Thumper or 2 cylinder for US to TDF?
 

Hi everybody. This is my first post and I'm sure some variation of it has already been asked so bear with me.

I am a 6' tall 34 yo man with a great deal of travel experience, but virtually zero riding experience. What sold moto-touring for me, was having rented a motorbike on Bali for 2 weeks. Talk about a slice of heaven.

Anyway, Im sold on the idea and I finally have enough $ to make this actually happen. My first hurdle is the bike. Like many, I saw my first F800gs and was instantly aroused. However, as I have been doing more and more research, i realize how unimportant my first impressions were.

For a fellow doing the central/S.A. routes i am now perfectly comfortable buying a used and farlkled jap bike, and no longer feel compelled toward the BMW. Although I realize most any late model dual sport bike will be by and large just fine, my dilemma seems to have come down to cylinders and overall power.


Whereas I know I will do plenty of off tarmac driving and exploring, I am also confident I will be logging many many hours on paved roads as well.

The biggest dilemma for me is not whether to drop $6 large for a new KLR vs. $13 for an f800gs, It is simply: does the extra power and comfort of a 2 cylinder merit choosing one for S.A. vs a thumper?

I have NO idea how vibrations will affect me with distance riding, as I am a complete noob.

What I have come up with is this list, with my surface thoughts:

F800gs- Super sexy, but I have a real hard time justifying the price tag when a KLR type thumper can do almost the exact same things. Used ones in the USA seem almost non-existent.

F650gs twin- if i go BMW, a used f650gs twin would likely be my choice- at about $6500 for a 2007 with farkle and low miles, why not?

KLR- since the price point is so low, id likely opt for a new one even though the current models are hideously ugly. Still KLRs seem great regarding performance, particularly with the right add-ons.

Yamaha Tenere 660- This is one sexy bike but it appears it is not readily available in the USA new or used.

Honda africa twin- havent done too much research, but it too seems on par with the tenere and klr.


So my budget is hovering in the ballpark of 8 grand ( preferably with upgrades included), but I could go higher or preferably lower.

I lean towards a twin, but havent the experience to know if it is even worth it for this trip. The leader so far is the used BMW f650gs (because of the more powerful engine and 2 cylinders), but I could give a toss if it is a BMW or not. I just want the right bike for the job. I have no problem dropping 5K on a used bike then to add another 3-4K of upgrades. I see no point in getting a brand new F800gs, unless i want to stare at every night with an erection.

thanks in advance for the advice- cristiano

Twins are more comfortable over a greater range of speeds.
I wouldn't write off the Triumph bonneville at this stage

triumph bonneville for this trip? if that is a joke it is definitely funny- otherwise, i am indeed planning on plenty of off-road exploring and dont think that would cut the mustard...

thanks for your reply, though

I wonder if you've been reading the many, many threads here on the Hubb and over on ADV rider which address your question at exhaustive length. If so, and you're finding you still have those very basic questions, may I suggest finding a bike and riding it? No one else's preferences are going to tell you what you need to know. Buy, rent, borrow, or jack a bike and see how it works out for you.

(Guess I gave in to the urge to be briefly sarcastic. Please don't jack a bike.)

And if you're planning lots of off-road, you might say that in your original post, not in response to someone's well-intentioned (I have no doubt) response.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Marc-

Who rides from the USA to Tierra Del Fuego on a dual sport without leaving the tarmac? Maybe you were too busy formulating a smart- ass response to read my post thoroughly to see this quote:

" Whereas I know I will do plenty of off tarmac driving and exploring, I am also confident I will be logging many many hours on paved roads as well."

KLR Spam
 

Here's what I'm gonna take...this one is for sale I have another.
08 KLR, moto-sport bavaria panniers, sw-motech bars, 1990 miles, new shinko 705's not installed. Side panel is off as I just pre-fitted panniers.
$4200 Colorado
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSCF0334.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSCF0336.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...DSCF0337-1.jpg
Mike

Dr650
 

Don't forget the DR 650, try a variety until you find one that suits, as mentioned already.

