Suzuki DR200: my first motorcycle
- Thread starter edgear
- Start date
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
Wow I don't know how I missed this thread! Congrats on the new bike! :bike_rider:
Fishenough
Creeper
Congrats on the great bike, not even broken in yet too!
Last bike in NA for myself was a DR650 and found that the cheapest new flexy turn signals were Kawasaki units for a KLX250 (those protrusions were mt first thought too); some what like the ones on my new D-Tracker. My first brand new bike and first Kawasaki; I'll never go back to a big bike again, the 100 mpg on my fuel injected 250 more than makes up for being the last one to the top of the mountain. 3500 miles in 3 months, and bikes like these feel as easy as riding a bicycle; next up getting set up for week plus trips.
Wish I could get a tank like yours, but have to settle for 2l spare tankage for now.
Cheers
Last bike in NA for myself was a DR650 and found that the cheapest new flexy turn signals were Kawasaki units for a KLX250 (those protrusions were mt first thought too); some what like the ones on my new D-Tracker. My first brand new bike and first Kawasaki; I'll never go back to a big bike again, the 100 mpg on my fuel injected 250 more than makes up for being the last one to the top of the mountain. 3500 miles in 3 months, and bikes like these feel as easy as riding a bicycle; next up getting set up for week plus trips.
Wish I could get a tank like yours, but have to settle for 2l spare tankage for now.
Cheers
edgear
aventurero, Overland Certified OC0012
first droppage
This past Sunday was beautiful weather here in Prescott. That morning I decided to head out on a short adventure. I had never been to Lynx Lake and that looked like a good destination. The road there was nicely paved, about 50-55 mph, and winded up in to the pine trees. I continued up the road past the lake where it eventually turned to dirt. The stock tires on the DR200 are probably geared towards 80% pavement, but I kept my speeds low and did just fine on this graded dirt road. I gradually got into some snow & mud, and even some shallow water crossings. The road seemed to dead end at Potato Patch (a private community), and there was a sign posted 'No motorcycles allowed.' This made for a wonderful first solo adventure.
Then later that afternoon I rode with Scott Brady out to the Alto Pits, a designated motorcycle area with a lot of single-track. This was my first time on technical dirt terrain, and he tough me a lot of good tips for various scenarios. It was tough to stand up on that small bike, so I ended up sitting for most of the ride. On one sharp turn I caught a rock with my rear tire and ended up putting the bike down. A little bit of the plastic got scraped (thankfully it was soft sand), and part of the hard plastic on the rear turn signal broke - but the signal still works just fine. No damage done to the rider aside from a small bruise!
I performed the first 500-mile oil change which was quite easy. Only 1 quart of oil required (when you remember to put the plug back in).
Now for some possible suspension upgrades, and handlebar changes.
This past Sunday was beautiful weather here in Prescott. That morning I decided to head out on a short adventure. I had never been to Lynx Lake and that looked like a good destination. The road there was nicely paved, about 50-55 mph, and winded up in to the pine trees. I continued up the road past the lake where it eventually turned to dirt. The stock tires on the DR200 are probably geared towards 80% pavement, but I kept my speeds low and did just fine on this graded dirt road. I gradually got into some snow & mud, and even some shallow water crossings. The road seemed to dead end at Potato Patch (a private community), and there was a sign posted 'No motorcycles allowed.' This made for a wonderful first solo adventure.
Then later that afternoon I rode with Scott Brady out to the Alto Pits, a designated motorcycle area with a lot of single-track. This was my first time on technical dirt terrain, and he tough me a lot of good tips for various scenarios. It was tough to stand up on that small bike, so I ended up sitting for most of the ride. On one sharp turn I caught a rock with my rear tire and ended up putting the bike down. A little bit of the plastic got scraped (thankfully it was soft sand), and part of the hard plastic on the rear turn signal broke - but the signal still works just fine. No damage done to the rider aside from a small bruise!
I performed the first 500-mile oil change which was quite easy. Only 1 quart of oil required (when you remember to put the plug back in).
Now for some possible suspension upgrades, and handlebar changes.
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
Been there, done that! I found if I can retrieve most of the broken pieces the whole thing can be held together with clear tape. That said, the bike is due for its inspection...
