Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to both the bike world and to posting. I bought a 94 DR650 fall of 07. It is my first bike...actually I've only taken it on one ride. It just happened to be 3400 miles and the first time I'd ever driven one. I bought it in CA and had to get it back to MN. I am very proud of that fact.

Anyway, I guess I'm just trying to gain as much knowledge as I (maintenance, upgrades, equipment, literature, etc.) I am thinking my second ride is going to be MN to Venezuela. Not sure yet though. I am ambitious, maybe a little naive. I came here to find out.

Hi turn2travel

Welcome to the world of motorcycling, it’s an enjoyable pastime. I’ll try and give my input, some will agree, some will not.

Maintenance, upgrades, equipment and literature…..

1 Maintenance: I guess that depends on how competent you are, if you feel you’re up to the stuff like routine services then go for it. You’ll need this knowledge and a bit more if your planning bigger rides. It’s always pays to know your bike but, if your not sure about something, ask on the hubb, in the bike specific forums. If you don’t think you can do it, take it to the shop. Maybe pay a bit extra to watch, learn, and ask questions. You’ll probably find the smaller bike shops more willing to help; the main dealers round my way just don’t seem interested if they have loads on. I normally ask my mates.

2 Upgrades: I’m really not sure about that one; I have no knowledge on your bike. Research on this site, talk to other people who have that type.

3 Equipment: I think most people will agree with me, get the BEST you can afford. DON’T cut corners on a helmet, you only get one head.

4 Literature: if your getting into adventure motorcycling then get the “adventure motorcycling handbook” by Chris Scott, it’s a good read. With that book and this site you’ll have loads to go on. I’ve found the best stuff for going places is the Lonely Planet Books. Reasonably priced, good quality information.

Have Fun, Stay Safe.
Shaun

This is a (very) international forum. Most people around the world don't have a clue what you mean by "CA" and "MN". I don't have any site statistics available to me, but have hung around here for about 8 years I'm pretty sure that US citizens (note I don't use the term "American" as there are plenty of people from South America who claim the right to use that term too) would be a smallish minority.

Having said that, whenever I see a poster that doesn't use a country reference, I automatically assume they are from the USA. Experience tells me I am almost always right.

Good luck with your travels. You picked a great bike!

Regards

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

The best way to get to know your bike is to strip it and rebuild it. This way you can replace any tatty bolts with stainless, check the wiring loom (maybe replace the all important rectifier to battery circuit) and clean up all the grounding points on the frame. also replace any bearings that don't feel smooth, putting you finger in the bearing and pushing hard to one side as you turn it will let you feel any irregularities that you mighht miss just by turning the wheel or headset. Check the compression on the engine and the a/c voltage coming out of the alternator -if these are both good then there iis no need to open the engine. Check fork stanchions for leaking oil and signs of pitting.

Make sure that you put copper slip on the bolts when they go back in, and lockwire all components to the frame. One useful upgrade is a voltmeter - early warning for electrical failure.

Enjoy your bike! In theory the DR should need very little prep

Henry (enjoying the rain in SY!)

Thanks for advice. What would you suggest for guides for this process (websites, books, manuals, etc)? I am under the impression that this particular bike (94 DR650) is a fairly easy one to work on. Although, it would be a new skill for me.

What is considered high mileage? Are there certain things to conscious of at incremental mileage?

Hi,
There have been a whole load of posts and threads about the DR650, often from the USA or Oz (that's Australia ) 'cos that is where you guys can still buy them, new or newish (they have not been imported to the UK for some years).

Try this area (it is over there on the left of your page, near the bottom):-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tech/suzuki/dr650prep
& do a look back through the Suzuki tech forum.

Websites: this one, there are others of course.
Books/manuals: Clymer

Also, have a look at Mollydogs' pictures in HU

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Dave

On you - as a rider
As a new rider I'd recomend you do a dirt riding course! over on advrider.com (IIRC) they talk of 'Doc Wong' rider training .. it should be a dirt riding course for adventure tourers .. not enduros, nor MX.

On the DR
By striping the bike I think henryuk is talk of removinmg the plastics .. not an engine rebuild. There is a long thread on the DR650 over on www.advrider in the thumper section..

There is a Yahoo group on DR650s too.

On travelling
Go to a HU meeting .. there will be one somewhere in the next year reasonably close to you. You'll get a lot off the site here too, but meeting others is good - take a look at their bikes and gear for ideas .. they'll be doing the same with yours.

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S