Suzuki dr650. UK
 

I'm looking for an RTW bike and I've been struggling to find a Dr 400/650 with decent price/condition mix.

I did find

2014 Suzuki Dr650 Dr for sale in Reading, Uk - Usedmotors4sale.co ...
http://www.usedmotors4sale.co.uk/......dXXYAEAEpXdYpY...
Bridgemoto 209 Caversham Road Reading Berkshire RG18BB Find out where we are Brand new Suzuki DR650 which we have recently imported from the USA ...

Out of stock but will import 2015 machine for £1000 deposit and a price of £5300

Anyone had dealings with these people. Sounds like a fair deal to me...

Hi Martintheclark,

I've had dealings with Spencer at Bridgemoto and he's a proper gentleman.

My first dealings were when I found he'd got some brand new DR650's in, so I told one of my mates, who I knew fancied one and we travelled down from Lancashire.

The bike was spot on.

He then helped by getting me some stuff from the US.

Always helpful on the phone and his mechanic is a really helpful chap as well.

My mate who bought the bike loves it.

From memory I think he had about 3 in stock but they do have a fast turnover and he brings regular shipments of bikes in from the US and Japan.

If you speak to Spencer then please say hello from Reggie.

Regards

Reggie

So good to hear someone in the UK is importing the DR650 over there!
I'm a fan and long time owner!

£5300 is about $8000 USD, so you're paying a premium over USA price. No surprise given what a pain it must be to do the import/rego.

New DR650 in USA has an MSRP (list price) of $6499 USD, but can be found all day discounted down to around $6000 or below.

The link below shows a typical deal ... and you can do even better if you push and shop around a bit. Few pay all full set up/prep fees. Only tax and license in most cases and sometimes even deeper discounts are out there.

But figure $6000 USD (ON THE ROAD) for a 2015 DR650, less for a "leftover" 2014 model. (no changes).

2014 Suzuki DR650 - Enduro Dual Sport

And if you're serious about "upgrading" your DR650, do look into ProCycle:
Suzuki DR650 Parts, Accessories, & Performance - ProCycle

You can also get last years model DR650's for around $5300. Near new used bikes can had for $5k all day long.

Importing Suzuki DR 650 to UK
 

The bike is on its way.

I really do have to say thank you to Mollydog for the advice about Procycle. Great website and very helpful. Much cheaper than UK prices. Would recommend

That is an interesting website/stock list.
Some of the stuff in there (3rd gearing) is made in the UK for instance.
Also, they are using a 3D printer to make small tools.

Is the bike "on the way" as a direct import from the USA or via the dealer in Reading, UK?
I have been past their premises a few times and I keep meaning to call in there - they also import new KLR650s from the States.

You're quite welcome Martin. Lots of good info on both the DRriders forum and the BIG DR650 thread on ADV Riders (Thumpers forum)

www.DRRiders.com
DR650 specific forum, very helpful. Small and manageable amount of traffic.

the DR650 thread - ADVrider
Biggest thread on all of ADV Rider, started in 2006, over 100,000 posts.
But just jump in and ASK! Many helpful DR riders there. It moves FAST and has an astounding amount of traffic. But regulars are ALWAYS helpful.
Pro Cycle Jeff is a frequent contributor to BOTH above forums ... the DR650 has made him a wealthy man! :innocent:

Also look at the ADV Rider Flea Market ... many good deals on used parts and more. You have to be a member to see Flea Market or do a post.


Good luck!

Importing dr650 to UK
 

It's coming through the dealer. I looked into the direct import and I thought the cost saving v hassle equation came down on the side of the dealer. Also he's putting my procycle order in the crate. So no shipping charges. I'm slightly nervous and I'll let you know how it works out

Sounds like the right decision to me: they buy in bigger bulk and have expertise in importing and you still end up with a well priced bike and a good deal overall.
There are other dealers in the UK who have shipped in second hand bikes from the USA, by the container load; they will carry on doing this so long as the forex rates are favourable for their activity.

I don't think there is anything to be nervous about: I imported a car from Germany many years ago (when that was the thing to do here in the UK - that's pretty much all gone nowadays with EU competition legislation). It went fine but I had to do all of the paperwork.

A new DR 640 in the UK
 

An update for users of Google...

I bought my new Suzuki DR650 from Bridge Moto in Reading. Their core business is importing classics from the US and Japan; if you live locally it would be worth dropping by to see a selection of Ducati Hailwood reps, a VFR1000R, an OWO1, a couple of nice Norton Commandos and a bunch of mint sports mopeds from the seventies. And two DR 650's one with my name on it.

Spencer is the boss and is a top guy. I had a long chat with the two mechanics. One from Lincolnshire way and full of do you remember stuff about Cadwell Park, the other from out east and full of good advice about riding in eastern Europe. Also good at their jobs. They must be. I had a sniff around the workshop and the opened bikes were a desmo Ducati and a BSA Starfire.

Problems? Well just delays which to be fair were not the fault of Bridge Moto. A couple of weeks on the shipping and more time lost on the registration. Enormouslsy frustrating for me but probably foresseeable by someone with more experience of this sort of thing.

So...

If you want a DR this place is worth look. But it might take longer than you think. Overall? A very satisfied customer.

I do live locally - or rather my in-laws do, about 2-3 mins away. I've gone past the shop many many times and not gone in as from the outside it looks about the same size as the local kebab shops and I imagined it just sold scooters to teens. Must be Tardis like inside. Anywhere that sells stuff like that though has got to be worth a visit and there's a chance I may be over there towards the weekend. Which DR is yours so I can kick the tyres ? :rofl:

Go in. Kick away. I'm in Ankara

Am V pleased with the DR650 BTW. It's no wonder our colonial cousins rate it so highly. It's coped with an all day autobahn blitz and off roading in Bosnia and Turkey

4500m so far and very pleasedAttachment 15660Attachment 15661Attachment 15662

Nice work! And Two Up? Yes? It's a good tough bike with SO MUCH potential to be even better with proper modifications and a few add ons. :thumbup1:

I'm impressed that your standard Trail Wing tire has done 4500 miles! I never got more than about 3500 miles ... one up! doh So ... Whatever tire pressure you're running ... you're doing it RIGHT! Still, do keep an eye on it, plan on a replacement soon. The front should last to 9K miles or so.

Your girls' feet might get VIBED out and go numb on those passenger pegs ... I have no solution for that one other than somehow isolating them from vibes. I rarely go Two Up on my DR650.

You'll be very pleased once you fit a better (wider, firmer) seat ... and so will your girl. Night and day difference doing 10 hour riding days.

How has the fuel economy been?

Ride Safe, have a great time. More pics!

bier

nice one
 

Hi Martin, glad the bike checked out okay. I'm still looking for one and am now looking into bringing one in from the States. Didn't find Spencer helpful at all tbh and after he sold me a bike then accidentally sold it to someone else I kind of lost confidence.
Stay safe

alan

Must admit the DR650 exceeds my expectations despite reading so much about it. I am currently in the UAE and recently bought one to ride back to the UK. Mine is a 2012 with 10k km on the clock. I has been heavily modded by the prev owner (tank, suspension, controls, seat, air box, clutch, carb etc) and I have added the touring parts (pannier rack, screen, stand, lights etc). I think this will become a firm friend on some future planned trips. You can still get them new in Dubai, about 3,500 GBP.