. I bring the Original title ... just in case they want to bust my balls. But just don't know about Temp Title. sorry.

I also made several really good Laser Zerox, two sided, color copies of my California Pink Slip (Title). Beautiful, hard to tell from original besides paper. Used these color copies on last 3 trips to Mexico for TVIP purposes. No questions from Bancjercito staff. But as always, YMMV.

If you can possibly get original title in hand, get it ... hide it in a very safe, cool, dry and secure place ... and use copies day to day. Chances are you'll never have to dig out original.

Try asking CA DMV for expedited processing of your paperwork. May help speed it up. You may get it in 2 to 3 weeks if lucky. (usually 3 to 6 weeks)

Good luck, let us know what you find out about current status of temp titles and TVIP.

ON BIKES ...
For touring the West and SouthWest of the USA I'm not a fan of 200 or 250cc bikes. It's a HUGE region and typical speeds (even on small two lane roads) are 70 to 80 MPH or higher. You will also encounter a lot of HP sapping mountains.
You'll need at least a 200 mile range.

You certainly could DO IT on a DR200 ... but of all Suzuki dual sports (which I know fairly well) the DR200 is my least favorite. Not a bad bike, fairly tough and reliable. But underpowered and under suspended and not very well supported in the after market compared to DR650, KLR, XR650L Honda. I can't imagine crossing Nevada or Utah on a DR200. (I did it on a DRZ400E and that nearly killed me! :thumbdown:)

I like the comfort, space, ease of packing and the easy road speed of the 650 class bikes. You DO pay a bit for this in more fuel, but fuel here is at a 15 year low ... it's cheaper than Mexico! :D

Unless you really search around for alternate routes (or dirt routes), the main roads in N. Mexico are pretty fast paced. Once on dirt roads on out in the Desert you would be fine on the 200 or 250. But with a 650 you can really cover ground if required and a well set up 650 will do deep sand and rock quite well.

I'm a long time DR650 owner (65K miles on current bike). Also owned nearly all 650 competition (KLR, XR650) and ridden the rest (BMW, KTM, Husky).
Bang for buck and fantastic versatility make the DR650 hard to beat. Tens of thousands of owners can confirm this.

But go with your heart.

If you buy a DR650 try to find one with suspension and seat done. Both top my list for mods. Good luck shopping ... several DR650 guys here, any questions, just ask! bier

https://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/p...-Rbgkd5N-L.jpg

Thanks for the reply!

In Europe even on the highways the trucks can only go a maximum of 90kph (56mph) by law, so you can always hang with them and it's fine. On the secondary roads the limits are usually 90kph too. I drove a XT600 Tenere around Europe many years ago. It was very comfortable, but I remember thinking that I didn't need that much power. I mostly drove at 50-60mph. 250cc would probably have been fine.

I'll look for a DR650. They seem to be about $3000 for a decent one on craigslist.

Could I buy a bike in Calafornia, then drive to Colorado to register it there? I read it's possible to get the title/plates on the same day. How would that work? I suppose I just get get the seller to sign the title and make a bill of sale? What about insurance? Otherwise I can try my luck with a temporary CA title at the border.

I can't really help with the paperwork side of things but if you can get a 600cc class bike rather than a 200 I'd go for it. I've just come back from a double coast to coast (in New Jersey at the moment) and there's little point in riding a small bike in the US if you have a choice.

Trucks are not limited in any meaningful sense and often run at 80+mph, limited only by how much stress their tyres will take.There's loads of them (roughly 1/3 of all vehicles on the freeways (motorways)) and they frequently intimidate the hell out of you.

Plodding along at 50mph might work in Europe but it doesn't here. Fuel, by European stds, is almost free (about 35p / litre in NJ) so a larger engine makes sense.

There's also not the comprehensive road network that there is in Europe so often the road is the road and you share it with everyone else. In 10,000 miles I don't think I saw more than a handful of bikes smaller than about 600 cc.

David, not sure about Colorado. Probably would be fine. Many states issue a title same day. But that's a LONG (but beautiful) ride!

You will need insurance but will need a bike (or car) to list on policy before policy can be issued. I'm also not sure what the best companies are for NON US citizens regards insurance.

DR650's have gone up in price a bit for good, low miles used examples. The better ones are now closer to $4000, but you may see good ones from time to time at $3500. Don't buy an older beater ... not worth the trouble. Try for '06 or newer, under 15K miles if possible ... but the DR is good up to 60K miles easy.
(mine is at 65K miles)
:D

I got a quote online from 'progressive', $75 USD for a year. That's.. much cheaper than the UK. :-)

The plan is to get a flight at the end of the week to SF, get on a bike ASAP, and then drive East:

Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

This route I put together quickly based on a quick look at a map and a guide book, it's probably not the best. Any suggestions welcome. Ideally I would have started a little earlier in the summer, but, that's life, I had work to do. The idea is to spend a few weeks in the states, couchsurfing or wild camping with the occasional hotel, then head to Mexico. I'll try to get more information on how registration works.

