Thought I might write a bit about my motorbike since it was a major component of my trip.
I have ridden motorbikes for about twenty years, but always in a city environment and Ive never been on an overland trip before, so I really had very little idea of what to expect. I chose the DL650 for a number of reasons:
1) I already owned a Suzuki SV650 which has the same engine and I knew it was reliable and low maintenance.
2) My reading of some "adventure touring" literature and discussions with a few people I met indicated that the DL650 would be a good choice for a mostly highway trip and that it also seemed to be somewhat capable off-road.
3) It just so happened that I had a friend who had one that was already set up for off-road and that was for sale but I found this out after I had done my research, not before :)
I bought the bike before I went away on a mountaineering trip in Pakistan for all of June and July in 2007. I ordered some extra equipment for the bike before I left and it arrived while I was away. So, when I came back in August I didn't have too much work to do before I was ready to head off into the "wild blue yonder".
Bike Performance:
The bike did amazingly well given the difference between what it is designed for and what I did with it. The only "failure" it had was that one of the ignition coils stopped working. Other than that it was just oil changes for the full 40,000Km trip. - Note I did burn out the clutch and went through two drive chains, two front tires, one set of rear brake pads, and three rear tires, but they are all what I consider "running" gear and thus are expected to wear out.
I would prefer not to take this bike on a similar trip again because it needs better off-road performance for what I want to do. It is however an outstanding highway touring bike and can do a very decent job on dirt roads that are not too technical.
The shortcomings of the bike as I see it are:
1) Clearance! - The bike NEEDs 5cm - 15cm more ground clearance. If the exhaust pipe could be routed around rather than under the engine, it would be enough, but it is a serious limitation as is.
2) Lower 1st gear ratio. For off-road on both up and down hill manouvers, the bike needs to be able to go slower with the engine idling. I burned out the clutch (admittedly in a very extreme situation) and it would not have been nearly so bad with a lower, more powerful first gear.
3) Lighter. The bike is too heavy for off-road work. The problem here is that the weight is both unnecessary and high on the bike. This is no problem for highway riding, only an issue when riding gets technical.
4) More comfortable seat. The seat works fine and is better than most dirt bikes and most sport bikes too. However it is designed for a slightly crouched riding position (fast highway riding) and for rides of about an hour or two in length. I found it to be very uncomfortable on regular six hour days and would have spent hundreds of dollars on a different seat had I known how I would feel.
5) Alternate foot rests. The foot pegs on the bike are positioned again for a slightly crouched riding position and they were badly placed for an upright position and long riding times. Next time I would figure out a way to add alternate foot rests further forward for highway riding.
Bike Performance:
The bike did amazingly well given the difference between what it is designed for and what I did with it. The only "failure" it had was that one of the ignition coils stopped working. Other than that it was just oil changes for the full 40,000Km trip. - Note I did burn out the clutch and went through two drive chains, two front tires, one set of rear brake pads, and three rear tires, but they are all what I consider "running" gear and thus are expected to wear out.
I would prefer not to take this bike on a similar trip again because it needs better off-road performance for what I want to do. It is however an outstanding highway touring bike and can do a very decent job on dirt roads that are not too technical.
The shortcomings of the bike as I see it are:
1) Clearance! - The bike NEEDs 5cm - 15cm more ground clearance. If the exhaust pipe could be routed around rather than under the engine, it would be enough, but it is a serious limitation as is.
2) Lower 1st gear ratio. For off-road on both up and down hill manouvers, the bike needs to be able to go slower with the engine idling. I burned out the clutch (admittedly in a very extreme situation) and it would not have been nearly so bad with a lower, more powerful first gear.
3) Lighter. The bike is too heavy for off-road work. The problem here is that the weight is both unnecessary and high on the bike. This is no problem for highway riding, only an issue when riding gets technical.
4) More comfortable seat. The seat works fine and is better than most dirt bikes and most sport bikes too. However it is designed for a slightly crouched riding position (fast highway riding) and for rides of about an hour or two in length. I found it to be very uncomfortable on regular six hour days and would have spent hundreds of dollars on a different seat had I known how I would feel.
5) Alternate foot rests. The foot pegs on the bike are positioned again for a slightly crouched riding position and they were badly placed for an upright position and long riding times. Next time I would figure out a way to add alternate foot rests further forward for highway riding.
I also had a bunch of extra components fitted to the bike when I set out. If the bike is not equipped with "extras" it makes an excellent road tourer but is not suitable for off-roading (mostly impact protection for the expected low speed falls) and I was sure that I would do at least some off-road so the extras were needed. The added equipment, and their effective results were:
Seal Skins - To protect the front fork seals from sand.
