The beak thing

[cooltshirt]

So I am thinking of de-beaking my 2016 650 XT.
As far as I can see this is the part I need
https://japan.webike.net/products/24729748.html
Also pictured below.
Has anyone done this?  How much dismantling is required and is the new non-beak a direct fit? ........... I suspect the whole fairing assembly has to come off.

Please no beakist comments as I know the moderator won't tolerate any such thing. 

[Fat Rat]

I salute you sir!

[Gert]

Perhaps you can enquire from https://www.suzukipartsnation.com/oemparts/a/suz/6005c1a487a8660acc461dae/cowling-body-dl650al6-e03, wrt part #28 availabllity (COVER, COWLING INNER  94461-11J00) ?
A parts diagram of the beak may give some insight on how to remove, https://www.suzukipartsnation.com/oemparts/a/suz/6005c1ab87a8660acc461db1/cowling-body-dl650xal6-e03

[cooltshirt]

Thank you ......... I have looked there and it gives me confidence that I am seeking the right part. But hopeful that someone here has done this and able to give me a few pointers.

[Upt North]

Leave your nose alone. Have you ever heard anyone say that duck would look better without a beak?

[Rixington43]

It very much looks from the diagrams like the beak/cowling locates on a few pegs and are then just held in with pop rivets. If it's anything like the early gen models then that cowling will come off in isolation without removing any fairings (front or side). The DL650AL2 service manual in downloads shows how to remove the non-beak cowling and it shows that step as prior to any fairings being removed.
A member on here "Rallymad" de-beaked theirs the other year so might be able to help if you send a DM, they've not been online for a bit but a DM might go to their email.
https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=35715.20

I must say that I'm not anti-beak across the board but the one they grafted onto that gen of 650 is an abortion, you'll be pleased I'm sure ;)

[Fat Rat]

The beaks are starting to look less ridiculous as the V-Strom evolves (still ridiculous though), but the Gleek just looks like someone added a beak for a dare. 

Can we have a before and after shot please?

[cooltshirt]

Thanks for the replies ..... the post by Rallymad suggests it is doable but fiddly and of course the incentive of free vstrom.co.uk stickers is irresistible. 
I think I will order the part and go from there (I'll take pics) ......... MOT first though. Priorities.

[purplebikeunicorn]

cooltshirt - if you're ordering from Webike make sure to top up on little bits and bobs you need, such as some shinier screws or light bits. They're ridiculously cheap compared to fowlers or any of the other EU suppliers, and you might have some extra shipping to use up before it jumps to the next tariff!

For instance, last time I ordered from them I ordered the brake pad shims, some pad pins, a replacement rubber cover for the clutch adjuster (with handguards), etc.

[cooltshirt]

Thank you ........ I looked at that and discovered that any more than a few plastic clips tipped the P&P over to the next level.
But I will get clippy things

[Rusty Nuts]

Careful with the plastics round the headlight, they're quite flimsy when not all clipped together.

[cooltshirt]

So I ordered the beakless cowling from Webike in Japan last Tuesday and today it arrives!
Impressive, especially since Japan are in a 'Golden week' holiday period and UK had a bank holiday.
Well packaged genuine part ..... no deduction from credit card yet, but it is 8417 yen, approx £43. The cheapest and probably the quickest option.
Plenty stuff on so the next update may be a bit yet ...... I'll try and take pictures, but access is tight.

[Fat Rat]

Please do take some pictures, and definitely a before and after. We have to abolish this nonsense, even if it is one beak at a time (oh, a video of you burning the beak also appreciated) 

[Upt North]

Nooooooo!

[The Doctor 46]

I think Suzuki started the beak thing with the DR's, BMW copied. I don't know where the idea was generated but I would guess it came from MotoX riders because (as you probably know) if you sit on some MotoX bikes or bikes of that orientation, you see the front mudguard over your handlebars, it's very prominent but it looks a little like a beak when you are sitting on the bike? Maybe I'm very wrong. I've been wrong before, it was back in 1962 but I was only six then.   

[cooltshirt]

Well a bit of a marathon this afternoon, but 4 hours on the job is done.
Taking the fairing assembly off was easy (much easier than I expected) and then 2 hours of thinking and prising and eventually the beak was off! About 20 minutes to fit the new nose. Plastic trim removal tools were essential.
One tiny tang broken off the colour coordinated panel round the lights on the way off and the other side broken on the way on ........... they are the least important and from what I read often get broken. Nothing of consequence was damaged ........ very happy with how it went and how it looks. I didn't swear once in the whole process .......... trust me that's something!!
I have no problem with beaks as such, but on this model it is clearly an afterthought, but on bikes where it was part of the plan at inception it works much better. In theory they keep the nose down as you race across the desert.

Meanwhile a quote from Fat Rat in 2019
Free v-strom.co.uk Gel decals to anyone who removes the beak from their V-Strom and posts photographic evidence.
Perhaps he could buy it mount as a trophy at the campsite 

[Barbel Mick]

That does look better. The twin headlight should never have had a beak, the single headlight model can just about get away with it. 

[MartinW]

At last, we have a new Hero in the group.
 

[Fat Rat]

Well done, that looks so much better. As has been said, that model just looks like someone has stuck it on as an afterthought, it looks/looked horrendous.

I am happy to honour my pledge from 2019, although I'm not sure I have any Gel decals left (I have Gel Bikers Campsite ones though). Send me a PM with your address and I can send you some 

As a further incentive, and to stop that daft appendage going back into the food chain, make a video showing its destruction and I'll throw in a V-Strom Polo shirt 

[The Doctor 46]

My 2012 DL650A looks exactly like your finished product with no beak so, did it once have one or was your beak  actually an aftermarket one?