For distance and comfort you have to go with the SV.

For back roads only ... ie no highways .. the DR would be adequate.

Both vibrate.

 

DR650...crash it...pick it up and keep riding. Not the same results when crashing an sv. Most singles aren't that comfy to ride for long periods of time on the highway, the DR isn't bad but the SV definitely is better for it. The DR is retardedly easy to maintain. You can even do your own tire changes with 30 dollars worth of tire irons.

If you intend to keep it on asphalt...go with the sv.

 

DR650...crash it...pick it up and keep riding. Not the same results when crashing an sv. Most singles aren't that comfy to ride for long periods of time on the highway, the DR isn't bad but the SV definitely is better for it. The DR is retardedly easy to maintain. You can even do your own tire changes with 30 dollars worth of tire irons.

If you intend to keep it on asphalt...go with the sv.

That's just stupidly retardedly easy.

 

Thanks for the responses thus far.


More info on me and my reason for asking:


Already do all my own maintenance, including tire changes.

Looking to add the DR as a stable mate, not a replacement to my SV; the SV has 116,000+ miles but would be used predominantly for long road days, DR for shorter day trips (150-200 miles), commuting, and dirt/gravel/minimum maintenance road exploration.

Really looking for something newer, light, cheap and (more) bulletproof than the SV to take over as a daily bomber and to expand riding destinations such as light dirt (single-track or heavy dirt use not foreseen at the moment). May eventually take over as primary bike when/if the SV bites the dust...

 

Looking to add the DR as a stable mate, not a replacement to my SV; the SV has 116,000+ miles but would be used predominantly for long road days, DR for shorter day trips (150-200 miles), commuting, and dirt/gravel/minimum maintenance road exploration.

Really looking for something newer, light, cheap and (more) bulletproof than the SV to take over as a daily bomber and to expand riding destinations such as light dirt (single-track or heavy dirt use not foreseen at the moment). May eventually take over as primary bike when/if the SV bites the dust...

DR sounds just right then ..

 

Hey, I've never owned an DR but i've ridden a stock one on the street for a short ride. It was alot different than riding the SV, i never had a dirtbike when i was a kid so it was a first for me to even be on that type of bike.

It was fun though, very upright, and it felt weird to have my feet so far forward on the bike.

One thing though, is that DRs are like SVs in the sense that there is a huge aftermarket for them, and a devoted following.

Have you considered the DR400SM? That looks a bit more fun than the DR650 out of the box.

 

For comfort on the DR you'll likely want a different seat. I have a Corbin with an Alaskan Leather sheep skin. A bigger tank would probably be a good idea, too. Equipped with those I think a DR does well on anything short of a really long highway drone. There, the vibration, lack of wind protection, and even lack of weight in windy conditions is a problem. (The DR is smooth for a single but still a single, after all.) I prefer mine on twisty mountiain roads or country back lanes.

Engine does OK but is feels like it's running out of steam past the 75-80 mph range. My gearing has been lowered a bit for offroad use so that might have an effect. Top speed is somewhere between 90 and 100, depending on gearing, elevation, and headwind. But the motor does soldier on and has never missed a beat for me.

Maintenance is incredibly easy. There are a few things to keep an eye out on earlier models, such as the base gasket on pre '03 1/2 models. Adjusting valves is a little finicky, even with the correct tool, but way easier than pulling cams and shims.

Thanks for the responses thus far.


More info on me and my reason for asking:


Already do all my own maintenance, including tire changes.

Looking to add the DR as a stable mate, not a replacement to my SV; the SV has 116,000+ miles but would be used predominantly for long road days, DR for shorter day trips (150-200 miles), commuting, and dirt/gravel/minimum maintenance road exploration.

Really looking for something newer, light, cheap and (more) bulletproof than the SV to take over as a daily bomber and to expand riding destinations such as light dirt (single-track or heavy dirt use not foreseen at the moment). May eventually take over as primary bike when/if the SV bites the dust...

Sure, sounds like the DR would be a good fit. It's great not having to stop when the pavement does!

