Let's talk safari hardware!

[pjg351]

Okay, i am looking for all the pro's and con's of a decent offroad/ onroad style bike that can lump a 230lb + heavyweight, and pack gear if needed across the wide brown land of Australia. I'm almost certain it will be nothing smaller than a 400 and maybe 650 or more depending on their capabilities and mine of course whether i can handle such a beast in soft sand etc, so let's hear what you reckon on the size and type. Ps, there is a 2007 Suzuki DR 650 going fairly cheap with only 1900 k's or 860 miles on the clock not to far from my place

[Mainjet2001]

Originally Posted by pjg351

Okay, i am looking for all the pro's and con's of a decent offroad/ onroad style bike that can lump a 200lb + heavyweight, and pack gear if needed across the wide brown land of Australia. I'm almost certain it will be nothing smaller than a 400 and maybe 650 or more depending on their capabilities and mine of course whether i can handle such a beast in soft sand etc, so let's hear what you reckon on the size and type. Ps, there is a 2007 Suzuki DR 650 going fairly cheap with only 1900 k's or 860 miles on the clock not to far from my place

Here ya go Pete. Baja 1000 winner a bunch of times. I can tell you what to do to it.





In Cabo after winning the Baja 2000 (2000 miles). See my bike stand Pete.

[pjg351]

Some poor Mexican is still looking for that crate you pinched! I don't mean the Honda either Okay Leroy sell me on this Honda idea, i'm all ears

[the_privateer]

http://www.automotoconso.com/leblog/...stro-lat-d.jpg

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by the_privateer

http://www.automotoconso.com/leblog/...stro-lat-d.jpg

Wow! never seen one of those before, keep them coming do you know much about them? I am keen on something like this, i can get this one from my dealer, wr450.

[psycho393]

I'm with pete on this Leroy on this one. Grab a XR650R if you plan on doing any distance in the sand.

[MotoMan]

If you are going to go on a trip that you are basically depending on your bike to NOT break down and get you there without hassle.....you CAN NOT beat a XR 650 they are bulletproof and time proven winners in the longevity and abuse departments.

Go for the Honda bro, you just can't beat them for this stuff.

[char393]

I know I'm not LeRoy, but you're gonna get my opinion anyway.

The xr650r is so at home in the desert. It is a big, heavy bike that rides like a Cadillac. The suspension on the one I rode was so plush, it soaked up long, whooped out sections of desert like they were nothing. The bike has so much power that is delivered so smoothly it's deceptive. There were several times I was going faster than I thought, thankfully the boingers soaked everything up. It also had enough power to get you out of most jams. And top speed? Oh goodness, that bike was fast. I got into high gear, mid throttle once down a graded road. I was tucked against the tank and next thing I know my helmet is pulling up against the chinstrap. It was about that time I realized I'd best back it down a bit because if I were to get off at those speeds, it was going to hurt. I know David was clocked at 105+ mph down in Baja one time.

The bike was my brother in law's and I don't think he ever had any trouble with it. The thing was as reliable as most XR's tend to be. If I lived near the desert, I'd love to have one. That bike is so at home there.

[Mainjet2001]

Pete, here is some info on a XR650 prep that should be done for a really long trip. This is the stuff Honda gives the racers for Baja and Nevada racing.
Now the 650 is big and heavy and Pete you are getting older...you may want to consider the CRF450X that all those racers are using today just in case you have to pick it up a few times. Hey, old guys look after one another and I'm just thinking when you ain't no spring chicken......

