the DR650 thread

[Mongle]

Originally Posted by 3DChief

In addition to the bedliner spray, I also have the HD tube strips between the frame and skid plate. I didn't notice much, if any difference. My KLR 250 with the same treatment on the skid plate is way worse for reflecting noise, my DR 650 is quiet by comparison! Can't hear either with my earplugs in. Good point about the closed cell foam, I didn't think about the buffer pad-type material filling up with dirt and turning into a brick.


Tim

Anyone ever try that Dynamat ( I think that is what it is called) the car stereo guys use in trunks? Might be a good alternative.

I noticed my DR650 when I first put the skid plate on. Now, it is just the music it makes. Now if I don't hear stuff I get worried.

The dyno room has ruined my hearing. If we are out anywhere that has "noisy" dining area I can't hear anyone say shit. I just nod and smile. I have gotten where I wear ear plugs on long trips or if I ride the highway. Makes the ride more enjoyable.

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by neo1piv014

As a fairly young guy who actually has noticed a little bit of hearing damage since I started riding a few years ago, I definitely second this. I ride with tight fitting ear buds in when I'm on long trips or commuting, though I'm sure they're not helping as much as real plugs would. Do you ride with any kind of music/sound system in your helmet? If I didn't have music and podcasts, I'm not sure I'd ever use my bike to commute.

This is a common question. Guys think riding with ear buds they are OK ... and they are partly right! You are protecting your hearing from low frequency wind damage.

BUT ... if you crank up the Tunes ... this will also take a toll on your hearing over time.

At speed we tend to listen LOUDer and LOUDer as the day goes on ... and we've all read the studies about the Japanese teenagers going deaf from listening to their Walkman/Nano too LONG and too LOUD. Tens of thousands affected in Japan.

With hearing damage its not just db levels ... it's duration of the abuse and proximity or source of the sound to your ear drum. Ear buds are in close proximity to your ear drum ... and more worrisome ... they SEAL up your ear canal providing NO venting ...which is critical to prevent damage. Loud Ear Buds inserted ALL THE WAY IN ... really can hammer your ear drums when cranked up to max.

In my industry very few use Ear Buds for this reason. We use open air headphones ... and take them off for loud transients or gun shots.
If you listen riding ... try to keep the volume down. Over time you'll get used to a lower level.

[dogjaw]

just talked to SC, sounds like they have some very ambitious projects coming down the road for the old DR...


...their own seat pan, will be selling a complete SC saddle for around 250.00

...an aftermarket rear fender with integral tail light, if I understood correctly

...a luggage set designed specifically for the DR




....and a combination of an oversize tank with matching Dakar-type fairing!!!!!

sounds pretty dang sweet to me!

[gofast1320]

Originally Posted by neo1piv014

As a fairly young guy who actually has noticed a little bit of hearing damage since I started riding a few years ago, I definitely second this. I ride with tight fitting ear buds in when I'm on long trips or commuting, though I'm sure they're not helping as much as real plugs would. Do you ride with any kind of music/sound system in your helmet? If I didn't have music and podcasts, I'm not sure I'd ever use my bike to commute.

Get you some helmet speakers like J&M or whatever. Use them and wear ear plugs. You'll be fine. You will notice you can turn the music on, set it at a level you can hear it and leave it. You will be amazed that at the end of the day you haven't had to turn it up as the day went on. This will protect your hearing and allow you to enjoy your tunes.

[planemanx15]

Originally Posted by gofast1320

Get you some helmet speakers like J&M or whatever. Use them and wear ear plugs. You'll be fine. You will notice you can turn the music on, set it at a level you can hear it and leave it. You will be amazed that at the end of the day you haven't had to turn it up as the day went on. This will protect your hearing and allow you to enjoy your tunes.

My friends and I bought these a couple of years ago. They still work great and I can play music all the time while wearing ear plugs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BT-interph...item2c62b76867

[GsVs]

Cool ...

More options for the old DR ... is always good !!!

Originally Posted by dogjaw

just talked to SC, sounds like they have some very ambitious projects coming down the road for the old DR...


...their own seat pan, will be selling a complete SC saddle for around 250.00

...an aftermarket rear fender with integral tail light, if I understood correctly

...a luggage set designed specifically for the DR




....and a combination of an oversize tank with matching Dakar-type fairing!!!!!

sounds pretty dang sweet to me!

