Please let the mighty weight not break our bones! HAHAHA! I can't wait to see what you do to the pig. So good to see vids on the SGP chan chan again :)
I've watched this entire series and even though I live in the states and own a '17 GS this makes me want to sell it and buy a DR650. There's something alluring about the thought of ripping around on a bike you don't care about dropping and can fix with a couple hand tools. Fantastic videos
i had a mate who lashed out on a GS1200 with huge wads of cash then was too scared to take it on anything more than very smooth straight dirt roads. he agrees he should have started with a DR then worked his way up!
I have a 1991 DR650, bought nearly new in 1992. Had a 1978 Yamaha TY250 at the same time, which I have since sold, and recently bought a 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (crazy bike, but another story). I sent the DR carb to California for a smooth bore job, added a Supertrapp can at the end, TwinAir air filter, Acerbis rear fender, Renthal bars and a few other things. Took me awhile to jet it properly, back then there were no kits for the 650, everything was for the 350. It is a great bike, even now. It does not like stale gas 'though. I've geared it down a bit too far, but it wheelies off idle like a trials bike. You're right about the suspension, it's awful. I haven't done the rear but I did put some Gold Valves in the front to give it a pseudo-cartridge fork upgrade. My biggest wish was for a 6-speed tranny.
Love it! Been researching best ADV re-entry bike for ages now...& have settled on the Doctor! Have seen lots of these vids but re watching with real enthusiasm now! Thanks guys - let the adventure begin!!!✌❤
a bloody heavy dirtbike is what i'm doing with mine right now. It's fun, until you have a bad day and the heavy weight bites you in the ass. Today was one of those. I downed the DR 3 times today. At one point, I literally had to jump off the bike when I was tipping over on the side of a hill, and let it fall as i tried to land clear and not get smashed like a baby elephant in a panic stampede.... yeah, bloody heavy dirtbike indeed!
65elcamino283 welcome to the dr's office. Being 137 pounds and being on a drz400 that weighs twice what I do is interesting. She kicks my ass proper, but I always come back every time.
Watched all your videos, brilliant! I took your advice and went and saw Gordon, man what a difference that made to my DR, so happy and Gordon is one of the nicest person I've ever met
Man, Barry, you are flogging that poor beast unlike 98% of their owners would even think of doing. Appreciate your taking the time to show us the mods of an otherwise stable, albeit boring, steed. ADV for the masses!
I’ve ridden and raced enduro for years now I mainly ride trials. I decided a couple of years back that I wanted a dual purpose bike so I went and tested a 690, to my surprise I hated it so I bought a WR 250R. As good as the WR was I just couldn’t get along with it so finally I landed on the good old DR and love it (with suspension work). I guess it brings me back to my younger XR 500R days. Great video series! Cheers 🇨🇦
I hated my 690, TJ. I did a video about it and it was funny to see a lot of guys agreeing with me... but of course plenty of ruffled feathers by guys who love their 690s!
I was watching this on my TV and I had to log in on my phone just to leave a like and comment . Best video about the DR!!! Just great. Gonna subscribe to your channel. Iv been wondering about the dr650 vs other bikes somehow I'm still not convinced but this video is getting me there . Thanks. Keep up the fine job. Great video to watch
BRILLIANT. this series is going to be super useful to lots of riders. New and experienced alike. I am particularly looking forward to see how you tune for fuel economy whilst de-restricting (un-corking) her. thanks mate
+David Lipschitz i'll be chatting with a local canadian guy about all of that, he is possibly the most knowledgeable guy on the planet with modding the stock carby :)
+ADVENTURE OZ I haven't had a chance to meet auscanvet. I got a GSXR can + midpipe from him and he was very happy to help/offer me his extensive knowledge should I have had issues with tuning my carb.
I don't know what i like the most in all of this series, if is the very useful information that you give us or the fanny way you pop it up. Or both. Anyway, the way that you gaves the information reminds me a lot Cus D'Amato (for the accuracy and filosophy, i mean). I love your sense of humor. Has i see it it is somewhere between Jerry Lewis, Victor Borge, Monty Python, Ricky Gervais and Louis CK. Thanks.
