Thanks Pete , mainly concerned with my luggage , found out my sw motec rack will need replace as we'll as a bit of fab work on my caribou panniers , I had a good look today and think the rest will fit bar the rad gaurd. Are you coming to the Xmas party? How have you found the bike so far? I felt a clunk from the front forks and a bit concerned ?

Chef

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Live to Ride
DL650 2012
XR400 2002
JR50 2006

It's pretty good, not an MX bike, but handles dirt roads just fine - I'm not as aggressive a rider as you though.

A lot less twitchy and it lacks the 'If you don't pay attention I'm going to fall over NOW' feeling of my old K6.

Power delivery is better as well.

No clunks for me, but I am running slightly heavier fork oil, it's better set up front suspension than the old DL but still not cartridges.

Once the brakes bed in, you will get a 'tick' sound , one of the pads swings back and forwards a little (wind/brake drag moves it forward, gravity swings it back, grabs, swings forward 'tick').

Pete

Thanks , have only ridden it for a short ride when you did last year when mal brought it along for us to try. I never had a prob with the old bike off road so keen to feel any improvements, catch ya soon !!

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Live to Ride
DL650 2012
XR400 2002
JR50 2006

Hey Chef,
Great news you have found another bike.
Why Black Snow? I know they had a black one but didnt think it was available here? Called into Springwood Suzuki today and they only have the White and Fox on offer??
In case you have read between the lines I am thinking and its only thinking at the moment of swapping out the Vee. Sick and tired if the running issues and dont want to spend any more on it. It is an over kill considering the riding I do.

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Givi top box & panniers, Airflow screen,SWmoto tech crash bars,bash plate,centre stand,Rox risers.

Hey mate, it's the white one ! I let my daughter name it so she felt more connected to it. It will be the bike we travel on together when she turns 8 next year. Go see mal if you are looking, he won't do a trade though for the discounted stromtrooper pricing. The 650 is a lot better bike off road then the 1000 !!

Chef

__________________
Live to Ride
DL650 2012
XR400 2002
JR50 2006

Yes unfortunately i keep recalling the old saying "once bitten twice shy" after my first dirt road excursion.
And then i recall the other saying "if you fall of get back on and try again"
I never travel two up and definitely not a boy racer so the vee is an over kill that and the running issues has me thinking. Still won't be going to dirty side but can appreciate their ability.

Having said that i am going on the weekend ride with stevec this weekend so it's a start."

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Givi top box & panniers, Airflow screen,SWmoto tech crash bars,bash plate,centre stand,Rox risers.

How is your shoulder ? I came off last year and broke my ankle, part of the challenge just gotta learn from mistakes and keep going. If I had given up after the first time I broke a bone on a bike I wouldn't have ridden past 10 yrs old. In saying that I have a lot more to loose these days and now have better health/income insurance. After breaking my last bike I will now get better bike insurance cost is getting out of control but gees its fun!! Don't want to get to 80 and think I wish I had more fun when I could of. Riding and pushing the limits for me is fun, take the good with the bad I say !

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Live to Ride
DL650 2012
XR400 2002
JR50 2006

Yeah the bloody thing still aches and gets stiff at times but the so does the ankle i broke when i was 15. My first lesson in not wearing the correct gear when ridding. That little miss hap won't stop me doing some dirt but it will be at a more sedate pace than you, i have slowed down and just getting out riding is the best thing ever.

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Givi top box & panniers, Airflow screen,SWmoto tech crash bars,bash plate,centre stand,Rox risers.

I agree, six weeks without my bike and having to drive a cage has given me a new appreciation for my bike. One week and four days to go

__________________
Live to Ride
DL650 2012
XR400 2002
JR50 2006

Yeah i hear on that one i ended up of the bike for 14 weeks with the collarbone
Apparently it takes longer to heal as you get older
That first ride was the best ever even though it was bit short6

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Givi top box & panniers, Airflow screen,SWmoto tech crash bars,bash plate,centre stand,Rox risers.