Suzuki DR650SE - the bottomless thread

[LuckyStriker]

Mr LuckyStricker, just a little thought.  What is your opinion of the very basic instrumentation that the stock DR650SE is blessed with? 

Replacing it with the one found on the Suzuki Djebel DR250XC (photo below) and some DRZ's would, IMHO, be nice.  It is a multi-function digital meter which adopts two trip meters in addition to the speedometer & odometer & stopwatch clock.  The second trip meter can also be programmed/set to count in reverse (down from a preset value).

A very good point Watty. I can't believe it slipped my mind.
The DR has a very, very primitive instrument cluster. There are only two user feedback devices (what a big word). An analogue speedometer (inaccurate I might ad) and a small cluster of three idiot lights: Brights, Neutral and Turn signal.

I am currently buttering up a shop to sell me an 'Endurance' bike computer for cheap.
Frankly there are only three things that I miss from the BMW: The clock, the ambient temperature gauge and of course the rev counter!

[LuckyStriker]

Think you call it a rectifier - piece of metal with fins getting rid of the extra electricity in the form of heat the alternator produces.  Don't know about the DR, but the KLR sure have one.  Alternative it might just be the engin - I guess it will be hotter than the (very modern  ) KLR's watercooled motor.

ah! I see my sarcasm is lost on you. The seat does not in truth heat up.
I speak of the pain due to the hard seat but didn't want to express my posterior discomfort in such a literal explanation

ek gaan nou ophou om groot woorde te gebruik

[sidetrack]

Nice thread. LS make sure the steering head bearings are greased well. Suzuki are known for being skimpy on grease. Same goes for the swingarm linkages. I understand your first impressions but a Suzuki grows on you I think Marlene are spot on with her Dakar screen.

[Kaboef]

What do you need an ambient temperature gauge for?

When you sweat, its warm
When you cant feel your hands, its cold.

easy peasy.

[sidetrack]

The most usefull gadget on a bike is a clock. Like Kaboef said, what are you going to do when it shows you it's hot or not 

[shark_za]

You have a GPS. Accurate time, and trip computer etc.
I never look at my clocks.

[growweblaar]

When you sweat, its warm
When you cant feel your hands, its cold.

No: when your butt is hot, but your hands are cold: it's cold, and you're on a DR650 

[bobnob]

nice going LS!!!

like your bike 

its really sweet!!!

i would say

1. build yourself a kick ass bash plate
2. leave the rear pegs off and use the peg point to connect to your home built panniers

 

i built myself some kick ass carriers for my tt but before i got to use them once the motor went boom 

[KiLRoy]

Sorry -  - i did mention the Corbin though 

H

[lecap]

A few DR thoughts:

Important instrument:
Trip counter. Tells me how far my tank is going to last and how far to the turnof I am trying to find. I still remember some basic maths from school. Don't need a computer to do the calculations for me.

Neutral light. Just helpful.

Less important:
Speedometer to avoid speeding fines.
Control light for indicator to explain why Mrs. LeCap keeps on hooting and making erratic hand signs.

Useless: High beam control light. State of headlight is clearly visible from switch position - whilst the control light hides behind the crossbar and brake line

Never felt the need for anything else. Rode KL650C (Euro model without rev counter) and DR650SE for the last seven years. Don't even look at the rev counter of the KL650A's any more.

Clock: I have a wristwatch.

I had a friend who put a oil temp gauge onto his XR600. From that moment on he was too worried to ride the damn thing. Told him to take the gauge off and throw it away and just ride.

Don't use heavier (thicker) fork oil on the DR. If you want some more progression decrease the air volume / raise the oil level but stick with the 10W.
Thicker oil makes the fork ill responding and will cause it to bottom out and jump if the bike is pushed hard.

Waiting for my Clarke Tank
and a quote for the OEM Suzuki (!) bash plate.
Will report soon.

[Freez]

Here is your answer for a nice display. They go for around R850 to R900.

