DR650 thoughts?

[nucular]

I have been thinking about getting some sort of dual sport. I was mainly looking at DRZ supermotos but I'm not seeing a lot of them on the used market in my price range. I am seeing a lot of DR650s though. I would probably be 80/20 street/trail. Thoughts?


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[SkyWest]

I think they are solid bikes but I personally don't care for the look. I would consider KLR. HUUUUGE aftermarket.

Ryan

[nucular]

Hmmmm... I have seen newer KLRs in my range too but they look off to me. Maybe it's the fairings.


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[Gary856]

That's weird - around here there seems to be more DRZ than DR650 for sale. Last year I narrowed missing buying a DR650, couldn't find another decent one, and ended up getting a DRZ400sm. The DRZ turned out awesome in the hills, and we don't have much dual-sport opportunities in the Bay Area anyway.

For the longest time I kept looking at DR650s on CL but I have never ridden one. People always say the DRZ is lighter (about 318 lbs wet) and revvier, while the DR650 is a little heavier (about 30 lbs more than the DRZ) and gruntier down low. From that I gathered the DRZ is more playful, whiel the DR650 is more of a long distance workhorse.

[CoolGuyDave]

I came from an XR650 before i bought my SV. If you want a dirtbike that is street legal, get a dual sport. if you want a street bike that can go offroad, forget it. (unless you get a GS or something along those lines) Although the KLRs are more street than dirt one of those may not be too bad. I had to get something quicker (xr hated 60mph+). If you plan on getting it as a second bike go for it. Kinda wish i kept the XR for some around town fun.

[nucular]

I'm planning on keeping the SV. I would just like something to take with me to the U.P. when I go up there in the summer. My plan is to put street tires on it for most of the year and just put knobbies on when I take it up North. I think I am leaning back toward the DRZ400SM.

[sdobbs20]

don't get a KLR. people lvoe the huge aftermarket support. after having rode a big honda 650 and been on KLRs quite a bit, the honda's are lightyears ahead of the KLR. i hate the tall seat height of the KLR, and the top heaviness, and the very wide feel of the fairings and oversizedness.

[Jan Zoellner]

Originally Posted by nucular

Thoughts?

I own the direct predecessor, a 23-year old DR600 which I actually took to work today. I got it for commuting when there are other ways to go the same day and the bicycle won´t cut it timewise - and for some short touring and offroad errands (for which are not a lot of oppotunities in germany anyway). It does all that quite reasonably.

The DR650 is said to be improved in some parts that the DR600 is lacking - notably the front brake. Geometry is the same more or less. So here are my comments:

- Seat height is huge, but you probably expected that. For communting, I put on a Dakar seat which is several cm lower.
- Even with knobbies (not ultra-hardcore ones, though) street performance is surprisingly decent
- It goes up to about 140 - 150 km/h, but 90 is the way to go for relaxed street cruising
- Commuting and negotiating traffic - when the ol flatslide carbs are actually working - are a snap
- Brakes are weak - but the DR650 should be improved, as I said
- It´s a bit top heavy (you should´ve guessed so), but still very manageable
- Not a hardcore trail enduro, but gravel roads and just crossing the coutryside as a reaction to a "look at this beautifull small village over there" comment by the wife are no-brainers
- 6000 km service interval which is rather involved compared to say the SV
- It´s different enough to be a good companion to my SVS

Ultimately, I´d have liked to buy a DR 350 as they are lighter and not that much down on power, but these are quite expensive and I got the DR600 for a very good price from a friend who hadn´t time to ride it anymore and hated to see it sit around.

DR400 was out of the question pricewise - otherwise I´d gladly take one for the more modern engine and suspension and lower weight.

Ciao
Jan

[vwbeatle1214]

Loved my DR650, sold it with 53,000 miles. Wish I had another one. I'd definitely take it over a KLR, the DRZ is a little lighter and about the same power but the DR650 has more torque.

If I run across a good enough deal on a DR650 I WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE.

[Vovchandr]

As an owner of a DRZ I can tell you that it's quite the toy to bomb around town on and go on a trail within 100 miles.

But if you're ever looking to do a long term adventure somewhere there are by far many other better bikes out there for that specifically (not that DRZ won't do it, it will and many do, highways arent fun due to 5 gears, tank is small and needs to be changed to bigger and seat is a 2x4)

Good luck! I primary ride the DRZ now and 2 sv's are missing being used!