Here are some photos from my last trip to Iran. I'm a little anxious. I know how things work in Iran, but no idea what to expect in the USA :-):

https://goo.gl/photos/DpEkJ34wid9w11b28

Probably will look for a DR650, but maybe something like this not bad, and less money: https://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5219139453.html

Ah, is there anything in particular to take as spares? Tire repair tools, spanners/screwdrivers/pump, chain lube, brake pads, spare bulbs, spare levers.. sprockets maybe?

That is very cheap for insurance! :thumbup1:

If you can take the time I highly recommend riding round the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite and that whole area. Utah is a delight if you have time. Grand Canyon great site for a quick stop over. To make fast time, Interstate 80 or highway 50 are best. Once in Colorado weather will play into things. By late October anything can happen so pay attention or you could get stuck there for the Winter!!

Check in at DRriders forum for all things DR650.
I would pack spare pick up coil (aka ignitor), 2 spare front sprockets, start with NEW DID X ring chain & sprockets, good tire tools and bead breaker of some kind, spare rear pads, HID headlight kit:http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/MO...rcycle-HID-Kit
(stock 55W light pathetic), 35W, 3000K color, single H-4 bulb kit. DDM HID 3 times brighter, cheap.

Good basic tool kit. Bulbs can be bought anywhere south. I like Dupont Teflon lube for chain but on the road I use 90 wt. gear oil, cheap and sold everywhere. It makes a mess but does a good job on chain. Off road i use NO LUBE AT ALL.

If you start with new DID X ring chain, no need to carry spare chain as that one will go 20,000 miles if you swap in new front sprocket every 8K miles or so.

Things to buy NEW before you start:
New chain/sprockets (and 2 spare front sprockets)
New Battery
New tires and tubes (think about packing a spare rear tire once off into Mexico)
2 NEW spare tubes
New brake pads front & rear (service brakes system)
fresh oil and filter (bring 2 spare oil filters or buy re-usable type)
Carb O ring kit

For one stop shopping all things DR650 try:
Parts + Accessories + Performance = ProCycle
Not the cheapest but good service and very knowledgable staff.

Maybe we should swap notes. :rofl: - I've just done much of your USA route but have Iran on my list for next year and know nothing about it.

Mollydog is right about the places to visit but Yosemite and Yellowstone are really high (up to 10,000ft in places) and the weather is not getting any better. We had temperatures down to just above freezing and with rain, fog etc riding around the parks wasn't as much fun as it might have been back in the summer. It won't be long, if it hasn't happened already, before they're snowed in.

Arizona, Utah, New Mexico etc are a different matter - they're still high (5000ft) but still just about visitable atm. It is getting cold at night though. By now the Grand Canyon might actually have some space in the campgrounds!

Most of Sept. and October this year we continue to have "heat wave" temps and full drought conditions. Not really Fall like yet. 80F to 100F in Yosemite area except highest areas.

By end of October that should change but would not bet on it. At altitude, nights are getting colder now, but still HOT Noon to 5pm. Central valley over 100F for last two months in many places, off and on. Should shift soon ... I hope. :innocent:

With the first true major storm it's likely several Sierra passes will close due to snow, but main passes will be kept cleared and open for a while yet. Fall is BEST time to ride our Sierra ... beautiful! I've been riding it 25 years!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c..._emfS5-L-1.jpg
Fall Colors near Bridgeport, CA, foot of Sierra.

Colorado is a different league to California, colder, higher, more severe weather, TONS of snow.

Once South of Grand Canyon you generally are good down to Mexican border weather wise. But even the Desert can freeze. :freezing: Probably won't happen until well into November or later.

Quick update. I flew into lax on Friday night, and today bought a dr650 in Bakersfield. You can probably still see the add on Craigslist. Bike looks good, owned by a mechanic, some good aftermarket parts too, and he have me a discount, can use his address for the title.

About the exhaust, if it worth refitting the original? He has it still. It's heavier but quieter. He said it's uses less fuel with this one, as it creates less back pressure. Makes sense. Can't take both so should decide now. Quite is good. Opinions?

Hey David,
The bike looks good! I would keep the FMF exhaust. It's lighter weight than stock and not too loud. If it's too noisy for you, then put stock pipe back on. You'll need NEW gasket for pipe/header join point.

Regards the FMF ... keep close eye on rivets and screws holding it together. FMF have a BAD reputation for coming apart. Any screws you can remove and Loc Tite them ... DO IT. The rivets can also vibrate out over time. It you re-rivet a lose rivet in time, no problem. I've seen them ALL fall out. Head's up.