Thanks Mike and Chucky-

Mike, I have another 2 months before I make my purchase, so If at that time you are still selling I may be happy to contact you. Chucky, good point- I had failed to mention the DR.

I am also hoping to hear from people who have made this specific trip, and what their opinions are regarding 2 vs 1 cylinder and power as it relates to the roads and adventures S.Am. has to offer.

No problem, it is not listed for sale just thought I could help out a fellow rider. I may ship it to Europe and store it in Germany or somewhere in SA. That way I can do some real traveling on the 3 months I have off for summer. I'm a pretty big guy but I would love to try it on a Yam w250r...one guy on adv travels quite extensively on one.
Good Luck,
Mike

any bike
 

Lois on the loose did the same trip on a Serrow 225, many RTW;s use singles for the simple motor (easy to fix on the road), and plenty of torque in big single.:D

If you search hubb, ride tales, every one's different, and use bikes that they are comfortable with.

Cheer from Oz.

You'll figure it out. Good luck and safe journeys!

Mark

Don't knock what you havn't tried. I'm yet to find a road a Bonneville with knobblies wouldn't get through (compare the spec sheet to a R80GS and ignore the advertising photos of blokes going out for coffee three miles from home). Still, I'm only 6 years into Bonneville ownership so there are a few roads still to try. Find the Scrambler thread over on ADV rider and you'll see just how wrong Triumph's "old blokes bike" advertising is.

Given your coments about the F800 I think that's what you want and you should just go get one. No need for anyone here to support or not support your decision, it'll do the job. Personally I think it won't do the job 40% better than a KLR or DR to justify the price and you'd have to be sure you like electronic modules over mechanical bits when it breaks, but that's only me. Single or twin won't make a jot of difference compared to training your body to take a decent number of miles per day, day after day. Sounds like a classic case of head saying KLR, heart saying F800 which I'm afraid no one can answer for you unless they are just going to pass on their own personal choices as gospel. There is no right answer, only choices.

Andy

Agreed .

Agreed :cool4:

Clarifications
 

In order to clear up a few misunderstandings, I'm going to lay a few thoughts on the table:

When I responded to OldBMW's post where he said, "I wouldn't write off the Triumph bonneville at this stage ",

I wasn't slagging him off- I thought he may have been making a joke regarding Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries on which they rode a Triumph.

Personally, I would love a triumph, and I'm sure the bike could do the trip adequately. Its just when I look at pictures of it, its low ground clearance, exposed piping et cetera, it doesn't instinctively strike me as an ideal all around performance bike for that trip. Technically I could do the trip on a vespa or a push bike, but that isn't what I had in mind. I will thank OldBMW again for his input, though. There was no intended smack talking in my response despite what people may wish to read into it.

now @ marc:

Sorry I came off as brash, but If you are going to go through the time consuming process of reading my lengthy post, logging in and typing a paragraph response, and not say anything constructive or helpful, and instead use that time to invalidate my post, of course I'm going to have words with you. I would truly love to hear about your expertise and point of view if you would be so kind as to direct your energies to a constructive response. I'll have you know that I had literally spent hours reading post after post after post, before writing my own. If you have links to old postings that answer my questions that perhaps I overlooked, again, I would have appreciated the constructive response and followed the links.

@ Threewheeledbonnie:

Again, in no way am I knocking the Triumph. I would love to own one. I'll indulge your suggestion and do some research, though, as I am always open to new ideas. Intuitively, when I see bikes more tailor-made for trips like this, that is where I instinctively lean. As for you thinking I really want the F800gs, well, sure, but not too much more than any other bike. Its flash, its well built, and undoubtedly fun to ride. However, it is also undoubtedly overpriced, and pointless to buy in the light of something virtually as good for half the price. Would I take a used F800 all modded up if I could find one for $8K? Quite possibly. But have no mistake, I am very very happy with the KLR etc. for half the cost. In the end, all I care about is performance tailored to this trip. The reason I was posting my question about the dual vs. thumper was because if the dual is simply flat-out unnecessary, I would be overjoyed to have a used and fully modded KLR or similar for ~$6K. I particularly like the idea of being able to fix most problems on the bike myself especially if I'm stuck in-between places. The Japs afford me this luxury. Finally, thanks Andy for your point of view on training your body for the ride. That is exactly the type of response I'm seeking.

