the DR650 thread

[gplassm]

Originally Posted by Rusty Rocket

I'll agree and say, you might be looking at a DRZ400 too. I have an RFS and the footpegs and bars vibe too much for any longer street rides. I'm sick of it at 5 miles, and it is only about half of what my 2 stroke KTM was like.

I predict, you'll have another DR650 someday.

Thank You for all of the advice. I already owned a DRZ400S, and while it was a marginally better dirt bike than the 650, it was too tall, and still too heavy. I am going to get a 'Strom or something for most of our 2-up riding, but we occasionally like to go into the woods to get to remote fishing spots. A 250 will do just fine for that, IMO. The new CRF250L looked wonderful (especially at that price), but then I saw what the rear shock looked like. Ugh. I do suspect that I would be able to replace it with something rather easily, though.
I like the WR-R, but it is also very tall. I would probably opt for a modified WR-F (street legal lighting, passenger pegs, etc.). A friend of mine has a WR450F for himself, and a WR250F for his wife (both street legal), and they are very happy with them.
I also owned a 1994 KLX250 that was street legal, and it was a great bike as well. I can pretty much guarantee that I will not be getting another DR650, or any 600-700 single for that matter.
Shopping is the fun part, and with Winter setting in, I am in no hurry. We have our Yamaha 4x4 ATV's for the winter, and I still have our little Ninja 250 to rip around on the street, if I feel the urge.
Honda has a lot of exciting new machines this year (CB500 R, X, and naked, NC700X, and the CRF250L), but I always think that next year they will come with adjustable suspension, and other tweaks that make them much better than first year models (much like Suzuki did with their first DRZ400S's). I am also thinking that Honda's recent "push" will urge the other 3 (or 4) manufacturer's to jump into the budget bike bracket with both feet, soon.
KTM still has a lock on the serious Dual Sport market, but they come at a price ($10K). From what I have read, Husky is getting there, at a bit less money, but transmission ratio's are still not right (6 speeds with a tight range) - and that is a big problem, one that is not easily corrected by the end user.
So, I will take my time sorting out my head, and figuring out what I really want. The DR650 was a marvelous machine, and if it were 50-75 lbs lighter, and had 6 speeds, it would have been perfect for me. My wife and I will miss it, and I hope that my brother enjoy's it. He has all but ensured me that it will be unrecognizable when I see it again. I only hope that he enjoys it as much as I did. With Suzuki revitalizing their commitment to their motorcycle lineup, maybe we will finally see a new DR. I am not sure that I will wait around to find out...

[Albie]

Originally Posted by acesandeights

I think though in the 650cc class it's not really lacking in ground clearance over other 650cc class bikes?

The DR has 2" more then the KLR, but then the XRL has 2.5"s more then the DR.

[acesandeights]

Originally Posted by Albie

The DR has 2" more then the KLR, but then the XRL has 2.5"s more then the DR.

Exactly.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by dljocky

I have my shock wound so tight, I'm afraid to tighten it much more, and the big dr still seems to have a lot of static/rider sag.
Maybe i should tighten it up some more?

Ive got stiffer springs front and rear along with race tech gold/emulator valves,its still close to the ground just sitting there doing nothing. Jumping water bars on a DR650 is going to cause something bad to happen eventually,they just arent made for it.

I tagged a big rock going downhill on my DR once,dusty/shady using a darker shield.
I hit it,the forks collapsed,the rock then smashed the skidplate in and launched the bike into full nose wheelie status towards a small grove of trees just off the trail. Some how the bars turned to the right a little and I came out of it with only soiled shorts and a bad scare. I was thinking "life flight" as it rolled along with the back wheel way up in the air.
Didnt feel even remotely like a dirt bike at that point,more like a station wagon.

