2003 Suzuki DR650 1-up Offroad

[Mr. Guy]

Ok, I finally got around to this. This is how I plan to go on a ride of the central part of the Trans-America Trail Sept. '08.

Starting up front in the headlight bag is my extra tubes, bike jack, spare levers, and manual air pump.

Left side tank pannier is rain gear and a microlight clipped to the zipper

Right side tank pannier is spare sunglasses, first aid, maps, ear plugs, bandana, misc.

Top tank bag is Advil, ETC.

Left rear pannier is stove, fuel, sleeping bag, and food.

Right rear pannier is Thera-rest, tarp, spare clothes, and more food.

Tail bag is my everyday tool bag ( tire irons, tube, spare bolts, zip ties,elec tape, patch kit, elec air pump), toiletries, military poncho, poncho liner, light sheet made from parachute nylon, and misc. small camp stuff ( lighter, headlamp and the like).

Traveling on road I would also carry a tent, thicker sleep pad, and chair.

Of course, subject to change without notice.


Thanks, Guy

P.S. If you see me riding through camp, flag me down and say Hi.

P.P.S. I made changes to my packing, see post #4.

[Trailace]

Sounds and looks good to me. Hey you bring a Tent or just a tarp? I will be doing a test pack and check off in a few weeks just to make sure I don't forget or need something.

[Mr. Guy]

I used to go backpacking with half the gear I'm taking and never a tent. So I thought why take a tent now.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

Ok, I changed my mind, after the previous pack up, I rode out to the pasture to see how I liked my packing job and discovered the tank bags got in the way of standing up more than I liked. So I switched my small tail bag for my Dirt-Bagz X-Duffel and packed everything from the tank bags into it along with what was already in the small tail-bag. Also after considering the highway miles I was going to have to do, I put my windshield back on. This should work for this trip, for a highway trip, I would go ahead and use the tank bags, as they don't bother me when sitting down.

Thanks, Guy

P.S. Will add pics of camp after the trip.

[Black and Blue]

You have a great trip. We're envy:( Takes some good pics. Can't wait.:)
Black and Blue

[Trailace]

Hi All,

Ok, I changed my mind, after the previous pack up, I rode out to the pasture to see how I liked my packing job and discovered the tank bags got in the way of standing up more than I liked. So I switched my small tail bag for my Dirt-Bagz X-Duffel and packed everything from the tank bags into it along with what was already in the small tail-bag. Also after considering the highway miles I was going to have to do, I put my windshield back on. This should work for this trip, for a highway trip, I would go ahead and use the tank bags, as they don't bother me when sitting down.

Thanks, Guy

P.S. Will add pics of camp after the trip.
Guy,
Man that looks real clean nice job.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

Just a pic or two of my new bag on the bike with the luggage rack plate I made.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1465

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SPuy4A1c3NI/AAAAAAAAAT4/MMpcIoALv90/s640/PICT0083.JPG

Bags look better in scenic locations.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SPuyYz7Y_uI/AAAAAAAAAS8/DeYqp2RqCro/s640/PICT0076.JPG

Thanks, Guy

[Trailace]

Hi All,

Just a pic or two of my new bag on the bike with the luggage rack plate I made.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1465

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SPuy4A1c3NI/AAAAAAAAAT4/MMpcIoALv90/s640/PICT0083.JPG

Bags look better in scenic locations.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SPuyYz7Y_uI/AAAAAAAAAS8/DeYqp2RqCro/s640/PICT0076.JPG

Thanks, Guy

Hey that looks like my set up. :p

[Mr. Guy]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. ;)

Guy

[g®eg]

similar setup in Gaspe Quebec last summer
XR 650 L

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/Mercury264/Gaspe%202008/IMGP3468.jpg

surplus Swedish Military ruck sacks for panniers...
$17 each off eBay.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Looks good Greg, I like the ruck sacks. Welcome to the site!

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Greg,

Looks good, ready for a long trip it looks like.

Guy

[g®eg]

Hi Greg,

Looks good, ready for a long trip it looks like.

Guy

we were about half way done by then. 1730 miles up the dirt roads through Maine into Gaspe Quebec & back last summer... I outta right up the trip report...:)

thanks for the welcome too guys!P^

[Mr. Guy]

That's a story I want to hear. And don't forget the pics. Gota have pics.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

I thought after the Chill Out that I'd try a different way to pack my gear for the long road trips:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAGwwkhvfYI/AAAAAAAABUM/8eo1lU0C0sw/s720/DSCN0924.JPG

I took a set of Happy Trail racks that I already had and put 2 Pelican boxes on them and a JC Whitney box on top. Total capacity is about the same as what I took to the Chill Out, but now it's water proof and lockable. We'll see how it goes on the next trip.

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Hey, looking good.P^ Can you take a right or left side pic and a rear one. Kinda want to see if you're wider than us.:D We measured approx. 38 inches wide. Wind drag was what we noticed with the Jesse's.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Looks great Guy! You really are going for the "Touring" model aren't you? P^

[Trailace]

Hi All,

I thought after the Chill Out that I'd try a different way to pack my gear for the long road trips:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAGwwkhvfYI/AAAAAAAABUM/8eo1lU0C0sw/s720/DSCN0924.JPG

I took a set of Happy Trail racks that I already had and put 2 Pelican boxes on them and a JC Whitney box on top. Total capacity is about the same as what I took to the Chill Out, but now it's water proof and lockable. We'll see how it goes on the next trip.

