The DR650 is just an amazing platform. Obviously, it's not modern, but with a gigantic aftermarket you can tune it for any type of riding. If you don't believe so, ask yourself why so many people still buy and make videos of a 28 year old motorcycle.
This video is amazing. I literally experienced the same thing. Aftrr 2 years on the T7, I went to the DR. And fell in love. WAY more fun off road...and only slightly less capable on road. Yes the T7 is agreat bike. But the DR just feels PERFECT.
The DR650 is not the perfect bike -- no one would claim that. But it's truly amazing how many people find it to be the perfect bike *for them*. I'm one of them. It was my first bike and I doubt I'll ever sell it. It just suits the kind of riding I want to do so, so well.
TH-cam trends say thursday afternoon is the best time to upload Swangy uploads at 8am on a saturday because he does what he wants Keep up the good content!
It's nice that you and your dad can ride together. My dad and I did some riding together when I was in my teens. We were out riding a gravel road and I stopped to do a donut on my Honda 100 scrambler. My dad was riding a BSA 650 road bike. He said how do you do a donut? I told him and he preceded to do a donut. Still can't believe he did it on that big bike. Dads are cool too.
Even just the road twists in Lincoln are fun. Restaurants in the spirt of play. Good to have duals when the atv trails are closed. Thankful for the vision of the county and clubs, which welcome us on the atv trails.
I have owned a DR650 for about 8 years now. A couple of years ago I rented a Tenere 700 for several days to try it out. I took both bikes on a camping trip to the Sierras in California. I rode on jeep trails and old mining roads in the mountains. I found the Tenere to be top heavy and difficult to manage off road on jeep trails and off camber dirt trails. The Tenere 700 is also about 90 lbs. heavier than the DR650. The suspension was also rather harsh. After a few days of riding my DR650 and Tenere back-to-back on the trails, I realized that I preferred my old DR650 for off road riding. The Tenere is a better bike for pavement and highway riding, but that is not what it is marketed for. The Tenere being top heavy and 450 lbs. really works against it off road on rough off camber trails.
@@SwankyCatProductions btw, looking hard at that MSR vest. Price kinda made me jump back, then I watched the product video and now I'm really interested in it.
Great viedos. Im 84 years old been riding 76 years. Have all kinds of bikes including Suzukis. Drz and 4 wheelers. They make great bikes at a reasonable price that are very reliable. Hope at some time they make a up graded DR650. Where do you live? Im in So. Oregon. Great riding here year around.
I bought my dr650 for $2500 and have dumped a couple thousand in mods and have transformed the bike completely. The tm40 pumper carb and exhaust have been my favorite so far really made the bike so much more fun and exciting. I’ve done stiffer springs and it helped a ton with the sloppy suspension. I’m gonna do emulators and the cogent rear shock rebuild program next. Warp 9 supermoto wheels and Dunlop mutants have made the bike a canyon carver and honestly still performs well off road. However I’m going back to the dirt wheels for the Utah bdr this summer.
Getting back into riding after a few years without a bike, and am about to pull the trigger on a used dr650 w/ a bunch of mods/aftermarket parts/etc. I'm so excited for it. I can identify with what you said, wanting to ride about an hour from the house, hit some trails, then ride back home. That's exactly what I want to do! Great video man.
I rode my DR650 with the oem shock for a long time while I made other mods. In retrospect that was a mistake. The Cogent rear shock and spring should have been the second mod. Seat is always the first mod on the DR.
I'm a big fan of a lowered seat... I've shaved off a lot of foam over the years. LOL. And I'm 6 foot. It just adds so much more maneuverability, finesse and confidence to my riding abilities. I ride almost exclusively off road single track.
For a proper comparison you can't use a stock DR650. A stock DR650 is a starting point. To compare apples to apples you need to do the following to the DR: FMF pipe and header, air box mod, carb re jet, lowering pegs, IMS tank and set the suspension to your weight. Then you can compare them.
We may do a proper comparison at some point. This ride was really supposed to be a stock sort of benchmark test for the DR before I start the build. My dad just happened to bring his T7 and I wanted to let him try the DR since he's never been on one. Now he's going to sell his 250 and buy one 🤣
@@SwankyCatProductionsonce set up the DR is hard to beat. Enjoy the journey, you are taking on the big 3 bike decisions a lot of people ponder. Good on you for doing it, it should have been done a while ago. Another good comparison is the KLR to the Versys 300X. I've had both on my journey to the DR650.
Hell ya man. Good ride. First off yes the stock sus is squished for the highway and needs off road upgrades. New springs all around. With higher viscosity oil up front. For super fancy a wr450 triple tree and inverted forks. The rubber foot pegs get annoying fast. Highly recommend the solid upgrade with lower positioning. NOT the lowering mount bracket. That one is a do not. Just the lower positioning pegs that use the same bolt holes. It's only an inch down and back, though it helps lower your weight and get you to better position for the bars. Which also a bar upgrade is common. Risers and fat bars. This next one I cant recommend enough. Yoshimora exhaust! And 1 jet larger then stock with a high performance needle. Dont go nuts with the jets . Doesn't need much. Just a little boost to match the higher airflow of the Yoshi pipe. Then that bike becomes a sweet set of tits for sure. You'll just hold on and smile as it shouts promises of glory and grandeur with every twist of the throttle haha. Although! A very similar thing could be said for the xr as well... ! I'm so interested to see what happens when both are given a proper tuck, pump and lift just how they compare and ride. Great vids man. Cant wait to see what's next.