+Eric Fast Clip! thanks eric. actually we do have a comprehensive list of bad things about the DR but they all have solutions and you still wind up with a relatively cheap bike once done. :) this was as summary we did a few years ago: dr650-mods-reviews-tips.sportsontheweb.net/
Hangin out for the suspension review. I rode my DR through the Toowoomba Motorcycle Club grounds at Murphys Creek again on the weekend and I don't think it's much better than my 83 xl600r.
+Motahead 70 interesting point, the DR probably isn't much different to your XL as any improvements back then were very small... 1996 was the last big change for the DR and i think the main thing was dropping a fair bit of weight.
Subscribed! Was seriously considering a Dr650 for back roads and two tracks in northern Michigan, USA but found a screaming deal on a 2015 DRZ with 300 miles. Looking forward to the build. BTW still laughing at the prayer scene.
+detroit.mike i was thinking of a DRZ for this adventure build but we've usually got an hour's ride of bitumen out for the city before we get to the fun stuff and the DR just eats up those bitumen miles.
Still looking for a WR450.. my favorite adventure bike I've owned so far was a klx250 modified for less weight and more power. I only have a few days at a time to ride though.... and getting across rivers in the air is likely to be required.
Nice, been looking forward to this series! I just got home from the dealership after buying a 2016 DR... so excited but have to wait a few days for delivery and then a couple of weeks before I can go ride as I'm still recovering from a broken ankle... grrr.
+Josh White arrgh, broken bones. it's been a few years since my last one and now i'm riding quite a bit i figure it's only a matter of time before the next one. hope you heal up fast. :)
+ADVENTURE OZ Just took delivery of the DR, broken leg is pretty well healed so taking a putt around in the morning... carefully lol. You're not kidding about the stock suspension, I can compress the forks 4 inches with 1 finger! Gonna be interesting when I plonk my 95kg arse on it...
+Josh White just got the first suspension mods done josh, what an incredible difference! can't wait to see what the second and third level of mods achieve with the big girl. :) how goes the leg?
The rider is usually the only mod needed. People focus way to much on what bike to get and they still have no skills. Marketing is still number one! :-D Get this get that, Just get out and ride!
So right!! I ride a 14 V Strom 1000 in places it should never be.. Working on riding skills is something $$ can't buy!! A DR is in my future.. I'm a Suzuki man!!
Yeah, it's a bit naff when stock, but so many mods available! Mine has an FCR pumper carb, FMF Powerbomb header, FMF exhaust, Tag Fat Bars, Tag Risers, Bajaworx Screen, Lowered foot pegs, Acerbic Bark Busters, re-upholstered seat, 6mm bash plate, Acerbic 20L fuel tank, Improved suspension, Scottoiler, Side Racks, Rear Rack, Double Take Mirrors, Acewell Speedo, 18" DR350 rear wheel, Tubliss system front & rear, and more stuff. I'm pretty much running it as an adventure bike. It seems fine for several hours of road riding and I've taken it on some fairly challenging off-road tracks - but wouldn't do that again on 50/50 tyres.
+Mark Heyes those 50/50 tyres can be lethal, hey mark? it's coming back tomorrow with the first stage of the suspension done but still the same tyres, gulp. :(
+ADVENTURE OZ I'm going to run Mitas E07 tyres for seal, gravel & easy dirt. I've got some Kenda tyres that I'll try out when I go somewhere for proper off-road riding.
+Mark Heyes i liked the E07 on the rear for longevity but it could get a bit hairy sliding on corners, twice it spun a complete 180 and i stopped facing the opposite direction.
+ADVENTURE OZ Yeah, that's why I'm gonna avoid using them on the trick technical stuff. 50/50 tyres like the E07 for the easy stuff only. I already have an E07 on the front and it has been good on the seal and OK on easy stuff, just not my choice for slippery mud!
Good stuff. I just bought a 2000 model to practice offroad riding on while waiting for the Africa Twin to come out... I may just buy a brand spankin' DR.
We all read these reviews of the newest and best bikes but to b honest the vast majority of us c8uldnt out ride the fkn things if we tried. Big old bruisers like this keep selling cos a lot of us just want to explore and have a good time. I dobt own one but hav alot of respect for the old DRs.i will quite hapily put around on my trusty xr650r.
