| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
Not really, but needing transportation with the Buell down for engine repairs, the spousal unit approved the purchase of a new vehicle. She suggested a Kia. I had some ideas but ultimately went with something I've had my mind on for years.  It's my only new vehicle, and the third vehicle I've owned (had a 70's Camaro that I never put on the road). No matter what I was looking at, the DR always a consideration. As it was the only one that was always on the list, it was only logical to go with it. Some accessories and the parts for a supermoto conversion are on the way. It's a lot more fun than expected for something having nearly 1/3 the power of what I'm used to. The crappy roads don't feel so bad anymore. | ||
| Blake |
Good choice. | ||
| Pwnzor |
 | ||
| Ourdee |
Keep us updated. I too have been eyeballing them for years. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Excellent choice! Maybe I am not keeping up on modern DR's, but those don't look like stock forks... | ||
| Court |
You;ve got to give the DR credit . . . . I look at that thing and the sky gets brighter and the smile gets wider. That just flat looks like nothing but a slew of good times strung end to end . . . . | ||
| Ourdee |
I'll have to flip the D and R around on mine. So that is reads RDZ.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Go to Procycle Dot Com You will leave with a empty wallet if you are not careful! | ||
| Rick_a |
I was extremely tempted to buy an 1125CR. While the performance per dollar quotient is off the scale ultimately it's just not one of my favorites. It's a bit soft but has enough thump to be fun. I've had a laugh or two under my helmet. While there are a few items coming from Procycle the local dealer gave me a pretty good hookup on the bulk of the parts. Aside from a slip on, some electrical and chassis stuff it's going to remain as stock as I can stand until it's out of warranty. I kinda regret selling a TM40 carburetor I got for free as it'd make a good addition. It's quite nimble, though I'm not a big fan of that big 21" front wheel. I anxiously await the 17's that are coming. The wife much preferred the DRZ400SM, but I've rode one and didn't much like it. The power characteristics of the 650 is more my style. Once it is 'tarded it aught to be a bit more to my liking. Folks complain about it being soft and wallowy, but at my weight it's ok. The suspension is simple and unsophisticated and feels it, but it too is adequate. Until it needs fork and shock seals it'll stay as is, though fork springs are on the way. Everyone who owns one seems to really like it, and everyone who's sold theirs seems to miss it. I'm thinking we'll get along fine. | ||
| Rick_a |
Oh...the other thing is the seat height. Even hanging off one side I'm on the tip of my toes, so the calves are getting a good workout  | ||
| Sagehawk |
Keep us posted on the dr. I been looking at big singles again. Wife says kawasaki but its not dirty enough. Friend at texas yamaha is a big single honda guy. Yamaha mechanic, go figure. He's got a xr 650 l that watercooled. I cant go 37" seat height, and another dry sump motor. I like the availability of aftermarket stuff for the suzy. Havent ever owned a suzy in my life tho. Take care and enjoy! | ||
| 86129squids |
"She suggested a Kia."   A good D/S bike is on my short list... | ||
| Rick_a |
Once I get all the stuff together I'll post an update. Coming are: Warp 9 17" wheelset with floating 320mm front rotor. 3.5" fr, 4.25 rr. Tires will be 120/70 and 150/60. Supertrapp aluminum racing slip on (4" external disk). Superbrace fork brace Engine case savers Acerbis hand guards Axle sliders Bar end mirror Bicycle speedometer Progressive fork springs So far the only thing I've done is remove the upper chain roller which is notorious for snapping off the frame. Thus far the bike returns 50mpg in mixed riding including plenty of brisk acceleration. It has the most minor of lean surges at low speed cruising in a narrow rpm band. It's nothing obtrusive. (Message edited by Rick_A on April 13, 2015) | ||
| Reepicheep |
For those that haven't tried it, soft and wallowy doesn't mean bad handling on a dual sport, you just have to approach the handling differently. It's kinda hard to explain, but they really carve a nice turn for street riding. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Its been a farkle fest...   | ||
| Rick_a |