Thanks man! Good info too! I think I'm going to try heavier oil with pre load spacers first, and eventually do a full spring upgrade. Should really make this into an awesome ride!
I just got the mighty DR650 and love it. Always wanted one and finally got it. Put a skid plate on it and the lowered foot pegs. Can’t wait to uncork it next.
I like how you describe your Dr experience thus far, I have a pumper carb and luxx add-on and mid pipe on my 2013. I'll tell you that really smoothed out the power-ban, and comparing it to my 06 KLR650 wow Suzuki did a great job with the power delivery. FYI... I put a Laminar lip on the stock 1/4 fairing the DR has, I am a shorter rider at 5'8"ish, but the air goes over my helmet.
Oh no! Haha yeah, IDK how I forgot. I guess I might have hoped it was just the weight of the KLR that made it so noisy. The one on the DR really isn't that loud yet. I guess we'll see!
My 244s quited down after 1000miles or so. I swapped the front to the opposite rotation and it started whineing again, getting better after every ride.
I lowered my pegs 2 inches, huge improvement, wurst wire I think, I then had the brake pedal fabricated as it was too high for my liking, but perfectly fine otherwise. I agree with you on the bars, could use a rise, I just push forward a bit on the seat and it feels ok. I put on a windscreen, but there is buffeting, so I am using ear plugs which work great, just a pain to put in for short rides. I also put extensions on for the mirrors. I plan on a rack and top box. I have a great backpack, so using that for now. I ran out of gas a few times, luckily I have been close to home each time. Also, my neutral light went out and that has been somewhat inconvenient. Planning on my first long ride in a month or so.
I think lowering the pegs will definitely make the bike feel much better. I'm looking forward to that one! As much as I dislike not having wind protection, I've noticed that the completely clean air hitting my helmet, makes for much better sounding audio! Did you check the neutral bulb? Or is it something else?
Wind protection is great but those stupid blind spot things you put on there it's just hurts me to watch it hurts my head putting a clear windshield on is great but putting those stupid computer screens on their let's let's be real you're out riding the motorcycle if you want to watch TV sit on the couch at home and watch TV but why would you want that s*** on a motorcycle God bless everyone keep up the good work
I just picked up 2018 DR650 with super low miles. I put on 14 tooth sprocket, Leo Vince exhaust and a ProCycle carb kit. I’m from Wausau if you want to ride it to compare.
Really cool video. 25 years ago I backpacked and camped up there (Ghost Lake and Ament Lake) and I recognized the landscape as soon as you went off road in the video. I'll have to take a trip there this summer. Are there maps or tracks available for the off road stuff? Maybe stuff on Cannonshot's site?
Thanks! I suppose that could be it. I think the rest have just needed to be more low profile to fit the bikes they were on too. Where this one has a little more height from the factory?
You will enjoy the DR a lot more on the road getting the parabellum rally windshield. Perfect size to keep wind off your chest and still get some wind on hot days.
@@SwankyCatProductions didn’t realize you had a rally kit coming for it. If you can weather through until that comes in then you don’t have to dip into your savings fund there. But yes that windshield is nice. $ well spent.
what do I start with on a new to me bike ? usually seat height, handle bars then foot pegs ( if their really bad) all this after initially changing oil and making sure the engine is in good shape,and especially checking plug color ! then suspension.... I am not all that picky when it comes to suspension but I do like a soft suspension... hard suspension wears me out fast and I feel like I've been through a blanket party at the end of the day ( a military term for throwing a blanket over someone and then the entire barracks beats and kicks the guy till he quits moving)...so not good ! I very rarely buy handle bars... I just use the ones I have on hand which is usually quite a few....crash plates were important in my younger days ...now not so much as I don't go crazy when I am 50 miles out in the woods anymore..... as I got older I started to realise if I broke a leg out here....I'ed probably die before they found me ! I always carry extra water with me regardless.... puncture wounds do happen out in the woods... carry a good first aid kit that has a tourniquet ...I was stabbed by a stick above the boot one time that bled all the way home....my sock was drippy with blood.... no first aid kit that day...I don't do that any more !
OUCH! That's definitely something that's been on my mind more recently. Stuff like that can happen at anytime and when your in the woods, especially alone, there is no good time! I used to always carry my first aid kit, but on the new bikes I haven't. I'll stick it in my backpack until I get racks and bags on both bikes!
Great video! I sold my DR for a T7. Both great bikes in their own way. I kinda want to have both (and an 890). I think i have a motorcycle problem 😅 Great content
Definitely try going -1 on the front sprocket, Dr is geared pretty tall from the factory, whereas you would think something like the KLR would be geared taller
Hey man , I was having heavy clutch issues with my DR 650 , so I basically replaced everything on it , clutch plates both fiber and steel, springs , clutch cable , clutch activation arm . Clutch leaver . Turns out that the previous owner has installed heavy duty clutch springs, they were about 3 to 4 mm longer than standard. Along with a shity aftermarket leaver it made the clutch pull stupidly heavy . I put everything back to oem and it’s soooo much better nearly feels like a hydraulic clutch compared to what it was . Anyway maybe check the springs and the leaver assembly on your XR 🤙
Huh, interesting. That would be a frustrating experience but I'm glad you figured it out! I've heard the Tusk clutch kit is an improvement over the OEM for the XR, but I don't think it includes new springs... Maybe I'll see if there's a kit for it!
