the DR650 thread

[felixblack1]

Originally Posted by hmmwv15

To any of you that own a rear rack that mounts to the center bolt holding the fender:



Modify your existing rack, get another, or don't carry too much weight on it! I had a big pelican case mounted on my rear rack, and ride on gravel roads occasionally. They are really bumpy roads. Caused several stress cracks and as you can see has broken in half.

I cut it out and welded a stronger piece in there though. Yes, I drilled it and welded a nut underneath for the fender after I took this picture:

I can 2nd this using one of the ebay racks mounting to the top. Have since modified the rack with extra side supports.

[dirtyleg]

no sh-t has anyone installed the big valve head if so what can be expected
thanks

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by PHILinFRANCE

Which bike????????????????

Why do we do it ????????????

As i've been laid up for the last week or 3 with a busted foot i've been trawling the www for bikes !!!!!!

I always hankered after a KTM 640 Adventurer !!!!

Found one , full Rally Raid spec, 1600kms, on a 05 for €3800

Asked the boss and she said "If you want it get it"

Now with everthing bike buzzing in my head i go down and give the DR 650 a coat of looking at !!!!!

Within minutes i force my boots on (you wont belive how much it hurt) and set of for a short ride !!!!!

Got back over an hour and a half later and tore up the address for the KTM

My DR 650 has taken me to Africa, half of Europe and hunreds of kms of trails round my home

So why do we even question them ?

Mines a 1996 and when she dies i'll get another ................................i'm going now to try and get my boot on again

Phil

The 640A was one of my dream bikes.

Until I rode one

The tank shape flares out too soon and makes for a terrible standing position for me. The same bike with an 18L tank was much nicer.

The DR also has a much nicer bottom end and that's where I mostly ride.

[Flashback]

Originally Posted by TinkerinWstuff

I kept wanting to raise the BS flag on these claims of 100mph on stock gearing with the DR when I only get 83-85 WOT.

But then I remembered I'm at 4800ft to start.

Bone stock engine, exhaust, and carb. MT21 front. Shinko 244 rear. I cruised above 90 for probably 80 miles in a row on the super slab the other day (GPS Speed). Mine likes to run above 80 and normally settles into a comfy rhythm around 82 on the highway with plenty of room left in the power band to accelerate around slower vehicles. The engine handles speeds above 100 fairly well too...better than my knobbie tires do

I swear that the DR is a better highway bike than my dead F800GS (RIP to the big pig). Fastest I've taken the DR is 106 on the GPS.

And like most people on this forum...I can't imagine NOT riding the DR. My other bikes just don't seem that appealing with the DR around.

[kbuckey]

Originally Posted by neo1piv014

What work have you done to the DR where you'd take it on a long road trip over something like the ZRX1100?

For the most part one needs to remember that I'm going to a FSSNOC Thumper Cafe and although some do, (are you out there Maynard?) showing up on a 4 cylinder is sort of not quite proper. I also usually keep it at about 65 and will go way out of my way to avoid interstates.

That being said the old DR has a Corbin, heated grips, a Parabellum windscreen (which I take off for the summer when not on trips, but probably am going to try a dual sport fairing to see how that works), HID headlight, Solstice LED aux lights, BBQ rack, Wolfman gen 1 side racks, and all the wolfman bags I need (last trip, tank Rollie bag, dry bag panniers and a medium dry bag duffle, plus the side bags). A GPS, which I only use as a scrolling map unless I get really lost - er... temporarily misoriented! A digital voltmeter (only issue I have had was a rectifier go out and I want to make sure I know if it's happening!). All lights are LED except for the HID headlight. A Shorai battery. Metzeler Tourances. Intiminators and heavier straight rate springs and a Wilbers shock and spring. Think that's it.

Longest trip so far: 5116 miles from here to Bedford, PA (visit my sisters), Burke's Garden, VA (where the Thumper Cafe was), Punta Gorda, FL (visit my brother) and home. Only stretch of interstate was when I couldn't stand Florida anymore and blitzed out on the interstate at 75.

And yes I do have the hots for a sport tourer - thinking of a Moto Guzzi Norge. But certainly NOT a replacement for the DR.

And while I'm at it - at the Thumper Cafe in Kamiah, ID on the 23rd of June there were over 30 thumpers (80% KLRs) and mine was the ONLY DR - guys, what are you thinking?

[AKsteve]

[QUOTE=ER70S-2;18273123] If it has an aftermarket idle fuel screw, someone has probably done more.



Hey, I just got a used 2006 dr650. It has one of those idle fuel screws. The carb has definitely been played with. So much so that the bike barely starts and when it does run it feels like the fuel cuts off for a second - it just looses power - and then kicks in again.

What is the idle fuel screw? How do you adjust it? What does it do? and... should fuel be leaking out of it??