That looks like a real touring machine! There are three old school dual sports that folks tend to compare; the DR650SE, XR650L, and KLR650. The KLR makes the best long range tourer of them, the XR the best off road machine (long suspension travel, lots of ground clearance, and a desert racing heritage), and the DR is just considered the best all rounder as well as being the most current, having a design about a decade fresher than the rest. The most capable would be KTM...the 640 and 625 SM bikes are actually what I like best...but those are now obsolete designs with some known weaknesses and expensive parts replacements. The 690's are incredible but a bit too new school for me. The simple and easy maintenance aspects of the DR are definitely a draw. The engine runs and sounds like a big OHV lawnmower engine. Not a nod against it, but it does feel a bit agricultural, perhaps even more so than the H-D/Buell mills. Theres a lot of suspension travel (a little over 10"), but I don't find it hard to get used to. The dive in hard braking is a little funky at first. The damper rod fork and simple valving of the shock leave something to be desired, but for just cruising around it's just fine. There are plenty of pavement irregularities on my commute that I used to have to raise my butt off the seat to not hammer myself over. These can just be ran over with ease and no drama on this one. When the shock/fork seals blow I'll RaceTech it on both ends, but for now its okay. Those over 200lbs tend to complain of the suspension being sprung soft. For me at around a buck fifty it seems just fine (I think some decades ago 150-175lbs was an average rider weight). I'm not exploring the cornering capabilities until I get some proper street wheels on it. These dirt bike sized tires just feel too funky for me, and the Bridgestone "Death Wings" do not inspire confidence. | ||
| 86129squids |
Check out my friend's D/S outfitter website, Megan and Francois are GREAT peeps to know! www.dualsporttouring.com Here in Friendsville TN! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
did a IronButt ride last year in stock trim. We had to stop about every 90 to 100 miles. Hence the 6.6 Acerbis gas tank. a list of some of the mods done so far... Air Box weld ground out of header pipe Procyle Mid pipe Busa exhaust can FCR-MX Carb from MX Rob. 520 Chain conversion Motard front fender LED Bulb from Procyle (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) LED 6" Driving light By Rough Country Cut a 1" or so out of the kickstand. Uly Mirrors Center Stand Seat Concepts seat cover Sit And fly seat cover (Works GREAT!) Pat Walsh Skid pan Pat Walsh Luggage Rack Giant Loop Tank bag Baja Works rally screen painted the backside black There are a couple other things here and there but that is the bulk | ||
| Thumper74 |
Wolf made me buy one... Modded air box Mild head port Reground cam Ground header pipe weld DG Slip on with 'quiet' insert Seat Concepts seat Intimidators with heavier front springs Gold Valved rear shock with heavier rear spring (I'm fat) Velorex 562 sidecar I scored last summer, which is waiting for a subframe mount from DMC sidecars. After that I'm planning on a bigger tank. I'm due for a new tire. I wrapped up the engine build last week, put 20 miles around town putzing to make sure all was well, then rode around 100 miles on Saturday. It's a blast now! | ||
| Rick_a |
The plan is to purchase a TM40 next year when it goes out of warranty and desnorkle it at that time. In a few years when it needs refreshing I'll do the Webcam and JE piston. | ||
| Rick_a |
I will say...I never thought 35hp/35lb-ft could be this fun. | ||
| Reepicheep |
No kidding. I have a KDX-200 that maybe makes 35 HP on a good day... but it's a 220 pound bike. That's the bike I use to scare people with power, not my 100 HP street bike. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
before you buy the TM40 do yourself a favor and look into the FCR-MX carb. I am very happy with it. | ||
| Pwnzor |
You guys are making me itchy.  | ||
| Bartimus |
DR's are great bikes! I lived off of mine for 2 weeks while riding the back country discovery routes  | ||
| Rick_a |
These are bikes (or ideas for bikes) that I had under consideration:            The wife likes these:  ...as do I, but I shudder to think of what 15K a year of commuting would equate to for maintenance. In anticipation of my stuff I did a supermoto chop to the front fender. It turned out good. I'm glad I didn't buy one. | ||
| Rick_a |
This is another I've been a major fan of since I was a kid:  It just wouldn't be very practical these days. | ||
| 86129squids |
I wish Cannondale would've gone forward with some new rides! I feel blessed to have the two MC's now corralled in my shed. My '77 R75/7 needs more attention now- cosmetic mainly, but- gotta look at my options.  | ||
| 86129squids |
Oh- The fancied out flying brick would be cool, especially a K75... An XB12STT/SS/XT/XP is the only bike that supercedes a S3T in my book. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I forgot Cannondale made dirt bikes! I used to have one of their mountain bikes. Amazing welds... Great minds think alike! Most of those bikes are on my shopping list for the lottery. |