I love the do everything in a chill forever pace the DR have.. I went from a Tiger 800 XCx to a T7, then added a KLX250S, then a DR650 and now i just got an AJP PR7 to the stable.. that´s something extra but the DR still has it´s charm. T7 just feels like a bus, better on the highway but under 130km/h the others are better. Vibrations is the only pro on the T7. DR650 vs 701 is also an interesting take and some fairing mods.. it´s like.. with those big heavy adventure bikes, are we really going that fast anyway?
Watching your dad put his feet down so much frightens me, he could easily catch a foot in a rut and hurt himself bad. Feet need to stay up on the pegs and keep momentum when going through an obstacle
@@SwankyCatProductions Ahh....ok but why is ethanol bad ? I run regular in my XR650L all the time.... should I be running ethanol free for some reason ?
There's an o ring in the carb that will eventually be killed by ethanol. I have to run corn gas but have had this problem. DR was dying when making a hard complete stop.
Dang I can see it now I am going to have to spend the money on a DR I have a 2020 650 V Strom bought new and I love it.But off road like the places you ride it is A hand full 😮.But it is a breeze on pavement getting there Yeeha 🤠
Uh oh! Haha. I've still never been on a Strom, probably should soon! I'll bet it's much much nicer on the road, but it all depends what your goal is! If it's dirt, the DR will be a blast!
What do you want to see in the new 2025 model motorcycles? A few concepts have surfaced. I favor Yamaha’s 700 in dirt bike dual sport. 700 in a light frame, may be nasty good.
The clutch side is a shorter Tusk lever. I was told the OEM did not fit. The brake side is original. If you order the D-Flex adventure guards they should fit with the stock levers. The guards on my bike are the motocross version, which have a tighter bend and no offset spacers.
Thanks! It's got the Tusk D-Sport Adventure tires on it. Great tires off road, not bad on road on lighter bikes like the DR. To Knobby for the heavier KLR though. Here's and affiliate link to them: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/tusk-dsport%C2%AE-adventure-tire-p?ref=1042&
The 701 is an amazing machine! Suspension feels much better, has almost double the horse power, and is actually lighter! The only downside, it's probably not going to be as care free of an ownership experience. Longer term it will probably need more maintenance and a rebuild sooner. Not a guarantee of course, but that's what the statistics point too. If you value performance definitely go with the 701. If you just want a bike that's probably got everything you actually need, and don't want to worry about all the maintenance, the DR is definitely a hard bike to beat!
Unfortunatly new DR650 r not allowed in the EU anymore since 2002. Noise and pollution reasons. Low milage DR650 r payed their weight like Gold in the meantime. So what have i done? Last week i bought an 25y old Freewind 650 with History proofed 3500 miles on clock in Mint Condition for around 3800 Bucks US. Sister Model of the 650. Same engine, more comfy and nearly as good as the DR. I going to change the Suspension and some other Parts in the next month and turn it into an Afrikabike. All in all around 6500 bucks for an absolutly competativ Offroad Bike with 180kg and between 50 and 60 HP then. Teneres and sure the Big GS'S eat my dust Offroad, cause more than 230kg without Rack and luggage r riculous offroad. Its 50 kg more than mine. Or maybe one Sack of cement more. Makes it more easy to imagine.
Let um leak!!! Haha. I was going to wait, but figured I'd at least get one ride out of it before fixing them. I'll get the parts ordered this week and fix it up soon!
I feel like if you let the power and clutch work for you the T7 is far superior OFF road than the DR650. You cannot man handle the T7, but even smaller guys like you absolutely rip the T7 through much much rougher terrain than one will get through on the DR. Confidence is a whole different condition. If they feel nervous on the bigger bike then they need more seat time, more dumps, loops, washouts, and successes to get up their confidence. I cannot rip the T7 through much at all. I don’t have the skill set to push it, but I have seen it get pushed and it’s a legend already.
I think I would personally always take the DR for hard off road rides. But the Tenere with the right rider can certainly be pushed just as far, or maybe even farther. It's certainly got the power and suspension, as long as you know what to do with it!
@@SwankyCatProductions I just always like riding dirt bikes on the street. In St. Louis many of the urban streets are rougher than rural trails. Potholes, bumpers, couches, old appliances, car jackers, and teenagers with guns.......you need a little ground clearance to get through some of those neighborhoods. A regular sport bike would get stranded.. 😀
Hey bro. How is your butt holding up 😂. Seat was my first mod. Are you familiar with Adventure Oz? That channel is like an encyclopedia for adventurising a dr650. Mods and fixes.
You need to slide up on the seat and quit putting on different handlebars you come from a street bike rider and you don't understand the dirt bike stuff there's a lot of good opportunities to watch dirt bike people that started on dirt bikes which have an advantage over a guy that comes from a street bike mentality no trying to cut you down in any ways but just think about it God bless everyone
Thanks for the comments! I don't disagree one bit! My goal is to build something somewhere between a dirt bike and a street bike. So in theory I can comfortably ride it on the freeway for an hour but then also still be able to ride it off road for an hour or two, and then still enjoy the ride back home (essentially combining the best parts of a motorcycle and removing the need for a truck and or trailer). Most road mods, like the bar risers and windshield do certainly degrade off road performance, but that's basically what I'm testing - Is the trade off worth it (to me). God bless and ride safe!
You are the daddy Mac man!!! I love my KLR more than you will ever know, I love your vids man. You helped, Build my own kLR. It’s nuts. It’s a motorcycle
Mmm, not with all the deer we have here. They'll often blend in, in the deep ditches and the extra few feet can make a difference. I've had a few narrow misses that may not have been had I been.
