Upon its introduction in 1991, the Suzuki DR800S Big — aka “Doctor Big” — was the largest single-cylinder mass production bike ever produced, displacing 779cc with a cylinder bore of 10.5 centimeters…talk about THUMP!
The DR Big was inspired by Suzuki’s DR-Z800 Paris-Dakar rally bike, which gave up ~10 horsepower to its twin-cylinder rivals but was some 60 pounds lighter and more aerodynamic. Says Stefan Hessler of Hessler Rallye Team, who campaigned the DR-Z rally bike with the legendary Gaston Rahier:
“Rahier was able to use the beak so skillfully that the DR ZETA cut aerodynamically like a rocket through the desert wind and was actually able to keep up with the pace of the 2-cylinder!”
Within the extensive titanium, carbon, and kevlar components, the production DR800S was about 50 pounds heavier but still packed a stout 54 horsepower and echoed the design of the DR Zeta — and influenced adventure bikes for years to come.
“Doctor Big graced Suzuki showrooms and dust-choked rally stages for ten years until it was unceremoniously pulled from the market in 1999. While it’s been gone two decades now, the big thumper had an undeniable influence on ADV bike styling, an influence you can see in every pointy front overhang and tiny front fender on the market today.” –Ride Apart
Our friend Tom Kol of Loko Dream Factory is a veteran rally, motocross, and enduro racer who’d been restoring old American tractors on his farm when he discovered custom bikes.
“I started dreaming about crazy motorcycles at night.”
Over the years, he’s built a small stable of custom bikes, most of them with serious off-road chops. Examples include his Honda XR600R restomod, Ducati Multistrada scrambler, and KTM 990 rally bike. Now he’s back with a king of the thumpers, a ’91 DR800 dubbed “Big Loko.”
“I always had a dream of a lightweight and sexy DR Big, so I created this bike for myself.”
The big DR was no lightweight in stock trim, tipping the scales at nearly 500 pounds. So Tom worked to cut weight where he could, fabricating a new shorter rear subframe, lighter and more streamlined fenders and side panels, a lighter custom exhaust, and other modifications.
The engine itself was fully rebuilt and painted. The result is a clean, streamlined Doctor Big with a fresh bill of health. We love Tom’s description of the riding experience:
“Feels like wild horses…”
That’s what it’s all about! Below, Tom gives us a few more details on the build, and thanks goes to Aviv Kurt (@avivkurt) for the photographs.
Suzuki DR800 Custom: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
1991 Suzuki DR800.
• Why was this bike built?
I always had a dream of a lightweight and sexy DR Big, so I created this bike for myself.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design concept was light-weighted and sexy old-school desert racer.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
• Shorter rear sub frame
• Custom made tail light and plate number
• Modified KTM 890 side panels
• Custom made rear fender
• Custom made exhausts
• Entire engine re-build and painted
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“Big Loko.”
• Any idea of the weight?
185 kg.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Feels like wild horses…
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The all-new rear sub frame, fender, side panels and, tail light and exhaust.
Follow the Builder
Website: www.lokokol.com
Instagram: @loko_dreamfactory
Photographer Credit: Aviv Kurt (@avivkurt)
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Doctor Big: Suzuki DR800 “Big Loko” - Upon its introduction in 1991, the Suzuki DR800S Big — aka “Doctor Big” — was the largest single-cylinder mass production bike ever produced, displacing 779cc with a cylinder bore of 10.5 centimeters…talk about THUMP! The […]
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