What have you done for your T7 today?

[DT675]

On 7/13/2023 at 9:51 PM, Hammerhead said:

Used the profusely leaky seal as excuse to finally do something about the lack lustre front end. Had the local specialist upgrade to 7.5Nm race tech springs & their gold valves. 
 Put simply, it’s a new machine. The mushy brake diving skittish rocking horse is gone & the handling & feel have dramatically improved across the board. 
  Even as a flyweight, the stock setup had me hesitant & cringing when getting aggressive & when the terrain got burly. Didn’t appreciate just how lame it was, until it wasn’t. 
  Inspires far more trust & confidence now  & feels like what it should have been from the factory. Much improved.

   Do yourself & the bike a favour & upgrade that stock front suspension. Springs & a re-valve should easily satisfy the vast majority of riders. 

 

I’m glad to hear you’re having good luck with the RT valves. This is one of the ideas I’m considering for my bike this winter. 

[DT675]

5 hours ago, Noel McCutcheon said:

I changed an MT-09 to an MT-10 and omg it was 30% more of everything. Bonkers.  I love mine.

And I thought my newly acquired FJ09 was a bit bonkers….

[Noel McCutcheon]

5 hours ago, DT675 said:

And I thought my newly acquired FJ09 was a bit bonkers….

@DT675 an MT-10 is such a Different league. Beyond MT-09 bonkers if have the nuts, skill and or want or need warp factor.

[Tenerider]

I agree @Noel McCutcheon - warp drive. You just don't need to think about overtaking, just do it. It's amazing and so flickable, a fantastic bike.

Just switched back to my T7 (no issues at 10.ooo km service, as expected), and I have to say man it feels sloooooow in direct comparison. But: I really do prefer the T7. It's more comfy (mine just laughs at speed bumps and never ever gets upset no matter how bad the road is), favors relaxed cruising/travelling, the gearbox feels a bit nicer imho and I love its ergonomics.

But on the other hand: The CP4 is a fantastic engine, the handling of the MT-10 is flawless imho, the free field of view is just amazing - and still your body can remain in a nice upright position.

 

A great companion in the garage to the T7! You're a lucky man @Noel McCutcheon

 

 

[Wintersdark]

I actually prefer the T7 to the Tracer (/MT09 with a longer swingarm and electronic toys) for daily riding, but on longer trips the Tracer destroys it in comfort and power.  On a REALLY bad road the Tenere is more comfortable, but we don't have (paved) roads that bad here.  

 

There's also some chance I trade both for a Desert X, mostly because I want offroad capability and road touring comfort.  Or keep the T7 and swap the Tracer for an MT10.  Hard to say

 

Wish I had room for a third bike!

[Wintersdark]

14 hours ago, DT675 said:

And I thought my newly acquired FJ09 was a bit bonkers….

Heh they are a bit bonkers.  My Tracer happily keeps pace side by side with my buddy's Hayabusa up to about 140kph.  It does help the the Tracer's longer swingarm keeps the front down on hard accel though, vs the first gen FJ

[Hibobb]

Ok, you speed freaks need some reality....

 

Here is my 1992 DR350S I bought new back in the day.

Took it out yesterday to burn the annual tank of gas thru it.

I love this bike, road it on some of the toughest trials in colorado (when I was 30+ years younger).

It had what we called a "carburetor" on it, and you could take it apart in your garage and change the jetting on it, plus valves you could adjust with a wrench and screwdriver...

It has never been back to the dealer for anything!!!

 

Not fast, not comfortable, soft suspension... but still running and I would take it anywhere (That an old guy can go).

Any of you guys ever watch "Mondo Enduro"? 44,000 mile around the world with no support crew tailing along behind them, all on DR350's.

They didn't add electric start until 1994ish... Hell, I never wanted that sissy stuff until the last few years!

 

[Lewie]

I had one some time ago - the only time I actually owned 2 bikes

 

[DT675]

9 hours ago, Wintersdark said:

Heh they are a bit bonkers.  My Tracer happily keeps pace side by side with my buddy's Hayabusa up to about 140kph.  It does help the the Tracer's longer swingarm keeps the front down on hard accel though, vs the first gen FJ

Is my 2017 a 1st gen?  Then maybe that's why when I have traction control on it interferes with my acceleration on pavement.  Probably loop over backwards if it wasn't on. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by DT675
Can’t spell. Probably still isn’t spelled correctly

[DT675]

6 hours ago, Hibobb said:

Ok, you speed freaks need some reality....