So everybody, please continue with the constructive responses, as I'd be happy to listen to your personal experiences and tales from the road all day. I mean that.

Cheers-
Cristiano

Just to clear one thing up, Che used a single cylinder 1930's Norton. For some reason H4 is in my mind, but I know nothing of Nortons if that is even a real type. I might just be thinking of light bulbs :)

Thumpers have a limited range between snatching the transmission and running into vibration at higher revs. If that 'sweet spot' is around the speed at which you want to travel they can be really relaxing.
Twins, and by that I mean twins with even firing strokes have power pulses a mere 180 degrees apart, a third of the time between a thumpers power pulses at 540 degrees apart. So twins can run at slower rpm smoothly than singles. Singles though tend to be more fuel efficient at normal speeds.
Personally I would probably take an Enfield, as for less than £500 I could have 400 mile range tank, bash plate, 21" front wheel and a big fat ass sprung single seat. Not everybody though would enjoy cruising with 55Mph as your most comfortable speed.

Your definition of "constructive" is different from mine. You can as easily use the search function as I can, and can therefore find threads which address all your questions as easily as I. My definition of constructive, in this instance: suggesting that you go ahead and do that, then return when you've refined your questions. Many here don't want to do the work for you, and many don't want to answer the same basic questions repeatedly for the benefit of people who don't want to do their own research. You need to know this.

That's why on every internet forum since Al Gore's first glimmerings you'll find something which says, in essence, "Lurk for a while before posting," and then "Use the search function before posting." Sound advice.

Constructively yours,

Mark

@oldbmw-

Thank you for a very clear and well explained response. My mistake on the Che bike- I thought I had read it was a Triumph. Funny you mentioned the Enfields- last I was in India, I was a breath away from buying one and touring the subcontinent. If only I hadn't been carried away by the distraction of a beautiful girl:) I like your more unconventional approach to touring S.Am. and your way of thinking is appreciated.

@marc-

Thanks, but I don't feel I will be requiring your input any further. I wish you the best of luck finding new ways to best spend your time and energy.

And best of luck to you in soliciting the information you crave.

Safe journeys!

Mark

(from Uruguay, where the internet is sluggish but omnipresent)

Getting out and riding a few bikes is probably the best way to gauge what suits you. Riders can politic all day about the bikes they prefer, but at some point you'll
need to get on something and see how it feels.

Sorry to see some "Attitude" here and what seems like some misunderstandings. HUBB is usually pretty friendly but Mark is right in that lots of the same stuff is asked. Most don't mind putting forth an opinion, I don't anyway.

Mark is in the middle of a Butt kicking long S. America ride so who knows what else he's going through. I've been there. Life on the road can make you crazy sometimes. Not all puppies, lollypops and Moonbeams.

That KLR shown above looks like a very good deal and not a bad beginner bike. I don't think you can go too wrong on that bike. The new KLR's may look ugly, but they work better than the old one. :thumbup1:

Training
There is a guy in Colorado who posts on ADV. Neduro. He teaches off road/dual sport riding technique classes. He's good. I've seen his instructional DVD. Since you are in CO, I would contact him and sign up for a class.

The only danger is he'll try to convince you to buy a $16,000 KTM :innocent:
He bleeds Orange. (KTM sponsor him)

If he can't help himself, perhaps he can recommend an instructor for off road for you. A few days on the trails with a good teacher and you'll be years ahead.

Any off road training you get will instantly transfer over to On Road riding as well. So it's all good! :thumbup1: After that its just a bit of practice and putting in seat time.

