I have posted a few times that I am planning a long motorcycle vacation this summer and plan on taking the DR. Why the DR? Well last time I was in Colorado and Utah I kept seeing some interesting roads and didn't feel comfortable taking an loaded up NT down. In Kayenta, AZ I was stopped for gas and saw lots of dual sport bikes headed north to Utah and I presume Monument Valley. I stuck to asphalt and had a great trip visiting Mesa Verde and Bryce Canyon, but I kept wishing I had the confidence to go on those rougher roads. Please keep in mind that when I left my house on this trip my NT only had 600 miles on it and I had just completed the first 600 mile maint.. I am less leary of gravel and dirt roads now, but still dont' like to take the NT on bad roads. The DR however has been really fun on rough roads. Even commuting to work is better on it because of the potholes and crappy asphalt around here.
So about a year ago I bought a DR650. I really enjoyed it the first few months. The stock seat makes the stock seat on the NT seem like pure luxury, so I upgraded the seat. I put a better carb on it, but it was really thirsty so I needed a bigger tank. Then I needed to pack stuff to it so I bought some racks. Took a couple day trips and discovered the pegs needed adjustment and a small windscreen would really help with the wind blast on the chest. Don't forget the skidplate that every dual sport needs. I had the skidplate coated with Line-X to help reduce the reflection of engine noises (didn't really help, but looks cool). The rear fender and license plate assembly are really old school and blocky, so I cleaned up the rear end and replaced the tailights and license plate bracket and used LED bulbs in the tailight and plate light. The new mirrors are easy to fold out of the way and shouldn't break in a fall. I am probably forgetting a thing or too. Just need a new set of tires and and an oil change I am ready for my big trip.
Here is how she sits now, but without the soft bags on the side racks (the wide angle lens makes the top case look bigger than it really is):
Here are shots with the waterproof saddle bags. They have a rolltop like alot of drybags, but are panniers. The strap will go under the seat for the big trip. They are empty here and fill out nicely and can be taller to hold 27 L each. Most soft luggage of this type only hold around 20L.
So about a year ago I bought a DR650. I really enjoyed it the first few months. The stock seat makes the stock seat on the NT seem like pure luxury, so I upgraded the seat. I put a better carb on it, but it was really thirsty so I needed a bigger tank. Then I needed to pack stuff to it so I bought some racks. Took a couple day trips and discovered the pegs needed adjustment and a small windscreen would really help with the wind blast on the chest. Don't forget the skidplate that every dual sport needs. I had the skidplate coated with Line-X to help reduce the reflection of engine noises (didn't really help, but looks cool). The rear fender and license plate assembly are really old school and blocky, so I cleaned up the rear end and replaced the tailights and license plate bracket and used LED bulbs in the tailight and plate light. The new mirrors are easy to fold out of the way and shouldn't break in a fall. I am probably forgetting a thing or too. Just need a new set of tires and and an oil change I am ready for my big trip.
Here is how she sits now, but without the soft bags on the side racks (the wide angle lens makes the top case look bigger than it really is):
Here are shots with the waterproof saddle bags. They have a rolltop like alot of drybags, but are panniers. The strap will go under the seat for the big trip. They are empty here and fill out nicely and can be taller to hold 27 L each. Most soft luggage of this type only hold around 20L.
) was so bad today that it blew over the DR. Luckily it landed in the Mud except for the bottom of one of the pegs which hit the concrete curb. You have to know where it is to even see it and not enough to worry about it. The mirror just gave way and moved on it's ball joint. I actually laughed about it after I got it upright again. I was just expecting something to be broke. If that had been the NT or many other bikes it would have broken or scratched plastic. It landed on the side racks and just got a little dirt on it. 