I have used them before on the quad bikes, and I see they make a unit specifically for the DR650.



This is what it's got.

Speedometer:
Current Speed
Maximum Speed
Selectable MPH/KMH Display
 
Tachometer:
Real-Time RPM Bar Graph
Numeric RPM Readout
Dual Programmable Shift Lights
Up to 20,000 RPM
 
Temperature:
Ambient Temperature
Engine Temperature
Dual Programmable Temp Lights
Exact Model Fit Temperature Sensors
Selectable °F/°C Display
 
Distance:
Adjustable Distance
Permanent Odometer
Selectable Mile/Kilometer Display

 Clock:
Hour Meter
Stop Watch
Ride Time
Accumulated Ride Time
permanent Hour Meter
Selectable 12/24 Hour Display
 
Power Input :
Includes Power Connection Fits All Machines
Accepts Any Power Input - AC/DC
Auto Switch to Internal Power if External is Removed
Permanent Memory Guarantees Data is Never Lost
 
Value Added :
Custom Designed for Exact Model Fit
All Parts Included to Complete Installation
One Year Warranty
Unlimited Free Trail Tech Phone and Email Support
Waterproof Connections Included
Bright White Backlit LCD Display
Accessory Dashboards for Most Applications


You also get accessories to round them off a bit.






I myself ride a XT660R and I love the bike. Itâ??s not as fast as a 1000cc BMW or the big KTM's, bit hell the parts are cheap, tyres last me ease 12 000 Km's plus, I service it every 8000 km/s, I can cruse 160 easy if needed, the bike is fuel injected, water cooled and runs just fine. Why need a big old clunk of metal, thatâ??s heavier, uses more fuel and all the rest.

They can keep their big bikes, a 650cc is more than fine for me.

[KiLRoy]

Dirbagz are the best softluggage system - period. Comes with a bracket - have one for the DR.  I get a group discount, will get some in end of year

Cheers
Hein

http://www.moto-sportpanniers.com/dirtbagz/

[LuckyStriker]

Here is your answer for a nice display.

*drool*

[bobnob]

hi LS here is an idea for you

have it on my TT

very accurate

2 trip meters
1 odo motor (up to 99999km)
clock
avg trip time
etc

when the battery runs flat you can reset the odo (so if you have 12450km on the clock you can set it back to 12450km)



cost R120

ps: you can get models that will calculate the kilojoules burnt on your way to work as well 

[Ratsalad]

Great thread this!
I've found a R149,95 cycling pants under my jeans makes a bigger difference than I expected.
I'd add a cheap digital clock somewhere as my wristwatch is usually hiding under a jacket and gloves.
Also wish I could make a plan with the tripmeter as the kids like climbing on my bike and  turn knobs and I use it to see when I must put in petrol.
So, to add to LeCaps list,

• some of those heavy duty inner tubes
• more agressive knobblies
• a Scottoiler
• cycling pants
• digital clock to stick somewhere where I can see it.

[LuckyStriker]

I agree on the knobblies Bliknêrs
the standard trailwings are next to useless in mud

I also think one should fit heavy duty tubes together with sludge if you go on a tough trip like Kaokoland or Angola

[LuckyStriker]

Thanks Lecap for this thread:

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=11319.0

I would rather have a bulletproof tyre than a bulletproof tube
thick tubes are tough to remove, patch and reinstall ...or so I'm told

[shark_za]

That brings up a sore point. Sore every time I do it. Fitting a thick tube kills my hands, just getting the valve through the rim is the problem.
Ox had this lekka tool to do it, drop the wire through the rim, screw into the valve and pull.
Pulls the valve through the hole, all done.,

Ox, how much and where?

[Trailrider]

have it on my TT

very accurate

2 trip meters
1 odo motor (up to 99999km)
clock
avg trip time
etc

Available at a bicycle shop I guess? Very handy.

[topbox]

some only do 99

Get the Sigma, it has the third digit up to 199