This is the best one though......
XR 650 race prep tips
• Check right footpeg bolts for tightness on a regular maintenance.(at 300 mile intervals)
• The air filter is held securely in place by the left side panel. Be sure the front lower clip has adequate tension. It can be bent or damaged by riders boot or other impacts which allows not enough tension on the air filter and can result in dirt by-passing the air filter at the front lower corner.
• With only a 1.7 quart oil capacity usage becomes more critical (1 pint low is more than a 25% reduction in total capacity). Be sure to check oil levels at 200 to 300 mile intervals. To get a proper dip-stick reading the engine must be left at idle for 20 to 30 seconds, before shutting off engine, before checking oil level. Idle in to a gas pit in which you plan to check the oil.
• A stock (compression) XR650 will run better on pump gas than a high octane race fuel which needs a higher compression ratio to be effective.
• Keep the rear wheel adjusted as far forward as tire clearance allows. The bike turns better, handles better, and is more stable with the wheel adjusted closer to the swing arm pivot.
• The stock chain uses a staked/clip-less master link (endless chain). Using a chain with a master-link is asking for a race failure. A bike with this much torque will break conventional clip-type master-links.
• Honda sells a DID ERV2 chain (O-Ring with staked master-link). DID520ERV2-120L is the part number,4092334 is the Honda code. It is expensive but is the best chain available. We have been using this grade of chain since 1994. A special tool is required for staking the master-link (also available at your Honda dealer). The stock XR 650 chain is also very high quality and meets or exceeds the ERV2 strength measurements.
• The rear fender bolts tend to come loose and should be checked regularly or loctited.
• Inspect during pre-race prep the spring loaded flap attached to the choke plate on the rear intake carburetor opening. If the spring fatigues (from excess running with the choke in the on or half on position), it can break which will ultimately lead to the flapper being drawn into the combustion chamber and could cause an engine failure. The flapper and spring can be removed from the choke plate without choke plate removal.
• For optimum suspension performance overall machine balance is critical. Example: forks will have a harsh deflective character when the rear rides too low into the stroke. Pay careful attention to set up and rider sag. We have found that between 95 and 100 mm seems to be the best to keep proper front to rear balance.
• Final drive ratio of 14/45 or 15/48 or 15/47 seems to be best suited for SCORE/BITD events offering a smoother power delivery and the best (forwards) wheel placement.
• Remove the brass reserve from the petcock and run in the on position.
• Install a 2nd rear rim-lock in the rear wheel.
• Safety wire spokes in both wheels after break-in (tighten spokes and balance wheels also).
• Do not use a rear mousse or tire insert. Use only a heavy-duty tube.
• If you use the stock fuel tank you must remove the white plastic insert at fuel tank inlet so that our dump cans are able to completely fill your tank.
• If you have experienced a boil-over situation with your coolant, consider switching to a radiator cap with a 1.8 or 1.6 rating (Stock is 1.1). Remember this liquid cooled bike should not sit and idle for long periods without having airflow through the radiators.
• Updated counter shaft seal p/n is 91205-MBN-672. 2002-thru-2006 models come stock with this seal.
• We have experienced that a stock air filter will need changing at about 300 mile intervals. This distance varies depending on many factors. All pits will have stock filters should you need one. Don’t wait too long before changing as an extremely clogged filter will reduce both gas mileage and performance.
• You should be using high quality tires and tubes designed for the rigors of desert racing. Attempting this event with a stock tire will only result in flat tires increasing the chances for injury, mechanical problems, or even a DNF.

[pjg351]

Okay, this is all good info i must admit the weight of the 650 worries me a bit in the loose stuff, but for the long hauls would be ideal. Iam probably going to narrow it down to a handfull and work from there. I do like at the moment the XR 650r, WR 450 because my dealer sells them and is a top 5 Australian offroad rider himself, so he knows how to set one up, also i hear good things about the DRZ 400 as a dual sport, not to sure about the KLX's or the Euro's yet, only that a lot of guy's are having engine issues with some KTM's, the 530 i think. Keep it coming this is good stuff .

[pjg351]

The DR 650 seems to be a very popular bike over here, it's like the Harley Davidson of Australian adventure, anyone know much about them, they are air cooled but seem reliable enough, there's one for sale near me with very low miles for a good price

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by pjg351

The DR 650 seems to be a very popular bike over here, it's like the Harley Davidson of Australian adventure, anyone know much about them, they are air cooled but seem reliable enough, there's one for sale near me with very low miles for a good price

Dude....its a suzuki.....

[ccnut]

Originally Posted by pjg351
The DR 650 seems to be a very popular bike over here, it's like the Harley Davidson of Australian adventure, anyone know much about them, they are air cooled but seem reliable enough, there's one for sale near me with very low miles for a good price........ Dude....its a suzuki..... Motoman.... I used to think that too,but my ol 90 RM will impress u at MM3, LOL It will ,I wont!

[the_privateer]

Originally Posted by pjg351

Wow! never seen one of those before, keep them coming do you know much about them?

its called the ducati enduro terra mostro, basically a modified monster 695

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