+eveRide ADV the next FFRC project bike is going to be the beta RS500 ty, if you'd prefer to buy one of those instead? first ride last week, still cleaning out my underpants lol!
I found that taking all the oil out of the forks and crank will save you about 5 kilos, plus its better for the environment not having all it go to waste each change
Yea at at the cost of ride- height, not to mention the dreaded fork slap with wheelies - I'd recommend welding them at your comfort level to avoid further embarrassments in front of the girls - plus you get the added bonus of completely eliminating front wheel torsion - what was Suzuki even thinking?
Dude bro buddy my dear DR. brother ....I've been watching your videos for at least a year now and I just realized I haven't subscribed and now I'm watching you pee on a tree but I digress thank you so much for the channel and I love my Dr my mighty mighty Dr 650 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Well we just bought one for my beloved and have been taking weight out of it where I can to make it a bit easier for her. Did valves in the forks so did the swap of the spacers to lighter ones. But after watching this again, pillion pegs, tool kit, helmet lock and grab rails can come off. All higher up weight that will help. I like the bike more than I thought I would.
There is a trade-off... the bike weighs just enough to help it stick to the road at speed, the more weight you remove the more the bike will get shoved around in the wind. So it's a balancing act, whatever you do to make it more offroadworthy will make the bike less on-roadworthy.
I agree, Billy. Just yesterday we rode home in a strong wind and the DR650 was getting moved around a lot on the the highway. The two Tenere 700s were much more planted on the road. But then the light weight of the DR is a huge benefit when the track gets rough!
Noticed your grips in this video. I'm not sure if you've mentioned finger pain before or if it was just arm pump and you solved it with those flex bars. If it was finger pain, I recently discovered that Progrip 714 (or 714BK.. not sure the difference) are softer and larger around than most other grips. GREATLY helped my fingers especially on the one I had tendon surgery when I was younger. I'm 31 and cant believe my fingers hurt after long rides the next day.. but those grips fixed it.
+David Driver that's an interesting point david, i've managed arm pump, finger pain and carpal tunnel with a pile of different things, but quite a few guys were saying bigger fatter grips can make arm pump worse... i'm not sure if it's true or not but in any case the stock grips are shockers and i've just been too lazy to replace them yet.
+ADVENTURE OZ yeah, and i usually ride up at the front too, standing full attack position... cant seem to get buddies to ride dirt with me anymore. probably cause im so fast
The DR is the most underrated bike out there. Bought mine new in 05 and over the yrs made some mods. Doesn't do anything fantastically but never does anything wrong. Seen loads of flash bikes give heaps of trouble particularly in the middle of nowhere! The DR just keeps plodding! Faithful ride. Not sexy but just love riding her!
I think I might try replacing only the upper components with lighter options. That should help lower the center of gravity for better handling and easier lifting.
FURTHER NOTES: Apparently you can swap over the DRZ400 subframe and save about six pounds or 2.7 kg... not bad if you are really going overboard with weight reduction. And it's taking weight off the top of the bike which has more impact. You have to do custom mounts for filter, battery, electrics, new custom seat etc so it's only for the super keen!
The frame on my DR 650 SE 1995 model finally gave up the ghost. After numerous repairs we bit the bullet and replaced it with a second hand one. Took 2 days to remove and replace everything. Repainted the frame but forgot to clear coat it. OOPS. Anyway , still lovin the DR.
It's one of the things I love about riding, it encourages me to stay healthy just so I can keep up with the others and not be too wrecked by the end of the day.
Soo i got a bush pig too. Its got renthal fatbars, staintune exhaust (support locals an also sounds great), acerbis long range tank, aftermarket seat. I removed the pillion pegs, reflectors an the helmet lock
instead of a metal skid plate you can use a plastic one. I hear they are pretty good and easier to slide along rocks and logs... don't know how far I'd trust it though...
+Don2323 yeah i was thinking of trying that new acerbis plastic skidplate but it was quite thick and not much lighter than the alloy ones, don. do you know of thinner lighter ones?
While not likely to be well received by the enduro community, I'd like to suggest my favorite weight savings measure : fatbike tubes (for those unaware, fatbikes are a genre of very large-tired mountain bikes). Depending on the tubes being replaced, you could lose anywhere from .5 to 2 lbs of rotating, unsprung mass per wheel, all for about $30 U.S. Yes, the dimensions are way off (mountain bikes run 26" wheels), but they do fit! Front or rear. And yes, they are very thin, but in my experience, pinch flats haven't been a problem.
+KhenPaul W tubes are another factor, most of us use heavy duty tubes which definitely adds weight but it's to avoid punctures in the rocky terrain we often wind up in
Love your Aussie humor! always have a good laugh over here in Canada eh. Question: I hear the cheap way out on the forks is to replace the springs, and weld up the original damper holes then drill smaller ones. can you confirm? thanks for the excellent videos.
I can't see messing with the damper holes will do anything different from going to a heavier fork oil, Sean... and it's much easier to do. You'll still have the problems inherent with rod style forks, as covered in our suspension episode.
If you’ve got the cash, lighter wheels also reduce unsprung weight, which is much better than reducing the same weight on the bike. But if you’re a big bugger like me you also want strong wheels
Lot's of good mods. However, I would advise against the last one - hydrogen in your forks is dangerous due to the possibility of explosion and fire. Remember the Hindenburg? I use helium.
That is a pretty good weight loss plan for most bikes. Trying to think of anything else..... ummmmm. Ahhh.. TuBliss instead of UHD tubes can save some weight. Rolling weight at that. Both the front and rear TuBliss I put on my DRZ are together lighter than just one of the UHD Tubes that I was running before. That and carrying a plug kit is much lighter than extra tubes!!