@@SwankyCatProductions Understandable we have a huge amount of deer in Oklahoma as well. However we have a lot of distracted drivers that cross over Yellow as well. I wouldn’t want to hit either one, but clipping a deer may be better than clipping a Ford.
Swanky, I hate you . I only have 6 bikes that I love, and you picked out the top 2 right off the top . Digging that T7 but a good built DR for the bang for your buck . That bush pig is incredible . All day riding in a rough areas , I just might want that DR over that T7 really .
🤣 sorry man! Glad I picked something interesting though! These are probably my two favorites too, although the XR is definitely right up there with the DR!
I try and give people the benefit of the doubt, even on the internet.. Yamaha is 73 horsepower twin, adjustable suspension. The Suzuki is a 35 horsepower single..it has suspension.. these bikes have no comparison, even the price point is not able to be compared..if you like oranges.. get one..if apples are your thing.. again get one and enjoy it. But comparing apples and oranges is a fools game.. Dork in the Road is killing it .guy started as a poser and has worked 24/7 getting his hands on anything and everything and riding it . everywhere. Including Baja .he has bought and broken 4+ brands of cameras.. tried on and ridden in half dozen brands of gear..guy is trying, really trying. DR650 is a industry standard,same w DRZ 400.. bikes you buy when you have enough money and time to achieve a goal.. Tenere 700 is the same..@$10,000 bucks has nothing, but it also doesn't have problems like dealership support or electronic sub systems that break.. so you can compare these bikes to other similar bikes. But not to each other.
The DR650 is just an amazing platform. Obviously, it's not modern, but with a gigantic aftermarket you can tune it for any type of riding. If you don't believe so, ask yourself why so many people still buy and make videos of a 28 year old motorcycle.
Very true!!!
I wanted a xr650. I test rode a KLR an XR and a DR.
The DR was a walk away winner on “buy” day.
I came in saying 99% I wanted the XR
I left with a DR.
This video is amazing. I literally experienced the same thing. Aftrr 2 years on the T7, I went to the DR. And fell in love. WAY more fun off road...and only slightly less capable on road. Yes the T7 is agreat bike. But the DR just feels PERFECT.
I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for backing me up! The Tenere is a really hard bike to beat... but so is the DR!
As usual another great video I love seeing that part of the country ❤
💯
The DR650 is not the perfect bike -- no one would claim that. But it's truly amazing how many people find it to be the perfect bike *for them*. I'm one of them. It was my first bike and I doubt I'll ever sell it. It just suits the kind of riding I want to do so, so well.
The perfect bike will exist when the perfect tires are used.
TH-cam trends say thursday afternoon is the best time to upload
Swangy uploads at 8am on a saturday because he does what he wants
Keep up the good content!
Oops haha. I suppose that makes sense. I just upload now because I've been doing it for years 😂
It's nice that you and your dad can ride together. My dad and I did some riding together when I was in my teens. We were out riding a gravel road and I stopped to do a donut on my Honda 100 scrambler. My dad was riding a BSA 650 road bike. He said how do you do a donut? I told him and he preceded to do a donut. Still can't believe he did it on that big bike. Dads are cool too.
That's awesome!!! I actually really wish we would have gotten into this sooner, I feel like I wasted my teens. Should have been out riding!!! Haha.
Even just the road twists in Lincoln are fun. Restaurants in the spirt of play. Good to have duals when the atv trails are closed. Thankful for the vision of the county and clubs, which welcome us on the atv trails.
Lincoln , NH gorgeous 🏔️🏔️🏔️
Right!!! It's definitely my favorite county. So many cool sights and so many great places to ride!!!
I have owned a DR650 for about 8 years now. A couple of years ago I rented a Tenere 700 for several days to try it out. I took both bikes on a camping trip to the Sierras in California. I rode on jeep trails and old mining roads in the mountains. I found the Tenere to be top heavy and difficult to manage off road on jeep trails and off camber dirt trails. The Tenere 700 is also about 90 lbs. heavier than the DR650. The suspension was also rather harsh. After a few days of riding my DR650 and Tenere back-to-back on the trails, I realized that I preferred my old DR650 for off road riding. The Tenere is a better bike for pavement and highway riding, but that is not what it is marketed for. The Tenere being top heavy and 450 lbs. really works against it off road on rough off camber trails.
You just gotta love the older thumpers for real just an amazing feeling so simple but such a great time
100%! Nothing else like them!
Great video! There’s a good reason I’m on my 3rd DR650! Made them in every flavor..currently in a 24 DR650 made into an SM and love it! 💪🏻
Nice! I'll bet that's a lot of fun!!!
Enjoyed the heck out of that! Gotta watch it again on the big screen.
Thanks Mike!!! Haha I always have to watch it on the TV too 😂
@@SwankyCatProductions btw, looking hard at that MSR vest. Price kinda made me jump back, then I watched the product video and now I'm really interested in it.
Great viedos. Im 84 years old been riding 76 years. Have all kinds of bikes including Suzukis. Drz and 4 wheelers. They make great bikes at a reasonable price that are very reliable. Hope at some time they make a up graded DR650. Where do you live? Im in So. Oregon. Great riding here year around.
Nice ride! Hopefully my Dad and I should be able to get the old bikes out on Sunday.
It was! I'm hoping we can get out again too!
After watching this video I’ve changed my mind on wanting a T700. Thanks for putting this out! I’m glad you enjoyed your day with your dad!
I'm glad you found it helpful!!! Thanks, it was a great time!