As your riding life progresses you will likely fall in and out of love with many bikes. This is just what happens. Best to get on and ride and do the best you can with whatever you get. Have fun, stay safe! :mchappy:

Outside of two weeks of putzing around Bali on a rented bike, how much riding experience do you have? On road, off road, doesn't matter...

If you've never ridden before, get yourself a plated XR400 or a DRZ400S and ride the hell out of them around home. Spend a few days out camping off of a bike unsupported, take some long multi-day rides (try the TransAmerica Trail first for example, the eastern half as far as Salida is pretty easy going but gets more difficult out west), make sure you enjoy it (not everyone does), and get some seat time.

Personally I'd recommend the bike I have now (Yamaha WR250R) over any of the bikes you've looked at so far, but I'm biased because I love my little blue pill. :) Motor's strong enough to cruise comfortably at 65-70mph smoothly while still being geared right for tight off-road riding, the suspensions pretty good for a dual sport, I found the stock saddle comfortable for 400+ mile days with a sheepskin cover, and had 17,000+ trouble free miles on my first one before it was stolen (replaced it with an identical bike a month later).

I don't think you can generalise like this. There's more to it than just engine layout. Fueling, ignition timing, and flywheel weight are all going to make massive differences to engine 'character' and performance.


I think the original poster needs to decide what amount of off road exploration they're going to be doing. Most people who do long distance motorcycle travel don't really do much off road at all, even if they're riding a lightweight dirtbike. Rough potholed and gravel roads are more likely and often are what people mean when they use the term off road, but anything on two wheels can get down these as long as you don't go so fast as to exceed your suspension capability.

More advertising I'm afraid. BMW's break down through using the same ****y, bought in components that every other manufacturer uses. BMW's higher price is a very well thought out part of their advertising and a result of speading a lot of weird development over too few bikes, not different components. I've had four and when some garbage electrical connector or seal decides not to play it doesn't matter what the logo on the tank is. The thing with getting places is to know your bike. Doesn't matter if it's a swollen carb O-ring on an Enfield or the CAN-Bus to Ring antenna interface on an LT1300, if you know what it is and where it is you've a chance to fix it, if you don't you can't.

Andy

What about a DL650 V-Strom?
I'd get that or the KLR 650. F800GS has had a pretty bad rap for reliability on a number of fronts....
The KLR would free up a lot of cash for the travels.....and if it got nicked, it's a lot less to lose than the wonga you'll have forked out for the beemer.

Yes, all those things have an effect on the characteristics, But the three times longer ( actually a bit more) time between power pulses allow the transmission time to 'relax' much more on a single. Hence a greater likelihood of snatch. It is a time thing, the weight of the transmission parts (usually the chains and clutch) need so much time to move. For instance a 1949 7:1 CR Triumph Thunderbird was good to go from 20mph to 100mph on 65 octane 'pool' petrol. I doubt you can find a single that would do this.
Overgearing a single is also a bad as it increases both the road speed necessary and the load (and consequently the strength of the power pulses) on the chains.
You wont notice this effect as much on a C50 as on a 500cc Enfield, Because the C50 has smaller power pulses and usually spins faster than an Enfield. The enfields transmission parts may be heavier than the C50's but the engine turns disproportionately slower and thumps heavier than a C50 even though its flywheels are much heavier.
From a riders viewpoint though, generally, the more pistons and the smaller they are gives less perceived vibration than those engines with few heavy pistons. In my view the best of all are the triples, as the pistons stop one at a time. unlike on inline fours which all stop at the same time. This often leads to a feeling of 'buzziness'.

I am not a World Traveler by any stretch. Never been over 5,000 miles from home by bike but I do have an opinion!

I have read ALL the stuff that Mark recommended and agree that it would be good prep for you, if you have time.

I have put 20,000 miles on a pre 08 KLR, 18,000 miles on a DR650, 3,000 miles on a DRZ 400s and about 80,000 miles between a Goldwing 1800/ BMW 1150 GS Adventure.
The Goldwing is gone it did not work well for the Adventure type riding that I love!