Had no issues with these. They worked well and probably saved the shock seals from wearing out.
Had no issues with these. They worked well and probably saved the shock seals from wearing out.
HeadLight Protector - To protect the headlight from stone hits.
No issues with this either. I doubt that it saved me from broken headlights but it certainly took some stone hits.
Handle Bar Risers. - To raise the handlebars by about 2-3cm for a more comfortable, upright riding position.
These worked fine, but I would use a different set next time that also shift the bars back toward the rider by 2-3cm as well.
No issues with this either. I doubt that it saved me from broken headlights but it certainly took some stone hits.
Handle Bar Risers. - To raise the handlebars by about 2-3cm for a more comfortable, upright riding position.
These worked fine, but I would use a different set next time that also shift the bars back toward the rider by 2-3cm as well.
Oil Cooler Protector Screen - To protect the front oil cooler from stone hits.
This worked great and is a must since the placement of the oil cooler is in a bad spot.
This worked great and is a must since the placement of the oil cooler is in a bad spot.
Radiator Protector Screen - To protect the radiator from stone hits.
Again, this worked fine and probably took some minor hits but I doubt it saved me from any real damage.
Again, this worked fine and probably took some minor hits but I doubt it saved me from any real damage.
Bash Plate - To protect the base of the engine and exhaust pipe from belly impacts.
This got "the life beaten out of it" both on and off the highway! The bike has quite limited clearance which is fine for Canadian and US highways and streets, but in Mexico and further South there are lots of large aggressive speed bumps on the streets and highways and I was always hitting them (often they are just too big and speed makes no difference. Likewise, off-road work requires clearance that the bike did not have. Consequently the bash plate got a real work out. It did well enough but I would get a unit made from heavier duty aluminium and steel next time.
This got "the life beaten out of it" both on and off the highway! The bike has quite limited clearance which is fine for Canadian and US highways and streets, but in Mexico and further South there are lots of large aggressive speed bumps on the streets and highways and I was always hitting them (often they are just too big and speed makes no difference. Likewise, off-road work requires clearance that the bike did not have. Consequently the bash plate got a real work out. It did well enough but I would get a unit made from heavier duty aluminium and steel next time.
Engine Side Bars -To protect the engine and side of the bike in falls. These bars really did a good job. They took several very hard hits and saved the tank and engine from any damage at all - great!
Off-Road Foot Pegs - These are so that the rider has good grip on the foot pegs when riding off-road in muddy and wet conditions.
I put on some good stainless steel ones that worked very well in all conditions. They did however, slowly eat into the soles of my boots (especially the gear leaver side) and I would get a more expensive set of foot pegs with rotation bearings so that this did not happen next time.
Off-Road Foot Pegs - These are so that the rider has good grip on the foot pegs when riding off-road in muddy and wet conditions.
I put on some good stainless steel ones that worked very well in all conditions. They did however, slowly eat into the soles of my boots (especially the gear leaver side) and I would get a more expensive set of foot pegs with rotation bearings so that this did not happen next time.
Side Case Mounts - These provide sturdy attachment for the side cases as well as protecting the rear side area of the bike.
These were great too - took several hard hits and the bike was completely undamaged. Likewise I did many many Km and they showed no signs of fatigue or wearing out.
These were great too - took several hard hits and the bike was completely undamaged. Likewise I did many many Km and they showed no signs of fatigue or wearing out.
Side Cases - These are to carry my clothing and equipment. Key lock to attach and to lock the lid closed.
I had a good brand of side cases (Hepco-Becker Gobi) that were made of a tough plastic. They did well given the punishment I gave them but next time I would get metal side cases. The plastic did not take the falls as well as I would like. The lid locks worked great. The attachment lock was too light weight and has become loose and sloppy - I would want something else next time.
I had a good brand of side cases (Hepco-Becker Gobi) that were made of a tough plastic. They did well given the punishment I gave them but next time I would get metal side cases. The plastic did not take the falls as well as I would like. The lid locks worked great. The attachment lock was too light weight and has become loose and sloppy - I would want something else next time.
Top Case Mount - Provides attachment for the top case.
Again, this did well and has shown no signs of fatigue even after riding for 15000Km with a full top case and a spare tire loading it down.
Again, this did well and has shown no signs of fatigue even after riding for 15000Km with a full top case and a spare tire loading it down.
