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Photo by Igor Djokovic, camping above San Juan river, Arizona USA

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Igor Djokovic,
camping above San Juan river,
Arizona USA



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  #16  
Old 18 Apr 2015
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Originally Posted by alan hopkins View Post
So do I get the Keintech mid pipe (connecting pipe?) from ProCycle?
It's great with the internet that it's virtually just as easy to purchase kit from a specialist supplier wherever you are in the world. I never take all this tech for granted :-)))
The Keintech mid pipe Nevil and I have is different to the mid pipe Procycle sells, the Keintech mid pipe attaches to the 40F0 with 4 bolts, the pipe/flange is one piece, the Procycle unit uses a bolt on flange with spring retainers holding the separate pipe on.
The Keintech unit is more expensive and extremely well made, but theres nothing wrong with the Procycle one though and it makes sense to buy from Procycle if you are doing a big order.

If you are planning on re-doing the suspension then Id just go with a Cogent Dynamics revalved shock (depending on your budget!) and drop in DDC valves with 5wt oil and stiffer springs up front.

Ive been tinkering with the DR's front end for 5 years and this is the best set up suspension Ive found so far (For A DR650)

The Acerbis 6.6Gal is the best option for a large tank without going to the huge Safari tank and for me the Corbin has been a really comfortable seat, good luck with the build!
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  #17  
Old 18 Apr 2015
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Thanks Gipper. Very concise and informative. I will save myself a month of 'round and round' reading and follow your advice. If the procycle pipe is effective and cheaper I will go down that route. I will also buy tank and probably a Corbin seat from there too as I want them to stay in business because they are such a good resource for DR owners. The suspension will need a bit more reading/explaining because I haven't started on that issue yet and my experience in that area is limited to say the least but it is something that needs my attention if I'm to take a loaded bike over rough terrain.
Thanks again Gipper much appreciated

Alan
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  #18  
Old 18 Apr 2015
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No problem Alan,

If you are going to use a 40F0, then you will need to do some light bedtime reading and do a few minor adjustments to the carb to make it run better.

In stock trim the BST40 carb runs very lean, the fuel screw is set and covered with an EPA brass blanking plug (so the screw cannot be adjusted and the bike passes emissions tests)

This plug can be removed easily and replaced with an 'extended fuel screw' and to make the bike run better with the 40F0 as a minimum you should 'shim the needle'

All of this info is found here:

The BST-40 Bible - ADVrider

Home

So while you are shopping at Procycle you might as well add in a 'Procycle Jet Kit for stock carb'

This kit has everything you will need to remove the plug (drill bit and screw) and do this, it also contains several jets and a much better carb needle (which you should use straight away) and the extended fuel screw, so you can do much more adjustment in the future, its also IMO better than the Dynojet kit.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...altitude-73533

Anyway, don't get bogged down with all this info, Id break in your new DR in stock trim for the first few thousand miles and get used to it, then start with the Farkles
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  #19  
Old 18 Apr 2015
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Absolutely

I won't be rushing, this is a long term project starting with UK camping trips then Spain then after that into africa early next year.
Plenty of good info and future reading for me to digest there, thanks again

alan
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  #20  
Old 22 Apr 2015
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DR 650 at sea. I hope!

Glad to hear you've got a DR on the way. There'll be two of new ones in the UK now. That's my exclusivity gone. Rats!

I've gone at it a slightly different way and gone for the suspension rather than intake/exhaust mods. Perhaps we can get together and see how it plays out.

My not so cunning plan is to run the bike in, forks, shock, seat, tank, electric stuff. (thank you Mollydog and Mr Procycle). Next up is a shake down to Greece run then back home to the UK to get my Pakistan visa then off for Foreign Parts with a king size box of wet wipes.

What can possibly go wrong?
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  #21  
Old 22 Apr 2015
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Originally Posted by martintheclark View Post
What can possibly go wrong?
The box of wet wipes turned out to be old stock & were sandpaper dry.