I noticed he lowered suspension. If you are 5'5" or shorter ... then this could be good. If you're taller, I would put it back to stock setting. When you lower the DR you lose suspension travel. (about in inch or so) But no big deal, up to you.

Did seller use a lowering link or use the method Suzuki outlines in owners manual for lowering the DR650? Either way, no big deal.

I notice he did not say anything about modifying suspension. It needs it. But it's expensive and may take time. If you leave it stock, you may have to crank rear shock preload up A LOT to carry you and your gear. Rebound damping is not great on stock shock ... but with luck it will get you there ... and back.

Front fork springs are too light. But adding spacers (for preload) can help. New heavier springs for forks and shock is best solution. (if you have time and money) ProCycle (in Oregon) has ALL this stuff in stock. :thumbup1:

Also, he said he opened the air box. I hope he changed Carb jetting to match. Once you open air box and add a free flowing pipe like the FMF ... the bike needs a different needle and bigger main jet. If he's a mechanic, he'll know this and probably did all of this already. :thumbup1:

Find out what main jet you have, what needle and what position the clip is in. Should use stock pilot jet. Did he add an extended fuel screw? For S. America this is a MUST HAVE.

All this sort of info is on DR Riders forum. Sign up and start asking. The owner of ProCycle is there everyday. Very helpful and likes to help travelers. (Jeff)

The tank, bark busters, rear rack and skid plate are great ... but man ... you will need a SEAT. That stock seat will cripple you. I'm not joking. It's bad.
Cheapest/quickest would be Seat Concept (not very good, IMO) or buy one off someone on the forum. I run a Corbin. Love it. 10 hour days, day after day.

That chain looks OLD ... at 19K miles I'm guessing it's the original? I hope not!
Most stock chains only go 14K miles ... so unless you can confirm you've got a new-ish chain ... then don't leave USA without NEW CHAIN and NEW SPROCKETS! Worn out chains/sprockets are number ONE show stopper for inexperienced noob travelers down South.

Pro Cycle has fast shipping ... (or ride up there!) DID 525 X Ring chain a must.
JT sprockets. Buy 2 spare front sprockets.

Good luck, see you on the forum. bier

Hi Molly :-)

Actually all those things are already done on the bike. Reworked suspension, Corbin seat, jetting etc.

The bike is comfortable, that seat is remarkable.. can ride all day with no suffering. Suspension seems to respond more like a road bike than a trail bike, firmer. Bike has power to spare, even at 70mph, 8000ft and on a steep incline. I could definitely get by with less. I like minimalism and the gas mileage. Maybe the dr350 would have been the bike for me, but I don't think it gets much better milage. Klr250 seems to have smaller dimensions. Also finding a good one, set up, is probably not easy.

I drove up the coast to SF, across to Reno, tonight in mammoth, tomorrow las Vegas. Apart from Bakersfield have been staying with people from couchsurfing, and a couple of nights sleeping rough, outside. Was chilly.

https://goo.gl/photos/YEpKAUBPWCfB8VbFA

Here is cold, looking at the weather forecast for next week, I think I missed the window on Utah, which is a shame. So I'll head South I guess. Any tips which is the best way to take to Mexico city?

I drove to Las Vegas, then drove back to SF where I sold the bike to another member on the HUBB. I missed out on Southern Utah, but the weather was too cold that week.. next time. I then got on a flight to Colombia, and now I've rented a place in Medellin and I'm getting some work done. I'll get a bike here at some point and do some travelling.

https://goo.gl/photos/YEpKAUBPWCfB8VbFA

In answer to my orginal question..

Traffic does move very fast on the Highways on West Coast, often the traffic moves at 75mph+ (120kph). At less than 70mph you will be the slowest on the road.

I met a guy on a 100cc Honda in Las Vegas that had travelled from Canada. So it's possible.

When I put the screen (fairing) back on the DR650, I started to see the value of a bigger bike. You can cruise at 90mph. That's a kick, especially on the long straight roads like the 395. Fairings seem to make lots of noise though, so I can't listen to stuff on my earplugs. Maybe if the fairing is really big, but then such bikes are usually heavy and not suitable for poor roads (not a problem in the USA.)

Without a fairing, I find going over 60mph isn't much fun, the wind is pressing against you all the time. And then having 50hp+ just sitting there, drinking fuel, is kind of pointless. In that case 20hp is plenty, I think. In fact I enjoyed the 13hp on the GS125. High speed cruising is fun, but not a necessity, in my opinion, and means a heavier more expensive bike, and more fuel/tires/chain/oil. Guess it depends why you are on a bike in the first place.

Great photos David, are they ALL yours?

I'm sure you'll find a great bike in Medellin. Let us know, hope to see a report here or somewhere.

Good luck! :thumbup1: