Martin's Suzuki DR650

[Martin-DR650]

dr @ 56K BRAND NEW ... KTM640 @ say 60K with 30 thousand on the clock. Nope, don't think so.

The nice thing about the dr is every oke can make it into what he wants, from a motard to an outright adventure bike - or both!! And you'll pay less pesos than you did for a purpose made bike like the 640 adventure. Oh ... and you also do the customization all yourself - that's satisfying!

+ 10

[Martin-DR650]

With all the things I upgraded my DR with,

It's not near the Price the KTM640 would have cost me. . . .

And then Im not even talking bout the servicing the bike. . .



(...but I wanted a KTM640 )

So mad the bike got discontinued. . . Would have bought one in the future

[Martin-DR650]

For me It was between the new KLR (euuwwh )

OR a DR: And build the thing up to my needs.

So thats what I did,and look at the outcome. . .

[Rolf]

It loos awesome. I am a bit worried about the removed chain roller though 

[jenks]

Removal of top chain roller is essential. It connects with the chain if the suspension compresses and proceeds to rip a chunk out of your frame. It's a must do! 

[jenks]

The front of my bash plate attaches to a modified lower forward engine mount. No protruding bolts, "crumple zone" mounting protects engine & frame cradle in case of heavy impact. Footpeg bracket bolts protected. Impact ramps protect the mounting bolts at the rear.

Nice lecap! Did you weld lugs onto the plate to attach to the engine mounts??

[Ganjora]

very nice bash plate....
i'm getting 1 soon,
pitty santa's not playing along this year...
holding on for a carb...

[Martin-DR650]

It loos awesome. I am a bit worried about the removed chain roller though 

I didnt want to remove it at first,and eventually after 8000km's I took it off,
Apperantly the DR's are well known to rip the chain-roller out of the frame,and so I just took it off to be safe.

[Rob_A]

I am in two minds about removing the side stand switch. The reason for saying this is that one day, after riding 600+ kms off road and was rather tired and also lost, I tried to start the bike to get going again. Needless to say it did not because the stand was down. This has never happened to me again but just proved  that it is possible. Surely it is good enough to just know how to bypass it should it fail - it is there for a reason. If one fails to oil the side stand it does also not flick all the way up when you kick it with your foot. Any opinions on this?

[MalcolmX]

For me It was between the new KLR (euuwwh )

OR a DR: And build the thing up to my needs.

So thats what I did,and look at the outcome. . .

Versigtig seun, versigtig...

[jenks]

I'm also in two minds

I think that switch fails because of the impact from the kickstand. I always guide the kickstand back gently   Dunno if it helps - but it makes me feel good.

[Martin-DR650]

I am in two minds about removing the side stand switch. The reason for saying this is that one day, after riding 600+ kms off road and was rather tired and also lost, I tried to start the bike to get going again. Needless to say it did not because the stand was down. This has never happened to me again but just proved  that it is possible. Surely it is good enough to just know how to bypass it should it fail - it is there for a reason. If one fails to oil the side stand it does also not flick all the way up when you kick it with your foot. Any opinions on this?

Are you then "aan die slaap" ? ?(no-offence)

LOL,CLIMBING ON YOUR BIKE AND KICKING THE SIDESTAND UP AND MAKING SURE WITH YOUR FOOT THAT YOU DID IT CORRECTLY BEFORE YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON OR GIVING IT THROTTLE---SHOULD BE SECOND NATURE!!!!!! 

(unless you a new biker,and still learning,the sidestand switch is good...)

[Martin-DR650]

For me It was between the new KLR (euuwwh )

OR a DR: And build the thing up to my needs.

So thats what I did,and look at the outcome. . .

Versigtig meneer, versigtig...

Moet asb net nie vir my se jy gaan 'n KLR koop nie?

[MalcolmX]

For me It was between the new KLR (euuwwh )

OR a DR: And build the thing up to my needs.

So thats what I did,and look at the outcome. . .

Versigtig meneer, versigtig...

Moet asb net nie vir my se jy gaan 'n KLR koop nie?

Is jy......?
Miskien trap jy op ander honde se tone....
DRZ E is volgende op my lysie...

[Martin-DR650]

DRZ E is volgende op my lysie... [/quote]

nice ...

[Rob_A]

I am in two minds about removing the side stand switch. The reason for saying this is that one day, after riding 600+ kms off road and was rather tired and also lost, I tried to start the bike to get going again. Needless to say it did not because the stand was down. This has never happened to me again but just proved  that it is possible. Surely it is good enough to just know how to bypass it should it fail - it is there for a reason. If one fails to oil the side stand it does also not flick all the way up when you kick it with your foot. Any opinions on this?

Are you then "aan die slaap" ? ?(no-offence)

LOL,CLIMBING ON YOUR BIKE AND KICKING THE SIDESTAND UP AND MAKING SURE WITH YOUR FOOT THAT YOU DID IT CORRECTLY BEFORE YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON OR GIVING IT THROTTLE---SHOULD BE SECOND NATURE!!!!!! 

(unless you a new biker,and still learning,the sidestand switch is good...)

One hundred per cent correct  Martin, I was "aan die slaap" - been riding non stop for twelve hours, lost, running out of fuel and it was past my bed time. "SECOND NATURE !!!!!!" also means not falling off your bike, not forgetting to shave in the morning etc - it happens to us lesser mere mortals.  Been riding bikes for about thirty six years now. 

[Martin-DR650]

One hundred per cent correct  Martin, I was "aan die slaap" - been riding non stop for twelve hours, lost, running out of fuel and it was past my bed time. "SECOND NATURE !!!!!!" also means not falling off your bike, not forgetting to shave in the morning etc - it happens to us lesser mere mortals.  Been riding bikes for about thirty six years now.  [/quote]

Haha,My mistake,But I understand those things still happens sometimes. . .
(It can be your age aswell? )
Maar ek't besluit om daai ding af te haal eerder,baie keere op 'n trip dan sal ek my bike op die side stand trek dat die agterwiel in die lug staan en hom lube,maar met dai switch kan jy nie sulke goed doen nie,dis 'n gesukel.
So baie beter af as op.

Ek moet nou net nog my clutch 1 af haal.

[Martin-DR650]

So as most of you know I had a freak accident about 3months ago  - http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=56433.0

And the bike was pretty much a near write-off,we actually went in to the dealer to take some of the stuff of the list,just to bring the amount down to not loose my DR.

On the pics from far away the bike didn't look that bad,but quite some damage...
Bend frame,broken/smashed exhaust,handlebar,bend rear wheel,plastics farked....

So after battling more than 3months with the pathetic insurance company,they finally payed out and I could start ordering the new parts I need.

Suzuki South can only rebuild my bike into the new frame beginning 2011 (so I hope ) .
So today I went and got some of the parts so long...

*Leo Vince X3
*Pro Taper Handlebar
*Rear Indicators


It's been a tough few months and I cant wait to get back on the bike...


Will keep you updated.

[lecap]

I hope you did not give the poor guys at S South hell.
Got some guy on my back giving me kark about his pile of scrap which takes time to rebuild thanks to patchy spares supply

[Martin-DR650]

I just pray everything goes smoothly...Dont like them at S South doing the rebuild into the new frame,think I'll organize to be there the whole day/time their doing it.
Like to keep an eye on things...