 

I bought a 2003 DR650 a few years ago and have set it up for supermoto style riding with 17" wheels, street tires, FCR-MX carb, new springs front and rear, handlebars, sprockets, etc. It is a blast and I would highly recommend one. They are cheap and easy to maintain and modify.

go to www.thumpertalk.com for an active DR forum. Also www.advrider.com, www.supermotojunkie.com

I bought my 00 SV650 a year after the DR. It has a totally different feel and they each have a place in my garage. Different tools. The DR always brings a smile when riding.

 

The DR is a great bike. In fact, if could only own one bike that would probably be it. But... (there's always a but. ) if you can have a bike in addition to the SV I'd go with something more dirt oriented. The SV is already good for decent dirt roads, and obviously the choice for anything paved. So why have that much overlap?? Get something lighter and with better suspension. It'll open up that much more territory to you.

 

Sounds like the DR is what you are looking for, I would try to keep both if I was you. I have an SV650/DRZ400E combo that works well for me, both are fun bikes. The DR can be an only bike and long distance wouldn't be the best but it doesn't preclude the bike from doing it. They are bulletproof and with a few good mods they are capable in the dirt and still streetable.

Here is a thread over on ADVRider that may interest you.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135295&highlight=DR650

 

A couple guys beat me to it, a DRZ400 would be great if you were thinkin about doing much off road.

and craig, add a windscreen to a DR650 and you've got a bike thats better in every way than a klr ;D

 

and craig, add a windscreen to a DR650 and you've got a bike thats better in every way than a klr ;D

Except fuel capacity. That is the only thing that has a DR650 low on my short list of bikes I am considering next. The stock tank is small compared to the KLR and limits range if you plan any type of street riding.

 

I've never ridden the DR or KLR, but I can say I had a blast on my XR650L that I owned. While still considered heavy for serious dirt useage it is the most dirt oriented of the 650 dual sports. It was one heck of a hooligan bike in as much it brought out the hooligan in me. Constant wheelies were just a twist of the wrist in first and second without doing anything more than twisting the throttle. Speed bumps, hell those were meant to be used as jumps, as were railroad tracks. I've spent whole afternoons just pulling wheelies. Needless to say that big thumper can be a real blast!

 

I dont know much either way, but here's some fuel to the KLR vs DR fire.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/11/1437/Motorcycle-Article/2008-650-Dual-Sport-Challenge.aspx

 

I dont know much either way, but here's some fuel to the KLR vs DR fire.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/11/1437/Motorcycle-Article/2008-650-Dual-Sport-Challenge.aspx

Basically sums what we already knew. The DR is for riding to the trails that you want to tear up. The KLR is a pavement / adventure bike in that you might discover some fire roads off to the side on your normal ride.

 

On the KLR/DR thing, I tend to look also at how easily the bike's weaknesses can be fixed. On the DR the range, seat and wind protection issues are all solvable. The KLR's weight problem isn't.
The KLR does have better aftermarket support, and a much larger user base.

There's such a huge spectrum of D/S bikes though, from a tagged moto-Xer at one end to a BMW 1200GS at the other, that the key is to pick the one that's best for the riding you plan on doing.

 

Wow, I've been off the site for a few days. Thanks for all responses guys, I appreciate the input.


I have been on ADVRider and other thumper sites for a while soaking up info; I really wanted to get the opinions of folks who have ridden both the SV and DR, hence my rationale for posting here rather than ADVRider.


I'm looking more toward the DR than the KLR for two main reasons:
1. air/oil vs. water cooling (simplicity, 'bullet-proofness')
2. DR is slightly more shaded toward dirt use; Intel Killer stated perfectly my mindset at this time: 'The DR is for riding to the trails that you want to tear up. The KLR is a pavement / adventure bike in that you might discover some fire roads off to the side on your normal ride.'
3. The weight difference is also substantial


Reasons for DR over DRZ:
1. DR generally better suited for road use
2. air/oil vs. water cooling
3. DR is slightly better suited for 'one bike status' should the SVRat give up the ghost.



I am looking to expand my riding opportunities rather than replace a road bike. I have no doubt that I will continue to pile up my fair share of road miles, but I'm hoping to do much more exploration of unpaved surfaces than I do currently. My single greatest fear is that I will be completely underwhelmed by the DR on the road given the available power of the SV; I'm no speed junkie, but the question still lingers.


Thanks again for all your thoughts.