I am about ready to take the carb out but not sure what I am getting in to. Glad I found your post though... at least I know it's been modified. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks.

[doug s.]

[QUOTE=AKsteve;19074513]

Originally Posted by ER70S-2

If it has an aftermarket idle fuel screw, someone has probably done more.



Hey, I just got a used 2006 dr650. It has one of those idle fuel screws. The carb has definitely been played with. So much so that the bike barely starts and when it does run it feels like the fuel cuts off for a second - it just looses power - and then kicks in again.

What is the idle fuel screw? How do you adjust it? What does it do? and... should fuel be leaking out of it??

I am about ready to take the carb out but not sure what I am getting in to. Glad I found your post though... at least I know it's been modified. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks.

don't forget to also check the safety shut-off switch at the kickstand. many folks have symptoms you report w/this switch failing, or the kickstand not keeping it engaged...

turn the idle screw in (clockwise) and it will lean out the mixture; out enriches it...

doug s.

[Mambo Dave]

Originally Posted by Flashback

I swear that the DR is a better highway bike than my dead F800GS (RIP to the big pig). Fastest I've taken the DR is 106 on the GPS.

Have you written a post where you went over the pros and cons of the two? Gotta admit that while the problems the 800GS's seems t have (for the money) don't endear me to them, if I found a good deal on one I would have initially thought it an upgrade from the DR650 except for the weight. Every post I read makes me more content with the DR650, and at the same time sad that heaps of modern design and technology doesn't seem to make other bikes as good. From here, I guess, the only next step would be a KTM 990 Adventure.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

Have you written a post where you went over the pros and cons of the two? Gotta admit that while the problems the 800GS's seems t have (for the money) don't endear me to them, if I found a good deal on one I would have initially thought it an upgrade from the DR650 except for the weight. Every post I read makes me more content with the DR650, and at the same time sad that heaps of modern design and technology doesn't seem to make other bikes as good. From here, I guess, the only next step would be a KTM 990 Adventure.

I own 2 x DRs and 1 x F800GS.

I love to hate the BMW.

I mean, technically, the DR isn't much of a dirt bike. The F800GS is even less so, it costs 2 1/2 times as much, and fixing it after a "dirt ride" can be expensive. Both bikes have short coming. Both have known issues. The BMW issues generally cost more to rectify.

But with either bike, as long as you start out accepting that it isn't a proper dirt bike, you'll have a great time in the dirt on one.

They are both "dual sports" and as such "can" be used in the dirt like a dirt bike.

Whether they "should" be used in the dirt is entirely up to the individual, how skilled they are, how well set up the bike is, and how adventurous they are.

A good sized bank account helps when it comes to repairs and setup. There's a lot of gear available for both bikes, but the BMW gear seems to attract a price premium just because it's a BMW. They are aiming at a different demographic, and are a tad elitist.

On a bang for buck basis, the DR has it all over the BMW, but the BMW is a far better back roads loaded tourer.

[neo1piv014]

Well, I did the baby powder trick and quickly discovered the source of the oil leak. Sadly, it wasn't the CCT gasket. The base gasket had a leak in what appears to be the "usual" spot (back side, middle-right-ish) and the right side case also has a small leak. Didn't think to grab a picture, and my garage is too dark. I really don't feel like taking it to the dealer, so I'm going to try making due with some of that high temp RTV sealant (if I remember correctly) that a ton of other people said they had luck with. At this point, I just want to stop the oil leaking all over my rear tire while I'm riding. It's unnerving.

[Flashback]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

Have you written a post where you went over the pros and cons of the two? Gotta admit that while the problems the 800GS's seems t have (for the money) don't endear me to them, if I found a good deal on one I would have initially thought it an upgrade from the DR650 except for the weight. Every post I read makes me more content with the DR650, and at the same time sad that heaps of modern design and technology doesn't seem to make other bikes as good. From here, I guess, the only next step would be a KTM 990 Adventure.

Snowy hit the nail on the head.

All I'd add is a bit about the requirement to have special tools, the necessity of always using Premium gasoline (warranty killer), the WEIGHT (almost as much as a 1200GS) and a bit in there about ANY dirt riding will void your BMW warranty if you have an "issue" and BMW finds out you've been in the dirt with the bike. And...DON'T EVER do your own maintenance (including tire changes) on the F800 or your warranty will be mysteriously voided by BMW when an "issue" comes up....

...that voided warranty thing is in the fine print...it's so small you can barely see it...but it's there and BMW pulls it up for you to read when you come in with high $$ repairs you think should be covered by the too-good-to-be-true 3yr/36k warranty you get with the bike.

YES if it sounds too good to be true it usually is too good to be true ---> BMW has fine print caveats to void your warranty for just about any riding you could do that "might" damage the bike including riding in the rain...so ymmv with the too good to be true warranty.

