DR650SE Index Topic #6- TIRES, TUBES & WHEELS

[Eggsontoast]

Some interesting write ups.

I bought myself the DR just over a year ago and it was fitted with a new set of Michelin Anakees which were very good on the road in all conditions. The front has lasted me 11,000 miles and the rear lasted roughly half of that, although both rear sets received punctures so would have lasted abit longer, judging by the amount of tread left.

Changed those over to some Pirelli MT21's as I fancied something much more off road orientated. Other than they wear out rather fast I'm pleased and at the same time amazed at how much grip you can really get out of them on the road, very good off-road but as is to be expected the MPG drops off considerably which cought me out but that's another story...
One thing I would say is try and get as close to the standard speed index as possible, you may never hit a ton but it's good to know that whilst the bike can hit that speed, you've got a tire which can deal with it all the same; as it turns out the 120 does whereas the 130 brickwalls at 80-85 if I remember correctly.

I'd like to try the T63's but realistically I will change back to the Anakees and either buy or build myself a set of wheels for that quick change over from road to offroad: still debating on which way to go...

Regarding the wheel bearings, if your careful you can actually pry the seal off and pack them with some lithium grease, not too much mind or they'll overheat.

Pat

[EvanADV]

Would you guys say an 18" rear is a good way to raise the rear for a heavy/tall rider?

[shu]

Originally Posted by c2c4c

Would you guys say an 18" rear is a good way to raise the rear for a heavy/tall rider?

Don't know.... but I have these questions:
-Wouldn't that raise the bike barely a half inch?
- Would that make much difference?

.........shu

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by shu

Don't know.... but I have these questions:
-Wouldn't that raise the bike barely a half inch?
- Would that make much difference?

.........shu

Same as dropping the forks half an inch.

3mm makes a difference you can feel.

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by c2c4c

Would you guys say an 18" rear is a good way to raise the rear for a heavy/tall rider?

Like shu says, 1/2" only, but helped me. I also fitted a longer shock and forks and taller seat and lower footpegs. I was after ground clearance and a size of tyre that is easier to find outback here, and one that the XRs and KTMs I'm travelling with will have when we head out next month. It also changes the gearing, roughly equivalent to a 16t cs from the stock 15, or an extra 3 teeth up back.

Steve

[EvanADV]

Originally Posted by shu

Don't know.... but I have these questions:
-Wouldn't that raise the bike barely a half inch?
- Would that make much difference?

.........shu

I realize it's only 1" more than stock rim diameter, so half of that comes to 1/2", but I wasn't sure if the tires made a difference as well or if they were the same height as 17" options.

If an 18" rear wheel really raises it 1", that could make a big difference for me. Right now I feel like I am sliding backward at freeway speeds (wind is a factor, but the bike is squatting a good bit with me on it). My hands start to get tired after 10 or 15 miles because I am holding myself up toward the front of the bike rather than just sitting in place.

I'm gonna install raising links and a stiff rear spring first and see what happens from there.

[Xplorr]

Originally Posted by c2c4c

I realize it's only 1" more than stock rim diameter, so half of that comes to 1/2", but I wasn't sure if the tires made a difference as well or if they were the same height as 17" options.

If an 18" rear wheel really raises it 1", that could make a big difference for me. Right now I feel like I am sliding backward at freeway speeds (wind is a factor, but the bike is squatting a good bit with me on it). My hands start to get tired after 10 or 15 miles because I am holding myself up toward the front of the bike rather than just sitting in place.

I'm gonna install raising links and a stiff rear spring first and see what happens from there.

Hi c2c4c,

I measured to the top of the rear rack, with a mefo explorer 17" and the 18" which has a 140/80-18, the difference was 1" exactly.

cheers, matt

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by c2c4c

I'm gonna install raising links and a stiff rear spring first and see what happens from there.

Just the spring will keep the rear up higher.

[Krusty ...]

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Same as dropping the forks half an inch.

3mm makes a difference you can feel.

From what I've read, 18 inch tires are much easier to find in many countries while 17 inchers are rare. Might make a big difference on that tour of South America...

[EvanADV]

Originally Posted by Krusty ...

From what I've read, 18 inch tires are much easier to find in many countries while 17 inchers are rare. Might make a big difference on that tour of South America...

Hmm, good point.

Any idea if 21 inchers are easy to find?

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by c2c4c

Hmm, good point.

Any idea if 21 inchers are easy to find?

Yes

[EvanADV]

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Yes

Glad I could give you a good laugh

Never been tire shopping outside the 48.

[eakins]

rear wheel bearing/seal dimensions

Wheel bearings - 2 x 6204 - 20x47x14
LHS Seal - 1 x 26x47x7
Cush Hub - 1 x 6205 - 25x52x15
Cush Seal - 1 x 35x52x7

Seal widths is not critical, so alternates may be available.

If you want to beef up the cush hub, which I did after a couple of failures, a double row 3205 fits, maybe just gotta sort the seal. There is a description in the latter pages of my build thread, starting here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...646076&page=10

Steve (Bergdonk)

-------------------------------------------------------------

Quality Bearings:
(All Balls are Chinese bearings)

-Front wheel bearings: SKF 6003-2RSJ(EM) - Bought from Napa and labeled 2RSJ, other places label with EM at the end?
2 - 17 x 35 x 10
-Front wheel seal:
2 - 23x35x7 (09284-23001 – Suzuki #)

-Rear wheel bearings: SKF 6204-2RSJEM
2 - 20x47x14
-Rear wheel seal (brake side):
1 - 26x47x7 (09283-26019 – Suzuki #)

-Cush Hub bearing: SKF 6205-2RSJEM
1 - 25x52x15
-Cush Seal:
1 - 35x52x7 (need Suzuki #)


Two 6003 2RD/2RS/2RSJEM (2RSJEM is the best spec)
Two 6204 2RD/2RS/2RSJEM
One 6205 2RD/2RS/2RSJEM

Originally Posted by trailrider383

Here are the part numbers for bearings, seals, etc for DR650 1996 and newer. I got the bearings from a bearing supplier. About the same cost as OEM but with seals on both sides so they last longer than the OEM with only one side sealed. And for those of you with 2007 and older versions I added the rear axle lock nut part number so you don't have to mess with the cotter pin. See my other post for part numbers for the rear cush drive bearing and seal.

Front wheel bearings: SKF 6003 2RSJEM
Front wheel seal: 09284-23001
Rear wheel bearings: SKF 6204 2RSJEM
Rear wheel seal brake side: 09283-26019
Lock nut from 2008 and newer: 08319-2118a

[(none)]

Can anyone clarify something: Will a DR350 NON-CUSH rear wheel directly replace my stock 17" wheel? I have a cush dr350 18" rear wheel in the garage right now, but i'm thinking of trading it for a non-cush just so that i can leave a sprocket on the wheel and not have to swap the cush drives and make mounting easier. It'd only be used when i go off-road, so i'm not worried about losing the cush drive as much as i am about the fitment.

[hmmwv15]

Anyone tried the IRC GP-110 tires? These look like a good fit for my kind of riding, but if anyone has any gripes about them I'm all ears. I'm on pavement more than dirt, but I want good grip in the dirt. Currently running the d606's that came on it. No real complaints about them, but I could use a more streetable tire. If the dirt ride is too much of a trade off I might stick with the 606's.