DR650 mods and accessories

[00Buck]

I'm sure this has been asked before....but..

I recently picked up a stock 02 DR650 with low miles. It's an amazing bike and lots of fun for blasting along our logging roads. Except the Trailwings suck!

Where can I find info on skid plates, engine guards, main stands, seats, tires, etc....? Who are the best suppliers and what are your recommendations?

I've been reading about re-jetting and the air box mod. Will this affect gas mileage? Thanks for any tips. ?

Mike

DR650

FZ1

TY250

[Thesm0kinggun]

DR650 stuff from Dual-Star(they make the centerstand)

DR650 stuff from Happy Trails

DR650 stuff from Thumper Racing

Sprockets from Sprocket Specialists

Clarke gas tank for the DR650

IMS gas tanks and footpegs for the DR650

Corbin seat for the DR650

A few handy links for a new DR650 owner:

http://www.thumperpage.com/articles/dr650set.html

http://www.cognitivevent.com/dr650p2.html

http://www.kientech.com/DJDR650AbMod.htm

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_DR/

http://banditmotorcycles.com/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/index.php?sid=b63c4b93234de3cac4de9efb35d877c5

http://www.maximum-suzuki.com/ibf/index.php?showforum=1

http://www.suzukicycles.org/DR-series/DR650.shtml

That should get you started anyway ?

Btw-Dont worry about the 2mpg you might lose doing the jetkit/aibox mod/sprocket... Youll be happy with it

BTW-I see you have an FZ1 ?? Thatll be my next bike

[SgtMike]

www.bajadesigns.com

Thats about the only one you missed! ?

Mike.

[udaloy]

If you weight more than 75 kg, you may want to upgrade your rear shocks.

http://www.koubalink.com/dr650adapters.html

[SgtMike]

All of the sites listed above have value in finding parts but having thought about it most of them while good get you in touch with a sales person with really limited knowledge of what they sell and how it works.

As for advice,forget it.

There are only two sites I've seen that can provide advice and info from people with hands on experience with the DR650.

One is < http://www.thumper-racing.net/ > for really good suspension advice(they see the 650 as having potential where other company's see it as too heavy to take serious).

The other is < www.kientech.com >. Jesse kient is very experienced,friendly, and has parts in stock that the big guys have to back order.

The last time I called him I needed a FMF pipe that < www.mawonline.com >(theres another one)had on back order for me for over six months! (you should see some of my old posts on that matter!)

Anyway...

He said that he had a couple in stock (knew it off the top of his head not by checking a computer) and said to me"wait, let me double check,OK yeah I'm looking right at it"! Try getting Dennis Kirk to do that!

He had it out to me in less than a week. Jesse knows what works and what doesn't and can help you set up your bike for your particular needs. If you need it he's got it and can tell you how to install it without making it rocket science.He is up front and honest. And oh yeah,if he says he has the part,HE HAS IT! Not like the big mail order company's that list parts in stock but in reality they only stock bulk items that flow through every day. Lets face it, demand for DR650 parts is not like Harley so it pays for them to take the order from the customer before ordering the item from the factory. They don't want to shell out cash for low demand items and have them collect dust on the shelves waiting for a customer. I guess that could be understood but for the customer that translates to a long wait for ordered items.

Use the big guys for clothing,gear,tires (MAW has great prices on tires and does stock those) but for Dr specialty stuff give Jesse a call (he answers his own phone).

Mike

PS - No I'm not getting kick backs from Jesse. And didn't set out to write a testimonial for him, it just shocks me to meet the rare honest business person these days. He impressed the sh*t out of me and deserves credit! ???

[sirhurtsalot]

Here's where Jesse hangs out most often, if you need to ask him anything: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/DR650/

It's nice having him only 15 minutes away should I ever need something for my bike ?

[milk]

you know, that's good to hear that the jetting will only drop the mpg slightly cause that's the main reason i've been hesitant to rejet. been wondering that for a while now cause i noticed a drop in mpg from the 14th sprocket i put on and thought the jetting would have to kill it. cool, i can deal with that though. and also, not having personally dealt with him YET, from what i've gathered and the posts i've read from jesse at the yahoo forums i'd say he's THE man. it is quit refreshing to see someone like him around that has such a good reputation. his mother should be proud ?