Glad that I am not the only one who forgets to cancel the turn signals on the DR! Just got the 2024 and it is my first dual sport. Great content man.
😂 yeah, I only remember to cancel mine when it's not on! What were you riding before the DR?
@@SwankyCatProductions I had a 600 Bandit. I took it all over the country. I want to get more off road and do some camping/adventure stuff.
I bought my dr650 for $2500 and have dumped a couple thousand in mods and have transformed the bike completely. The tm40 pumper carb and exhaust have been my favorite so far really made the bike so much more fun and exciting. I’ve done stiffer springs and it helped a ton with the sloppy suspension. I’m gonna do emulators and the cogent rear shock rebuild program next. Warp 9 supermoto wheels and Dunlop mutants have made the bike a canyon carver and honestly still performs well off road. However I’m going back to the dirt wheels for the Utah bdr this summer.
Nice!!! That sounds like an awesome set up!
Getting back into riding after a few years without a bike, and am about to pull the trigger on a used dr650 w/ a bunch of mods/aftermarket parts/etc. I'm so excited for it. I can identify with what you said, wanting to ride about an hour from the house, hit some trails, then ride back home. That's exactly what I want to do! Great video man.
Nice!!! The DR will serve you very well for that! A windshield of some sort will help, but it works pretty darn good even completely stock!
I rode my DR650 with the oem shock for a long time while I made other mods. In retrospect that was a mistake. The Cogent rear shock and spring should have been the second mod. Seat is always the first mod on the DR.
That's about how I'm feeling. Seems like a necessary upgrade that'll be well worth it...
I'm a big fan of a lowered seat... I've shaved off a lot of foam over the years. LOL. And I'm 6 foot. It just adds so much more maneuverability, finesse and confidence to my riding abilities. I ride almost exclusively off road single track.
Yeah it definitely makes a big difference! Hard to be confident and get low to the ground when the seats in the way! Ha ha.
Wind has been gusting like 50 mph last couple days in va. Suppose to be 80 tomorrow and I can't wait lol
50mph! Yikes! 80 sounds nice! I think it's supposed to be 70 here.
maine too . high winds / rain brutal
I own both. They each compliment what the other lacks.
For a proper comparison you can't use a stock DR650. A stock DR650 is a starting point. To compare apples to apples you need to do the following to the DR: FMF pipe and header, air box mod, carb re jet, lowering pegs, IMS tank and set the suspension to your weight. Then you can compare them.
We may do a proper comparison at some point. This ride was really supposed to be a stock sort of benchmark test for the DR before I start the build. My dad just happened to bring his T7 and I wanted to let him try the DR since he's never been on one. Now he's going to sell his 250 and buy one 🤣
@@SwankyCatProductionsonce set up the DR is hard to beat. Enjoy the journey, you are taking on the big 3 bike decisions a lot of people ponder. Good on you for doing it, it should have been done a while ago. Another good comparison is the KLR to the Versys 300X. I've had both on my journey to the DR650.
Dr is a great bike i love mine the nsu issue was delt with from 2017 onwards
Alright good deal, 2017. Thanks man!
Hell ya man. Good ride. First off yes the stock sus is squished for the highway and needs off road upgrades. New springs all around. With higher viscosity oil up front. For super fancy a wr450 triple tree and inverted forks.
The rubber foot pegs get annoying fast. Highly recommend the solid upgrade with lower positioning. NOT the lowering mount bracket. That one is a do not. Just the lower positioning pegs that use the same bolt holes. It's only an inch down and back, though it helps lower your weight and get you to better position for the bars. Which also a bar upgrade is common. Risers and fat bars.
This next one I cant recommend enough. Yoshimora exhaust! And 1 jet larger then stock with a high performance needle. Dont go nuts with the jets . Doesn't need much. Just a little boost to match the higher airflow of the Yoshi pipe. Then that bike becomes a sweet set of tits for sure. You'll just hold on and smile as it shouts promises of glory and grandeur with every twist of the throttle haha.
Although! A very similar thing could be said for the xr as well... ! I'm so interested to see what happens when both are given a proper tuck, pump and lift just how they compare and ride.
Great vids man. Cant wait to see what's next.
Thanks man! Good info too!
I think I'm going to try heavier oil with pre load spacers first, and eventually do a full spring upgrade. Should really make this into an awesome ride!
OK, time to think upgrades. Cogent suspension. Scotts stabilizer. Drop foot pegs. Too fun!
Soon, soon!
I just got the mighty DR650 and love it. Always wanted one and finally got it. Put a skid plate on it and the lowered foot pegs. Can’t wait to uncork it next.
I like how you describe your Dr experience thus far, I have a pumper carb and luxx add-on and mid pipe on my 2013. I'll tell you that really smoothed out the power-ban, and comparing it to my 06 KLR650 wow Suzuki did a great job with the power delivery. FYI... I put a Laminar lip on the stock 1/4 fairing the DR has, I am a shorter rider at 5'8"ish, but the air goes over my helmet.
Nice, I can't wait to do a few carb mods! Wow that's pretty impressive wind protection!
Good to know about the D Sport tires
Currently I have the Shinko Golden Boys and they have a horrible whine around 45 mph too
Oh no! Haha yeah, IDK how I forgot. I guess I might have hoped it was just the weight of the KLR that made it so noisy. The one on the DR really isn't that loud yet. I guess we'll see!
My 244s quited down after 1000miles or so. I swapped the front to the opposite rotation and it started whineing again, getting better after every ride.
