Suzuki DR650SE Upgrade Summary

This video lists all the upgrades made to date on the DR650SE. I've done quite a lot and this should complete the build. Now I need to get some miles on it.

[@jonwoodworker]

Long live the mighty DR650.

[@davemcmahon8140]

You have done an excellent job on your 650. Honestly, like many here, I've seen plenty of builds on all sorts of motorbikes, im giving you a 9.5 out of 10. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Thanks...I'll take 9.5 😀

[@dannyfubar3099]

Excellent post, thank you for sharing.

[@jonsmith9708]

That’s a bad ass bike! The longer Leeds to the battery is a most

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Thanks mate...I don't think I'd do much more. Thought about a Safari Tank and Enduro Tower but I don't really need it! 😀

[@ParallelCamper]

Beautiful bike and a beautiful shop! I do like the GPS mount. I will check out your previous video. Thanks!

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Thanks mate...lovely to ride as well. 😀

[@Dastardly_X]

Nice vid , Thanks !!! That clutch start switch tip is great !!

[@mtscott]

No worries mate...after 50 years riding bikes with no clutch safety I reckon I can start one without being in gear!! :)

[@johnwillard6198]

Love my 08 ❤

[@RomasHabarovskas]

Nice video !

[@davidfalgout7304]

Very well done. I hope to be able to afford to upgrade my DR.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

There is no limit. I think the priority is probably: 1. Seat, 2. Suspension, 3. bar risers, 4. Foot pers lower, 5. Everything else!

[@bazz6670]

She's a great looking bike, well done on all the mods. Subbed. I didn't quite make out what windscreen you said it was. Cheers.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Parabellum Rally Screen parabellum.com/products/rally-shield-suzuki-dr650-2002-drz400s-sm-2001 Thanks for watching 😀👍

[@ianhead4740]

Awesome DR build, great to know that you are in WA as well. I have a few adventure bikes but am currently chasing a late model DR low Km's to do a similar build.

[@mtscott]

A lot of 2nd hand ones have a lot of the mods done already so you can save a bit by picking a good one up. I looked at one in Sydney before settling on a new one - when they were available.

[@ianhead4740]

Hey m8, I sold my T7 last week and was lucky enough to pick up a White 2021 DR650 with 2,500km's absolutely mint condition! Id been keen to catch up and take a look at your DR to see what it looks like in the flesh. Im located in Kinross. Cheers Buddy!@@mtscott

[@mtscott]

@@ianhead4740 no worries mate… post your mobile and I’ll text you. 👍🏻😁

[@whitedrguy6503]

Nice bike, makes my old 2014 DR look very old. I would seriously think about moving the throttle cables to under the brake line, the brake line does go up and down a fair bit. As for suspension, heavier springs are a definite, they make a world of difference, with the addition of some Cognet ddc in the forks and a revalved shock, night and day compared the standard, tyres are very much a personal thing but the Pirelli MT 21/ Dunlop 606 combo is great off road but wear bloody fast. Great thing about the DR is you can modify it however you like to suit you, a blank canvas.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Great suggestion - thanks. I hadn't noticed that. I might see if I can do same with clutch cable. I'll move them when I change my front springs. +8 years and probably more scratches, dirt and mileage. Mines is still a garage queen :)

[@tomhengel7244]

Great job I didn't see a skid plate.

[@mtscott]

There was a black B&B one when I shot this. I found it was rubbing the case after this video so I changed it to a Suzuki one.

[@upperjohn117aka]

If you are gentle on the bike you dont need new suspension but if you are aggressive in any way you will bottom it out pretty easily

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

It all depends on your weight. The bike was designed for a 75kg rider. I’m 100 + touring gear. I found that the bike was basically sitting on its rear shock rubber even on formed roads. The original spring is too weak - especially for big western riders. My sag with touring bags was so big the stand was struggling to keep the bike up. I did a video on shock spring rate for your weight.

[@ianhead4740]

Hey m8, I sold my T7 last week and was lucky enough to pick up a White 2021 DR650 with 2,500km's absolutely mint condition from Rick Gill's! Id been keen to catch up and take a look at your DR to see what it looks like in the flesh. Im located in Kinross. Cheers Buddy!

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Post your mobile number and I'll text you. All the upgrades are shown in the videos. 😀

[@BlazerLz]

Did you end up swapping for stiffer springs and drop in fork cartridge? I did mine on my Dr and MAN! The bike has COME ALIVE on the trails as well as the road. Highly recommend.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

YEs - front has stiffer springs and DFRX valves. Rear has stiffer spring and internal valving upgraded. Definitely a different bike. Doesn't sag and wallow so much. I believe it was designed for 75kg rider. Being about 100kg this made a massive difference. Thanks for the comment. 😀

[@emielknepper6959]

Very well done! Is it also possible to get a tank bag for this bike?