+TWiGs ADV (Chris) good point chris... i was keen to mention TUbliss but the guys would rather i don't mention them for adv riding because they aren't DOT approved in the states which is fair enough. also they don't make a 17 inch rear yet.
Ahh... yeah. I was waiting for that 17" rear myself when I was riding the KLR, forgot the DR has a 17 also. I do run the TuBliss on the road, even did 300ish miles of high way travel the other week, don't really care about the DOT approval or not. hahha The DRZ is my daily driver, ADV bike, and trail smasher all in one.
A modern lithium ion battery that should save about 8lbs so the free mods+next mods and battery swap should save about 30lbs bringing the curb weight down from 366 to 336lbs. Thats lighter than the latest husky 701 or ktm 690 enduro R for a fraction of the cost.
I reckon those weight saving a more kind of off-road or dirt ride oriented. If I were to take bike as all-rounder ADV, is it better to keep it a heavier bike as extra weight can increase the stability during highway riding to avoid a big rig turbulence or crosswind on a bridge .
Just brought one, 1/ 2021 ,loving it!, still running in ,but gee it goes well ,even with less than half throttle for now....feel's light enough as is ....just saying, but practical mod's are good...including losing weight .....me? 2 stone ....28lbs...worth it, and cheaper!!! stay well all !!
Enjoy that bush pig! I've owned four now and run them all in the same way... just made sure I was putting a good load on the engine for the first ride or two and varying the revs a lot. It probably doesn't matter how you run it in, but not many follow the old slow and gentle factory method anymore. In fact not many manufacturers recommend that anymore. ua-cam.com/video/9OLHH2Tpva0/v-deo.html
I guess that weight saving is relevant if you use your bike off-road; its overweight being probably not that critical on road. And for going off-road, you will need off-road tyres, which will translate into even more weight! Would an 18-inch rear wheel conversion then bring some weight saving? Anyway I would be cautious with some weight saving figures. Some may not be that accurate depending on the country you live in. I've made the GSXR1000 can conversion and the weight saving hasn't been as much as said. The reason? The stock Australian muffler weights less than the Californian one! Also the location of the weight saving is essential. I would think that saving half a kg on top of your handlebar (e.g. alloy handlebar without bar weight, use of PVC instead of fork springs steel spacers) could have more impact on your riding than saving a kg at the bottom of the engine (bash plate)!? Main axes for saving weight I see are: - Rear: Exhaust - Centre: Battery (but a small Lithium battery could be a problem in cold countries such as Canada?) - Front: Handlebar; Fork spring spacers A plastic tank will be lighter but you will fill it up with more fuel, so... Just my personal opinion, anyway. Thanks for this video.
all good points frogzie. i doubt an 18 wheel would weigh much less, if at all. all the GSXR cans weigh different amounts... reducing high weight makes a big difference for sure!
When you are all done with suspension upgrades and replacements, stripping off the misc pieces , etc etc you will have a Suzuki that cost as much as a KTM, you did all the labor and still it weighs 50 lbs more than my KTM LC4. (around 325lbs). But I can see getting a used one and doing some weight loss on it, finding front forks and shock off of ebay, that might be a good deal.
I'm not sure on the cost side of things, most of the mods are free or cheap. Spend $1000 on the suspension on a brand new DR650... way cheaper than a KTM 690 still. But of course if you buy all the bling the cost goes up fast. Also the LC4 is only around 8kg lighter in terms of wet weight. Great bikes though, I wish KTM had continued with them.
What was the total cost of the Next and Extreme Diet mods in this vid, Barry? What were the weight losses of the Free, Next, and Extreme stages? C'mon, it was only 7 years ago you did this vid. ;)
id love to see you guys do a build series like this on a pre-08 klr650 (post 07 is about 32 pounds heavier, if not more) next time someone is looking at a new bike try to push them that way lol
i mean i may be crazy, but i do log hops on mine with street tires, im sure certified gumbies like you can do better than a gumby who's been in the dirt for all of about 6 onths
Any idea how much lighter a set of motocross wheels/tires can get, such as Excel Takasago, maybe coupled with the aforementioned brake rotors/sprockets? Does anyone run 18" rear wheels on the DR?
Any thoughts as to how the weight savings affect overall tarmac performance on slap, high speed road, etc? I realize you OZ riders are blessed with dirt, just wondering what you thought of its road handling after the weight reductions
+Gulgonful an interesting point but unfortunately the DR has probably gained about as much as she lost. i figure i probably trimmed 12kg off the bike but most of that has gone back on with handguards, bashplate, carrier, flex handlebars, screen, radiator guard, larger fuel capacity, bigger footpegs etc. when the project is finished i should strip all the extras off and go for a final ride to see if i can feel much difference.
Thanks B! I'm perpetually torn between the rugged character, agreeable operating costs, and customizable nature of the DR and the "out-of-the-box-everything-I-want-except-light-dirt-capability" guzzi V7 as a next bike. I've never had anything but older Honda CB series motorcycles, so I think the DR will perform as well as my twin 450 (speed wise), I've just got a list of things I want to fuss with before even getting my hands on it (seat, headlight, etc) ... never good for the wallet! The Guzzi I've actually ridden, a great thumpy twin with enough power for me and a feeling that is VERY reminiscent of the DOHC 450 (handling, etc)... only problem is I would hang myself if I took it on a fire road and dropped it trying to get to a camping spot. Other than that my riding is 90% city commuting (there's also the risk of it getting knocked over, I know the DR could handle it). Only time will tell! Thanks for the great DR video series.