Less really is more in the world of Dualsport motorcycles. It's the reason the Big thumpers are so beloved, and won't go away.❤
100%!!!
Kinda blushing after watching as this love story unfolds… Ought to be some interesting mod content in the future
🤣 sorry! Haha.
I've always considered the DR650 to be a dual sport platform, though one that requires money, and in the form of mods/addons, to get just right
I think that's a spot on assessment!
I lowered my pegs 2 inches, huge improvement, wurst wire I think, I then had the brake pedal fabricated as it was too high for my liking, but perfectly fine otherwise. I agree with you on the bars, could use a rise, I just push forward a bit on the seat and it feels ok. I put on a windscreen, but there is buffeting, so I am using ear plugs which work great, just a pain to put in for short rides. I also put extensions on for the mirrors. I plan on a rack and top box. I have a great backpack, so using that for now. I ran out of gas a few times, luckily I have been close to home each time. Also, my neutral light went out and that has been somewhat inconvenient. Planning on my first long ride in a month or so.
Check your neutral switch screws. If they backed out and you don't catch it in time it can lead to some major damage.
Mine is a 2021
I think lowering the pegs will definitely make the bike feel much better. I'm looking forward to that one! As much as I dislike not having wind protection, I've noticed that the completely clean air hitting my helmet, makes for much better sounding audio! Did you check the neutral bulb? Or is it something else?
@@SwankyCatProductions I am guessing it is the bulb, will need to find out about removing the housing to check it.
Wind protection is great but those stupid blind spot things you put on there it's just hurts me to watch it hurts my head putting a clear windshield on is great but putting those stupid computer screens on their let's let's be real you're out riding the motorcycle if you want to watch TV sit on the couch at home and watch TV but why would you want that s*** on a motorcycle God bless everyone keep up the good work
I just picked up 2018 DR650 with super low miles. I put on 14 tooth sprocket, Leo Vince exhaust and a ProCycle carb kit. I’m from Wausau if you want to ride it to compare.
Great video. When are you and Jerry going to do a bdr trip. Thinking that would be entertaining
We might try a bit of the TWAT this year!
@@SwankyCatProductions nice it’d be cool to see you swap bikes say mid way and compare pros and cons as everyone compares everything thing to the T7
Really cool video. 25 years ago I backpacked and camped up there (Ghost Lake and Ament Lake) and I recognized the landscape as soon as you went off road in the video. I'll have to take a trip there this summer. Are there maps or tracks available for the off road stuff? Maybe stuff on Cannonshot's site?
Ok next video, Jerry’s on XR and you on DR. Video was great.
👍 Another good video. Seat might need to be broken in more?
Thanks! I suppose that could be it. I think the rest have just needed to be more low profile to fit the bikes they were on too. Where this one has a little more height from the factory?
You will enjoy the DR a lot more on the road getting the parabellum rally windshield. Perfect size to keep wind off your chest and still get some wind on hot days.
I was thinking I'd run it as is, until I get my rally kit. However, it seems like a lot of people like that shield. Maybe I'll give that a try first?
@@SwankyCatProductions didn’t realize you had a rally kit coming for it. If you can weather through until that comes in then you don’t have to dip into your savings fund there.
But yes that windshield is nice. $ well spent.
Nice! Will you be doing a Honda XR versus Suzuki DR comparison?
That speedometer would drive me nuts! I hate it when 60mph is not straight up and down.
what do I start with on a new to me bike ? usually seat height, handle bars then foot pegs ( if their really bad) all this after initially changing oil and making sure the engine is in good shape,and especially checking plug color ! then suspension.... I am not all that picky when it comes to suspension but I do like a soft suspension... hard suspension wears me out fast
and I feel like I've been through a blanket party at the end of the day ( a military term for throwing a blanket over someone and then the entire barracks beats and kicks the guy till he quits moving)...so not good ! I very rarely buy handle bars... I just use the ones I have on hand which is usually quite a few....crash plates were important in my younger days ...now not so much as I don't go crazy when I am 50 miles out in the woods anymore..... as I got older I started to realise if I broke a leg out here....I'ed probably die before they found me !
I always carry extra water with me regardless.... puncture wounds do happen out in the woods... carry a good first aid kit that has a tourniquet ...I was stabbed by a stick above the boot one time that bled all the way home....my sock was drippy with blood.... no first aid kit that day...I don't do that any more !
OUCH! That's definitely something that's been on my mind more recently. Stuff like that can happen at anytime and when your in the woods, especially alone, there is no good time! I used to always carry my first aid kit, but on the new bikes I haven't. I'll stick it in my backpack until I get racks and bags on both bikes!
Great video! I sold my DR for a T7.
Both great bikes in their own way. I kinda want to have both (and an 890).
I think i have a motorcycle problem 😅
Great content
Haha I can't say I don't feel the same way 🤣
0:35 seconds in and had to stop to say that into was 🔥
Definitely try going -1 on the front sprocket, Dr is geared pretty tall from the factory, whereas you would think something like the KLR would be geared taller
Hey man , I was having heavy clutch issues with my DR 650 , so I basically replaced everything on it , clutch plates both fiber and steel, springs , clutch cable , clutch activation arm . Clutch leaver . Turns out that the previous owner has installed heavy duty clutch springs, they were about 3 to 4 mm longer than standard. Along with a shity aftermarket leaver it made the clutch pull stupidly heavy . I put everything back to oem and it’s soooo much better nearly feels like a hydraulic clutch compared to what it was . Anyway maybe check the springs and the leaver assembly on your XR 🤙
Huh, interesting. That would be a frustrating experience but I'm glad you figured it out! I've heard the Tusk clutch kit is an improvement over the OEM for the XR, but I don't think it includes new springs... Maybe I'll see if there's a kit for it!