Mezo.
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  #22  
Old 7 May 2015
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"wipe the tears from your eyes..."

Good news is. Wet wipes are great for cleaning frying pans out if there's no running water.
Bad news is, I received an email from spencer at Bridge Moto telling me he's sorry but he accidentally sold my bike to someone else without realising.
I have no idea what went on, is going on or indeed what to do next. Deposit returned and awaiting bank statement to confirm. Has anyone bought from Bridge before? Hope martin(the Clark) doesn't have a similar surprise.
I will start looking for another new DR as I now know I don't want a twenty year old restoration project. Maybe a new KTM is the way after all.
Gutted
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  #23  
Old 7 May 2015
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Originally Posted by alan hopkins View Post
Good news is. Wet wipes are great for cleaning frying pans out if there's no running water.
Bad news is, I received an email from spencer at Bridge Moto telling me he's sorry but he accidentally sold my bike to someone else without realising.
I have no idea what went on, is going on or indeed what to do next. Deposit returned and awaiting bank statement to confirm. Has anyone bought from Bridge before? Hope martin(the Clark) doesn't have a similar surprise.
I will start looking for another new DR as I now know I don't want a twenty year old restoration project. Maybe a new KTM is the way after all.
Gutted
Surely Bridge Moto can order in another one, or more?
They have advertised brand new DR650s and KLRs, both imported direct from the States, for many months - going way back into last year IIRC.
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  #24  
Old 7 May 2015
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Man, that's bad news
At a guess ... perhaps he's run into paperwork issues regards importation?
I'd be interested to know his list of folks who have actually received NEW BIKES from the USA.

If it turns out NONE have come in at all ... then could be he's run into unforeseen problems regarding "greasing the skids" to get those Suzuki's into the UK ... or ...

Could be he must gather enough deposits up front to afford to bring an entire container of bikes in. But getting enough Punters on board may take time.
A big container makes it cheaper for him (read: more profit) probably fit 20 or so DR's into large container??

Probably $5K usd or so for the container, plus paying for bikes, plus paying customs duty, fees and God knows what else they nick you for.

A professional freight forwarder/agent really must be employed to pull this deal off. Not easy. I doubt he's bringing in just ONE BIKE at a time. Containers are how this works.

If you can't wait for a DR (I don't blame you!), next best IMHO would be the XT600E. Find a Virgin one, put in the prep work, nearly as good as a DR650 from what I've seen.

KTM 690 is a fast, light and capable machine. It's big money, but the real problem is after you've bought it ... you've still got work to do to prep for travel, needs a lot to be taken seriously as a full on ADV Dual Sport travel bike. Not cheap to do.

I think the XT would be cheaper to set up for the road.
IMO, both DR and XT are stronger, more rugged bikes than the KTM 690.
The engines are tougher, more reliable and easier and cheaper to rebuild. But the KTM is the performance king ... if that is your thing.
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  #25  
Old 8 May 2015
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Where to now

They do bring containers full in. Mostly old collectables like Harley's and Kawasaki strokers I believe. He said he is scouring for another 'pre registered' 2014 bike as they are cheaper and maybe the fact they are therefore technically second hand bikes makes a difference to the duty etc.?
Prefer a DR to an XT but will have to wait and see what becomes available. I had already dismissed the KTM as its probably more off road performance than i need and more fragile.
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  #26  
Old 8 May 2015
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Originally Posted by alan hopkins View Post
They do bring containers full in. Mostly old collectables like Harley's and Kawasaki strokers I believe. He said he is scouring for another 'pre registered' 2014 bike as they are cheaper and maybe the fact they are therefore technically second hand bikes makes a difference to the duty etc.?
Prefer a DR to an XT but will have to wait and see what becomes available. I had already dismissed the KTM as its probably more off road performance than i need and more fragile.
I mentioned some time ago, perhaps in a different thread, that there is more than one Brit motorcycle dealer that brings in bikes from the USA by the container load - as you say, usually "collectables".

