My DR 790 Ground-up Custom Overhaul

[Mark R.]

http://drriders.com/topic15018.html

Mark R.
Albuquerque

 

[Rasher]

I like it, saw a really tidy DR Big in the Alps a couple of years ago, they were never popular in Sportsbike Britain back then, now you just don't see them, but you got me thinking...

 

[Mark R.]

They are very popular here. Suzuki have been making them the same since 1996 with few changes, so there is a huge aftermarket built up for them.

 

[snakebitten]

Sooooooooo?

Love what ya did, of course.........but how she run-ride?
You gonna walk past that DRZ everyday now?

 

[arjayes]

Great job, Mark. Do you have any "before" pics? And how much $$ have you put into it (so far)?

I also have the same question as snake - are you even going to keep the 400 now? Seems a bit redundant, or am I wrong about that?

 

[Tyke]

My love of off road bikes is well known. ....that is a stunning bike ans all credit for what is clearly a superb resto

Well done sir ::012::

 

[2112]

Top work, a bike to be proud of ::008::

 

[Mark R.]

Thanks for the kudos everyone. It does ride very nicely, and the power is instant, due to the Mikuni flatslide, and it is abundant, though it does not rev. It is a low and mid-range engine in terms of power.

I am going to keep the DRZ, because I am fortunate to have one son who rides with me on occasion. We will be going up to Silverton, Colorado in August to ride the passes there, so he will ride the DRZ, and I will ride the 790. If we want to pair up on a more big-bike kind of ride, he can ride the 790 and I can ride the ST.

 

[True Grip]

Impressive DR! And good bike strategy. Those bikes will be a blast around Silverton.

 

[Mark R.]

Great job, Mark. Do you have any "before" pics? And how much $$ have you put into it (so far)?

I also have the same question as snake - are you even going to keep the 400 now? Seems a bit redundant, or am I wrong about that?

Yes going to keep the DRZ, so my son can ride with me.

The cost of the bike, shipping, powdercoating, welding and fabrication, wheel building, graphics and parts, added up to $9,500. Yikes ! But is IS a one-of-a-kind custom machine that I should have for a very long time.

 

[snakebitten]

One of a kinds don't come cheaply. It's just that way. But I love the tenacity they require. Makes them what they are.

 

[arjayes]

Yes going to keep the DRZ, so my son can ride with me.

The cost of the bike, shipping, powdercoating, welding and fabrication, wheel building, graphics and parts, added up to $9,500. Yikes ! But is IS a one-of-a-kind custom machine that I should have for a very long time.

Well worth it. Not only do you have a very cool custom bike, but you have the experience and satisfaction of doing the work yourself. Plus you know the bike inside out so it'll be easier to maintain and tweak over time. I'd love to do something like this some time, but time is the key word here and a scarce resource! Maybe after I retire.

 

[Mark R.]

Thanks. And sorry, no before pics. Just imagine an ugly, white, scraped-up and rusting DR 650, left out in the rain for a few years.

 

[TNWalker]

Very nice work Mark ::008:: Giving me some serious DR envy as I just purchased a 2015 ::001:: Lots of great temptations there for me to consider throwing my wallet at dangit!





Steve ::022:: ::26::

 

[Mark R.]

There are many motorcycle temptations out there...........