Guy

Looks good Guy and it was great having dinner with ya. P^

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Ernie and/or Colleen,

It's hard to tell sometimes who I'm talking to. :D

Here's a pic from the side:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1B1geOQI/AAAAAAAABVc/PD_OPbQEjf0/s720/DSCN0926.JPG

From the front:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1Fza8RRI/AAAAAAAABVg/0EoQhCdL_lw/s512/DSCN0927.JPG

And the back:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1H-fx-8I/AAAAAAAABVk/xR1m6MFOpG0/s512/DSCN0928.JPG

While I was at it, I took some left over reflective sticker and made some new helmet decoration. :) As you can see the stickers are not looking to good on the top box, so I may take them off there. The width outside to outside of the boxes is 33 inches with the latches adding an inch to each side. Wind drag is noticeable at 70 or above, but very negligible at 65 or lower. I need to be riding slower anyway. :D The side boxes could be removed in about 20 minutes, but I think I'll leave them on for a while and see how I like riding full time with them. Riding to work more they'll come in handy for errands and such.

Hi Steve,

Yea, I'm hoping to do a little more "touring" in the future too.

Hi Rick,

Thanks and it was good seeing you again too.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Say Ernie,

Where did you get the tie down loops you had on the top of your Jesse's? I'm guessing a marine place would have them, but wanted to ask first.

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Say Ernie,

Where did you get the tie down loops you had on the top of your Jesse's? I'm guessing a marine place would have them, but wanted to ask first.

Guy

Hi, Guy
We bought them thru the Jesse people since they were stainless steel, but I believe you could find them anywhere. Probably just Google them and see. Sorry, wasn't much help there.:(

Yeah, I know it's confusing sometimes who you're talking to, but Colleen usually signs her name to the post. Anyway, I, Ernie, was wondering about the width. Like I said before, I noticed the drag with the Jesse's.

The reflective tape is a good thing back there. As far as that J C Whitney top case, Colleen removed all the red plastic and had to put the tape in sections, to keep it from what happened to yours. I was planning on cutting mine in a long narrow strip and put it on over the red plastic. I believe that way I won't have to worry about the crinkles.

Anyway, the cases looks good.P^ Now you can really boast about the DR being "The Touring Model".

Take care.

Ernie:)

[Yamifj1200]

Hi Ernie and/or Colleen,

It's hard to tell sometimes who I'm talking to. :D

Here's a pic from the side:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1B1geOQI/AAAAAAAABVc/PD_OPbQEjf0/s720/DSCN0926.JPG

From the front:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1Fza8RRI/AAAAAAAABVg/0EoQhCdL_lw/s512/DSCN0927.JPG

And the back:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eAeUVzxF-uc/TAJ1H-fx-8I/AAAAAAAABVk/xR1m6MFOpG0/s512/DSCN0928.JPG

While I was at it, I took some left over reflective sticker and made some new helmet decoration. :) As you can see the stickers are not looking to good on the top box, so I may take them off there. The width outside to outside of the boxes is 33 inches with the latches adding an inch to each side. Wind drag is noticeable at 70 or above, but very negligible at 65 or lower. I need to be riding slower anyway. :D The side boxes could be removed in about 20 minutes, but I think I'll leave them on for a while and see how I like riding full time with them. Riding to work more they'll come in handy for errands and such.

Hi Steve,

Yea, I'm hoping to do a little more "touring" in the future too.

Hi Rick,

Thanks and it was good seeing you again too.

Guy

Guy, Like you I wanted to add a bit more visibility to the rear of my bike I dont think you can ever have enough to keep drivers who dont pay attention away from us.

It looks like your top case had a red plastic section that wraps around the top case. On the JC Whitley top case I use, I removed the red plastic section and added dot approved refective strips under it and reinstalled the read plastic section. It works great at night and is very visible.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1834.jpg

Perhaps it may work for you as well..

Eric M

[Mr. Guy]

Guy, Like you I wanted to add a bit more visibility to the rear of my bike I dont think you can ever have enough to keep drivers who dont pay attention away from us.

It looks like your top case had a red plastic section that wraps around the top case. On the JC Whitley top case I use, I removed the red plastic section and added dot approved refective strips under it and reinstalled the read plastic section. It works great at night and is very visible.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1834.jpg

Perhaps it may work for you as well..

Eric M

Hi Eric,

Did you use the red or the white tape?

I'm thinking the white may work better under the red plastic.

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Hey, I think I might try that. Pretty cool.P^

[Yamifj1200]

Hi Eric,

Did you use the red or the white tape?

I'm thinking the white may work better under the red plastic.

Guy

Yes Guy I used the white dot reflective tape. There was a white piece of paper back there from the factory. I had removed the red-pink plastic sections that wrapped around the other section of the case to paint it black.


http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_0811.jpg

I like being seen....

Eric M