Herewith a short write-up on the performance of my DR, after I fitted the "Matie Spearo Tapered Needle".

I never wanted to modify my air box, and only had a performance canister fitted, with jetting done. Did not even had the snorkel removed!

Matie Spearo offered to hand taper me an OEM DR needle. He burnt the midnight oil for a few nights! Thank you Matie!

Before I fitted the tapered needle, I removed the snorkel and drilled a 50mm hole next to the snorkel's hole.

I previously had a 150 main jet in, needle on the 3/5 position, 42,5 pilot and airscrew about 1,5 turns out.

When I fitted the tapered needle, the engine, when started immediately felt different, as if a beast was unleashed withinin it. The idling was however slightly rough.

Matie initially advised me to retain the 150 main jet, as the thinner tapered needle results in an enriched mixture.

Matie advised me to fit a 45 pilot, which I had at home, and turn the airscrew 2.5 turns out, to improve the idling.

That done, I took it for a quick spin at night around the block. It definitely felt stronger, but I expected a bit more.

That Friday, I joined a few other riders for a 3 day ride in Swaziland. This was the first time I could really assess the modifications on the DR.
I don't wheelie the DR, except in the veld, where with the aid of a small bump I can lift the front wheel.
With the tapered needle I was expecting an improvement in the bottom to mid range. With the pull away at Jeppes Reef Border Post, the border personnel dared me to lift the front wheel. To my own amazement it came up under power with ease

!
Accelaration has vastly improved, and 120 cruising is at about 1/2 throttle.
When cruising at 140km/h, twisting of the throttle results in immediate acceleration.
It cruises at 140km/h with ease.
It was ridden quite hard in Swaziland, but my fuel consumption came to 15.5km/l.
I am sure that at a constant 120km/h cruise it will achieve 20km/l.
I am thrilled with the new-found performance of my DR!

I have 2 DRs, and wondering if Matie would taper me a 2nd needle?