The DR650 thread

[Waihou Thumper]

Hi guys.
Do any of you have a spare securing slot/bracket for the seat to attach to the 30 litre Safari Tank?
I have the tank, a hole but the seat still comes away from the tank even sitting on it. It looks like it needs the original bracket that screws in I think? and I don't have one....
My fuel tank (original has nothing there on the back?)

Cheers...

[Waihou Thumper]

After a call to Safari, they provided measurements.
So, it cost me a four pack of bourbon and coke for the local engineers in town.

[bobjac]

now you have two

[nooles]

Gidday guy's and girls, I'm after some real life been there done it info that worked for you and your bike.

I'm crossing Aussie from Perth to Byron Bay (7500 ks) in 14 days across the centre, watch the Finke race etc and cross the Simpson. From there im going to take a couple of months and ride around the outside.

Bike is DR650 all setup ready to go but is running a 525 chain and sprockets, I've only ever run 520 on my DR750 and have read that people change 650's to 520 to give them better access to different size sprockets and to run 750 sprockets on the front as they have a bigger shoulder and 3 bolt quick change plate on them.
Who has ridden in Aussies sand and what sprockets did you use on your 650, then on the long stretches what ratio did you chuck on. Also chain care, did you wax or lube or go in dry!!!
Also rivited or chain link
Any info appreciated

[ducatijim]

Gidday guy's and girls, I'm after some real life been there done it info that worked for you and your bike.

Hush..........I can just hear the approaching stampede of experts as the race toward their keybordes now!

Sit back with a coffee and wait to be entertained.

[bart]

I can't help you, but there'll be plenty of people over here that can...

http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32

[R650R]

Sit back with a coffee and wait to be entertained.

Sand is sand is all ill say....

[MarkH]

My side racks hadn't arrived in time for the trip last weekend, once I got home I found a letter asking for me to pay GST (plus their other BS charges).
I rang them last Monday and then emailed the address they gave me with details showing that the amount I paid included the GST, they had taken the the total amount and added shipping costs to get over NZ$400 and decided to charge me GST. Once I gave them the right info they cancelled the charges and released the package.

Now with both the large rear rack and the side racks mounted on the bike I feel like I'm more prepared to load up for camping trips and to explore wherever I like.

The DR took a bit of a hammering on that 42 traverse ride last weekend, but proved itself to be capable.
The 2 biggest limitations I ran into were:
- tyres not having aggressive enough tread
- rider not being skilled and/or experienced enough

The bike itself never held me back.
I was never short of power, handling or anything.

I'm now thinking that I need to get comfortable with pulling off the wheels and changing the tyres whenever needed. I'm wanting to buy some aggressive knobbly tyres but only mount them for true off-road trips, using older tyres or 50/50 tyres for general exploring on sealed & gravel roads. Running good aggressive knobbly tyres would have been great on the 42nd traverse track and on old Whangamomona road, but normal road and gravel riding would have them severely worn down in no time.

I did find after getting home that some bolts were working loose, I guess it pays to periodically go over the bike and check screws & bolts tightening up as needed.
My speedo signal wires (electrical signal for Vapor dash) had managed to get loose and rub against the tyre, quick repair in Taumarunui got it working but I'll do a better repair with solder & heat shrink tubing.
My left rear indicator also failed, I pulled it off and dismantled the thing to find a broken wire, stripped & soldered it and it is working fine again.

Of the 22 bikes on the 42 traverse ride there were several DR650s but not 1 single KLR650, glad I didn't buy a KLR because that bodywork would have got fucked up real bad.
No expensive damage at all on the DR despite several drops, only a couple of things needed straightening, bolts needed tightening and wires needed soldering - nothing to be worried about at all.
With each outing on the DR650 I become more and more convinced that I bought the right bike for what I want.

[nooles]

Hush..........I can just hear the approaching stampede of experts as the race toward their keybordes now!

Sit back with a coffee and wait to be entertained.

Ok, ducatijim I know you've done it so what did you use or did you run stock gearing?? , the bike is loaded with gear, 35L tank, 10L fuel bladder and 12L of water.

[NordieBoy]

Gearing depends on what speed you want to be able to run at.
Just make sure you don't labor the engine in the deep sand. Drop it down a cog and keep the revs up.

Dropping a tooth on the front should be enough with the DR's mighty torque.

I'd run 15/46, but we don't want to go there

[nooles]

Gearing depends on what speed you want to be able to run at.
Just make sure you don't labor the engine in the deep sand. Drop it down a cog and keep the revs up.

Dropping a tooth on the front should be enough with the DR's mighty torque.

I'd run 15/46, but we don't want to go there

Thanks Nordie, I found your post from were Bart sent me (cheers Bart) from a few years ago. That Ratio appears to be what alot of guy's are running so i'll throw that on her and give her heaps

[ducatijim]

Ok, ducatijim I know you've done it so what did you use or did you run stock gearing?? , the bike is loaded with gear, 35L tank, 10L fuel bladder and 12L of water.

Youre nearly right Nooles, I have done a wee bit of Oz, but not a Simpson crossing. Too old and infirm to ever do now either :-(

I will give you a wee 'snifter' and see how much haranguing I get before I wade in boots n all! ( I would happily talk on fone/get together over a brew , I'm not a total cunt)!

Chain....do convert to 520, more sprocket choices and spares availability 'outback'.

Gearing....I carry 13/14/15 cs( std final drive), held on with a circlip....= 5 min roadside ratio change.( throw away all the crappy gards)

Don't listen to wot wankers say about Opal, dr will run just fine on it.

17" rear can be very difficult to randomly get tyres for outback; all locals use moto/endo bikes on either 18 or 19" rears, so that's wots on every shelf. Plan ahead/carry or convert.

Get in touch if you like, there is little I like better than a wee reminisce.

[speights_bud]

Ok, ducatijim I know you've done it so what did you use or did you run stock gearing?? , the bike is loaded with gear, 35L tank, 10L fuel bladder and 12L of water.

What fuel bladders do you guys use? The old man bought one in from Aussie for the SV thou. Did skippers pass etc 2 up.

After using it down south for 2 weeks it appears that the neck design and materials are a bit shit and the fuel has made the materials go all grippy so the neck plug requires pliers to remove...

[Waihou Thumper]

What fuel bladders do you guys use? The old man bought one in from Aussie for the SV thou. Did skippers pass etc 2 up.

After using it down south for 2 weeks it appears that the neck design and materials are a bit shit and the fuel has made the materials go all grippy so the neck plug requires pliers to remove...

I used these....and still do.
They are from Australia.
I have had these for over 5 years, a 5 litre and a 10 litre, no worries mate as they say...

http://liquidcontainment.com.au/

[speights_bud]

He got their 4 litre one :
http://liquidcontainment.com.au/cart...ouring-Bladder

Looking at the selection I would have gone for the Jerry can style.