DR650 - the big dilemma

[Beddhist]

The dreaded day is almost upon me when my trusty old DR's visitors registration runs out. (Meaning it's been on the road here on French plates for 18 months.) I've been thinking all along that it won't be worth doing compliance testing, as the cost of that and the required mods would be too high to make it worth while. To do that would require a new headlight and front disc, possibly a new muffler (hard to find, because of the pannier rack).

The bike has carried me half way around the planet (literally) and it has almost 200k on the clock. The engine still runs like when I bought it, uses next to no oil and has never been opened.

The idea was to break it up and sell the parts, then buy another bike later on. Looking on Trademe and Sella I can't find any parts, so I'm wondering whether breaking it is financially feasible.

On the other hand I guess it would cost me 300-800$ in parts alone to get it registered.

Any ideas, thoughts? Does anybody know a bike wrecker selling DR650 parts?

Kind regards,
Peter.
http://beddha.free.fr

[Monstaman]

Wow with that many memories, miles and travel I would shift her into the lounge and keep her warm by the fire.

Seriously I would struggle to let a bike go that has served me like that.

[Eddieb]

I agree with Andi.

However, if you do decide to break her let me know how much you'd want for the tank and mounting bracket, and the seat.

Eddie

[5150]

I agree with Andi.

However, if you do decide to break her let me know how much you'd want for the tank and mounting bracket, and the seat.

Eddie

Voultures are circling

[Beddhist]

Wow with that many memories, miles and travel I would shift her into the lounge and keep her warm by the fire.

Seriously I would struggle to let a bike go that has served me like that.

Sadly, it's a lot worse for me: I still have two BMWs in a rented shed. The older, an R75/5 I bought in 1979 in Germany, when I was 20. It was my first big bike. The sulphur in Rotorua has destroyed them both. I will have to break those as well.

Voultures are circling

At least it confirms that the high-value items will be sold quickly.

Seriously, though, I try not to attach myself to material things. We will lose them anyway.

[NordieBoy]

Borrow a front wheel, muffler and headlight to get it legal then swap them back.

The old ones will probably be enough for WoF purposes, just not the more stringent VIN/Registration.

[Night Falcon]

Borrow a front wheel, muffler and headlight to get it legal then swap them back.

The old ones will probably be enough for WoF purposes, just not the more stringent VIN/Registration.

+ 1 on that plan ...an don't go to VTNZ for a warrant....find a good bike shop.... you know what i'm talkin about...nudge nudgewink wink

[jafar]

Have you thought of contacting suzuki nz & seeing if they want to buy it back? A DR with that many K's on it may be of interest to them

[Eddieb]

Borrow a front wheel, muffler and headlight to get it legal then swap them back.

The old ones will probably be enough for WoF purposes, just not the more stringent VIN/Registration.

+1

There are new front discs on trade me for about $70. Unless the exhaust is really stuffed could you borrow a few extra discs to quieten it down for the test?

[Beddhist]

Borrow a front wheel, muffler and headlight to get it legal then swap them back.

The old ones will probably be enough for WoF purposes, just not the more stringent VIN/Registration.

Thanks Fran, that's an excellent idea. I have done that once before with the wheel, as the disc has become very thin and failed a WoF. That one will need to be changed, though.

The muffler is stuffed, it has already broken off 3 times and in China it got blown right off. VTNZ did say, however, that it might pass. The h/l needs to be changed, because it dazzles oncoming traffic, being r/h drive.

Somehow I don't think Suzuki would be interested in buying an old dunger...

Thanks for the tip with the discs on Trademe, I'll check them out.

That leaves the big Q with that noisy 5th gear...

@ Other DR riders: if you pull the clutch in 5th and coast, do you hear any strange noises that disappear when you change down? I suspect that my gears have caries, which would put the whole operation in doubt.

Kind regards,
Peter.

[Padmei]

Sadly, it's a lot worse for me: I still have two BMWs in a rented shed. The older, an R75/5 I bought in 1979 in Germany, when I was 20. It was my first big bike. The sulphur in Rotorua has destroyed them both. I will have to break those as well.
Seriously, though, I try not to attach myself to material things. We will lose them anyway.

I like your thinking beddhist. Do not dwell on worldly things for they will not last. Instead focus upon the spiritual enlightenment that comes from selfless acts.
I feel your pain & would like to share your burden by lifting the heavy presence of a mono rear end off your back.

Hummmm hummmm hummm

[warewolf]

The dreaded day is almost upon me when my trusty old DR's visitors registration runs out. (Meaning it's been on the road here on French plates for 18 months.)

Do you then have an import issue with it? In the sense that a temporary import must be exported again? How did it get here - with a carnet?

[Beddhist]

I don't think so. I had to sign a piece of paper saying that I couldn't sell it within 2 years or I owe GST. Processing this was such a palaver that they forgot to charge us GST on my wife's KLX (Thai reg'd). This has since been compliance tested and registered.

I just rung VTNZ and was told that the fee for compliance testing is 183$. On top of that there will be 80-odd$ for the brake certification, then the usual WoF & rego.

So, no, the bikes don't have to leave again and no carnet. I suspect that with a carnet the import process would have been a lot quicker. It took customs a week to do its job , whereas a friend of mine got everything done in 1 1/2h with a carnet.

[Beddhist]

+1

There are new front discs on trade me for about $70. Unless the exhaust is really stuffed could you borrow a few extra discs to quieten it down for the test?

Eddie, I can't find these. Can you please post the link?

The exhaust is really stuffed, but it may just pass anyway.

[NordieBoy]

Eddie, I can't find these. Can you please post the link?

The exhaust is really stuffed, but it may just pass anyway.

Got a spare exhaust here you could have.
It's right hand drive but you'd probably cope...