Running $$ Tally on what I've spent not including maintenance costs: BMW F800 = ~$18,000 with lot's of remaining farkles not done. DR 650 ~$7,000 with every Farkle completed that I've wanted to do.

Running Mileage Tally: F800 == Engine Died @ 29,000 miles and the bike was in the shop lot's of times for warranty issues. DR650 has passed 30,000 with ZERO engine problems and I've NEVER taken the bike to the shop...completed all the maintenance myself.

Having had my teeth scraped in the dirt on both bikes I'd honestly have to say...keep the DR for dirt touring and get a 1200GS for everything else. The mid range 800 is too heavy (and dare I say) too much of a princess for what most people who "think" about riding a DR would want to do with it. The F800GS is a FUN bike to ride....maybe the most fun bike I've ever owned. The engine was peppy and just right when it came to power. The frame that BMW put it in was not worthy of the engine though and in the end a big disappointment.

I saw the marketing and advertising for the F800GS...I bought one... I rode the hell out of it...I broke it under warranty but BMW would not repair it because they knew I'd been riding it in the dirt...repair costs were estimated to be almost as much as buying a new F800 so I sold it for parts. My $18,000 bike lasted less than 30,000 miles. My return on investment was just over a year of ownership and a paultry $6,000 sale including farkles...you do the math....lot's of money burned up that I could have used for riding around the world.

If I could go back and do it all over again I'd never have bought the F800. Live and learn. I thought it was more bike than it actually was (dang advertising). They don't expect people to actually ride it like they advertise it and as one BMW service manager put it to me after I'd sold the bike...the F800 is "Dirt Road" bike not a "Dirt/Trail" Bike. It'll go where your DR650 will go...but you won't have much fun muscling the bike through tight and challenging terrain and the post-ride repair costs will break your bank.

BUT THE F800 WAS SUCH A DAMN FUN BIKE TO RIDE...and so easily broken.

I kind of get the impression that the KTM 990 Adventure might be the same way (but I have no first hand knowledge so pretend I didn't just write that). If I were you I might hold off on a purchase until the KTM 1200 Adventure hits the market...I'm keeping an eye on that bike.

[Mambo Dave]

Originally Posted by Flashback

I kind of get the impression that the KTM 990 Adventure might be the same way (but I have no first hand knowledge). If I were you I might hold off on a purchase until the KTM 1200 Adventure hits the market...I'm keeping an eye on that bike.

Thanks guys - I agree, those 800GS's just look the part far too well. Every time I see one I want it, even though the reality seems to probably be more like you guys are saying it is. Still a cool ride to impress Starbucks' chicks with, no?

As for the KTM 990, I really don't know, but I'd like to believe it wouldn't be as fragile as all modern BMW GS's seem to be. MCN just came out with their second installment of a brief test of some machines, and it at least didn't crap its own parts out (see video below) ... but until that time comes I'm sticking with the DR650... and thanking my lucky stars I didn't buy the 'wrong' long-term bike for my bank account. I mean, it sure comes close to that for a lot of us who think that if we just stretch our budgets enough for a motorcycle purchase we'd be getting something much better and stronger... used GS's were on my radar, as were other unique (i.e. non-Japanese) bikes, while I was looking at DR650's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak6-l4QON0I&feature=plcp

[Snowy]

If you look at the big KTMs, in new bike terms, they are no better value for money.

You can buy a F800GS and fix everything that ails it and come out cheaper than a KTM990R.

Or you could buy 3 DRs and have one for each task, street, trail, and tour.

[Mambo Dave]

Originally Posted by Snowy

If you look at the big KTMs, in new bike terms, they are no better value for money.

You can buy a F800GS and fix everything that ails it and come out cheaper than a KTM990R.

Or you could buy 3 DRs and have one for each task, street, trail, and tour.

Well put. I haven't priced out any of those yet since I'm still in the 'used' DR650 market, but it helps.

[Flashback]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

Thanks guys - I agree, those 800GS's just look the part far too well. Every time I see one I want it, even though the reality seems to probably be more like you guys are saying it is. Still a cool ride to impress Starbucks' chicks with, no?

A short off topic - sorry mods -

I dumped the crappy Conti-Trail Attacks that came with my F800GS in favor of a knobbie after the first day. By the end of the first week I had the bike in the shop for a 600 mile service. So I pull into the beemer dealership for the service on a lovely saturday afternoon in July and the bike is COVERED in dried mud, caked on and hardened in clumps, and I've got a really nice scrape down the expensive plastic on the right side from where I came up against a boulder at a stream crossing.

I get off the bike and as if by magic there is a crowd around it, all talking about how bad-ass he bike looks and asking where I took it to get it "that" covered in dirt. Even the dealership manager is in the parking lot admiring how much "adventure" I'd had on the bike.

...that is the F800GS for you. It is a great looking bike and can be a chick magnet too but my days of riding a bike to get chicks ended 20 years ago so...