 

Here is my 1992 DR350S I bought new back in the day.

Took it out yesterday to burn the annual tank of gas thru it.

I love this bike, road it on some of the toughest trials in colorado (when I was 30+ years younger).

It had what we called a "carburetor" on it, and you could take it apart in your garage and change the jetting on it, plus valves you could adjust with a wrench and screwdriver...

It has never been back to the dealer for anything!!!

 

Not fast, not comfortable, soft suspension... but still running and I would take it anywhere (That an old guy can go).

Any of you guys ever watch "Mondo Enduro"? 44,000 mile around the world with no support crew tailing along behind them, all on DR350's.

They didn't add electric start until 1994ish... Hell, I never wanted that sissy stuff until the last few years!

 

I don't recall the year but one of my riding buddies still has his DR 350 with a fancy upgraded "carburetor" thingie and an oversized tank. He was all about that damned carb upgrade...   It's his dual sport bike that he never rides because even though he's 60, he has no time in his busy racing career for dual sport rides...  Maybe when he's 75 I'll get him to go on another ADV ride with me on that DR. 

[Hibobb]

@DT675 That DR will be there, willing and able, when he is 75 or 100...

[NeilW]

Rare sight. My T7 really clean. Used my Muc off bike washer. 
sw Motech crash bars, oem pannier rack, Touratech skid plate, cyclops lights, seat concepts sport touring diy seat kit, Heidenau K60 scouts, all clean

[Wintersdark]

2 hours ago, DT675 said:

Is my 2017 a 1st gen?  Then maybe that's why when I have traction control on it interferes with my acceleration on pavement.  Probably loop over backwards if it wasn't on. 

Yes.  The FJ09 is the first gen (shorter swingarm, different handlebar, AFAIK no quickshifter or CC), the 2018-2020 Tracers are the second gen (with the GT models having all the addons, but both the base and GT have the 2" extended swingarm), then the 21-23 are third with the updated CP3 and electronic suspension.

[Noel McCutcheon]

On 7/18/2023 at 5:25 PM, Tenerider said:

I agree @Noel McCutcheon - warp drive. You just don't need to think about overtaking, just do it. It's amazing and so flickable, a fantastic bike.

Just switched back to my T7 (no issues at 10.ooo km service, as expected), and I have to say man it feels sloooooow in direct comparison. But: I really do prefer the T7. It's more comfy (mine just laughs at speed bumps and never ever gets upset no matter how bad the road is), favors relaxed cruising/travelling, the gearbox feels a bit nicer imho and I love its ergonomics.

But on the other hand: The CP4 is a fantastic engine, the handling of the MT-10 is flawless imho, the free field of view is just amazing - and still your body can remain in a nice upright position.

 

A great companion in the garage to the T7! You're a lucky man @Noel McCutcheon

 

 

 

Yep @Tenerider I know that I'm lucky... Actually made my luck though. Yeah, only takes about 15 minutes back on T7 to re-love it and its riding manners. CP4 is treat though. I've done trip holidays on MT-10 and T7 and T7 is the travel bike of choice. got love the way the MT pulls........  

[Noel McCutcheon]

23 hours ago, Hibobb said:

Ok, you speed freaks need some reality....

 

Here is my 1992 DR350S I bought new back in the day.

Took it out yesterday to burn the annual tank of gas thru it.

I love this bike, road it on some of the toughest trials in colorado (when I was 30+ years younger).

It had what we called a "carburetor" on it, and you could take it apart in your garage and change the jetting on it, plus valves you could adjust with a wrench and screwdriver...

It has never been back to the dealer for anything!!!

 

Not fast, not comfortable, soft suspension... but still running and I would take it anywhere (That an old guy can go).

Any of you guys ever watch "Mondo Enduro"? 44,000 mile around the world with no support crew tailing along behind them, all on DR350's.

They didn't add electric start until 1994ish... Hell, I never wanted that sissy stuff until the last few years!

 

 

@Hibobb I loved my 1991 DR350S. I completed my first Enduros on it.... Heart, Heart Heart that 1st race rep trail bike.