You dropped your psi down to 15. Mean while, I've become accustomed to running about 8psi on my rm250 with full knobs. Gets great traction, especially the front. I've been considering a dr650. Because street legal .
On our dirt bikes we usually run around 2 to 3psi with the TUbliss setup. Incredible traction! Sadly much below 15psi on the heavy DR650 and the chances of punctures and bent rims goes up fast.
Id buy the dr650 in a heartbeat, its a lighter version of the klr, can go anywhere, do anything and there are loads of cheap used ones out there (not to mention its cheaper than the wr250 and drz400)
I dont know about you, but my 94 DR350S had a super comfortable seat, with stock gearing coukd carry my 250lb frame 80mph - and I thought it was a great option for long distance ADV ride with decent off road capability... I LOVE the 6 speed - I consistently got just shy of 70 miles per gallon and how simple it is to work on - air cooled sohc motor? Yes please!! It seems to me the drz is everything I DONT want in an adventure bike - 5 speed, dohc, more complicated motor - radiator, narrow hard seat etc... and typically costs 1.5-2x as much as a dr350- yet I get it that it has the superior suspension.. I will be a lifelong fan of the DR350 platform, despite it's shortcomings
My DR350SE is a '99 model with only about 4500 miles on it (was kept in storage for 10 years until I got it) I've since done the engine and exhaust mods with good results but badly need new tires, longer range gas tank, a better seat, better suspension, etc. Like you, I'm 6' 1" and 240 so I keep thinking that the bigger bike with more horses would be the next logical step. I just turned down a DRZ400 the other day for some of the same reasons you gave. I really like that air cooled 'simple' platform and all the relatively inexpensive mods that can be done to the 650 to make it 'mine.' Best of luck as you take the next step!
Definitely way more top end power. I used to own one but eventually sold it as I wasn't too keen on the reliability in remote regions. Some issue have probably been fixed, but I think this KTM mechanic summed it up for me a few years back.... "I am a KTM fan and we work with them, but the 690 is the most unreliable dirt bike out there. Fuel pumps, rocker arm bearings, electrics, injectors, you name it, it suffers from it. Yes there are 690s out there that have never had an issue, not saying there aren't, but overall, its an unreliable machine. It was designed to be a roadbike, frame wise. They just decided to put dirt suspension on it. It has a huge wiring loom, and it has not just one ECU but two. One to do the normal stuff, the other to govern the throttle. They are awesome to ride, loads of fun, but as a bike to do trips on? It's not for me. Everyone I know with one (bar one actually) has had problems with it."
After all the reviews I tried to watch but failed by bloody skeptics, along comes this one one spoken in plain Australian. Thank you looking forward to watching the whole series. Where on the Sunny Coast are you lot at?
yes it’s a shame... but if you look at our site (or youtube channels) you see: we restore- renovate- update- tune... and finally we ride and race all Suzuki Endurobikes 💪✅👍😎. why we love this.
+Don2323 well, depends if you like it or not... they are pretty doughy and soft when completely stock but most guys agree they are a pile of fun with a few basic mods. :)
Eager Beaver here!!! Cant wait to see what you folks end up trying out on the suspenders brother...... Did one of these bush pigs break one of your bones???? Got me curious now!!
+MrDuhfactor my last DR, i was going to get the suspension done but jumped over a small rut and she bounced out of control on landing. it came down so hard sideways it crushed my foot sideways through an expensive pair or oxtar mx boots.... four out of five metatarsals broken. :(
So I'm guessing Secret Garden Project got renamed? I don't think I subbed another channel. Sounds like this is going to be a great project though. looking forward to it and some ADV rides!
+ColoradoDualSport originally it was going to be a channel for some very dodgy music i used to do with some mates but it never really took off then very gradually became a riding channel... and now it's becoming an adventure riding channel so thought it was time for a better name. :D
Just bought a DR, previous owner was a lighter than me, so am interested in your thoughts on the FFRC suspension, I dropped into their shop 2 weeks ago to see what sort of dollars I will need to spend.
