Hey, I started something…

…without really intending to.  I like the DR650, but when I posted that blog earlier today from an ADVRider post, it sparked a response from my good buddy Tucson Greg.   You’ll remember Greg from our first Baja run…

Here’s what Greg wrote about an hour after my post…

Joe –

In the Spring of 2011, I bought a brand new DR650. The bike was only $6199, but I spent a lot of time & money fixing it up exactly the way I wanted:

• First thing was a Suzuki rear rack for about $120 because it didn’t have one. Or any other carrying capacity of any kind.
• Second thing was a Suzuki skip plate for about $120 because it didn’t have one.
• Third thing was a jet kit for about $70 because DR650’s run so lean that they will die young here in the desert.
• Fourth thing was a Sargent seat for about $350 because the stock seat was possibly the worst seat I have ever had.
• Fifth thing was a set of Rox adjustable handlebar risers for about $180 so I could ride standing up when I wanted to.
• Sixth thing was lowered foot pegs from ProCycle for about $180 because my knees couldn’t bend that way.
• Seventh thing was to lower the bike.  No parts cost except for the $72 for the new, shorter kickstand, but the dealer wanted $300 for the labor, so I did it myself.
• Eighth thing was Progressive springs and Intiminator valves for the front forks for about $300 altogether.
• Ninth thing was to have a guy rebuild the rear shock so that it would work.  That was $200, but I did it twice during the 6500 miles I put on the bike.
• Tenth thing was a 5.1 gallon Clarke gas tank for about $350 because the bike could not be counted on to go 150 miles with the stock tank.
• Eleventh through the 15th things I forgot.

I had the bike for a little over 5 years for a cost of over $10,000 and I loved it for 6500 miles.  I sold it in Spring of 2016 for $4200.

In the Spring of 2015, I bought one of the first RX-3’s off the boat for the introductory price.  CSC added the 12V and USB outlets to the dash and the mudguards for my hands for $150.  The first thing I did with the bike is take it on the inaugural ride with CSC down the Baja. I later lowered the bike with the CSC lowering link for about $100.  I later bought the Seat Concepts seat for it.

I have about 6,500 miles on it.  I have tracked every penny I have ever spent on the bike, gas, oil, tax, registration, insurance, EVERYTHING.  I’ve got $3955 in the bike now.  But more important, it’s my go-to bike.

The DR650 is a great bike and I loved mine.  But I chose to sell it and keep the RX-3.  Do I need help?

Greg

Greg, I don’t think you need any help at all.   Maybe next year you’ll join us on the 3rd Annual CSC Baja Run.   I’m hoping so.   Thanks for writing, Amigo!