Let me know how the handlebars go. My stock handlebars are too short even for my 5'7" frame so I'm considering taller ATV bars. I'm wondering if there will be more vibration with bars that don't have the steel plugs in the end.
Glad you're enjoying the bike. Its a hoot to ride.
Cheers,
Graham
edgear
aventurero, Overland Certified OC0012
more single-track adventure
Today Scott took me out to some great single-track that goes between Lynx & Goldwater lakes, just south of Prescott. There were several steep & loose climbs that were a fun challenge, along with some rocky descents. No droppage this time so that's a good thing. I was able to practice some more standing-up techniques, but that is still a bit difficult on this bike with the short handlebars. Here are a few shots that Scott took:
Today Scott took me out to some great single-track that goes between Lynx & Goldwater lakes, just south of Prescott. There were several steep & loose climbs that were a fun challenge, along with some rocky descents. No droppage this time so that's a good thing. I was able to practice some more standing-up techniques, but that is still a bit difficult on this bike with the short handlebars. Here are a few shots that Scott took:
Attachments
edgear
aventurero, Overland Certified OC0012
bigger foot pegs
The stock DR200 pegs are 3" x 1.25". I scored a free pair of stock KTM 950 pegs which are 3.25" x 2" -- a much better platform for standing on compared to the stock ones. Some slight modification was required, as I had to grind off some excess metal which caused the KTM pegs to be too wide for the brackets on the Suzuki.
Side-by-side comparison:
Excess metal ground off:
KTM pegs on Suzuki DR200:
The stock DR200 pegs are 3" x 1.25". I scored a free pair of stock KTM 950 pegs which are 3.25" x 2" -- a much better platform for standing on compared to the stock ones. Some slight modification was required, as I had to grind off some excess metal which caused the KTM pegs to be too wide for the brackets on the Suzuki.
Side-by-side comparison:
Excess metal ground off:
KTM pegs on Suzuki DR200:
Attachments
edgear
aventurero, Overland Certified OC0012
first farkles on the dr.
One of the major downsides of this motorcyle was the handlebar height. It was set up for a shorter person, making it difficult to comfortably stand up for any period of time. In addition there were no handlebar guards, causing my hands to get a bit chilly and/or possibly injured.
The stock handlebars had about 100mm of rise, so I upgraded to 150mm. The new ones were noticeably lighter than the stock ones, and should be much stronger too:
I also picked up some Acerbis handguard, and some very cushy grips:
I immediately noticed that the bike was more comfortable, both while sitting down on the pavement and while standing in the dirt. The bars can still be rotated upwards a little bit (which I will probably do), or rotated downwards for a shorter rider.
One of the major downsides of this motorcyle was the handlebar height. It was set up for a shorter person, making it difficult to comfortably stand up for any period of time. In addition there were no handlebar guards, causing my hands to get a bit chilly and/or possibly injured.
The stock handlebars had about 100mm of rise, so I upgraded to 150mm. The new ones were noticeably lighter than the stock ones, and should be much stronger too:
I also picked up some Acerbis handguard, and some very cushy grips:
I immediately noticed that the bike was more comfortable, both while sitting down on the pavement and while standing in the dirt. The bars can still be rotated upwards a little bit (which I will probably do), or rotated downwards for a shorter rider.
Attachments
kidishi@gmail.com
Adventurer
Very nice! What brand of handle bars did you go with? I have a 1987 Honda TLR 200 Reflex I want to switch the bars out on as well. Yours look really good! Keep the updates coming!!!
edgear
aventurero, Overland Certified OC0012
Renthal
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
I need to stop reading this thread or I'm gonna want a bike!! :bike_rider:
Purple People Eater
Explorer
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
Hi Jeremy,
I've got a couple of handlebar questions, if you wouldn't mind:
- What's the exact spec on the new Renthall bars?
- Did you remove the locator nub on the off/run switch mount or drill a hole in the bar to accept it?
- How tall are you? (I'm trying to work out the best rise; I'm 5'7".)
And an unrelated question: When you stand on the pegs do you find that your right leg gets close enough to the exhaust that your pants melt?
Cheers,
Graham