+ToyCollectr i'll post my thoughts on their first stage suspension mods, but in brief it has transformed the bike already. only thing i could pick was a bit harsh on little corrugations but it hasn't been dialled in for my weight as yet so i suspect that will be a non-issue.
I've got a 1994 DR650rs so most of the mods in this series won't fit my bike, the main one I need to do is adjust the carb and fix the airflow, already got home made pannier mounts
Another great video as always.. The DR is a great bike.. But I'm wondering if you debated getting the KTM 690. Since you do most of your riding off road?
+Z Shark i did get a 690 and figured it would be my dream bike but i hated it. i don't know if the later models improved but the early ones were terrible, at least in my opinion. another mate loved his so i did this written review about both our perspectives: ktm-690r-test-review-problems.blogspot.com.au/
+ADVENTURE OZ -Great write up.. And I agree with all of it.. Sad to report my 2015 690R has all those issues still. But I still love it which is strange. And KTM can't keep them on the floor when they show up. So they don't have much motivation to change it.
you going to do a full exhaust too? i'm hunting for the legendary 01 grxr muffler, but having no luck. I think im about 10 years to late :( I really dont wanna splash out on a full staintune or fmf system.
+Bikes & Drones not really, i'm not too fussed on all the SEO stuff but just figured it was a slightly accurate name... the old one was simply the name of an extremely bad band i was in. :)
ADVENTURE OZ Thanks mate, you don't need SEO stuff, the quality of your productions speak for themselves. Viewer retention alone will help, I always watch all the way through as I'm sure most of your subs do.
+Bikes & Drones thanks B&D, i always figured that if guys liked the bent sense of humour then the vids would just tend to get spread around rather than promote them. not that it matters, i don't make any money from them so it's all just for the love of the sport.
Old vid but I thought for the sake of housekeep I should ask here, looking at a 2010 DR with 70,000km on it. On first looks, I don't think it's been abused. Has RMZ forks and 20l tank, stock seat for a fair price. I think I remember 3rd gear could be a problem. So should 70k scare me off is the question. PS I have been rebuilding bike and VW engines since the 70s, well the VWs came a bit later with the kids. But I'm older now, without a decent work area. Is it worth the risk. or should to looking at 10-20k on the clock ?
Very hard to know how common the third gear failure is. I'd say it IS a known issue, but probably rare.... at least since the part number changed for the third gear cog and many think it may have been strengthened (this has never been confirmed though). I think it's like the known issues for many bikes. Once you hit a critical mass of reports on social media it suddenly is well known and many think it happens all the time. That's like KTM's TPI bikes seizing. Or Beta main bearings failing. E.g. Third gear failures might happen in 1% of DR650s by 100,000km. Very rare. But enough reports? It sounds really serious. If the bike is cheap enough, I reckon the high km shouldn't matter. An engine or gearbox might self-destruct but you can always part the bike out and get thousands back.
I've got an annoying buzzing sound coming from the front end of my 2017 dr 650 when ever i accelerate . Do i need to upgrade my front sprocket? Do my front bearings need to be greased or is it something to do with my breaks?
+frogzie as per the video title and the content, this is a completely stock DR650 and the video series will look into all the mods. ergonomics and handlebars will be looked at later.
+ADVENTURE OZ OK, I understand. You just started with free adjustments (rolling the bar forward, disabling safety switches) before looking at aftermarket options at a later stage. Anyway I'm completely astonished how you make this mastodon look like a trial bike in this video!
Do you know if the DR650 has similar plastic mounting points as the DR200? Im trying to update the plastics (front and rear fenders) to a more modern look and I am having a really hard time finding pieces that much up without too much modification, besides drilling mounting holes. I know that the frame is a little different but do you know how much different?
+John Murwin no idea on the rear fender but anything will work on the front if you drill new holes. i think a lot of guys fit the WR450F fender for example, because it doesn't shake around at all.
Dunno, mine feels neither underdamped nor soft. I would even say it has a road-oriented setup. But then again I only weigh 66Kg. But perhaps one of the previous owners has done sth. to the setup.
The stock springs would probably suit you then. Although the front end will still dive under heavy breaking because the softer part of the dual rate springs is way too long.