Another time it very nearly high sided me playing flattracker on it,bike gets sideways,frame flex wallow snap left to right full lock and things almost went way to shite at 45mph. Ive since slowed down on the DR,if one of these things lands on you it would be a "Bill the cat" meets "Wiley Coyote" situation and a smashed human would result.
They arent race bikes.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by gplassm

Thank You for all of the advice. I already owned a DRZ400S, and while it was a marginally better dirt bike than the 650, it was too tall, and still too heavy. I am going to get a 'Strom or something for most of our 2-up riding, but we occasionally like to go into the woods to get to remote fishing spots. A 250 will do just fine for that, IMO. The new CRF250L looked wonderful (especially at that price), but then I saw what the rear shock looked like. Ugh. I do suspect that I would be able to replace it with something rather easily, though.
I like the WR-R, but it is also very tall. I would probably opt for a modified WR-F (street legal lighting, passenger pegs, etc.). A friend of mine has a WR450F for himself, and a WR250F for his wife (both street legal), and they are very happy with them.
I also owned a 1994 KLX250 that was street legal, and it was a great bike as well. I can pretty much guarantee that I will not be getting another DR650, or any 600-700 single for that matter.
Shopping is the fun part, and with Winter setting in, I am in no hurry. We have our Yamaha 4x4 ATV's for the winter, and I still have our little Ninja 250 to rip around on the street, if I feel the urge.
Honda has a lot of exciting new machines this year (CB500 R, X, and naked, NC700X, and the CRF250L), but I always think that next year they will come with adjustable suspension, and other tweaks that make them much better than first year models (much like Suzuki did with their first DRZ400S's). I am also thinking that Honda's recent "push" will urge the other 3 (or 4) manufacturer's to jump into the budget bike bracket with both feet, soon.
KTM still has a lock on the serious Dual Sport market, but they come at a price ($10K). From what I have read, Husky is getting there, at a bit less money, but transmission ratio's are still not right (6 speeds with a tight range) - and that is a big problem, one that is not easily corrected by the end user.
So, I will take my time sorting out my head, and figuring out what I really want. The DR650 was a marvelous machine, and if it were 50-75 lbs lighter, and had 6 speeds, it would have been perfect for me. My wife and I will miss it, and I hope that my brother enjoy's it. He has all but ensured me that it will be unrecognizable when I see it again. I only hope that he enjoys it as much as I did. With Suzuki revitalizing their commitment to their motorcycle lineup, maybe we will finally see a new DR. I am not sure that I will wait around to find out...

The 250L is 320 lbs with gas,much like all the little japanese dualsports. There is no perfect dual purpose bike,everybody wants something different out of the things.
Honda builds bikes now with such bargain priced bits on them for dual sport,I think 5 grand would be spent before it was a decent but still excruciatingly slow bike.

My DR will cruise at 85 smoothly for days,I cant see where a 6 speed would help the bike.

[clfarren5944]

Originally Posted by DockingPilot

You just have the wrong riding boots is all mate.

We call those a "KTM lowering kit".

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

Yep thats my biggest issue with the DR, not enough ground clearance, and suspension too soft for semi-aggressive off-roading in rough situations. You can fix the soft suspension, not quite as easy to fix the ground clearance issue. Its no fun having to worry about punching holes in cases when you want to wick it up a bit, and maybe catch a little air over a water bar or such

Try riding something like a KTM 530excr just once,it will change your mind in a heartbeat ,big smooth engine,not heavy,handles like a dream,stock suspension works great.
After fooling around with dual purpose bikes for years I have figured out its even cheaper to have a 530 over a DR.
The money spent buying a DR and then fixing/farkling/fixing,changing,adjusting it to be somewhat like a dirtable bike ends up being more $ then just buying a bike that works great from the get go.

The DR still gets the nod for long dirt road trips or pavement rides with some dirt,the 530 is more grins per minute then should be legal when it goes out.

[Rusty Rocket]

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

Try riding something like a KTM 530excr just once,it will change your mind in a heartbeat ,big smooth engine,not heavy,handles like a dream,stock suspension works great.
After fooling around with dual purpose bikes for years I have figured out its even cheaper to have a 530 over a DR.
The money spent buying a DR and then fixing/farkling/fixing,changing,adjusting it to be somewhat like a dirtable bike ends up being more $ then just buying a bike that works great from the get go.

The DR still gets the nod for long dirt road trips or pavement rides with some dirt,the 530 is more grins per minute then should be legal when it goes out.

Sounds like we are on the same page dragger. My 400 is everything I want my DR to be.... but for one thing. Vibration. Don't get me wrong, the DR isn't smooth, except in camparison to my KTM. The 400 is a little short on torque when it hits the tar also. I think I have all the bases covered that need covering for my riding needs. I would like a WeeStrom if I could manage to get my wife to agree.

[UberKul]

Originally Posted by dljocky

I have my shock wound so tight, I'm afraid to tighten it much more, and the big dr still seems to have a lot of static/rider sag.
Maybe i should tighten it up some more?