+Gulgonful a mate of mine bought a shiny new bmw gs1200 then freaked out every time he hit dirt in case he dropped it. eventually he sold it and now has the DR and of course doesn't lose any sleep over dropping it. :)
@@crosstrainingadventure I don't know what he's worried about.. everybody else worries about breaking their leg under the bike... he has these nice big cylinder heads to protect his knees!
I know that this is a stupid question, but i have to ask... XR600 vs DR650 ??? I mean... XR is much lighter, definetly more powerful. But i dont know if its indestructible same way the DR is... By the way, i am deciding between NX650, DR650, XR600 and husky TE610... I am definetly not a beginer, but i am looking for something little bit less agressive than my ex bikes, because of my knees :( ...you are the old dog, so i guess you have a ton of experience
+Adam Hraško not a stupid question at all adam, i'd probably be on an XR650L if they still brought them into australia. my knees are starting to get a bit creaky too but i love standing up once i'm offroad. the steg pegz help a lot with taking the load off a middle aged carcass lol.
Your knees have right to fall of anytime now...but maaaan im 17. I have tried few bikes, but none of them was any good, so i have settled with superbike :/ I am not going to ride this season to get myself to better condition... In a few months i would like to have a little chat with you about bike choice :)
The XR600R is said to be more durable than the dr650. Mine weighs 270lbs wet, but with no gas in the tank. I put some USD forks on it for $200. It is great off road. I ride it to work at 80mph every day for 35 miles one way. I then race the bike in harescrambles on the weekend. Its lighter and faster than the Dr650 or drz400s. There is a reason it dominated the Baja 1000 for 12 years. The Baja 1000 is the ultimate test of man and machine. And the XR 600 set the curve for many years. It even dominated GNCC racing for like 10 years....
Go ahead and get rid of your entire exhaust. Tons of weight savings and more braap! Also why do you even need a front tire? Just wheelie everywhere you go and save weight, money for new tires, and time changing them! And also to save a fair bit of weight by trying to do some engine mods like removing your cam and valves. Dirt bikes have been running without them since the early 80s so why all of a sudden do we need these extra engine parts? Just so manufacturers can charge you more money!
+MetalMike55 I have to agree that doing without the cams and valves looks tempting. I did some long distance touring on the mighty DT175 and it was unkillable. The ER185 is reputed to be the most reliable bike ever created and was the steed of choice for rural posties. I keep looking at the Xtrainer and wondering what it would be like for long distances. It's close but I think an agbikey thing (low dirt bike, big single seat, big strong rack on the back, built tough as nails) with a low state of tune 300 cc direct injection stroker would be the perfect ADV bike. Sadly no-one makes them. Aprilia built a direct injection stroker that passed all the euro standards. Because no fuel went through the crank case, it used hardly any oil, only needing to fill the tank at major services. Because the fuel was injected after the exhaust port closed, it used very little fuel. Touring with a bike that needs no oil/filter changes sounds very tempting.
very true but they don't make a 17 inch rear, plus they don't want to promote them for road use due to the legalities involved, at least in the US. it costs a fortune to get DOT approval apparently....
Are you serious? Those damn things weigh 37 pounds... Each. Plus, are you really gonna be that risky when all your things you need are on the back, such as a tent, fire starting equipment, cooking equipment, clothes, ect? I can respect you if all you're gonna bring is a couple changes of clothes and your cell phone, but I'd think most would rather camp.
When adding up all the mods I'd want to do to the Bushpig if I bought one, I'd be remiss if I didn't realize that I could buy a holdover model Honda Africa Twin for about the same price. Why would I want a DR650 over that? ...or like a used KTM 690 Enduro for that matter? Faster, lighter, liquid cooling, more horsepower, adjustable suspension, etc. I will say, your videos make me want to try the DR though, I've always rooted for the underdog. I just don't want to be stuck with something less for nearly the same money. What's the big draw to the DR? And why won't Suzuki give it a few updates, even if they're just small ones that most guys would do anyway?! They could offer a killer bike for about the same money, if they just did the mods for us. ie, higher compression piston, fix the fueling issue, lighter muffler, adjustable suspension, etc.
i know what you mean clint, but i did cover most of these points in the series. most of us only pick some of the mods, and the free or cheap ones too. so you can transform the bike for very little money if you want. but as mentioned in the series, if you like projects then i've listed a ridiculous number of mods and accessories for guys who want to go the whole hog. also suzuki won't update it because if they do, they then need to meet new pollution laws which would mean major changes like fuel injection etc. are they being lazy? yep, but many of us think the accountants are in control nowadays. 😢
+Carman Eben Bringing it from, in Australian stock ADR form, 166kg wet down to 155.5kg wet. (if you put the same fuel into the IMS tank). To put that in perspective it's closest competitor (at least going by the forum threads), the KLR650, is 194kg. An XT660R is 181kg, a Tenere 660 is 203kg, a KTM 690 Enduro is about 149kg, a Husqvarna SM630 is about 155kg. These are all wet weights.
not when theres 5 of them, thats half a kg (each 50gm is a mars bar! theres your morning tea sorted haha) I picked up the habit from bicycle touring, i still cut the tags out of my clothes and even drill the middle of bolts out (ones that arent too important) save 2g a bolt, do 10 of them. Obviously hit the low hanging apples first, but if you want to tinker for 15 mins every now and then why not shave that weight down
@@crosstrainingadventure I just acquired a 2022 and am starting down the path of upgrades. I am 6'2" (188cm) 185lbs (84KG) I just moved the bars forward and up and I am looking at a Cogent suspension upgrade and new tires. Luckely I am mechanically inclined so I can do most of the mod work myself. I'll probably do exhaust and re-jet after I do those things.