If you expect you average speed to be over 60mph I would recommend the multi cylinder bike.
If under 60 mph average I would take a thumper!

I am a Thumper guy , I like my KLR but changed over to the DR 650 which I prefer for my type riding.
I may have lost my mind last week :-) and added a BMW 650 x challenge. I think it is going to be my favorite but time will tell!

Thank you again to everyone who has responded. With more research, I seem to be focusing in. Of the more readily available bikes in my region, (no africa twins or teneres) , I am starting to get really stoked on the DR650. With the suspension mods, bigger tank, corbin, etc, it seems pretty ideal.
A recent poster asked how much Id be offroad. My position is I would want to do a fair amount of off tarmac/ trail riding, as Ill have the time on my trip to do so. I just want to be able to cruise the tarmac comfortably at normal speeds. I can get a used DR cheap, which would compensate for the cost of all the mods. Once its all kitted up and ready, it just seems like a sweet setup. I find that parts should be readily available, and that it would be a bike I could fix myself without undue aggravation. During my life, I have ridden bikes on numerous occasions, but never full on like I am about to. I am going to take up the offer from another poster above and take an extensive off-road training course, and will take a mechanics course as well. I want to be able to dissect that bike myself. I have a long history with bicycles, camping, and international travel, so I've no doubts keeping me from jumping in head first. Thanks again for the input. I am really starting to get anxious to get things together! I watch member videos and read their photo journals, and I start crawling out of my skin with anticipation. :mchappy:

2 more things-

If one would want a bit more power on the DR, any thoughts on boring the cylinder? (this just sprang to mind- i will also use the 'search' option;))

Some of the Husqvarnas like the TE 610 or 630 seem pretty sweet, but that if anything goes wrong with them in C.Am. or S.Am. you will have a bitch of a time finding parts. can anyone confirm this? Seems like a great bike but for Europe or staying in the USA because of the parts issues.

The DR is a good choice. I had a KLR and sold it to buy a DR650. The KLR used to be King among many US Adventure riders but in the last few years the DR650 has sort of taken over the throne as "best travel dual sport".

ADV rider has much more info on the DR650 than anywhere ... perhaps a bit too much! The main DR650 thread on the ADV rider Thumpers forum is huge: 3.7 million views, 2200 pages, 33,000 posts. Insane. But its all there ... usually three or four times probably!

the DR650 thread - ADVrider

IMHO, I would not go to big bore DR. A good friend just did this. No problems with his bike at all, runs fine. But its really NO FASTER than my stock (but well tuned) DR. His bike also has the Mikuni TM40 Pumper Carb.
Poor fuel economy and a little stronger off the bottom from stock, but overall, IMO, not worth the expense.

Best to get a nice stock, low mileage DR and do the required mods. Take a few shake down rides locally in Colorado this Summer, make adjustments and go.

+1 to that. Anything standard is less likely to fail because it was someones job to put thousands and thousands of hours testing in to get the tolerances and clearances right. Anything modified gains in one area (power and torque in this case) but you won't really have a clue what areas (bearings, con-rods, fuel economy??) it'll subtract from and by how much. Secondly, if/when it does go pop it's far easier to wheel a standard bike into some workshop, point at the duff bit and make crunching noises than it is to explain in Portugese that the cylinder was bored out to 63.7 mm, the piston is from a 1973 Ford Capri and the valve timing was set up by a bloke called Nigel in Barnsley who seemed to know what he was doing.

If you feel the need for a 70+ mph road crusing speed, you need to be back looking at BMW's, V stroms etc. Honestly though so long as you aren't the slowest thing on the road you'll soon tune your head in to what the bike will do. As an ex-Enfield owner, there are limits if you are trying to use a 40 mph bike on 80 mph roads, but I wouldn't say the singles and trip you are looking at fall into that category.