[Noel McCutcheon]

On 7/18/2023 at 5:42 PM, Wintersdark said:

I actually prefer the T7 to the Tracer (/MT09 with a longer swingarm and electronic toys) for daily riding, but on longer trips the Tracer destroys it in comfort and power.  On a REALLY bad road the Tenere is more comfortable, but we don't have (paved) roads that bad here.  

 

There's also some chance I trade both for a Desert X, mostly because I want offroad capability and road touring comfort.  Or keep the T7 and swap the Tracer for an MT10.  Hard to say

 

Wish I had room for a third bike!

 

@Wintersdark Do MT-10 as the crossplane CP4 engine is a dark-art work of pure utter genius. Frumpy low down and sweet mega strong mid range and bonkers acceleration and it actually does sing out pure music.

[Hibobb]

1 hour ago, Noel McCutcheon said:

I loved my 1991 DR350S

Yup, they were the hot trail bike when they came out.

Not fast, but pretty darn good all around.

 

[Noel McCutcheon]

32 minutes ago, Hibobb said:

Yup, they were the hot trail bike when they came out.

Not fast, but pretty darn good all around.

 

 

@Hibobb DR350 absolute best wheeling bike that I ever owned or ride...

I did reqular 1/4 mile + wheelies on it (off-road of course, not)  .  

Gee I had some fun on that DR350S.

It was a minter with 1300 miles never off-road until I got it. 

Here's me and mates pre-Enduro practising.... .

 

[Noel McCutcheon]

On 7/18/2023 at 5:25 PM, Tenerider said:

I agree @Noel McCutcheon - warp drive. You just don't need to think about overtaking, just do it. It's amazing and so flickable, a fantastic bike.

Just switched back to my T7 (no issues at 10.ooo km service, as expected), and I have to say man it feels sloooooow in direct comparison. But: I really do prefer the T7. It's more comfy (mine just laughs at speed bumps and never ever gets upset no matter how bad the road is), favors relaxed cruising/travelling, the gearbox feels a bit nicer imho and I love its ergonomics.

But on the other hand: The CP4 is a fantastic engine, the handling of the MT-10 is flawless imho, the free field of view is just amazing - and still your body can remain in a nice upright position.

 

A great companion in the garage to the T7! You're a lucky man @Noel McCutcheon

 

 

 

@Tenerider I'd took my MT to Spain 

 

 

 

[jdub53]

After many years of owning sport touring BMWs, it was one ride on my cousin's DR350 in 1995 or so that made me say "Hey, this thing is fun!". In a good way, things have never been the same since.

[Hibobb]

1 hour ago, Noel McCutcheon said:

Gee I had some fun on that DR350S

Noel,

Super fun video... telling it just how it was.

Less that 300 lbs wet, riding it to work (legally) all week, and romp in the mud and roots on the weekend.

They dropped the DR for the DRZ in 2000. I have road more than a few DRZ's, but the old DR had a lot more fun factor in it.

It is great to find guys with the same appreciation for the old girl...

 

 The T7 is a great bike, but not in the same way. A heavy bike will never be whipped and flopped around with the ease of a light bike.

 

[Noel McCutcheon]

40 minutes ago, jdub53 said:

After many years of owning sport touring BMWs, it was one ride on my cousin's DR350 in 1995 or so that made me say "Hey, this thing is fun!". In a good way, things have never been the same since.

Yes…. DR350s had a great gearboxes, especially compared to BMWs.

[Noel McCutcheon]

17 minutes ago, Hibobb said:

Noel,

Super fun video... telling it just how it was.

Less that 300 lbs wet, riding it to work (legally) all week, and romp in the mud and roots on the weekend.

They dropped the DR for the DRZ in 2000. I have road more than a few DRZ's, but the old DR had a lot more fun factor in it.

It is great to find guys with the same appreciation for the old girl...

 

 The T7 is a great bike, but not in the same way. A heavy bike will never be whipped and flopped around with the ease of a light bike.

 

@Hibobb Thanks, the video was made on VHS tape…. Big Camcorders duct gaffer taped onto top of my helmet with a bath sponge in between, neck ached for days.
 

 

Had a DRZ400E for Enduros but yes something great about those air cooled 350s.

[Lewie]

Popped up to see a mate today - he’s got what I thinks a pretty rare Yoshimura DRZ 

he’s doing some work on it at the moment

 

[muzza]

Tail tidy, small plate & High mount fender