Slide a lighter bike underneath, hahaha! The problem with some of these mods, is spending hours and $$$ to save a kg or two, and slapping twice the weight back on with bashplates, case savers, luggage racks, larger fuel tanks etc. Better for one's sanity to just remove the unnecessary bits and not worry too much about it : )
+BBQ Rider absolutely, you can just spend way too much money and also wind up with stuff on the bike that isn't really needed... i'm putting things on for this project i wouldn't normally bother with, like the frame protectors and the rear luggage rack.
Fill the tyres , (tires), with helium. Sucking out the extra may help you talk funny. You might sound like someone from California. Let me know if this really works. Replace the steel kickstand with a stack of empty aluminum beer cans. You might have a few of these already, but order more full ones for back ups, and just dispose of the contents anyway you see fit. Greetings and best wishes from Nevada USA.
COMPLETE LIST OF DR650 PROJECT VIDS!
Introduction to the DR650 ua-cam.com/video/58vB-5urcJI/v-deo.html
Power mods overview ua-cam.com/video/z7GcNdlDwdk/v-deo.html
Transforming the carburetor ua-cam.com/video/aN1aU0G4YQE/v-deo.html
GSXR exhaust mod ua-cam.com/video/Em6SzMTF5SY/v-deo.html
DR650 known issues ua-cam.com/video/rSNBa63UWx8/v-deo.html
Basic suspension mods ua-cam.com/video/aTYAwIBX9aQ/v-deo.html
Protection for the DR ua-cam.com/video/NQcXfOJsLSM/v-deo.html
Ergos: pegs, bars & seats ua-cam.com/video/geLR5u8sMhI/v-deo.html
Weight reduction ua-cam.com/video/h6fl-GWdURk/v-deo.html
Best suspension mods ua-cam.com/video/sGdLm9sXzdo/v-deo.html
Fixing noisy starter motors ua-cam.com/video/6P4n80FJP18/v-deo.html
Headlight upgrades ua-cam.com/video/G28GoyWp6LI/v-deo.html
Steg Pegz review ua-cam.com/video/SnI_pfkuQsg/v-deo.html
Every one of these videos makes me want to get a bushpig... you need to stop!
+eveRide ADV the next FFRC project bike is going to be the beta RS500 ty, if you'd prefer to buy one of those instead? first ride last week, still cleaning out my underpants lol!
+ADVENTURE OZ Now you're just being cruel! ;)
+eveRide ADV well you will taunt ME with all that amazing desert scenery over there lol
+eveRide ADV. GET ONE!!!
But you bought an elephant and broke your back. 😲
3 years later 😜
Oh, sorry, just bustin your cocoa nuts . Love ya brah
The way you ride in your vids mate, you could save a bit of weight be just removing the front wheel!!
+MrRev83 lol you wouldn't think of the DR as being much of a wheelie bike but it's so balanced and easy it's hard to resist :)
I found that taking all the oil out of the forks and crank will save you about 5 kilos, plus its better for the environment not having all it go to waste each change
+Antonation brilliant, i'll try this today lol
Yea at at the cost of ride- height, not to mention the dreaded fork slap with wheelies - I'd recommend welding them at your comfort level to avoid further embarrassments in front of the girls - plus you get the added bonus of completely eliminating front wheel torsion - what was Suzuki even thinking?
just use 0-Weight oil. its the secret
@@doctormaddix2143 Gotta remember this one lol
I think slipping a lighter bike underneath is still the best option. Great video.
+ThisLifeRiding yup. hoping the next adventure project bike will be the beta RR480 / RS500
Hmm, now that sounds interesting.
Dude bro buddy my dear DR. brother ....I've been watching your videos for at least a year now and I just realized I haven't subscribed and now I'm watching you pee on a tree but I digress thank you so much for the channel and I love my Dr my mighty mighty Dr 650 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Glad you are enjoying the vids!
Well we just bought one for my beloved and have been taking weight out of it where I can to make it a bit easier for her. Did valves in the forks so did the swap of the spacers to lighter ones. But after watching this again, pillion pegs, tool kit, helmet lock and grab rails can come off. All higher up weight that will help. I like the bike more than I thought I would.
There is a trade-off... the bike weighs just enough to help it stick to the road at speed, the more weight you remove the more the bike will get shoved around in the wind. So it's a balancing act, whatever you do to make it more offroadworthy will make the bike less on-roadworthy.
I agree, Billy. Just yesterday we rode home in a strong wind and the DR650 was getting moved around a lot on the the highway. The two Tenere 700s were much more planted on the road. But then the light weight of the DR is a huge benefit when the track gets rough!
Noticed your grips in this video. I'm not sure if you've mentioned finger pain before or if it was just arm pump and you solved it with those flex bars. If it was finger pain, I recently discovered that Progrip 714 (or 714BK.. not sure the difference) are softer and larger around than most other grips. GREATLY helped my fingers especially on the one I had tendon surgery when I was younger. I'm 31 and cant believe my fingers hurt after long rides the next day.. but those grips fixed it.
+David Driver that's an interesting point david, i've managed arm pump, finger pain and carpal tunnel with a pile of different things, but quite a few guys were saying bigger fatter grips can make arm pump worse... i'm not sure if it's true or not but in any case the stock grips are shockers and i've just been too lazy to replace them yet.