If Bridge Moto come up with a "pre-registered" bike then it will be in the UK already, at least in the sense that it is registered on a UK plate which should mean that the import taxes will be paid already.

Good luck with the search.
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  #27  
Old 8 May 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alan hopkins View Post
They do bring containers full in. Mostly old collectables like Harley's and Kawasaki strokers I believe. He said he is scouring for another 'pre registered' 2014 bike as they are cheaper and maybe the fact they are therefore technically second hand bikes makes a difference to the duty etc.?
Prefer a DR to an XT but will have to wait and see what becomes available. I had already dismissed the KTM as its probably more off road performance than i need and more fragile.
I don't know how the UK looks at year old, NEW bikes, but in USA they are still considered as NEW! They are not registered at all until sold, and if going overseas, then not required they be registered at all.

Registering a "left over", new 2014 would cost quite a bit, and would include sales tax, license. On a $6000 usd (MSRP) DR650, probably about $1000 USD, more or less.

My guess Bridge are buying unsold 2014 models direct from American Suzuki or from regional Suzuki centers. In the USA dealers pay "flooring charges" for a bike after a certain amount of time. (this is negotiable) Once the "free period" is over, dealers must begin to PAY "flooring" to keep that bike on their floor.

At this point, Suzuki will take back any left over bikes dealers do not want, or may suspend flooring charges, this all varies dealer to dealer, all negotiable.

What Suzuki does with them after that varies: Ship to foreign markets, sell to guys like Bridge, or send them back to Japan and CRUSH them. (yes, they DO this sometimes!!!!) But most "left overs" are sent to foreign markets, sold off cheap.

As of now, if you scour Cycle Trader, you will see plenty of left over NEW 2014 DR's for sale nationwide. Also plenty of low mileage used DR's from 2011 to 2013. Even if the bike was an unregistered NO miles 2012, it would still be considered "NEW" by all states.
Prices vary. Check it out!

Dr 650se Suzuki Motorcycles - CycleTrader.com
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  #28  
Old 11 May 2015
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My bike is, I am assured, in Southampton awaiting registration.

It's a grey one which makes it (I think) a 2014 model. But that is not important

I just need my bike!

I'm hoping to get it run in, serviced and and taken for a shakedown run.

I'll let you guys know in a couple of weeks...
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  #29  
Old 24 May 2015
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Another one in the UK

Just going through the process of getting my 2012 DR650 SVA approved for the UK. I've owned it from new in Australia and brought it back on my return earlier this year.

Plenty of mods (Acerbis tank, Cogent suspension, case armour etc.), but not sure all are going to be suitable for the UK. Give me a few months & I'll let you know what I had to change!

A couple of mods if you're likely to use the bike off-road: remove the top chain roller & invest in a set of engine case guards. You'll note that the gear lever is in line with the engine casing & it's easy to punch it through in an off.

Planning on entering the Lands End trial next spring - could be a bit of fun on the DR?
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  #30  
Old 31 May 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alan hopkins View Post
Good news is. Wet wipes are great for cleaning frying pans out if there's no running water.
Bad news is, I received an email from spencer at Bridge Moto telling me he's sorry but he accidentally sold my bike to someone else without realising.
I have no idea what went on, is going on or indeed what to do next. Deposit returned and awaiting bank statement to confirm. Has anyone bought from Bridge before? Hope martin(the Clark) doesn't have a similar surprise.
I will start looking for another new DR as I now know I don't want a twenty year old restoration project. Maybe a new KTM is the way after all.
Gutted
Would a low mileage, A1 condition 20 year old bike be of any interest ?

This one has just come up for sale near me for £1,995



It is in Jersey so 20% VAT will need to be added on import to UK and it will need to be re-registered. It's a genuine 2 owner from new bike and the mileage is accurate. Message me if you are interested and I can get more photos and info.
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