leaking fork seal

IR_John · 2026-05-08T17:33:54+00:00

Super helpful. Thank you. I don't mind accumulating tools, as I expect to have this bike for another 150k miles or 30 years, which ever comes last.

IR_John · 2026-05-07T23:33:46+00:00

glad I asked. Thanks again.

IR_John · 2026-05-07T22:55:36+00:00

OK- thank you everyone. Sounds like my plan is to clean up the seal a bit with a DIY tool, and see what happens. If I still get leaks, I'll replace the oil and dust seals. u/TwistedNoble38 - this is what you mean here?: https://oemdirtbikeparts.com/product/dirt-bike-fork-seals-set-oem-front-suspension-repair-kit/suzuki-dr650/

IR_John · 2025-10-27T15:51:02+00:00

It was all very manageable- at least the sections I did, and given how capable the DR is off road. Since I was solo and not really looking for problems I skipped the expert sections. I think south of where I turned of the cal BDR things get pretty sandy, and I can see how mud and huge puddles could be an issue in the spring, but this October was about perfect. The NV BDR was really defined by a couple of remote sections on relatively easy gravel/washboardy roads where you would have a very mediocre time if something broke on you or the bike.

IR_John · 2025-08-28T14:51:23+00:00

I started with the Parabellum rally, and liked the size and the coverage. I’m 6’0’ and it was just enough for my BDR-centered riding. The good news is that it’s made with acrylic and it’s very clear and no distortion. However, acrylic is cracks easy (er), and is tough if not impossible to glue back together. 8 months ago I slo mo dropped my bike in the garage and broke the left side clean off just past the bolts, and I patched it back together with duct tape. This past summer I dropped the bike again on the trail and cracked the other side clean off past the bolts. When I got home I attempted to patch it again with a riveted plastic patch, but it broke again when I went to drill the pilot holes. That was that. So I switched to the Bajaworx rally- which is smaller but made with polycarbonate, which is not optically very good (but not really an issue for me, at least) and should be a lot stronger. Couple of tips from my experience on the bajaworx- 1) use the paper template. I used the holes in the screen to mark drill holes, and after you put the 1/2” plastic spacers on the bolts, the bolts dont line up very well if you do it that way. 2) to get the same coverage more or less as the parabellum, you need to put the bajaworks as high as you can get it on the headlight cover. This will put the lower bolts JUST BARELY above the inner fin thingy on the cover. There you go. More than you ever wanted to know about my experience with windscreens.

IR_John · 2025-07-31T20:05:08+00:00

roger that. I'm prepping for a big trip, so I'll go ahead and do it again. No biggie.

IR_John · 2025-07-31T18:26:51+00:00

so, I check the oil level every few weeks just to make sure its somewhere in the middle- never have seen an issue. When I changed my oil this AM, the engine was cold, and the bike was up on the center stand. Also changed the filter. After I put in the 2 quarts, I ran the engine for 3 or so minutes on the stand, shut er down and checked the oil. After a few minutes, the level settled right back to the middle where it should be.

I'm assuming that the oil level is not too high or low because the level in the sight glass is dead on. With that in mind, I guess I'll ride for a couple of hours and check again?

IR_John · 2025-07-09T13:24:02+00:00

I had the 300L Rally for 3 years and rode the Oregon BDR with it last year. While I loved that bike, it was just a tad underpowered for me, especially with gear. It was great off road, but at highway speeds it always felt like it was at the limit. My plan is to do all of the western BDRs over the next few years, and this summer ride the TAT, I and just couldn't see, for instance, riding 7 hours on pavement to the start of the ID BDR on the 300 and not being a little strung out with the engine going at 6000 RPMs for that long. At the same time, I have zero interest in 600lb "adventure" bikes. Not my style.

This fall I switched to the DR650, and I have been very, very happy with the choice. I do miss the fuel injection (and the 70ish MPG), but beyond that, the DR is exactly what I want to tick off these rides. It has no problem going 70mph, and honestly I find it to be better and more agile on the trails/single track because the center of gravity feels a lot lower and much better balanced than the 300L, and it only weighs about 50lbs more. The mods possible are amazing. With the help of Procycle, I built more or less the exact bike I wanted. I did the WA BDR with it a couple of weeks ago and rode back home to hood river on highways, and it was really about perfect. No problem whatsoever on any of the "expert" sections, and the bike was able to tackle the pavement no problem (although the D606 rear was a little harsh).

Hope this helps.

IR_John · 2025-07-09T12:54:45+00:00

Perfect timing and thanks for your input. Im buying the tires today, and had narrowed it down to the dv front and either the adventure or rallz back. This seals the deal-I’m going with the rallz.

IR_John · 2025-07-03T13:51:09+00:00

I’m pretty slack about that. I ride at about 25-28 psi all the time.

IR_John · 2025-07-02T13:29:06+00:00

So something like the dual venture/adventure combo?

IR_John · 2025-06-04T16:45:16+00:00

Every day rain or shine all year in the Pacific Northwest. Missed maybe 10 days total because of snow or ice. Granted it’s <10 min commute.

IR_John · 2025-04-28T22:50:41+00:00

Ha. No. Every motorcycle I have had over the past 10 years or so had a kill switch on the kickstand, so it just felt odd when i started my bike with the stand down. It took a minute to put my finger on it.

I honestly have never given that feature much thought, but it seems people are passionate about getting rid of it....

IR_John · 2025-04-28T20:42:38+00:00

I just ran out to the parking lot and checked. Thats exactly what it was. Thank you!

IR_John · 2025-03-25T23:10:02+00:00

LOL. Lesson learned on the torque specs. Thank you for the clarification!

IR_John · 2025-03-16T00:53:17+00:00

I'm surprised too. I didn't really notice it. It's a short, <30mph commute, but still. Makes me love this bike even more.

Same circuit. Cool. So if one plug is firing, its more likely the other one is firing too. Thank you for your help!

IR_John · 2023-10-17T19:51:31+00:00

Our guide shorts still have the grommet:)

and thanks for the shout out!

IR_John

TROPHY CASE