Bring on the regular dose of DR650 wheelies, showing us how its done *thumbs up*
i just ride nekkid. 20 pounds of protective gear gone, no work on the bike or $$ needed, and it does wonders for keeping cool
+65elcamino283 argh, can't get this mental picture out of my mind lol
+ADVENTURE OZ yeah, and i usually ride up at the front too, standing full attack position... cant seem to get buddies to ride dirt with me anymore. probably cause im so fast
+65elcamino283 if i did that they'd probably be getting slapped in the face by dangly bits waving in the slipstream :D
+ADVENTURE OZ
XD
The DR is the most underrated bike out there. Bought mine new in 05 and over the yrs made some mods. Doesn't do anything fantastically but never does anything wrong. Seen loads of flash bikes give heaps of trouble particularly in the middle of nowhere! The DR just keeps plodding! Faithful ride. Not sexy but just love riding her!
+Robert Rota that pretty much sums up the old girl perfectly robert!
I think I might try replacing only the upper components with lighter options. That should help lower the center of gravity for better handling and easier lifting.
FURTHER NOTES: Apparently you can swap over the DRZ400 subframe and save about six pounds or 2.7 kg... not bad if you are really going overboard with weight reduction. And it's taking weight off the top of the bike which has more impact. You have to do custom mounts for filter, battery, electrics, new custom seat etc so it's only for the super keen!
A company should make one that already has everything ready to mount. But they’d probably want 500$
Second Hand stuff works too.
2nd Hand Brake Pads and Tyres are heaps lighter.
And using '0' weight oil helps as well.
😋
The frame on my DR 650 SE 1995 model finally gave up the ghost. After numerous repairs we bit the bullet and replaced it with a second hand one. Took 2 days to remove and replace everything. Repainted the frame but forgot to clear coat it. OOPS. Anyway , still lovin the DR.
LOL. “It’s usually healthier to lose some weight yourself.”
True that. I shed 15 pounds off both my bikes. Looking to shed about 25 more each.
It's one of the things I love about riding, it encourages me to stay healthy just so I can keep up with the others and not be too wrecked by the end of the day.
EXCELLENT. I can say no more.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing!
Our pleasure, Danny 😊
Soo i got a bush pig too. Its got renthal fatbars, staintune exhaust (support locals an also sounds great), acerbis long range tank, aftermarket seat. I removed the pillion pegs, reflectors an the helmet lock
instead of a metal skid plate you can use a plastic one. I hear they are pretty good and easier to slide along rocks and logs... don't know how far I'd trust it though...
+Don2323 yeah i was thinking of trying that new acerbis plastic skidplate but it was quite thick and not much lighter than the alloy ones, don. do you know of thinner lighter ones?
I thought moose made one at one point that was carbon fiber... worse comes to worse you can always put holes in a old KLR skid plate.
While not likely to be well received by the enduro community, I'd like to suggest my favorite weight savings measure : fatbike tubes (for those unaware, fatbikes are a genre of very large-tired mountain bikes). Depending on the tubes being replaced, you could lose anywhere from .5 to 2 lbs of rotating, unsprung mass per wheel, all for about $30 U.S. Yes, the dimensions are way off (mountain bikes run 26" wheels), but they do fit! Front or rear. And yes, they are very thin, but in my experience, pinch flats haven't been a problem.
+KhenPaul W tubes are another factor, most of us use heavy duty tubes which definitely adds weight but it's to avoid punctures in the rocky terrain we often wind up in
Great tips for any bike
Maraming salamat pare. 😊
Love your Aussie humor! always have a good laugh over here in Canada eh. Question: I hear the cheap way out on the forks is to replace the springs, and weld up the original damper holes then drill smaller ones. can you confirm? thanks for the excellent videos.
I can't see messing with the damper holes will do anything different from going to a heavier fork oil, Sean... and it's much easier to do. You'll still have the problems inherent with rod style forks, as covered in our suspension episode.
If you’ve got the cash, lighter wheels also reduce unsprung weight, which is much better than reducing the same weight on the bike. But if you’re a big bugger like me you also want strong wheels
Another great weight loss video!
Lot's of good mods. However, I would advise against the last one - hydrogen in your forks is dangerous due to the possibility of explosion and fire. Remember the Hindenburg? I use helium.
Great video and info!
Glad you enjoyed it!
That is a pretty good weight loss plan for most bikes. Trying to think of anything else..... ummmmm. Ahhh.. TuBliss instead of UHD tubes can save some weight. Rolling weight at that. Both the front and rear TuBliss I put on my DRZ are together lighter than just one of the UHD Tubes that I was running before. That and carrying a plug kit is much lighter than extra tubes!!
+TWiGs ADV (Chris) good point chris... i was keen to mention TUbliss but the guys would rather i don't mention them for adv riding because they aren't DOT approved in the states which is fair enough. also they don't make a 17 inch rear yet.
Ahh... yeah. I was waiting for that 17" rear myself when I was riding the KLR, forgot the DR has a 17 also. I do run the TuBliss on the road, even did 300ish miles of high way travel the other week, don't really care about the DOT approval or not. hahha The DRZ is my daily driver, ADV bike, and trail smasher all in one.
A modern lithium ion battery that should save about 8lbs so the free mods+next mods and battery swap should save about 30lbs bringing the curb weight down from 366 to 336lbs. Thats lighter than the latest husky 701 or ktm 690 enduro R for a fraction of the cost.
Dodgiest intro/disclaimer yet.
That spare tire around the middle protects us old guys internal organs when we crash !!!