Top Case - Used to carry clothes and equipment key lock to attach as well as lock the lid closed.
Same brand and model as the side cases - Hepco-Becker Gobi. It worked very well. No impacts for the top case (its up and out of the way) but I would prefer one that was a little larger (wider and lower). I would prefer to get something else next time.
Same brand and model as the side cases - Hepco-Becker Gobi. It worked very well. No impacts for the top case (its up and out of the way) but I would prefer one that was a little larger (wider and lower). I would prefer to get something else next time.
Windshield Extension - To deflect air away from the rider at highway speeds.
It did its job very well, but it is an obstruction to much needed visibility for low speed off-road riding. It is also no good when there is mist or light rain since the wind on your helmet shield is what keeps it free of water droplets and thus, behind the big wind screen, without wind, the water stays put! The wind pressure while riding is not that bad anyway, so I would not get one of these next time I go on a long tour or at least make it more easily adjustable/removable.
It did its job very well, but it is an obstruction to much needed visibility for low speed off-road riding. It is also no good when there is mist or light rain since the wind on your helmet shield is what keeps it free of water droplets and thus, behind the big wind screen, without wind, the water stays put! The wind pressure while riding is not that bad anyway, so I would not get one of these next time I go on a long tour or at least make it more easily adjustable/removable.
Heated Hand Grips. To keep fingers and hands warm in cold and rainy conditions.
These worked great! They were a real added comfort in mountains and bad weather and they worked reliably. Definitely a must for big trips. Id also add power outlets for heating a vest and feet too for the next trip.
These worked great! They were a real added comfort in mountains and bad weather and they worked reliably. Definitely a must for big trips. Id also add power outlets for heating a vest and feet too for the next trip.
Handle Bar Protectors. - To protect the break and clutch leavers when the bike falls.
These were great and were used many times with light and heavy impacts. I got good ones with a metal bar inside the plastic (Asserbis) - plastic only units are basically useless. I would not go on another trip without these.
These were great and were used many times with light and heavy impacts. I got good ones with a metal bar inside the plastic (Asserbis) - plastic only units are basically useless. I would not go on another trip without these.
Front Fender Extender. This deflects stones kicked up by the front tire.
I rode about three quarters of the trip with one of these but it probably made no difference to the bike. If you were a highway tourer only then it would help keep the engine clean and unmarked but as soon as you go off-road, its pointless.
I rode about three quarters of the trip with one of these but it probably made no difference to the bike. If you were a highway tourer only then it would help keep the engine clean and unmarked but as soon as you go off-road, its pointless.
Off-Road Tires. So you can go off-road.
I used off-road tyres (Continental TKC) on the front wheel for the whole trip and was glad I did. I liked the grip in the dirt and noticed no lack of control or unpleasant handling on the highways.
I used street tires (Pirelli, Brigestone) on the rear for half the trip and off-road tyres (Continental TKC) on the rear for the other half.
With the heavily loaded bike, I found that the street tyres had plenty of grip in the dirt if it was a firm and dry surface (which it usually was). However if I hit loose (7-10cm deep sand or gravel) or wet (particularly clay!) off-road conditions then the off-road tire on the rear was far more effective. In future I would likely fit just dual-sport tires but with a dense lug pattern in the centre strip of tire for improved wear with highway miles.
So, that's it. The bike is in quite rough shape aesthetically speaking, but it still runs and rides great. I will keep it for the time being but will sell it in about a year or so. I expect Ill get little more than half the price I paid for it but that's just the cost of taking a trip like this. I'm happy with the result, and I learned a lot for next time.
I used off-road tyres (Continental TKC) on the front wheel for the whole trip and was glad I did. I liked the grip in the dirt and noticed no lack of control or unpleasant handling on the highways.
I used street tires (Pirelli, Brigestone) on the rear for half the trip and off-road tyres (Continental TKC) on the rear for the other half.
With the heavily loaded bike, I found that the street tyres had plenty of grip in the dirt if it was a firm and dry surface (which it usually was). However if I hit loose (7-10cm deep sand or gravel) or wet (particularly clay!) off-road conditions then the off-road tire on the rear was far more effective. In future I would likely fit just dual-sport tires but with a dense lug pattern in the centre strip of tire for improved wear with highway miles.
So, that's it. The bike is in quite rough shape aesthetically speaking, but it still runs and rides great. I will keep it for the time being but will sell it in about a year or so. I expect Ill get little more than half the price I paid for it but that's just the cost of taking a trip like this. I'm happy with the result, and I learned a lot for next time.
