DR650 set up for the long haul

[Bartman10]

Cheers Clint. Gotta update the website soon I guess, just been a bit busy with other stuff.

The bikes are now heading to Korea! Cool. Lets hope they don't get lost or stolen!

I recon the DR will be pretty good, too. There were a host of reasons for choosing them. Some people recon a KTM or BMW would be better, but cost and height (Jane ain't that tall) put us off them. The KLR is also a big bike.

The tank has been a bit of a sticking point. Probably would have been a good idea but finances are a bit tight and we were keen to put those tank panniers on. The tanks may be a pain up the rear, but I don't think they'll be a show stopper.

Cheers,

Mark

[Navigator]

Hi Bartman,

I just came across your posting (having not previously heard of thr site) whilst looking for the availability of Ortlieb bags in NZ. My friend Danny and I have spent the last 13 months riding two F650's from England to Malaysia. The bikes are currently on a ship bound for Christchurch (due to arrive 24/05). I'll arrive in XC on 10th May and Danny a week later. We sent all our snowboarding gear to NZ before we left and are looking forward to a seasons boarding before we tour the two islands. We know of four fellow overlanders on the road at present riding DR650's. I've no idea where you are in NZ but if you're on the South Island anf fancy a beer and a chat - I'm sure you've got loads of questions - let me know. Godd luk with the planning - getting excited yet!?

All the Best

Navigator

[Bartman10]

Hi Bartman,

I just came across your posting (having not previously heard of thr site) whilst looking for the availability of Ortlieb bags in NZ.

Ortlieb bags are distributed by outsider mountain sports
www.oms.co.nz give them a call. They're pretty expensive, but probably worth it.

My friend Danny and I have spent the last 13 months riding two F650's from England to Malaysia. The bikes are currently on a ship bound for Christchurch (due to arrive 24/05).

Well how about that! I'll be in Christchurch from the 27th of May. If you need a hand at the port send me a private message. I have a van, tools, and workshop available in Christchurch.

I'll arrive in XC on 10th May and Danny a week later. We sent all our snowboarding gear to NZ before we left and are looking forward to a seasons boarding before we tour the two islands.

Great snowboarding in SI. North island can be good too. Season typically runs from early June to September.

We know of four fellow overlanders on the road at present riding DR650's. I've no idea where you are in NZ but if you're on the South Island anf fancy a beer and a chat -

I'm in Wellington until the 27th of May, from then I'll be in Christchurch, and I always fancy a beer!

I'm sure you've got loads of questions - let me know. Godd luk with the planning - getting excited yet!?

All the Best

Navigator

Planning is mostly done! The bikes are en-route to Korea now. We pick them up early June.

Cheers,

Bartman.

[Bartman10]

Quick update on the DR front.

Recap. I set up the DR up for a trip across Russia. We got to Russia about a month ago.

We've done about 5,000 ks over pretty rough terain here in Russia, including a rough 2000 km section which was all roadworks across the former Zilov gap (those Long Way Round fans will remeber that Boorman and Co took the train across this section) That's right 2000 km road works! That's about the length of NZ from Cape to Bluff. The road was pretty potholed and carved up. They've built the road using the only construction method they know - the same as the railway line! Heaping masses of gravel across the swamp. The whole lot seems to be moving a lot and I don't think that sealing it will ever work. Unfortunately I can't load photos just at the moment.

We went for minimum weight carrying only a tent, sleeping bag and 1 set of clothes each. We're running Conti TKC80's and they have been awesome, holding up well on all surfaces. We couriered a spare set of tyres ahead, which we pick up in about 1600 km. Only one flat so far on Jane's bike when she hit a sharp bit of metal.

We are running stock DR650 petrol tanks. I thought that range would be a problem but fuel is very widely available here, even in unpopulated areas, thanks to the soviet war machine; they distributed fuel very widely. Furthest we've had to go so far for fuel is 200 km, even though we've spent quite a bit of time off the main roads.

Also been running stock shocks and stock seat, with a bit of sheepskin. No problems so far with either, but have bottomed out a couple of times in big potholes on rear shock.

Conditions have been very dusty and I've been cleaning the air filter every 1 or 2 days

Overall ecconomy has been about 21 km/l.

Running 92 octane and 95 whenever possible. Temperature has been hovering around 30 degrees, sometimes hotter.

I found some Shell Advance synthetic oil at great expense, but it seems to be doing the trick.

We're near lake Baikal now. Lake Baikal is fasinating. Do a search if you're interested.

Russia is biker and camper heaven. Plenty of rivers and good tent sites. Plenty of roads, not many cars, plenty of fuel.

Haven't seen any bears or tigers yet, except stuffed ones. Biggest headache has been mosquitos.

We saw a couple of guys on BMW's but they'd been struggling with the weight of their machines. They'd attemped Mongolia but bailed out after about 100 km due to high river levels.

Summary: DR's have been fantastic in pretty testing conditions.

www.russiantraverse.co.nz

Cheers,

Mark.

[tri boy]

Thanks for the update.
Happy travels.

[merv]

Good to hear from you mate and that things are going well.

[NordieBoy]

Go the DR's

Oh, and your good selves of course.

[martinz]

Do you happen to have a list of the specs or part #'s for all the screws you replaced? Great idea!

[NordieBoy]

May be some time in responding.
Bartman10 last posted in this thread in 2007 and last posted on KiwiBiker 2 years ago.

[dino3310]

good to reserect the thread though theres some info in here for DR noobs