😂
I reckon those weight saving a more kind of off-road or dirt ride oriented. If I were to take bike as all-rounder ADV, is it better to keep it a heavier bike as extra weight can increase the stability during highway riding to avoid a big rig turbulence or crosswind on a bridge .
And it will be safer carrying a passenger too.
Just brought one, 1/ 2021 ,loving it!, still running in ,but gee it goes well ,even with less than half throttle for now....feel's light enough as is ....just saying, but practical mod's are good...including losing weight .....me? 2 stone ....28lbs...worth it, and cheaper!!! stay well all !!
Enjoy that bush pig! I've owned four now and run them all in the same way... just made sure I was putting a good load on the engine for the first ride or two and varying the revs a lot. It probably doesn't matter how you run it in, but not many follow the old slow and gentle factory method anymore. In fact not many manufacturers recommend that anymore. ua-cam.com/video/9OLHH2Tpva0/v-deo.html
Cracking me up with the, "Just lift the fuel tank and slide a lighter bike underneath" comments.
I guess that weight saving is relevant if you use your bike off-road; its overweight being probably not that critical on road.
And for going off-road, you will need off-road tyres, which will translate into even more weight! Would an 18-inch rear wheel conversion then bring some weight saving?
Anyway I would be cautious with some weight saving figures. Some may not be that accurate depending on the country you live in. I've made the GSXR1000 can conversion and the weight saving hasn't been as much as said. The reason? The stock Australian muffler weights less than the Californian one!
Also the location of the weight saving is essential. I would think that saving half a kg on top of your handlebar (e.g. alloy handlebar without bar weight, use of PVC instead of fork springs steel spacers) could have more impact on your riding than saving a kg at the bottom of the engine (bash plate)!?
Main axes for saving weight I see are:
- Rear: Exhaust
- Centre: Battery (but a small Lithium battery could be a problem in cold countries such as Canada?)
- Front: Handlebar; Fork spring spacers
A plastic tank will be lighter but you will fill it up with more fuel, so...
Just my personal opinion, anyway. Thanks for this video.
all good points frogzie. i doubt an 18 wheel would weigh much less, if at all. all the GSXR cans weigh different amounts... reducing high weight makes a big difference for sure!
When you are all done with suspension upgrades and replacements, stripping off the misc pieces , etc etc you will have a Suzuki that cost as much as a KTM, you did all the labor and still it weighs 50 lbs more than my KTM LC4. (around 325lbs). But I can see getting a used one and doing some weight loss on it, finding front forks and shock off of ebay, that might be a good deal.
I'm not sure on the cost side of things, most of the mods are free or cheap. Spend $1000 on the suspension on a brand new DR650... way cheaper than a KTM 690 still. But of course if you buy all the bling the cost goes up fast. Also the LC4 is only around 8kg lighter in terms of wet weight. Great bikes though, I wish KTM had continued with them.
gave it a like just for the disclaimer
Jeff at Procycle shaved a DR down to 320lb curb. That's similar to a DR-Z400S.
I wonder how it was on the slab.
So I've heard... love to hear how he managed that!
All good tips
Glad you liked it
@@crosstrainingadventure Yes, I like it when you get factual 👍
What was the total cost of the Next and Extreme Diet mods in this vid, Barry? What were the weight losses of the Free, Next, and Extreme stages? C'mon, it was only 7 years ago you did this vid. ;)
No idea, the weight doesn't worry too much so I only did the free or cheap mods.
id love to see you guys do a build series like this on a pre-08 klr650 (post 07 is about 32 pounds heavier, if not more)
next time someone is looking at a new bike try to push them that way lol
unfortunately far too heavy for the sort of riding we do, the DR is pushing the limits already. :)
the first gen klr650 is only about 6 kg heavier than a dr650, though. dry on the dr659 is about 147 kg and dry on a gen 1 klr is claimed at 153 kg
i mean i may be crazy, but i do log hops on mine with street tires, im sure certified gumbies like you can do better than a gumby who's been in the dirt for all of about 6 onths
I'm sorry, but the thumbnail is just too funny.
I remember photoshopping that years ago, Chase... and couldn't stop laughing as it came together 😁
Interesting hey. Some people really go to extremes with this stuff.
+JoeJoe Moto it can get very expensive joe, you hear about motocross guys replacing all their bolts with titanium ones to lose a few grams....
Any idea how much lighter a set of motocross wheels/tires can get, such as Excel Takasago, maybe coupled with the aforementioned brake rotors/sprockets?
Does anyone run 18" rear wheels on the DR?
To save weight I drive usually without engine oil :D
Try it i realy save some ;)
+Janos Skalet - and as you ride, it shaves some of the engine parts to save even more weight!!!! hehehe
+TWiGs ADV (Chris) ohh i dont even think about it :D
What was name of the exhaust your running? Need something quiet sounds perfect.
GSXR exhaust mod, there's a whole vid about it in this series, Joseph.
yikes! Bud that's a lot of work think the lift tank slide bike under makes more sense. Anyway I am off to my Sat ride, rock on! Thanks man!
I saved 10 pounds in each tire by running tubes. Went from 15pounds to 5 pounds of air
👍😂
Any thoughts as to how the weight savings affect overall tarmac performance on slap, high speed road, etc? I realize you OZ riders are blessed with dirt, just wondering what you thought of its road handling after the weight reductions
+Gulgonful an interesting point but unfortunately the DR has probably gained about as much as she lost. i figure i probably trimmed 12kg off the bike but most of that has gone back on with handguards, bashplate, carrier, flex handlebars, screen, radiator guard, larger fuel capacity, bigger footpegs etc. when the project is finished i should strip all the extras off and go for a final ride to see if i can feel much difference.
