That is what I was told for YEARS. My 93 had a bog when cracking the throttle from an idle. First 1/8th turn or so had almost no reaction. Bumped the idle up a touch and backed out the fuel screw, and it is a completely different machine. I got this one because it was a decent compromise bike. It now muscles the front tire off the ground from a roll in first. Makes me wonder if any of the naysayers ever rode one in a proper state of tune. Honestly thrilled with the bike. Cant wait to really start messing with it. Jim
Had the same year DR before I went with the LC4 crowd. The DR is stone cold reliable, period and makes a good trail cruiser. Don't try and push the suspension as it will fight back. The suspension sucks. The rear shock on your bike isn't rebuildable or adjustable and the rear suspension geometry is wrong. The front forks also suck bad when pushed. The brakes are ok at best and the thing is heavy, real heavy and is kick start only motor. Did I mention that its reliable? Put a muffler on it, open the air box and re-jet the carb. You will really be happy with the results. The suspension can be made better with lots of $, but it will never be right for aggressive off road riding at speed.
As my first bike that had ANY dirt capabilities... It is miles ahead of me. It will be getting a klr rear shock in the future. Jim Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Guess it's all relative, I pushed my last generation DR that Iowned a few years ago hard and fast in rough desert terrain with the only upgrade being a set of good knobby tires and a bit lower gearing and the one I had before that got thrashed around in the woods of New England 22 years ago....... no one told me I couldn't back then so I just did. Big and heavy? Yes but capable of a lot. These days if it doesn't have white or ohlins front and back people somehow think the bike is unrideable . There's a lot of fun to be had from your DR stock or otherwise!
Look at what people used to race. Dual shocks with 5" of travel, spindly forks, tons of weight. The DR would have been head and shoulders above race tech. It is like people who think you have to buy a Hondabago to go cross country, when people did it on 500s, 250s, or whatever they happened to have. It may not be the ideal tool for a job... but then again, I have removed bolts with pliers. Jim
It's a sharp looking bike Jim. I love the blue & white. Sure it's no KTM, but I'm sure you can ride her for all she's worth!
Maybe some day... Currently I am still trying to figure out this whole "riding around on loose surfaces" thing. I am used to tires sliding being a hint that you have initiated the Crash Sequence. Jim
Looks like some more aggressive rubber is in order if you're riding off-road much. I liked the MT-21 front on mine. Rear was a Mefo Explorer, lasted a long time. T-63 is good on my current WR250R, and Wifey's Super Sherpa, should also be good on the DR650. Like a poor man's TKC80
I have run TKC-80's on numerous bikes. Great 40/60 or 50/50 tire. For real off-roading, the MT21 is tough to beat. My XCh spins the rear easily with the TKC's.
I am happy with my '04 well-appointed DR650, but I respect it's limitations (Most of the time) & don't go very far off the road. It is NOT anything like my previously-owned MX bikes!
Don't get me wrong, I liked my DR650, it served me very well. Can it be ridden off road, yes. Does it have better suspension than my 74 Elsinore 125, Yes. Is it heavy, Yes. Are there better dual sport bikes, Yes. Is the DR650 long over due for a major suspension and brake upgrade, YES!!!! Lets ride!!!!!!!!
Hey Evil Jim, have you found good loose surfaces to ride on around your neck of the woods? I'm in the Greenville area...