COMPLETE LIST OF DR650 PROJECT VIDS
Introduction to the DR650 th-cam.com/video/58vB-5urcJI/w-d-xo.html
Power mods overview th-cam.com/video/z7GcNdlDwdk/w-d-xo.html
Transforming the carburetor th-cam.com/video/aN1aU0G4YQE/w-d-xo.html
GSXR exhaust mod th-cam.com/video/Em6SzMTF5SY/w-d-xo.html
DR650 known issues th-cam.com/video/rSNBa63UWx8/w-d-xo.html
Basic suspension mods th-cam.com/video/aTYAwIBX9aQ/w-d-xo.html
Protection for the DR th-cam.com/video/NQcXfOJsLSM/w-d-xo.html
Ergos: pegs, bars & seats th-cam.com/video/geLR5u8sMhI/w-d-xo.html
Weight reduction th-cam.com/video/h6fl-GWdURk/w-d-xo.html
Best suspension mods th-cam.com/video/sGdLm9sXzdo/w-d-xo.html
Fixing noisy starter motors th-cam.com/video/6P4n80FJP18/w-d-xo.html
Headlight upgrades th-cam.com/video/G28GoyWp6LI/w-d-xo.html
Steg Pegz review th-cam.com/video/SnI_pfkuQsg/w-d-xo.html
As a preacher's kid I can attest that you got the parsonial whine nearly perfect.
Bless you my son. Go in peace.
@@crosstrainingadventure lol
Bought my DR based off these videos, couldn't be happier with my pig!
I’m buying one because of him too
Same! Bought a new 2022 and love it.
...after spending a ridiculous amount upgrading it 💸
Please let the mighty weight not break our bones! HAHAHA! I can't wait to see what you do to the pig. So good to see vids on the SGP chan chan again :)
+eveRide ADV "Please let the mighty weight not break our bones again" in my case lol!
+eveRide ADV It has been a long time since a bike video made me laugh like this!
Hahaha everide that was awesome. I just picked up a 2006 dr650
Have Dr 650 for 2 yrs. Bought used with 4 k so just getting broke in.
Love the bike, highly recommend
just bought my dr650, my obsession began with this video...thank you....i love my new bush pig!
I've watched this entire series and even though I live in the states and own a '17 GS this makes me want to sell it and buy a DR650. There's something alluring about the thought of ripping around on a bike you don't care about dropping and can fix with a couple hand tools. Fantastic videos
i had a mate who lashed out on a GS1200 with huge wads of cash then was too scared to take it on anything more than very smooth straight dirt roads. he agrees he should have started with a DR then worked his way up!
I have a 1991 DR650, bought nearly new in 1992. Had a 1978 Yamaha TY250 at the same time, which I have since sold, and recently bought a 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (crazy bike, but another story). I sent the DR carb to California for a smooth bore job, added a Supertrapp can at the end, TwinAir air filter, Acerbis rear fender, Renthal bars and a few other things. Took me awhile to jet it properly, back then there were no kits for the 650, everything was for the 350. It is a great bike, even now. It does not like stale gas 'though. I've geared it down a bit too far, but it wheelies off idle like a trials bike. You're right about the suspension, it's awful. I haven't done the rear but I did put some Gold Valves in the front to give it a pseudo-cartridge fork upgrade. My biggest wish was for a 6-speed tranny.
this is gonna be an awesome series
Love it! Been researching best ADV re-entry bike for ages now...& have settled on the Doctor! Have seen lots of these vids but re watching with real enthusiasm now! Thanks guys - let the adventure begin!!!✌❤
If you like to tinker then the DR650 is a great platform! Boring in stock form. But a few tweaks and it does start to come alive...
Thanks for the detailed review!! I just bought a 2006 and put it under the knife...Now its my chariot to South America!!
a bloody heavy dirtbike is what i'm doing with mine right now. It's fun, until you have a bad day and the heavy weight bites you in the ass. Today was one of those. I downed the DR 3 times today. At one point, I literally had to jump off the bike when I was tipping over on the side of a hill, and let it fall as i tried to land clear and not get smashed like a baby elephant in a panic stampede.... yeah, bloody heavy dirtbike indeed!
