DR 650

Sep 10, 2012

As I started to write this blog I came to the conclusion that I am not a motorcycle guru. Don't get me wrong, I love to ride and love my custom bikes that I ride everyday. I dig everything about getting out on the open roads with my bros and winding it up, just so I can wind down. I get that. But when I need to get the straight dope about custom bikes and why we do what we do, I go to the source, Mr. Jennings. Point in case we have just finished a build on a Suzuki DR650, not your typical donor bike. So, this morning I gave him a ring to ask the questions most wouldn't‚ 10am Sydney, Aus Wednesday morning: Him- Hello? Us- State your full name and age. Him- Allen Dare Jennings, and I'm 61, wait, yep 61. Us- Wait a second I thought your name was Dare? Him- Wait, who is this? Us- It's Tyler Mars. Him- Tyler, I should have known. Yes, Allen is my first name and Dare is my middle as well as my grandmother's maiden name. Us- Wow, I did not know that about you Dare. Him- Well, that's why you ask the good questions. Us- Thanks for the vote of confidence. Ok, let'a do this. Us- You‚'re a fan of music and we're in the business for a bit, what bands do you hear now that tickle your fancy, if any? Him- Well, you know I'm a huge Tom Waits fan and a massive fan of C.C. Adcock, I really like the soggy yet funny style he does. It's the "True Blood" style of music, good ole southern blues. Music you can sink into, so to speak. Us- Where were you when the idea for Deus Ex Machina came about? And when did it become a reality for you? Him- Well, probably around the 2000 era, after I sold Mambo. I found myself bored, but felt I still had a few tricks up my sleeve. I really like the surf culture, but feel it takes itself way to serious sometimes. I love motorcycles and being a child of the 70's, I wanted to combine both genres. It became a reality when my good friend Rod Hundwick, who already has a few motorcycle shops in Sydney, asked me what I thought about what he was doing. I told him I did not care for that style of motorbike. He asked me to show him what style I did like. So, off to Tokyo we went to look at stripped down styles of custom bikes. From that trip, the birth of Deus Ex Machina‚ came about. Us- How is it working with the legendary, D.Hump? Him- Well, we met in Bali and he was already doing custom bikes as a hobby under the name "Hiro" and we figured that we should join forces, work and learn from each other. And so it began. It's great. Us- And, now the question we've all been waiting for. Why the Suzuki DR650? Him- The whole idea was based around what was being done with the Yamaha SR400. The DR650 is a simple big motor and frame; it's probably the biggest single cylinder four stroke out there. The bike is very adaptable. Once you strip off all the plastic, you find a frame and engine that is prime for customizing. They have power. They look great when stripped back and done up our way and they‚re fun as hell to ride. Us- You a Black Sabbath man? Him- I saw Black Sabbath in 1978. I liked the music and the theatrics, but I would not call my self a card-carrying member. Us- If you could drink martinis with anyone, who and what would you talk about? Him- (laughs) That's a loaded question. I seldom drink martinis, but when I do, it's with you. We normally talk music and vintage rock-n-roll t-shirts that are in closet. Us- Good times‚ Us- What was the first bike you ever owned and what is your favorite bike you own now? Him- Oddly enough it's the same thing, a 1942 Harley Davidson. It's not the same bike from my younger days but the same model, a foot clutched, suicide shifting iron steed I bought off a local hoodlum in my town. I read Hunter S. Thompson's book about his times with The Hells Angels when I was living and working on my family's farm. And, like so many of that generation that experienced or read something that opened their eyes to something new, not in their current life‚ well, that was the beginning for me, and I never looked back. Us- Any words of advice for up and coming fabricators or entrepreneurs? Him- It ain't no way to make lots of money, but you can have one hell of a good ride with lots of creative outlets. Us- Well that's it folks, everything about the DR650 everyone wanted to know but didn't know who to ask‚ Oh wait, one more thing‚ we got our mitts on a 1997 Suzuki DR650 and stripped her down to skin and bones. We pulled the engine apart to clean it up and gave it a wrinkle black HD finish, custom oil cooler, custom reverse cone exhaust with alloy tip so you can hear her coming down the road. Added a custom Deus tank and seat combo, CRF suspension, custom tins front and back, Tk black 350-18 wheels with Heidenau tires, KNN air filter, slick little speedo, bullet turn signals, custom chain guard and Ventura street tracker handlebars. So the question at hand is‚ can u dig it brothers? We think you can. See you on the streets!

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!