Suzuki DR650 Build - Transformation to an Adventure Bike

[tattoogunman]

Wait, wait, wait - you've got a Lamborghini and a Dodge Viper in your garage and you got a DR650 to trick out? Shouldn't you be on a BMW at the minimum?

[Chill]

Awesome built! Your garage is a glimpse of what my life would be like if I won the lottery. Could you please tell me which header and mid pipe you used?

[Burra Boy]

There were only TWO Suzi DR650s represented at the 2012 USA East HUBB meeting. We were in a sea of BMW R1200s and a few KLRs, Ducati MultiStrada's plus a few new Yamaha Tenere's. Where was everyone on a DR who likes long distance travel -- re: South America, Central America and Africa?

Dave[/QUOTE]

We were out riding instead of talking about it

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Burra Boy

There were only TWO Suzi DR650s represented at the 2012 USA East HUBB meeting. We were in a sea of BMW R1200s and a few KLRs, Ducati MultiStrada's plus a few new Yamaha Tenere's. Where was everyone on a DR who likes long distance travel -- re: South America, Central America and Africa?

Dave

probably in those places instead.

[motodavid2000]

Originally Posted by Burra Boy

There were only TWO Suzi DR650s represented at the 2012 USA East HUBB meeting. We were in a sea of BMW R1200s and a few KLRs, Ducati MultiStrada's plus a few new Yamaha Tenere's. Where was everyone on a DR who likes long distance travel -- re: South America, Central America and Africa?

Dave

We were out riding instead of talking about it [/QUOTE]

How many miles did you do between last Thursday and Monday?

[Bronco638]

Thanks for the replies Dave. I'll keep my eyes peeled for those pivot images.

[peter13]

Your GS is the best setup one Ive ever seen..

[motodavid2000]

Originally Posted by Chill

Could you please tell me which header and mid pipe you used?

Chill -

If memory serves me, it is an FMF complete system; that was later modified to use an HMF exhaust can with the the FMF header and mid-pipe. You might try ProCycle (US) and I believe that is where I sourced the exhaust hardware. They have always been very good people to do business with.

Let me know if you need any other information & I will try to help.

- Dave

[motodavid2000]

Originally Posted by Bronco638

Thanks for the replies Dave. I'll keep my eyes peeled for those pivot images.

Bronco -

Here are three photos that I hope are helpful to you with an explanation with each.

Viewed from the top, looking down onto top of footpeg brackets - left side of bike / shifter side. The centerstand in this photo is in the "up" or "travel" position. Note the tab on the centerstand leg that rests on the center [middle] polished cap screw of the footpeg bracket. This is the "stop" for the centerstand in the travel ["up"] position & is held in place due to spring force.



Here [photo below] is the centerstand in the deployed or "down" position. Note the tab at the top of the centerstand leg; that when in the travel position rests against the middle cap screw as the "stop" for the centerstand. You can see some slight "scuffing" of the tab where it rests against the stop / cap screw.



Here is the last photo from underneath the bike showing the orange / red arrow pointing to the centerstand leg on the shifter side of the bike. Also note - in an arc to the upper right - where the centerstand leg apparently impacts the frame tube slightly. Note the two round-ish points where the two hit or rub a little.



Hope that helps. If you need some other photos from different angles, let me know and I will try to get you what you need.

Dave

[motodavid2000]

Originally Posted by peter13

Your GS is the best setup one Ive ever seen..

Peter -

Thanks for looking at the thread. Are you referring to my BMW R1200GS / Adventure that I rode to the Arctic Ocean or my Suzuki DR650 that is the subject of this thread for South America ?

My BMW GS/A worked very well for me traveling to the Yukon Territory, Alaska, Prudhoe Bay and back. However, I want something simpler and lighter for the trip south.

regards - Dave

[Zapp22]

Originally Posted by motodavid2000

We were out riding instead of talking about it

How many miles did you do between last Thursday and Monday?[/QUOTE]

I would have more miles if it weren't for all the doggone paving of formerly interesting roads in these parts

[WeazyBuddha]

Nice build.

Looks like you have a fan: LINK

[Bronco638]

Thanks Dave, that's what I was curious about.

[pfy50]

DAVE,
Thank You for some inspiration on possible future project(DR650 for Baja and Central America trip). Did your welder make preformed cutouts of those subframe gussets or was it just eyeball. Asking if you/he has the forms with dimensions on them we might get a couple of photos of them when work allows.

Current project readying for Prudhoe Bay and D2D 2013(wr250r)


Paul

[motodavid2000]

Originally Posted by pfy50

DAVE,
Thank You for some inspiration on possible future project(DR650 for Baja and Central America trip). Did your welder make preformed cutouts of those subframe gussets or was it just eyeball. Asking if you/he has the forms with dimensions on them we might get a couple of photos of them when work allows.

Paul

Paul -

I suggest that you use card stock (such as on the back of a pad of paper) to make each of the gusset templates. The material is cheap, you can mark it easily with a Sharpie pen for making each template and it transfers easily to steel plate. I don't have any dimensions, but the card stock will work great for making a very exacting template for each gusset you want to fabricate.

I really like your setup with your Yamaha WR250 - super tanker fuel tank & all ! Great stuff.

I rode solo to Prudhoe in 2009 and my Ride Report to Prudhoe is in my signature line if you want to look at the routes I took. I highly recommend taking the Campbell across the Yukon Territory, rather than take the Alaska Highway north out of Watson Lake where the Signpost Forest is located. The southern terminus of the Campbell is in Watson Lake.

The Campbell was mostly dirt and gravel when I went and they are gradually paving it -- ride it while it is still partially dirt and gravel. It is a very lightly traveled and remote road - a blast to ride it solo. Take the South Canol Road out of Ross River if it is open - I did not ride the South Canol when I went as I was advised there were one or more bridges washed out when I fueled / overnighted in Ross River. The South Canol ends at Carcross and you can then go north on the Alaska Highway towards Dawson City for the D2D party.

Anyway, you will long remember the ride north - it is a great ride and let me know if I can provide any input to you on planned routes or trip prep. The Milepost is a great resource for planning this ride. I always take too much !

Dave