Thanks B!
I'm perpetually torn between the rugged character, agreeable operating costs, and customizable nature of the DR and the "out-of-the-box-everything-I-want-except-light-dirt-capability" guzzi V7 as a next bike.
I've never had anything but older Honda CB series motorcycles, so I think the DR will perform as well as my twin 450 (speed wise), I've just got a list of things I want to fuss with before even getting my hands on it (seat, headlight, etc) ... never good for the wallet!
The Guzzi I've actually ridden, a great thumpy twin with enough power for me and a feeling that is VERY reminiscent of the DOHC 450 (handling, etc)... only problem is I would hang myself if I took it on a fire road and dropped it trying to get to a camping spot. Other than that my riding is 90% city commuting (there's also the risk of it getting knocked over, I know the DR could handle it).
Only time will tell! Thanks for the great DR video series.
+Gulgonful a mate of mine bought a shiny new bmw gs1200 then freaked out every time he hit dirt in case he dropped it. eventually he sold it and now has the DR and of course doesn't lose any sleep over dropping it. :)
@@crosstrainingadventure I don't know what he's worried about.. everybody else worries about breaking their leg under the bike... he has these nice big cylinder heads to protect his knees!
I know that this is a stupid question, but i have to ask... XR600 vs DR650 ??? I mean... XR is much lighter, definetly more powerful. But i dont know if its indestructible same way the DR is... By the way, i am deciding between NX650, DR650, XR600 and husky TE610... I am definetly not a beginer, but i am looking for something little bit less agressive than my ex bikes, because of my knees :( ...you are the old dog, so i guess you have a ton of experience
+Adam Hraško not a stupid question at all adam, i'd probably be on an XR650L if they still brought them into australia. my knees are starting to get a bit creaky too but i love standing up once i'm offroad. the steg pegz help a lot with taking the load off a middle aged carcass lol.
Your knees have right to fall of anytime now...but maaaan im 17. I have tried few bikes, but none of them was any good, so i have settled with superbike :/ I am not going to ride this season to get myself to better condition... In a few months i would like to have a little chat with you about bike choice :)
The Honda xr600 and 650 are the most reliable indestructible bike ever made. They are on par if not better than a dr650
The XR600R is said to be more durable than the dr650. Mine weighs 270lbs wet, but with no gas in the tank. I put some USD forks on it for $200. It is great off road. I ride it to work at 80mph every day for 35 miles one way. I then race the bike in harescrambles on the weekend. Its lighter and faster than the Dr650 or drz400s. There is a reason it dominated the Baja 1000 for 12 years. The Baja 1000 is the ultimate test of man and machine. And the XR 600 set the curve for many years. It even dominated GNCC racing for like 10 years....
i dont remove rear passenger pegs because a KTM rider just might need a ride out of the bush.
😂👍
2024 this parts list is still good, because the DR is unchanged.
Go ahead and get rid of your entire exhaust. Tons of weight savings and more braap! Also why do you even need a front tire? Just wheelie everywhere you go and save weight, money for new tires, and time changing them! And also to save a fair bit of weight by trying to do some engine mods like removing your cam and valves. Dirt bikes have been running without them since the early 80s so why all of a sudden do we need these extra engine parts? Just so manufacturers can charge you more money!
Haha
+MetalMike55 damn i should just yank that vid and repost it with these tips, mike.... bushpig gold!
+MetalMike55 . How about remote control? A drone bush pig. Saves tons of weight
+MetalMike55 I have to agree that doing without the cams and valves looks tempting. I did some long distance touring on the mighty DT175 and it was unkillable. The ER185 is reputed to be the most reliable bike ever created and was the steed of choice for rural posties. I keep looking at the Xtrainer and wondering what it would be like for long distances. It's close but I think an agbikey thing (low dirt bike, big single seat, big strong rack on the back, built tough as nails) with a low state of tune 300 cc direct injection stroker would be the perfect ADV bike. Sadly no-one makes them. Aprilia built a direct injection stroker that passed all the euro standards. Because no fuel went through the crank case, it used hardly any oil, only needing to fill the tank at major services. Because the fuel was injected after the exhaust port closed, it used very little fuel. Touring with a bike that needs no oil/filter changes sounds very tempting.
4:12 The total is 10.49kg for anyone wondering
assuming gravity and relative speed are at the usual constants :)
and 10.49kg is 23 pounds if anyone was wondering
Does ffrc make the phlex valves that'll fit other bikes? On my dirt bike it has standard rod forks and I would like an upgrade, 02 kx250
you'd have to ask FFRC
Less weight? - how about trying those Tubliss dovalackies - less unsprung weight (1kg per wheel???) AND puncture resistant.
very true but they don't make a 17 inch rear, plus they don't want to promote them for road use due to the legalities involved, at least in the US. it costs a fortune to get DOT approval apparently....
can you help me i have problem setting up my suspension i only weigh 8 stone and ride wr250f 2003 whats the best setttings for my weight.
+Paul Rhodes crosstrainingenduro.com/cross-training-techniques/dirt-riding-suspension-setup.htm
ADVENTURE OZ thank's
You shoukd leave the passenger pegs on so u can do wheelies on them
....and give Kattie riders a lift home.
Are you serious? Those damn things weigh 37 pounds... Each. Plus, are you really gonna be that risky when all your things you need are on the back, such as a tent, fire starting equipment, cooking equipment, clothes, ect? I can respect you if all you're gonna bring is a couple changes of clothes and your cell phone, but I'd think most would rather camp.