Andy

i recently finished a 20k km. trip through Mexico and the US on my DR650. This was a shake-down run, prepping for the Stans, Siberia and
Mongolia next year. Here is my take:
The DR is an awesome choice for adventure travel, if set up right. Mod the suspension, a new seat, larger tank, re-wire the stator for extra power to run heated grips and gear and your good to go. I have the Mikuni TM40, which i would like to change out to an FCR, can't get the decel popping under control. The motor is bullet proof! What impressed me the most is that i only burn the cheapest gas, and i never experienced knocking. The bike is very light and agile, off-roads exceptionally well and can run at 70mph all day comfortably. It vibrates much less than the KTM and the KLR, and has a strong sub-frame for luggage. Torquey motor with plenty of power! I never felt that it was under powered, but adequate in all situations. I give it :D:D:D:D

That's some funny stuff! :rofl: (but all true!)
Well the DR650 is easily a 70 mph bike, no problem. Cruises very comfortably at that speed, all day, all night, even in 120F heat. A long way from an Enfield. I agree that on the road, especially in 3rd world countries, speeds need not be high. So even an Enfield, old Triumph or a 250 can do the job. The DR is well suited for many reasons. Strong, light, reliable, fast enough, economical ... and cheap!

My buddy claims the piston used in his 700cc upgrade is a high quality Forged piston (forgot the brand) as opposed to the stock DR's Cast piston. So, theoretically, should be reliable.
It's true, the DR runs pretty good on low octane fuel. I did find I could do more miles on higher octane. I use mid grade in the US (89) and high test gas in Mexico when available. But I never heard any pinging with the DR even running on barrel gas in Baja. (clean your fuel filters after a few tanks of that!) I have a bit a de-cell pop but with the stock pipe I don't much notice it. My buddies bike has the FMF Q4 and you do hear it, (TM40) not too bad but it's there.

The FCR is said to really wake up the DR nicely, but quite a bit of fine tuning required to get it right. The MX Rob thread on Thumper Talk outlines his evolution with this project, which has taken him about 3 years to get right. I gave up on this long ago, once I decided that good fuel economy was my main priority. I did the standard
Jesse (Keintech) air box/dyno-jet/Fuel-Air Screw extender mods to the stock Carb ... never looked back: 49 MPG, plenty of power, idles and starts perfectly.
My Needle jet is now worn, need to replace that. The Twin-Air filter is disintegrating (only lasted two years - junk - but breathes well).

The Keihin FCR pumper carb gives much better off the bottom throttle response and more overall acceleration. But Pumper carbs are complex and can be hard to tune, can be touchy. Lots more going on with leak jets, air jets, squirt duration, spring tension, pump diaphragm, plus all the special intake pieces required to make the FCR work on the DR and still give adequate MPG. I've dealt with FCR's on two modern dirt bikes. Bit of a pain.

For a travel bike I want utter simplicity where I can lean out jetting in 20 minutes, or strip the carb if need be. Fewer things to deal with. On the road I carry a spare pilot jet (they can clog) and two or three main jets. Never needed any of them.

Mr. Ron, Mickey D and others-

Great responses! Thank you!

So I'm bout 2 months away from having the funds to make my purchase of a DR. I have been checking the internet for used bikes and today headed to my local motorcycle dealer to check out my choice of bike in person. Sadly, these suzuki dealers didn't have a single DR650 in stock. In fact, they said there were no DR bikes even being made for 2010 (news to me). As a result, all the 2009's are gone from suzuki dealers in nearby states as well. Not that I care about having a new DR, but it seems like used DRs are hard to come across, too. I know its the wrong time of year to buy a bike, but I very much hope I'll be able to find one in 2 months that isn't on the opposite side of the country. fingers crossed.

It's true, no 2010 DR650's or very few. Same story for many other Suzuki models. Due to economic realities Suzuki have temporarily ceased production on many models for 2010 model year. (this direct from American Suzuki)

Still plenty of used DR's around here in California but prices are going up due to recent popularity surge of the model. Many dealers have sold out of DR's the last two years. (NOTE: most dealers only order one or two DR's for the year)

Most dealers can trade something to another dealer to get a DR650. They do this all the time.

