A golden bike from the golden age. What are the odds? I tried to review the bike's life: 's been produced, ridden around the block, and then stored carefully for 455 Moons to be found, mint fresh, by you. Divine. I'm only not too happy with the cases: a bit too 80's.
The local paper has a 04 dr200 for sale, looked up the spec's and it's tempting. Anyone use a dr200 for touring? What kind of MPG do you get? What kind of luggage system do you use? Thanks Oh, shhh... don't tell my wife I'm looking at yet another one!
I've gone touring on a DR200. If you encounter hills or headwinds, it'll knock your top speed below 55 mph. One time with headwind, I got lower than 40 miles to the gallon. Normally the mileage is 70-80 mpg. It must be said that the winds were really high that day. I use Ortlieb soft luggage. It was an adventure. Go for it. Ride the gravel.
I have an XT225 (much like the DR200) that I've taken some longer rides on. As Klay says, with headwind and making the bike work hard your mileage will suffer. If I'm pushing it to go 60-65 all the time with our hills here, I can get better mileage with my DR650. If I relax and go 45-55 and enjoy the side roads more, I'll get really good mileage and have more fun anyway.
My wife has done several tours on her DR200, 2-3000kms. Pretty much similar to what others have said, she can maintain 60mph on the flats plus a bit more, but will drop to 40-45 on some of our bigger hills. Speed limit for the most part around here is 50-55mph anyway so not a problem. Stay off any interstate type roads. She averages 30km/l which is about 86mpg imperial (Canada), 72mpg US. She can go 300km (186miles) before switching to reserve with about 90km (55miles) left in reserve. I installed these SeaHorse cases using Happy Trails pannier mounts. They unscrew in two minutes if you want to pack them into your room.
Thanks to all for the great input. I could not find HP for either DR200 or the XT225. But sounds like they are very similar to my tu250's 17 hp I think I'd prefer the dual sport for all round use. The tu250 looks great, and fuel injection is nice, but the suspension is not so good. All the tours I have scheduled have off pavement sections. Sent from mobile
I have a dr250 and a tu250 I feel the same way I want something to do touring on. The dr I have only ridden a couple times up and down the street and decited to make it street legal but I have not finished it. But it feels about the same power. I wish Suzuki would make a dual sport and put that tu250 motor in it that would make a great bike with FI. Also if there are no whoops and it's hard dirt the tu does ok.
Mike, Sorry to reply so late , I do a little touring on the TU and the GZ,no camping as yet on either one. The weather broke and I did a 200+ mile run on the GZ this past week. It is more of a pack mule ,due to accessories avalibilty [Rear racks etc] The Suzuki folks still do not offer even a tail rack for the TU in the US. I read today that Suzuki will be cutting bike dealerships and bikes in the US this year. They already filed bankruptcy on their car market in the US, makes for a unsure feeling on future sales. Quick question, can the bars on the CBR 250 be raised? I like the riding position but would prefer the bars to up just a little. looking forward to reading about your next trip. cms Terry
Funny you'd mention raising the bars. I knew I had read something related to this recently. http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/03/21/helibars-cbr250r-replacement-bars/ Mike
There are 2 or 3 racks for the TU, cycleracks and manracks make them. manracks makes an over the tail light rack and a rear seat rack. After break in, the TU makes about 19 hp but has a real wide power band. Or, you could do this: https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/g/guzzidoug_011%20magadan_P1020964.jpg Someplace in Siberia...