[00Buck]

Holy Crap! You guys are great. Thanks for all the links. Lots of research to do now! I also just joined the DR650 Yahoo group. My local dirt bike shop recommends (has in stock) a Moose skid plate and Pirelli MT-21 or MT-90 tires depending. I ride about 60% street, 30% gravel logging road and 10% dirt. pushing to the limits. Trailwings are great on pavement but very slippery/unstable on gravel. Bike needs to be geared down. Think I read a smaller front sprocket is doable otherwise must convert to a 520/530 chain and sprockets. Also checking on the Suzuki gel seat. Suspension is fine for me so far at 156 lbs plus some gear.

You'll love the FZ1. I've put on 50,000 problem free kms. All of it a good time!

[SgtMike]

Buck it sounds like your on the right tack.You'll like the skid plate if you ride gravel roads. You'll hear a lot from the gravel bouncing off of the skid plate. Better that than the case right? As for the pirelli tires I've got friends that like the traction but have found them to be short lived.For the amount of street riding you do don't shrug off Kenda 50/50 DOT dual sport tires. They are inexpensive but handle very well in all conditions. They last well too.

Keep the stock chain and get the 14 tooth sprocket. the new chain is expensive and with a new set of sprockets will be really expensive. For now take a minimal risk,$15 ? for just the 14 tooth sprocket and you won't be disapointed!

The 650 is set up from the factory for 70% street, 30% dirt, and a 170lb. rider. I'd say its set up for your needs right out of the box! ?

(Just get better tires)

Mike

PS - Milk,Yeah 46mpg ain't that bad. My Valkyrie,6 cylinders, 6 carbs,6 pipes and a cam, 110HP in all gets almost 30mpg. Wow ?

[00Buck]

Mike, good advice! I'll get the 14 tooth sprocket. Dealer or aftermarket? I've heard good things about the Kendas, will check them out. Which ones...K270 or K761?

Mike

DR650

FZ1

TY250

VTR1000 (tomorrow!)

[Thesm0kinggun]

Mike, good advice! I'll get the 14 tooth sprocket. Dealer or aftermarket? I've heard good things about the Kendas, will check them out. Which ones...K270 or K761?

I just got done with a set of K270s and was pretty happy with them. With only the Deathwings to compare them to I can tell you this... They are TONS better off road, and are surprisingly good on road. I got about 2500 hard miles on them and they are close to being used up. Wheelies off of every street light has the back squared off kinduv bad, and the front is getting some pretty bad cupping. Laying over the bike on the street is no problem at all. 90 degree right/left turns @40 mph on two lane roads are a piece of cake. Like I said, they really surprised me on the street. They do hum on road, but you get used to it. Off road is nite and day compared to the Deathwings. If you get em be carful for the first 100 miles or so cause they are VERY slippery till broken in.

As far as the K761s... I have a brand new set in the box still, and have yet to try them out. Ill have to report back to ya on those. I find myself riding more and more on the street, so I figured Id go with something a little more street oriented on this set. As impressed as I was with the K270s, I think the K7671s are gonna fit my riding style perfectly.

btw-- You dont have to change to a 520/530 for the sprockets. There are several vendors that have a 14t front in the 525, and Sprocket Specialists has rears for the 525. I have a 45t rear still in package that I have yet to try. Im hoping that I can do the 14/45 with the stock chain/chain guide(not holding my breath though). Heres the 14t front I got from Dennis Kirk. Be sure to trim down the spacer so the chain will fit snug.

VIVA LA DR650 ?

[udaloy]

Another popular mod is the tail-lamp. Many DR650 owners think it's ugly and bulky. ?

[SgtMike]

Mike, good advice! I'll get the 14 tooth sprocket. Dealer or aftermarket? I've heard good things about the Kendas, will check them out. Which ones...K270 or K761?

Mike

DR650

FZ1

TY250

VTR1000 (tomorrow!)