Nice ride!
It was!
I love the do everything in a chill forever pace the DR have.. I went from a Tiger 800 XCx to a T7, then added a KLX250S, then a DR650 and now i just got an AJP PR7 to the stable.. that´s something extra but the DR still has it´s charm. T7 just feels like a bus, better on the highway but under 130km/h the others are better. Vibrations is the only pro on the T7.
DR650 vs 701 is also an interesting take and some fairing mods.. it´s like.. with those big heavy adventure bikes, are we really going that fast anyway?
Nice line up you've got there!
Watching your dad put his feet down so much frightens me, he could easily catch a foot in a rut and hurt himself bad. Feet need to stay up on the pegs and keep momentum when going through an obstacle
Yeah, at slow speeds it's not a big deal. Still not great, but at high speed it could definitely be bad. On the pegs is the best place to be!
throw a pumper carb on that dr and it make the power even more fun
why are you putting premium in a DR650 ? use regular !
No 🌽 in the 91!
@@SwankyCatProductions Ahh....ok but why is ethanol bad ? I run regular in my XR650L all the time.... should I be running ethanol free for some reason ?
There's an o ring in the carb that will eventually be killed by ethanol. I have to run corn gas but have had this problem. DR was dying when making a hard complete stop.
Dang I can see it now I am going to have to spend the money on a DR I have a 2020 650 V Strom bought new and I love it.But off road like the places you ride it is A hand full 😮.But it is a breeze on pavement getting there Yeeha 🤠
Uh oh! Haha. I've still never been on a Strom, probably should soon! I'll bet it's much much nicer on the road, but it all depends what your goal is! If it's dirt, the DR will be a blast!
I have had the DR650 and the XR650L. The XR is hands down a better bike.
Tell me why XR hands down. Going from Okla to Panama (and hopefully back), which one to take? Or does it matter?
What do you want to see in the new 2025 model motorcycles? A few concepts have surfaced. I favor Yamaha’s 700 in dirt bike dual sport. 700 in a light frame, may be nasty good.
Are those the stock brake/ckutch levers? I'm thinking of getting some Tusk DFlex, but not sure if I'll need to cut the stock levers to make it fit.
The clutch side is a shorter Tusk lever. I was told the OEM did not fit. The brake side is original. If you order the D-Flex adventure guards they should fit with the stock levers. The guards on my bike are the motocross version, which have a tighter bend and no offset spacers.
2011 yamaha tenere or dr650 2019 need suggestion. Please help
I'm watching this from a parking lot on my phone while I'm out riding my KLR
LMAO 🤣 that's awesome!!!
@@SwankyCatProductions I love it! Thanks for always putting out content and taking the time to comment.. stay safe brother
Nice video. What tires do you run on DR pls?
Thanks! It's got the Tusk D-Sport Adventure tires on it. Great tires off road, not bad on road on lighter bikes like the DR. To Knobby for the heavier KLR though. Here's and affiliate link to them: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/tusk-dsport%C2%AE-adventure-tire-p?ref=1042&
@@SwankyCatProductions Thank you. Looking for some offroad tires for Yamaha Tenere 700, something what works in the mud but still legal on the road.
Is the DR650 really tuned for Premium gas? I've been feeding my smaller DRZ400s the regular stuff with no issues.
I just run 91 because it's the only choice without ethanol around here. I'd put 87 in if it wasn't a blend.
@@SwankyCatProductions That makes perfect sense. I'd do the same thing. We don't have that option locally. It's all 10% ethanol unfortunately.
Dr650 is for people who like to travel anywhere, but the 700 can do it all also if you can ride it.
Indeed!
Hey SC, I wanted to know how it compares to the 701, I hesitate between those 2 :) thxs
The 701 is an amazing machine! Suspension feels much better, has almost double the horse power, and is actually lighter! The only downside, it's probably not going to be as care free of an ownership experience. Longer term it will probably need more maintenance and a rebuild sooner. Not a guarantee of course, but that's what the statistics point too. If you value performance definitely go with the 701. If you just want a bike that's probably got everything you actually need, and don't want to worry about all the maintenance, the DR is definitely a hard bike to beat!
Unfortunatly new DR650 r not allowed in the EU anymore since 2002. Noise and pollution reasons.
Low milage DR650 r payed their weight like Gold in the meantime.
So what have i done?
Last week i bought an 25y old Freewind 650 with History proofed 3500 miles on clock in Mint Condition for around 3800 Bucks US.
Sister Model of the 650. Same engine, more comfy and nearly as good as the DR.
I going to change the Suspension and some other Parts in the next month and turn it into an Afrikabike.
All in all around 6500 bucks for an absolutly competativ Offroad Bike with 180kg and between 50 and 60 HP then.
Teneres and sure the Big GS'S eat my dust Offroad, cause more than 230kg without Rack and luggage r riculous offroad. Its 50 kg more than mine. Or maybe one Sack of cement more. Makes it more easy to imagine.
Ben , what did you do about the fork seals on this bike?
Let um leak!!! Haha. I was going to wait, but figured I'd at least get one ride out of it before fixing them. I'll get the parts ordered this week and fix it up soon!
I'm pretty sure the MOM recommends 87 octane for a DR.
