the DR200 thread

[jeffcneal]

Hell, I ride with my mirrors like that all the time. Cuts down on that pesky A.M. glare on my westerly commute !

regards,
Jeff

[tony the tiger]

Originally Posted by jeffcneal

Hell, I ride with my mirrors like that all the time. Cuts down on that pesky A.M. glare on my westerly commute !

regards,
Jeff

...also deflects lasers!

[jeffcneal]

Right on tony! And a damn sight cheaper than even an economy deflector shield !

regards,
Jeff

[MotoTrout]

Hello all, long time lurker, first time posting. Summer of 2012 my girlfriend convinced me to get off my butt and finally take those riding classes I always wanted. We started off with a dirt riding class and learned a lot. With dual sporting in mind, we figured we could use a bit more practice as well as taking a safety course so that we could increase our chances of survival out there. We both thoroughly enjoyed the MSF class and I think we did pretty well - U-turn box was successful!

My first bike was a TTR-125 but quickly I realized that I should have just jumped to the dual sport bike from the start. Oh well, you can never have too many bikes in the garage. I was considering the TW200, CRF230L and reluctantly went to the DR200 as it was around at the right time and for the right price...glad I went for it as I enjoy this bike a lot. Here is the DR200 on its first adventure along the Eastern Sierras (Lone Pine area) and it did quite well. Not pictured is my girlfriend who rides a 1974 XL175 - she and that bike did well too!!! Learning a lot about wrenching on that XL, and having a bit of fun doing it. I will try to update on future adventures and will probably jump on the XL forum too. More to come.....

Oh and by the way, I got the bike from another member on this site. I think someone else recently inquired on the bike's availability within the past month or so.

[jeffcneal]

MotoTrout:

Welcome to the wonderful world of capable, fun, pretense free dual-sport [..."enduros" to those of us pushing 50...] motorcycles. Looks like some great riding area and your girlfriend's a hell of a photographer!

regards,
Jeff

[Kleio]

Hello. Last month I purchased a used 2009 DR200SE with only 21 miles on it.

I used to ride a Bridgestone 90cc bike when I was in high school in the early '70s. I'm now 57 and I wanted to ride again before it got too late.

I've been getting used to riding again around the hills southwest and west of Cupertino and Saratoga California.
Once I get my confidence up I plan to go to Metcalf Motorcycle Park in south San Jose, CA.

[tony the tiger]

Congrat's!

[jeffcneal]

Kleio:

Don't you just love finding a smoking great deal on a fantastic bike!?

regards,
Jeff

[thesurvivalist]

Im selling a richochet skid plate in the flea market for the dr200 if anyone is interested.

[JayGoldstein]

Originally Posted by Kleio

Hello. Last month I purchased a used 2009 DR200SE with only 21 miles on it..

Clean looking machine. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine (an unsold 09 I bought last April). I put about 2,900 km (1,775 mi) on mine last riding season.

One question for those who have bought a new or nearly new DR200SE: is there a particular point (X number of km/mi) at which the engine is fully broken-in? I recall reading some posts in a Suzuki TU250 forum in which owners claimed (if I remember correctly) that after about 10,000 km (6,200 mi) their engine ran noticeably smoother. Anyone had a similar experience with their DR?

[Kleio]

Originally Posted by jeffcneal

Kleio:

Don't you just love finding a smoking great deal on a fantastic bike!?

regards,
Jeff

I found it at a dealership in Fremont, CA. They told me that the previous owner had traded it in along with a Yamaha scooter for a Royal Enfield. I negotiated a bit and I got a base price of $3098.09 and an "out the door" price of $3560.00.

The scooter is still at Fremont Kawasaki Honda and it has only seven miles on it. I'm sure they'll give you a good deal on it like they gave me.

I have no idea why the previous owner hardly rode the DR200SE or the scooter, but I'm happy with what I got.

[jeffcneal]

Kleio:

I'm curious as how a man goes from a brand new Yamaha scooter and Suzuki DR200 to a Royal Enfield ?. But I can understand the appeal after sitting on 1 at my local dealers a while back. The feeling is like a baritone voice claiming "This is a MOTORCYCLE...".

But it's really great that you got such a good deal on a beautiful ride. Here's a sincere "Welcome Back" to the world on 2 wheels!

regards,
Jeff

[Oddfellow]

Originally Posted by thesurvivalist

Im selling a richochet skid plate in the flea market for the dr200 if anyone is interested.

PM sent

[JerryH]

Originally Posted by jeffcneal

Kleio:

I'm curious as how a man goes from a brand new Yamaha scooter and Suzuki DR200 to a Royal Enfield ?. But I can understand the appeal after sitting on 1 at my local dealers a while back. The feeling is like a baritone voice claiming "This is a MOTORCYCLE...".

But it's really great that you got such a good deal on a beautiful ride. Here's a sincere "Welcome Back" to the world on 2 wheels!

regards,
Jeff

I am that type. It's called "impulse buying" It's how I managed to buy 46 motorcycles/scooters in the past 35 years. I have a nearly new 2012 Zuma 125 with under 500 miles on it that I bought new a few months ago, and am seriously considering trading it for either a new DR200 or a TW200. The TW has certain advantages, but I have no idea how you would fix a flat on it out in the middle of nowhere. So the DR is actually more appealing. I am looking for a small bike, just big enough to be freeway legal when necessary, but don't plan on doing much freeway riding. I rode the Zuma on the freeway for 11 miles (out of necessity) and was terrified about getting busted by the cops.

The thing is, I am a big guy at 240 pounds with gear, and don't know if the DR200 can handle that, along with another 30 or so pounds of stuff. The load capacity of the Zuma is almost 350 pounds, but I can't find the load capacity of the DR anywhere. I also ride an older XT225, and fit on it just fine, but don't trust it for trips of 1000 miles or more due to it's age and condition.

[jeffcneal]

JerryH:

I fully understand a love for smaller bikes and impulse buying when it comes to motorcycles! I would opt for the DR over the TW if it were me simply for the little bit of additional seat height. I'm 5'9" and back up to 155lbs. post chemo. I'm guessing you're a shade taller than me. I know you did'nt ask for advice, but have you checked out the new Honda CRF 250L? I know it's not "apples to apples", but it's not that far off base either. And it's even close in price. That said, here's hoping you find the ride that makes YOU happy! For me it's the DR.

regards,
Jeff