Keep an eye on Craig's list and be prepared to act quickly for a good deal. Also, you may have to travel or do a Fly In/Ride Home deal.

Quite a few DR650's on LA area Craigslist:

los angeles motorcycles/scooters classifieds "DR650" - craigslist

IMHO there's no point in spending the money on a new one, a used one is just as good at half the price :thumbup1: Use the money you save on suspension, seat, bags, etc... oh yeh, and beer! :Beach:
Or, if your really handy you can do what this guy did:
Building a DR650 Adventure... - ADVrider

They come up on Craigslist in Colorado every now and then. Check all the Front Range (Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Denver- enter 'Suzuki DR' for search)
That's how I found mine a year ago.

Here's a couple right now:
'06; 1750 miles; $4500; looks like its got a skidplate; Greeley 2006 Suzuki DR650

'07 Dealer, Loveland; $3900;2007 Suzuki DR 650

Good hunting...........................shu

1999 DR650, zip 17345 - ADVrider
Don't blink, you'll missw it!

Thanks again everyone for your responses, I am now the proud owner of a 1998 dr650! came with only 8000 miles and had been garaged most of its life. In quite good condition for its age, and the next step is to add all the mods. I wish one of the previous owners had done some farkle, but its pretty much stock through and through. The 98's have the problem regarding the torque limiter and I have no idea if any of the previous owners had addressed that. I wish when people sell a bike, they could have a bit more of a clue as to what kind of maintenance the bike has seen during its life. maybe just wishful thinking. The handlebars on that model are Pro Tapers and I think I had the exact same bars on my mountain bike in 1998. Funny. They dont seem too shabby but i wonder if they need to be replaced since it seems everyone with a dr650 changes them. anyway, Im super stoked and just hoping some summer weather will finally make its way to colorado. Its mid may and we're expecting possibly a foot of snow along the front range. Come on, already, where are the summer 70 degree days i grew up with? Nothing like having a new bike just sitting in the garage waiting for the weather:rolleyes2:.

I should also add that whereas it seems relatively nimble for a 650 dual sport, at speeds over 60 its amazing how much the wind jostles you about. She can easily cruise at 75 but it seems that a windscreen would be imperative. Maybe this is why people buy the heavy klr pigs if they are planning on sticking more to the tarmac (which I am not).

Hi Cristiano,

Congratulations on your new bike purchase. I think the DR650 will suit you fine heading south for adventure. I personally prefer smaller thumpers for Latin travel, but I am a minimalist and in the minority. Most people prefer 650 or bigger with big metal boxes filled with stuff. I prefer 75 mpg.

What kind of bike did you rent in Bali?

You probably won't be going that fast if you take the fun backroads south of the border, so I wouldn't worry about a windscreen. They only are necessary if you are going over 60 and don't have a full face helmet. You won't find yourself going that fast on the winding roads in Mexico once you get past the northern deserts unless you take the cuotas (freeways). But it sounds like you have biking and traveling experience, so will probably be drawn to the backroads and out of the way spots more than the freeways and touristy spots.

You can get a universal fit National Cycle windscreen for high speed travel in the states. But I should think it would get in the way if you are traveling off road on minor trails where you're standing on the pegs and weaving around the ruts and potholes. I was sure glad not to have a lot of junk on my bike when I went to Panama last month. Of course there is a lot of straight line riding in South America, so maybe a windscreen would be helpful in your travels. I dunno.

Anyway, safe travels. There is no better feeling than taking off into the unknown on a cheap thumper.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

Might be worth reading dr650 engine grenading? - ThumperTalk Community

Hope your vin number doesn't match.

Chris

I remember this subject coming up years ago on the Yahoo DR650 list. Very rare event from what I recall and not effecting too many bikes. I've not heard of a blow up of a DR650 like this, although if the NSU (Neutral Sending Unit) bolts fall out, this IS a problem. Check them (a one hour job) Happened on a '96 I had some years ago.