I run 91 because it's the only pure fuel in this area. Anything lower octane has ethanol in it.
Realizing you’ve had the blinker on for miles is the worst
Tires will always be the limiting factor , regardless of which bike you choose.
True! I did find that the XR itself actually feels a bit more awkward than the DR though. Even with more aggressive tires on it!
I feel like if you let the power and clutch work for you the T7 is far superior OFF road than the DR650. You cannot man handle the T7, but even smaller guys like you absolutely rip the T7 through much much rougher terrain than one will get through on the DR. Confidence is a whole different condition. If they feel nervous on the bigger bike then they need more seat time, more dumps, loops, washouts, and successes to get up their confidence. I cannot rip the T7 through much at all. I don’t have the skill set to push it, but I have seen it get pushed and it’s a legend already.
I think I would personally always take the DR for hard off road rides. But the Tenere with the right rider can certainly be pushed just as far, or maybe even farther. It's certainly got the power and suspension, as long as you know what to do with it!
@@SwankyCatProductions I just always like riding dirt bikes on the street. In St. Louis many of the urban streets are rougher than rural trails. Potholes, bumpers, couches, old appliances, car jackers, and teenagers with guns.......you need a little ground clearance to get through some of those neighborhoods. A regular sport bike would get stranded.. 😀
Hey, what are you using for your music? I have envato but the music, imo, sucks.
TH-cams free stuff actually. It takes A LOT of digging, but there's some good ones mixed in with a lot of garbage 😂
@@SwankyCatProductions got ya. Some of that sounded like you might have been using some of the music match programs I’ve seen.
Luckily ,Jerry didn't go too far into the woods:]
Right?!?!
big tank will help with the wind
I don't like sensors or using bluetooth on a bike ; give me carbs & a throttle that still used a cable. Simple is good !
Indeed!
Hey bro. How is your butt holding up 😂. Seat was my first mod. Are you familiar with Adventure Oz? That channel is like an encyclopedia for adventurising a dr650. Mods and fixes.
Haha the seat concepts seat mine came with is pretty darn good actually, but not the best I've sat on. I'll have to check them out! Thanks!
Let the money spending begin.....or the suppliers sending you the mods...either way...let the fun get better. Nothing better that modding a bike!
Haha 😂 yeah man!
You need to slide up on the seat and quit putting on different handlebars you come from a street bike rider and you don't understand the dirt bike stuff there's a lot of good opportunities to watch dirt bike people that started on dirt bikes which have an advantage over a guy that comes from a street bike mentality no trying to cut you down in any ways but just think about it God bless everyone
Thanks for the comments! I don't disagree one bit! My goal is to build something somewhere between a dirt bike and a street bike. So in theory I can comfortably ride it on the freeway for an hour but then also still be able to ride it off road for an hour or two, and then still enjoy the ride back home (essentially combining the best parts of a motorcycle and removing the need for a truck and or trailer). Most road mods, like the bar risers and windshield do certainly degrade off road performance, but that's basically what I'm testing - Is the trade off worth it (to me). God bless and ride safe!
You are the daddy Mac man!!! I love my KLR more than you will ever know, I love your vids man. You helped,
Build my own kLR. It’s nuts. It’s a motorcycle
14:36 14:37 w
drop 1 tooth on the front sprocket from stock..2nd gear is vastly improved..thanks swank :0)
I'll definitely have to give that a shot!
When you are riding on a two-lane road, stick to the outside of your lane. Way safe than riding next to the yellow line.
Mmm, not with all the deer we have here. They'll often blend in, in the deep ditches and the extra few feet can make a difference. I've had a few narrow misses that may not have been had I been.
@@SwankyCatProductions Understandable we have a huge amount of deer in Oklahoma as well. However we have a lot of distracted drivers that cross over Yellow as well. I wouldn’t want to hit either one, but clipping a deer may be better than clipping a Ford.
Wish i could afford one
I've found a few for around 3-4k in my area. The deals are out there!
Swanky, I hate you . I only have 6 bikes that I love, and you picked out the top 2 right off the top . Digging that T7 but a good built DR for the bang for your buck . That bush pig is incredible . All day riding in a rough areas , I just might want that DR over that T7 really .
🤣 sorry man! Glad I picked something interesting though! These are probably my two favorites too, although the XR is definitely right up there with the DR!
Ps the mighty bush pig is the ultimate adv bike .
Agree!
DR650 takes premium?
Mine does! Haha. I run it in everything but my truck, just because it's the only one not blended with ethanol.
37:11 profound.
👍👍
I try and give people the benefit of the doubt, even on the internet.. Yamaha is 73 horsepower twin, adjustable suspension. The Suzuki is a 35 horsepower single..it has suspension.. these bikes have no comparison, even the price point is not able to be compared..if you like oranges.. get one..if apples are your thing.. again get one and enjoy it. But comparing apples and oranges is a fools game..
Dork in the Road is killing it .guy started as a poser and has worked 24/7 getting his hands on anything and everything and riding it . everywhere. Including Baja .he has bought and broken 4+ brands of cameras.. tried on and ridden in half dozen brands of gear..guy is trying, really trying. DR650 is a industry standard,same w DRZ 400.. bikes you buy when you have enough money and time to achieve a goal.. Tenere 700 is the same..@$10,000 bucks has nothing, but it also doesn't have problems like dealership support or electronic sub systems that break.. so you can compare these bikes to other similar bikes. But not to each other.
*** BIG-Bore - Dinosaur***🦖🦖
Yeah!!!
De