The DR650 thread

[gav24]

I know its been done before, but for 2 up adventure riding with camping gear etc I would look at an URAL outfit!
Remember that definition: "Adventure biking is taking inappropriate bikes to unsuitable places" and at least the Ural gives you 2WD and heaps of room, and a gun mount!

[TangoCharlie]

What's your preferred gearing set-up for mainly off-road riding?

I currently have the standard 525 chain which limits my options. I went with a 14T Counter Shaft Sprocket, to lower the gearing, but have just installed a larger Dunlop D606 130/90-17 which has almost cancelled out the gearing changes! I am now looking at changing the rear to a 43. Not sure how easy it is to find a 525 43T in NZ? Should I change everything to a 520 series with more sprocket options?

What gearing combinations work for you?

[Transalper]

I use 15/43 on my DR650 for practically everything now days, occasionally swapping to 14/43 if I think I need to.
43 tooth JT sprocket was easy to get and is the one used as the stock one for the XF650 Freewinds.
Still need to work the clutch a bit at times.

I see Nordie and Trials rider use lower ratios which I imagine may involve 520 sized sprockets. I understand the 525 chain can still be used with them? but 520 chains are cheaper too??

[sudman]

I run the 14/41 525 chain D606 rear and find its good for everything I use the clutch in the real hard stuff other than that its good for 120km it had the 15/41 when I go the bike but it was to high geared.

[Pikey]

Mine has been converted to 520 and has a 43 tooth rear.
Have got a 16 front for long trips with some gravel and a 14 for the sticky stuff.
But a 15 for general use. (This is about the same ratio as Sudman's setup)
I think Levin Motorcycles have a 14 tooth 525 in stock??

[TangoCharlie]

After Matt's chain broke on his XR during our recent Rainbow trip I decided I better carry a spare master link for the DR!
However what type to get is the problem as the DR's come with an OEM DID 525 V8 chain that appears not to be on sale to the public.
The DID website doesn't even list this chain, however a bit of searching on the net uncovers an email from DID where they say the the 525 VM2 is a replacement for the V8 chain.
But will a VM2 Master Link fit my V8 chain??? Nothing is easy...............

[NordieBoy]

Jesse does a 45t 525 steel rear.
That with 14/15/16 sprockets and 112 links would be sweet if you don't want to go to 520.

http://www.kientech.com/DR650ConvNst...rocketkits.htm

[Transalper]

....the 525 VM2 is a replacement for the V8 chain.
But will a VM2 Master Link fit my V8 chain??? Nothing is easy...............

I may not be fully qualified to answer but I'd expect you could get away with a slight miss match if you have to.
If your chain is still quite new then I'd ask for the V8 one but take the VM2 if that is all they can do.
If you plan to go with DID 525 VM2 for your next chain and get one of those links then you already have a spare link ready to suit your next round.

I have now 2 spare RK525 XSO master clip links to match the chain on the Transalp and 2 spare DID 525 VM2 master clip links to match the chain on my DR650 in my tool kit depending upon which bike I'm riding..

Got mine from Pit Lane, about $15 each... they have some stock buy being the less common 525 they might have to order them in (1 or two days) as they did for my RK ones.

[Pedrostt500]

I know its been done before, but for 2 up adventure riding with camping gear etc I would look at an URAL outfit!
Remember that definition: "Adventure biking is taking inappropriate bikes to unsuitable places" and at least the Ural gives you 2WD and heaps of room, and a gun mount!

I like the Idea of the gun mount, particurly if it has a large calibre gun mounted to it.

[TangoCharlie]

I may not be fully qualified to answer but I'd expect you could get away with a slight miss match if you have to.
If your chain is still quite new then I'd ask for the V8 one but take the VM2 if that is all they can do.
If you plan to go with DID 525 VM2 for your next chain and get one of those links then you already have a spare link ready to suit your next round.

I have now 2 spare RK525 XSO master clip links to match the chain on the Transalp and 2 spare DID 525 VM2 master clip links to match the chain on my DR650 in my tool kit depending upon which bike I'm riding..

Got mine from Pit Lane, about $15 each... they have some stock buy being the less common 525 they might have to order them in (1 or two days) as they did for my RK ones.

Thanks mate, I have been talking to Don at Pitlane and he cant get a DID V8 Link, and was looking at other options. It appears that the VM2 will do the job so I wil get him to get me one along with a 43T Rear Sprocket this week....

[cruza]

just a follow up from last month. My new headlight arrived today from the states. Exact fitment/part number , genuine suzuki .lense is same as nz model . I'm over the moon . Saved $250!!! instead of going thru suzuki nz.
MR Motorcycles , guy called brad. great to deal with.

[bart]

just a follow up from last month. My new headlight arrived today from the states. Exact fitment/part number , genuine suzuki .lense is same as nz model . I'm over the moon . Saved $250!!! instead of going thru suzuki nz.
MR Motorcycles , guy called brad. great to deal with.

Does it dip the right way?

[cruza]

Does it dip the right way?

yes . excactly same light , lense and part number as nz model.

[Eddieb]

yes . excactly same light , lense and part number as nz model.

SO what was the price via Suzuki NZ?

[86GSXR]

The DR and I recently did the Motu and Waikaremoana followed shortly afterwards by Farewell Spit, the Rainbow and the Molesworth. Awesome would have to be an understatement. Clocked up 10K at Tapawera. The DR was perfect for the job, seat aside , and the Shinko 705's are bearing up very well, 5K so far with another 2-3 still to go I'd say.

Here's some pics for anyone contemplating these roads, totally worth it!

https://picasaweb.google.com/alistai...ndWaikaremoana

https://picasaweb.google.com/alistai...olesworthJan12