Thanks for the advice. Find I really have to hyperextend to get under the shift lever. Did the spline move and will stick to road for a bit with new boots. As for now riding in the old and coming back with wet feet tomorrow.
Hello, After reading threads on ADV. Rider for over a month now, I'm convinced that there will be a new or used Dr650se sitting in my driveway this spring. Is there any year or years that seem better than others to buy? I see the base gasket had some issue for a few years, any thing else? looking at the DR Thread, the bikes look unchanged for many years. I like that, why change things when something works? My friends want me to buy a KLR, but I like the simplicity of my old XT 500 Yammy and looks to me that the Dr650se is the one to buy for my riding. If I buy a new 2012 model, What kind of deals are you guys getting? The MSRP is $5999.00 it looks to me. I live by Spokane, WA. is it worth the drive to say Seattle or Portland? I would pay the extra for the 5 year extended warranty. Do admit to, Not finding any used bikes here, unless I go for a KLR. Thanks for any info. VM.
Try searchtempest.com with a 350 mile radius, which will include Seattle and Portland. This isn't the best time of year to find a great deal, but you can still do much better buying used rather than new. E.g., http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/2944883430.html
2003 and up are good, if you look at a 2003, make sure it has the metal base gasket, look around the base of the jug and you will find a metal tang sticking out.
I sent my seat off to seat concepts, can't wait to get it back. I've got a 500 mile DS ride on 5/5 -5/6, that should be a good test.
KLRs are fine bikes. I bought the DR over the KLR because I wanted a more dirt oriented machine than the KLR. KLR is 70/30 seventy percent road/30 percent off road. The DR does not have a radiator with its associated waterpump, hoses etc. to break. The KLR is heavier by about a hundred pounds. I did not want the big fairing that the KLR has. And the DR IMHO is prettier. Each rider has to decide on a machine based on its intended use. Are you going to ride more on road or off road? Will the height of the DR or KLR bother you? Let me end this section with saying both are good simple machines that will give the rider years of fun. The DR is a compromise between an road bike and off road machine. It does both adequately, but not as well as a dedicated road bike does on the road, or a dirt bike does off the tarmac. I love my DR, she does what I want her to. A couple of things to consider about the year model to buy. Another inmate has already mentioned the 2003s having the metal base gasket between the top of the engine and bottom of the engine. The paper gasket is known to leak. If you do not want to mess with that buy an 03 or later. I read somewhere that some of the 03s had the paper gasket too. As another inmate said there is a little metal tab that sticks out that is the clue that it has the metal gasket. Another concern is 3rd gear bombing with some of the machines. This is a rare happening, but from what I have read, it happens enough to be concerned about. When 3rd gear goes, it often causes serious case damage and the cases are not cheap. Suzuki redesigned the gear system for the 06 models and again for the 08 models. So this may be a factor in the year model you purchase. It made a difference to me so I bought the 09 model. Well I have rambled on enough. Good luck in your quest for a dual sport. They are really fun. Roger
I have wanted to get some riding boots for years but have very wide calfs. Any company make a good boot with room for wide calfs at the top?
I just pulled the tape out and my calfs are 20 inches and when I got my boots I ask for large calf boots, most of the companys have wide sizes and larger calfs sizes dont forget the socks and pants inside the boots.
Go here, look at the last pic in post #22, then read down from there: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634746&page=2
I got mine last week,will see how it goes against the Corbin. The service from Seat Concepts would be hard to beat.