Some early DR's can have base gasket oil leaks (more like a "weep"), but many never leak at all. The easy fix is to silicone around the base. I personally know two owners of older DR's that have successfully done this ... no more leaks!

I'd venture to say that if Christiano's DR's was one of the problem models it would have let go by now. After all, it's had 12 years of use. My theory is that if it's still running OK, it will continue to do so given reasonable use and care.

Sounds good. If you have Pro Taper bars on your DR then you've got expensive aftermarket bars on there. A good thing. Lots to learn on the bike. Go ride it a while, see how it works, figure out what it needs.

Go through it top to bottom, checking everything. Go to ADV rider to learn more:

the DR650 thread - ADVrider

Hi everyone--

JohnDowns, I think we share the same outlook. Im a minimalist to the core- eg- travelling around the world for 2 years with just a 40L pack, usually not filled. I appreciate your enthusiasm, and I have to say I'm pretty stoked to have this bike. As far as the bike I rented in Bali, I can't say I remember. What I can say is that it was a small engined Japanese bike, relatively nondescript. It worked well though, apart from needing to stop every so often to let the engine cool. Unbelieveably beautiful it is there- like driving on golf cart paths through hilly terraced rice paddies and up the sides of volcanoes. Its stupefying. If you have the means...
Anyway, I figured a windscreen would help mostly with the wind pressure I get on my chest more than anything. I feel like it would greatly help stabilize the bike at speed. Maybe one like Ponch and John had in CHiPs. Haha.

"There is no better feeling than taking off into the unknown on a cheap thumper."

Well put:thumbup1:.


@Chris,

Yes my friend, shes a ticking time bomb for sure. But I knew that going in. Its in otherwise well kept condition, no leaks/ shards in oil. The fix to that little problem is a first priority, but Im not too worried It'll explode by then. That was actually part of my previous comment above as the previous owner had no idea if the former previous owners had addressed that already. Worst case scenario, I'm out $2K. Better than a $13K BMW at any rate.

@ Mickey

Thanks for all the information! I would say that whereas its true, shes had 12 years of use, there is only 8000 miles on her, so if there were to be an event, it would certainly be approaching. I wonder if Suzuki keeps a record of ones they have fixed.
One of the first things I had to do was to replace the tires. I threw on some Mefo Explorers which I must say feel fantastic. I just discovered some new trails up one of the nearby canyons that I'm itching to check out as soon as it stops snowing.

Cheers!

Well, as a review of my dr650, I can say that I am thoroughly stoked about choosing this particular bike. Despite my lame financial situation this summer, and zero mods to the bike, I was still able to log about 4000 miles puttering around Colorado. It certainly would have been higher if I had The funds for panniers, better tires, and a few things to ensure a happy, safe tour of the state. Unfortunately, my lack of funds had me relegated to the canyon roads and foothills of Boulder, by and large. No complaints, however, as the roads I had access to are great. The bike..... I don't think I could be happier. I have realized what kind of riding i seek when I go down south for my trip. I realize that 70 mph is just fine for cruising speeds on highways, especially south of the USA. I realize that for as fun as road riding is, I want to be in dirt as much as possible, and that I am going to Push that bike as hard as I need in order to explore the nooks and crannies wherever I choose. I have full confidence the DR can take me there. I love its simplicity, reliability, its available power, and its very light weight for dual-sport type bikes. Ive been having a hell of a time offroading as much as my tires, stock suspension, and lack of a bash plate will allow, and can only imagine how killer it would be to have a 250cc mx bike. Still, the DR is pretty nimble, even up some hairy sections. I love how reliable this bike has been so far. I love how cheap and simple the parts are to acquire and install (generally). When I think of how I paid only about $2K for this awesome machine, I don't think I could imagine spending 4x as much or more, for a complicated, un-simple BMW. After riding this bike for 4000 miles i can safely say I am 100% stoked with my choice of the DR over a F650/800, and the KLR.
I am this happy with my STOCK dr. I can only imagine how much Ill love her, with all the mods I'm intending to throw on her. Now if I could just make some money to get the mods on and get traveling......