[edit: Had also considered the XRL and XChallenge but eliminated due to price point.]

 

My single greatest fear is that I will be completely underwhelmed by the DR on the road given the available power of the SV; I'm no speed junkie, but the question still lingers.

IMO, the power will be fine. Heck, I have a bunch of fun on my DR350. The perception of speed is a lot different on a dirtbike.

 

XR650R is a VERY good bike. KLR honestly sucks...Its heavy, bad gas mileage, slow, and ugly. I've ridden a KLR and wow...fast as a scooter. DON'T compare an XR650L to an XR650R either. R has WAY more power and there are huge differences. I would take an XR650R over my sv anyday of the week.

Pretty much...don't get a KLR. XR's for life

And yes I have an XR...so does my brother

 

so, you're not biased at all then? ;D

 

The R is not street legal in stock form, just fyi. I think that's why people were recommending the XRL. The original poster is looking for a bike to ride on the streets.

 

They make dual sport kits. Basically the difference is a sv650 to a sv1000. Just saying...

so, you're not biased at all then?;D

Nope:nana:

 

two smokes are over-rated;D 4-stroke 4 lyfe!

 

xr650r > dr650

 

We already had this discussion, lol. It's not street legal and not everybody wants to or they live in a state that prohibits installing a dual sport kit (in PA it keeps getting harder to street title a bike originally titled off road). Plus if you plan to ride a lot on the street, the DR is the better choice (when compared to the XR-R).

 

How is it a better choice?

Yeah we get the point its not street legal. Its easier to make street legal than you think.

DR650SE - 366lbs!!!

XR650R - 276lbs...(real life - 300lbs)

Even the L weighs 20lbs less than the Dr650!

 

and the xrr is kick only

and it can't support much weight on the stock subframe

and very few companies make touring products supporting them

and they don't make them any more

and once you finally have them set up for touring, they weigh almost as much as a DR and you still have to kick that big ass piston over.

 

Well, another consideration regarding the XR650R is that Honda is no longer selling it in the US.

 

I've owned 3 DR650SE since 2000. All have been great bikes. 2 I bought to use for a few months and sell for a profit. 1 I kept for a while and did some mild modding. I really liked it and always had a blast. There was an issue with the earlier 650SE's. I think it was from somewhere from 96-03 where the base gasket for the cylinder would leak. Sure enough mine did with something like 1000 miles on it. It was not too hard to replace the gasket in my garage. Other than the bike always got me in trouble with the wife. I'd always take the long way home and see if I could get to anywhere I wanted to go without using a paved road.

I've ridden the KLR650R and I thought it was too street orientated for me. I owned a KLX650 back in 95. That bike was a blast. It was very close to the DR650SE. I've ridden the XR650L and 650R. Here in Cali you can't get a 650R on the street unless it is an older model and you jump though a lot of hoops. the XR650L is a nice bike but I'd still pick a DR650SE over it.

 

Don't waste your time Rich. Trev either suffers from lack of reading comprehension or he is just trolling. He refuses to recognize the fact that the original poster doesn't want a serious off-road bike.

 

Hey guys did I tell about the time I rode an 87 XR650L and it sucked trying to kick it over and over again, but all in all it was the perfect bike for me because it won BAJAs, BAJAs mofo



































BAJAs!

 

Kick-only would be the dealbreaker for me. I'd want one of these bikes to tour, not enter a desert race. Imagine going up a slippery hill, fully loaded with panniers, tailbag, camping gear, etc., and having the bike stall out. Now imagine it's kickstart-only. No thanks.

 

I apologize to anyone that I offended. I took it too far. And I'm sorry.

Anyway, to the original poster.

They are all pretty good bikes. I've heard that you can only get about 30k miles out of a thumper. With whatever you choose...I hope you enjoy it!

 

I can't see John getting anything that isn't street legal. He's a ride-a-holic like myself. One of the only other SVRiders with over 100K on his bike.

 

I resemble that remark...


Arrrrrgh! :angry1: I'm agonizing over getting a true DS like the DR or just shifting slightly towards the adventure market for a road bike with a little extra clearance: Wee Strom, Versys, etc. Probably depends on timing and how well the SV keeps chugging along. I can't see myself without a multi-cylinder road bike to soak up miles...