[gofast1320]

The left side bar end vibration dampener thing on the end of the stock handlebar keeps trying to come out. The PO must have read the things about fasteners on stock bikes being loose and went beserko tightening ANYTHING with threads. I have yet to touch a fastener that has not taken an unbelievable amount of force to undo.
Back to the vibration dampener thing. I thought maybe I could loosen the Phillips head screw to relax it and then shove it all the way back in the bar and retighten it thereby expanding the rubber part. That screw won't budge. What do I need to get ? The whole thing, the rubber part and the screw or some aftermarket one that works better.
Thanks

[Magnum Noel]

Originally Posted by gofast1320

The left side bar end vibration dampener thing on the end of the stock handlebar keeps trying to come out. The PO must have read the things about fasteners on stock bikes being loose and went beserko tightening ANYTHING with threads. I have yet to touch a fastener that has not taken an unbelievable amount of force to undo.
Back to the vibration dampener thing. I thought maybe I could loosen the Phillips head screw to relax it and then shove it all the way back in the bar and retighten it thereby expanding the rubber part. That screw won't budge. What do I need to get ? The whole thing, the rubber part and the screw or some aftermarket one that works better.
Thanks

Try using an impact driver, carefully , at first by hand but if no luck then a couple of taps with a hammer may work. It did for me when I had the same problem. Good luck.

[SCExpat]

Originally Posted by doug s.

if it otherwise looks decent, you could always offer $1500, and then walk away if the seller says no...

doug s.

This idea fits my cheap arse just fine. A good deal plus I can get some farkles and still not have much $$$ in it.

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

A very good point ... and valid reason for concern. When buying ... and I've bought over 50 bikes ... a good idea to have close look at the seller. How is his garage kept? Does he keep maintenance logs? Lots can be learned from his answers regards maintenance or "fixes" he has done on the bike.

All that said ... as I said before ... the DR is a pretty tough customer and can handle abuse well. Still ... a hard used bike would never be my first choice. Good luck! Good shopping.

Good tips. Then I thought about how my garage looks. Time for a clean up.

Part of the fun of buying another bike is the hunt. I enjoy scanning CL and the newspaper seeing what is available. I don't want this to be over too soon as I may end up looking more and getting yet another bike.

[Rusty Rocket]

Originally Posted by Sic Semper Tyrannis

more here:

http://www.bikeexif.com/suzuki-dr650

That would look sweet next to my Penton

[Chucksklrst]

Looking for pictures of DR650's with the ProCycle laminar wind shield.

As I have narrowed my search down to Pro Cycle http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html#bodyframe

or Screens for Bikes. http://www.screensforbikes.com/gallery/suzuki/dr-650/

Please post or send me any pictures you have of a DR650 with the Pro Cycle shield, Thanks

[mountaincadre]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

As a sound recording pro ... I agree. I've done many many similar rants on ADV ... most riders just ignore ... if falls on "deaf ears" .

Everybody has an excuse, like, "... plugs are too uncomfortable", " ... they don't fit my ear canals". "... too expensive". " ... too much trouble to put in and out". Yada Yada. Got an issue? Get a tissue!

As you say, hearing loss is no joke. And yes ... it's the low freq buffeting from wind noise that does damage to the tiny Scilia around the ear drum. First you loose ability to hear high frequencies ... makes understanding speech in a noisy place hard. Goes downhill from there.

So easy to protect your hearing. At least wear them on long rides ... and learn how to insert them properly .... many riders do it wrong.

RANT OFF!

Agree with eveything you say, just wish i had listened(forgive the pun) years ago, now i have trouble hearing even normal conversations.How do you put them in right out of interest.

[Chucksklrst]

Originally Posted by Chucksklrst

Looking for pictures of DR650's with the ProCycle laminar wind shield.

As I have narrowed my search down to Pro Cycle http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html#bodyframe

or Screens for Bikes. http://www.screensforbikes.com/gallery/suzuki/dr-650/

Please post or send me any pictures you have of a DR650 with the Pro Cycle shield, Thanks

I suppose I should introduce myself to the DR650 Folks here. HI. Sold my 97 KLR650 of 10 years, last July as I found that my Wee650 overlapped too much. Wife was very happy about the sale. (She does not like me to ride in the back country). Came home with a DR650 in Sept, thinking it would take me were the Wee wont go and that the DR is easier to man handle than the KLR was on the 4x4 mountain passes here in Colorado. Wife was not Happy to say the least. I am an old fart, 63 to be exact. Looking and shopping for DR farkels over the winter. Cant wait for the snow to melt in the High Country. Wanna GO RIDE.

Chuck Henderson (US Army RET 1968-1991) (Forever Home – Colorado) STOC# 086, KLRST# 001
RIDE a little FASTER, RIDE a little FURTHER
03 ST1300 ABS (Silver STorm) 09 DL650 ABS (Weezer)
10 ST700 (Now & Then) 08 DR650

[Rusty Rocket]

Originally Posted by Chucksklrst

Wanna GO RIDE.

Is that an invitation or just a statement?

Welcome Chuck. My wife justifies her anxieties by telling herself, "at least he's not out bar-hopping" and she likes the idea that I'm getting a cardio workout.

I'll be 60 this summer.

[procycle]

Originally Posted by Chucksklrst

(She does not like me to ride in the back country).

Get yourself a SPOT satellite tracker. It will go a long way toward calming your wife's fears. If I remember correctly the tracking subscription is around $150/year. Absolutely worth every penny.