+XPWNZERX to stay at a hotel that is.
so, how much weight you did cut out of 166kg?
When adding up all the mods I'd want to do to the Bushpig if I bought one, I'd be remiss if I didn't realize that I could buy a holdover model Honda Africa Twin for about the same price. Why would I want a DR650 over that? ...or like a used KTM 690 Enduro for that matter? Faster, lighter, liquid cooling, more horsepower, adjustable suspension, etc. I will say, your videos make me want to try the DR though, I've always rooted for the underdog. I just don't want to be stuck with something less for nearly the same money. What's the big draw to the DR? And why won't Suzuki give it a few updates, even if they're just small ones that most guys would do anyway?! They could offer a killer bike for about the same money, if they just did the mods for us. ie, higher compression piston, fix the fueling issue, lighter muffler, adjustable suspension, etc.
i know what you mean clint, but i did cover most of these points in the series. most of us only pick some of the mods, and the free or cheap ones too. so you can transform the bike for very little money if you want. but as mentioned in the series, if you like projects then i've listed a ridiculous number of mods and accessories for guys who want to go the whole hog.
also suzuki won't update it because if they do, they then need to meet new pollution laws which would mean major changes like fuel injection etc. are they being lazy? yep, but many of us think the accountants are in control nowadays. 😢
I added up all the weight savings at the end of the video. It's 10.5 kg in total off the bike
+Carman Eben Bringing it from, in Australian stock ADR form, 166kg wet down to 155.5kg wet. (if you put the same fuel into the IMS tank).
To put that in perspective it's closest competitor (at least going by the forum threads), the KLR650, is 194kg. An XT660R is 181kg, a Tenere 660 is 203kg, a KTM 690 Enduro is about 149kg, a Husqvarna SM630 is about 155kg. These are all wet weights.
@@tosgem what’s the wet weight on a Honda crf250l?
@@meekdook4236 of I recall arpund 143kg. A bit heavier than KLX250S and WR250R which are both 130kg wet
🇮🇳❤👌❤👌❤👌❤
I ride a KLX250s, it's 300 dry. Is that a fine weight?
it depends....
ADVENTURE OZ I weight 130lbs
If you think its too heavy, then its too heavy.
I think when you’re removing parts that only weigh 50 gm or 100 gm, you’re better off skipping your morning coffee
not when theres 5 of them, thats half a kg (each 50gm is a mars bar! theres your morning tea sorted haha) I picked up the habit from bicycle touring, i still cut the tags out of my clothes and even drill the middle of bolts out (ones that arent too important) save 2g a bolt, do 10 of them. Obviously hit the low hanging apples first, but if you want to tinker for 15 mins every now and then why not shave that weight down
NOT THE COFFEE!!! 😂
At my age, carrying an entire spare tire store... why did I get a bush pig? Because my 250 was whinging like a baby. lol
+sassed1 2many definitely a good argument for more ccs, sassed :)
BUSH PIGLET!
+vagabondroller hear her squeal :D
Seriously reducing 22lbs makes the bike sub 345lbs which is pretty awesome for a 650cc Adventure bike.
Agreed. It might be heavy for a 'dual sport' bike but it's very light within the ADV category.
@@crosstrainingadventure I just acquired a 2022 and am starting down the path of upgrades. I am 6'2" (188cm) 185lbs (84KG) I just moved the bars forward and up and I am looking at a Cogent suspension upgrade and new tires. Luckely I am mechanically inclined so I can do most of the mod work myself. I'll probably do exhaust and re-jet after I do those things.
Slide a lighter bike underneath, hahaha! The problem with some of these mods, is spending hours and $$$ to save a kg or two, and slapping twice the weight back on with bashplates, case savers, luggage racks, larger fuel tanks etc. Better for one's sanity to just remove the unnecessary bits and not worry too much about it : )
+BBQ Rider absolutely, you can just spend way too much money and also wind up with stuff on the bike that isn't really needed... i'm putting things on for this project i wouldn't normally bother with, like the frame protectors and the rear luggage rack.
Fill the tyres , (tires), with helium. Sucking out the extra may help you talk funny. You might sound like someone from California. Let me know if this really works. Replace the steel kickstand with a stack of empty aluminum beer cans. You might have a few of these already, but order more full ones for back ups, and just dispose of the contents anyway you see fit. Greetings and best wishes from Nevada USA.
Yeah if I could get rid of that "spare tire"...ha!
+richmoto1 i'm thinking of running out of fuel more often to get rid of mine :)
better off only putting haft a tank of petrol in haha
What are bar weights for?
+Benpatt43 I think they dampen down vibration through the handlebars.
+Colin Riley yep, that's what i've heard. can't say i've noticed much difference taking them off.
You should have ditched the tool kit while you were at it.
its still a suzuki mate gonna need that (although an AA breakdown membership card is lighter still)
What's that song at the start and end of the video
+julian wilson couldn't even find a name for it julian, it's from a flash toolkit of music loops
+ADVENTURE OZ ok thanks for trying
+julian wilson Thanood Manstorm
+julian wilson Look up "GRID main theme" and compare.
Gorbachev It sounds similar but not it
hehehe..just ride it..
A bike built with square sections of welded steel is a real turn off for me. It screams heavy.
Wisdom there: lose a few pounds. Good for you , good for bike.
Just removing one of the enormous testicles required to be be a DR rider is enough weight loss which is equivalent to 3/5ths of FA in the old scale 😂
🤔😗😂
Buy a KTM.. drop a load.
Dropping a load of cash? A KTM 690 is close to double the price, John. 🤔 And only 7 kg lighter. Close to double the horsepower though.