[@mtscott]

I have seen tank bags on other bikes so probably best to just Google for one. I actually don't like the feeling of something in front of me when I'm riding so I don't have one. The other issue is the tank breather. The standard tank has a locking cap so no issues. Aftermarket tanks have breathers so I don't know how they work with a tank bag. I have a vertical short MX breather fitted now.

[@iletaitunefoisaxe]

Amazing! Any chance you could share the links to all the spare parts you bought? Especially the rear case carrier, the protections, the front shield,... Everything actually 😂 I am going through some mods on a DR as well! Thanks for the nice video and great work you've done!

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Here are all the upgrades, costs and links. Anybody should be able to access if interested. The good thing about the DR is you can make it your own special machine. www.dropbox.com/s/kto96rx8yrp7mfx/DR650%20Upgrades%20Published.xlsx?dl=0

[@iletaitunefoisaxe]

@@lifelongmotorcycling Awesome thank you !

[@edgarcanon]

Don't get me wrong, I would love having a bike like yours, but didn't you loose one of the DR 650 advantages by adding so much stuff, which is the low weight?

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Interesting comment…a lot of stuff is just improving or upgrading. I have added quite a bit that said 😬 The pig is not quite a lightweight unicorn. 165kg off the showroom floor? Built for comfort, not for speed. 😁

[@pacwan69]

What brake light you mount in your bike?

[@mtscott]

It is the standard Suzuki light for a 2021 DR650SE. 😀

[@coobye]

Nice bike. Is the extended clutch cable a Motion Pro part like the throttle cables?.

[@mtscott]

Yes. Both Motion Pro. You just tell them the part number and they give you a quote. Throttle +3” Clutch +4” (I fitted +3” and it works)

[@coobye]

@@mtscott cheers mate. With the high bars and MSC steering damper my clutch cable could do to be a little bit longer.

[@mtscott]

@@coobye yeah I tried to use the std cables by rerouting them on the other side etc and they were too tight for my liking. Longer cables running on the original sides just look less stressed.

[@coobye]

@@mtscott I tried an easy pull system that fits inline on the cable but couldn't get enough free play. Did you have to contact Motion Pro in America or do they have an agent here in Australia?. I'm in NSW.

[@mtscott]

@@coobye they are in USA. Basically send them an email with the name, part number and how much longer you want and they will send you a quote back. It’s exxy but it solves the problem of cables being too tight and they are good quality. I ordered two sets as a spare.

[@fernandoantonioconchavazqu6956]

How about I send you a cordial greeting and congratulate you for your videos, can you tell me the brand of grill you use in your dr, thank you and greetings from Mexico

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Hi...its a Back Road Equipment Rack. Extremely well made. Link is here: www.backroadequipment.com/product-category/suzuki/

[@theprehistoricbunny9546]

Can you confirm the price for the motion pro cables. They seem very expensive.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

I think they were about AUD140 each. They are expensive but your alternatives are limited. They look pretty good quality. I ordered two sets so I had a spare when travelling.

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

I see why u might worry about the wife seeing this lmao!! Only should have got nee bars!

[@mtscott]

Video 52...Protaper CR-MID fitted 😀 And the journey continues 😬 I might do a video of my "final" additions.

[@BillySBC]

I have the Seat Concepts seat kit and I really don't like it, the seat cover is excellent but he seat foam is hard as a rock, harder than the original factory seat foam if you can believe it. Very dissatisfied with the kit. Is Seat Concepts trying to be funny by calling it a "Comfort Seat Kit"? Well it's not at all comfortable.

[@mtscott]

Nothing can be worse than the stock seat 😁 What I noticed is the seat concepts seat is wider providing more pelvic bone support. I can ride all day on mine. I bought the whole seat.

[@overcome8628]

DR-650s need brake upgrades. And do not take it off road even gravel, they do not perform well off road UNLESS you upgrade the suspension. And on main highways driving over 70 is downright scary, and if there's even minimal wind the bike will rock on you. Not saying they are bad, they are a blast on a country back road. And they are very dependable.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Nah...the brakes are sufficient for the job. 70mph? 100km/hr limit here (68.75 mph) - drive fine at that speed. Its not a GSA! Search for a guy called skids and stuff on KZbin and see how they can be ridden. The bike is more capable than most can ride them...

[@overcome8628]

@@lifelongmotorcycling I had a DR-650 I know what I said is the truth, And I am talking about the beginner to average driver, not a pro style driver.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

@@overcome8628 There is no "truth". Only opinions. Thanks for sharing your opinion. Others may have a different opinion. 😀👍

[@overcome8628]

@@lifelongmotorcycling well go ahead and take the beast off road without upgrading the suspension and changing the stock tires, I will visit u in the hospital and give you flowers.

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

@@overcome8628 Tyres are now Motoz Adventure front and rear and suspension was fully upgraded front and rear. Brakes are std.

[@darrylhansson5715]

Dont get it durty

[@lifelongmotorcycling]

Absolutely not...it's a garage queen 😀