Sagurimasu - Why? Part II

In my previous post I discussed some of the reasons most modern adventure bikes are less than ideal to long distance off road travel. The question then is what would fulfil the criteria laid out...

The ideal bike must be tough, light and not overpowered, carry its weight centrally, be easy to work on with basic tools, have a long fuel range, and be comfortable. I'm going to base my working prototype on a Suzuki DR600, and not just any Suzuki DR600, this Suzuki DR600 built in 1986!

So why have I chosen this bike? It's already well regarded as long distance off roader and matches many of my criteria. With some work it will match all of them. The end result will

• be simply engineered - air/oil cooled, carburetted, unstressed big single. No EFI, no ECU.
• have a long fuel range - 29 litre tank giving more than 300 miles to a tank.
• integrated its luggage system - pillion space sacrificed to centralise the weight for less compromised handling and a smaller frontal profile for better economy.
• carry a 'Dakar' style cowl - wind protection to reduce fatigue and to raise instruments, maps, and GPS closer to eye level.

In subsequent posts I'll go into more detail on some of the modifications I'm making and how they're being fabricated. With access to well equipped workshops I intend to do all the work myself.

In the meantime I've managed to tear myself away from riding the thing and the strip down has begun. The major parts of the frame, engine, suspension, brakes and most of the controls are perfectly good, but the rest (silencer, subframe, parts of the main frame, plastics, and tank) has got to go.