Its the K270's that I had in mind. The K761's aren't much better than the deathwings for offroad use. A friend of mine has a set of K270's on his DR350 and he likes them very much. He's on his second set. They handle as well as the trailwings on the road with out humming like my Dunlop D606's do and he gets plenty of grip off road with them. In fact theres been plenty of times when I've questoned the advantage of running the "more aggressive(?)" Dunlops because he doesn't seem to have a problem keeping up. In fact 1/2 the time it's me trying to keep up! They are a deal being cheaper than the Dunlops and seem to wear well too. I'd probably say that I'd have more confidence on the road with them too.(I ride the DR 90% dirt though)

As for the 14 tooth sprocket, I got that from my local Suzuki dealer for $15.00. Its made by JT.

PS - you say you got a new VTR1000, NICE!

I just got a clean low mile Valkyrie for extended road trips. The weather has been driving me nuts though. Every time I get free time to ride ,it snows! ? Can't ride either bike ? Oh,well the weather has to break sometime right? Anyway enjoy your new ride! ?

Mike.

'01DR650SE (mine)

'02XR100R (my wife's)

'03KLX110 (my daughter's)

'98GL1500CT Valkyrie Tourer (ours )

[00Buck]

Getting a Moose skid plate and set of Pirelli MT-21's this week cause the local shop is blowing them out at a low price. I'm sure they'll be a HUGE improvement over the 'deathwings' as everyone calls them... Rode 100 kms of slimy wet logging roads today and these tires kept washing out at any speed. It's scary when the front lets go! 14t sprocket, barkbusters and bars will be next.

I sold the 02 FZ1 (needed a change) and picked up a mint loaded 03 VTR yesterday! They are both awesome road bikes. But the DR is still more fun overall. ?

A riding buddy today on his 650GS Dakar also owns a Valkery Interstate with almost 100,000 kms on it.

[big bore]

try http://www.kientech.com/DR650ProdList.htm

[00Buck]

I installed the front MT21 and a Moose skid plate today. The shop screwed up and ordered a 130 instead of 120, so no rear for another week...damn.

Just curios...has anyone mounted a 130 on the DR650? Any issues?

Also what tire pressures do you find best for both on and off road? The manual says 22 front, 25 rear for stock Trail Wings.

[SgtMike]

I have been running dunlops D606 tires with great success! The rear is a 130/90 17 and fits with no problems. The larger size bites great and looks beefy! If the dealer still has the 130 get that one you'll like it!

I also run 20lb.s front and rear. less pressure would be better off road but as I never installed rim locks I keep the pressure up to 20lb.s to avoid pinching a tube. Traction is still good on and off road at this pressure as is tire life.

if you ride with a passenger,pick up the pressure to the dealers recommended 22-25lb.s for safety on the pavement and to again avoid pinching a tube.

Mike.

PS - I didn't mention it earlier but I have the smaller DR250 tail lamp on my bike. The big stock piece comes apart on rough trails and doesn't look anywhere as good as the smaller lamp. ?

[sirhurtsalot]

I've got a 130/90 MT21 on my DR

They fit fine, just be careful the first few miles on the street, until the mould release wears off! scrared the crap out of me the first time I got on it

I usually run 22 - 25 lbs but have run them as low as 12 lbs (which worked great off road but was a little spongy on the street)

[00Buck]

Thanks. Thats good news cause the 130 is cheaper as he brought in a bulk shipment. The usual downside of running a wider tire is faster center tread wear because of a narrower rim. Guess thats not a big deal on a dual sport running 20psi though. And like you said it will look meatier too. They should come with rim locks as the stock front tire had slipped stretching the tube at the valve stem. Yikes!

[Jaeger69]

Just an interesting note regarding sprockets...

My 2001 came stock with 14-42 gearing. Some time in 2003 the catalogs seemed to change to reflect a 15-42 gearing. If you go after market with the chains and sprockets you can save a good deal of money, but make sure that you specify your ratio, otherwise the bike shop with order what the catalog says is "stock".

I made the mistake once of switching to 520 width chains, I wore it out in 6 months.

I recommend sticking with the 525 Chains. RK makes a good O-ring that I keep using. I get about 10k out of it. I could probably get 20 if I ever oiled it.

Just my 2 cents. I've only got 48K on my '01, and am only on my 6th set of C& S ?