Unless you are bottoming it out on anything but the real big hits I'd leave it alone. Heavier springs maybe.

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

Ive got stiffer springs front and rear along with race tech gold/emulator valves,its still close to the ground just sitting there doing nothing. Jumping water bars on a DR650 is going to cause something bad to happen eventually,they just arent made for it.

I tagged a big rock going downhill on my DR once,dusty/shady using a darker shield.
I hit it,the forks collapsed,the rock then smashed the skidplate in and launched the bike into full nose wheelie status towards a small grove of trees just off the trail. Some how the bars turned to the right a little and I came out of it with only soiled shorts and a bad scare. I was thinking "life flight" as it rolled along with the back wheel way up in the air.
Didnt feel even remotely like a dirt bike at that point,more like a station wagon.

Another time it very nearly high sided me playing flattracker on it,bike gets sideways,frame flex wallow snap left to right full lock and things almost went way to shite at 45mph. Ive since slowed down on the DR,if one of these things lands on you it would be a "Bill the cat" meets "Wiley Coyote" situation and a smashed human would result.
They arent race bikes.

Jumping water bars is huge fun but save the big chuckles for jumping UP the bars. Jumping down hill can easily double that little two foot jump and convincing yourself to land it on the gas rear wheel first can be intimidating going down hill. If we are going to launch ourselves into the unknown like John Glenn we have to be willing to pay the price.

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

Try riding something like a KTM 530excr just once,it will change your mind in a heartbeat ,big smooth engine,not heavy,handles like a dream,stock suspension works great.
After fooling around with dual purpose bikes for years I have figured out its even cheaper to have a 530 over a DR.
The money spent buying a DR and then fixing/farkling/fixing,changing,adjusting it to be somewhat like a dirtable bike ends up being more $ then just buying a bike that works great from the get go.

The DR still gets the nod for long dirt road trips or pavement rides with some dirt,the 530 is more grins per minute then should be legal when it goes out.

Lucky enough to have that option as well with a Husky TE 450 but that thing only comes out on hard core play days or DS events where the hard splits are the order for the day. Taking the DR to Alaska in 2014... wouldn't even consider the Husky.

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by UberKul

The compromise is to run less sag than you would on a normal dirt bike. More air time but less dragging the belly.

Or stick a Ricor IAS shock on it.

[dljocky]

Is this the shock that you run? I've thought of just gettin a different new shock. My shock, (2009) I know is in need of a service. I wonder if instead of putting money into the service, just buy a better shock?

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Or stick a Ricor IAS shock on it.

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by dljocky

Is this the shock that you run? I've thought of just gettin a different new shock. My shock, (2009) I know is in need of a service. I wonder if instead of putting money into the service, just buy a better shock?

You have several options:
1. re-build the stock shock yourself, install new seals, fresh oil and fresh nitrogen. (there is a tutorial here somewhere)
2. Send the stock shock out to Cogent or other suspension specialist. Here you get a sophisticated rebuild with good alteration to shim stack and shaft coating. Good reports.
3. Purchase a Ricor, Race Tech, Wilbur's or other shock out there for the DR650.

A heavier spring added to your current stock shock will help ... but you will still have a LOT of static sag. It's the nature of the shock and linkage set up. I installed an Ohlins. Much less static sag and great performance and adjustability.

Good luck!

[nokturnal]

Sold my DR today. Great bike, but to hefty for the kind of riding I am doing now. Would definitely buy one again if I had the room and the $ for more bikes...

Thanks for everyone who contributed to this thread and helped me along the way.

Got some nice leftovers for sale.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...9#post20254249

[Motodeficient]

With winter fast approaching here in Maine, the DR650 comes back inside waiting for Spring.

Unlike last winter, I don't have many plans for it besides a good cleaning. And maybe a 790 kit.

[ER70S-2]

Originally Posted by nokturnal

Sold my DR today. Great bike, but too hefty for the kind of riding I am doing now. Would definitely buy one again if I had the room and the $ for more bikes...

Thanks for everyone who contributed to this thread and helped me along the way.

Got some nice leftovers for sale.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...9#post20254249

Nokturnal:
Long ago and far away you posted this drawing for me over on Thumper Talk because I didn't know how at the time. I was trying to explain how to adjust the proper angle of the clutch arm.

It was the predecessor of this post:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...7&postcount=33

Good luck with your next ride.