65elcamino283 welcome to the dr's office. Being 137 pounds and being on a drz400 that weighs twice what I do is interesting. She kicks my ass proper, but I always come back every time.
Watched all your videos, brilliant! I took your advice and went and saw Gordon, man what a difference that made to my DR, so happy and Gordon is one of the nicest person I've ever met
You inspired me to get my DR650 2 days ago. And with zero dirt riding skills I took it to Kinglake and dropped it 3 times. I love it. Thank you.
just rolled 1,000 miles on my 21 Dr650 and I love it!
Man, Barry, you are flogging that poor beast unlike 98% of their owners would even think of doing. Appreciate your taking the time to show us the mods of an otherwise stable, albeit boring, steed. ADV for the masses!
I’ve ridden and raced enduro for years now I mainly ride trials. I decided a couple of years back that I wanted a dual purpose bike so I went and tested a 690, to my surprise I hated it so I bought a WR 250R. As good as the WR was I just couldn’t get along with it so finally I landed on the good old DR and love it (with suspension work). I guess it brings me back to my younger XR 500R days.
Great video series!
Cheers 🇨🇦
I hated my 690, TJ. I did a video about it and it was funny to see a lot of guys agreeing with me... but of course plenty of ruffled feathers by guys who love their 690s!
Can't wait to own my very own bushpig. Still have my trusty rmz250 to have fun at track days but adventure awaits!.
I was watching this on my TV and I had to log in on my phone just to leave a like and comment . Best video about the DR!!! Just great. Gonna subscribe to your channel. Iv been wondering about the dr650 vs other bikes somehow I'm still not convinced but this video is getting me there . Thanks. Keep up the fine job. Great video to watch
Great review!! Love my DR650...just got back from Central America put 30k on the bike and it still running like new!
So looking forward to this, I have two waiting to be pimped!
Excellent DR650 series you have produced! Thank you for the effort here!
HAHA 1:10 classic mate, I'm enjoying ur vids makes me wanna get a Drz 400 :D
Go in peace, my son. And buy that bloody DRZ. 😂
@@crosstrainingadventure haha I'm planning too, I'm in Frazer coast m8 not too far away 😃
You guys are hilarious! I love your video. Getting a DR 650 this week end. Wish me the good luck!
i like the video ;-) finally I see someone doing things with a heavy bike.
I just bought a new 2017 left over , I haven’t picked it up from the dealer yet. I am looking forward to following your lead. Nice job guys.
This is great! I'll be tuning in for more of this series. I'm looking to pick up a DR next summer.
WOOT! Glad to see Fresh Content of the DR! Im also In the Process of Moding the crap out of my stock Pig. Thank you for this video!
+Gladius Jon Motovloggs it's going to be interesting, i'll be doing many of the same mods as last time but the suspension stuff should be interesting!
I look forward to watching the evolution of your machine through this series.
+Revilo Rider thanks RR, we do too as there should be a few surprises in the suspension area eventually
BRILLIANT.
this series is going to be super useful to lots of riders. New and experienced alike.
I am particularly looking forward to see how you tune for fuel economy whilst de-restricting (un-corking) her.
thanks mate
+David Lipschitz i'll be chatting with a local canadian guy about all of that, he is possibly the most knowledgeable guy on the planet with modding the stock carby :)
+ADVENTURE OZ That sounds like auscanvet!
+frogzie in that case i should have said totally mad canadian and yep that's the one :D
+ADVENTURE OZ I haven't had a chance to meet auscanvet. I got a GSXR can + midpipe from him and he was very happy to help/offer me his extensive knowledge should I have had issues with tuning my carb.
+frogzie he's an amazing guy, puts so much time and effort into other guy's bikes
I don't know what i like the most in all of this series, if is the very useful information that you give us or the fanny way you pop it up. Or both. Anyway, the way that you gaves the information reminds me a lot Cus D'Amato (for the accuracy and filosophy, i mean). I love your sense of humor. Has i see it it is somewhere between Jerry Lewis, Victor Borge, Monty Python, Ricky Gervais and Louis CK. Thanks.
gracias manuel... i figure life is already too serious so it's best to provide information in a humorous way when possible. 😁
One day my girl will be mighty gotta redo the suspension exhaust and the airbox but man im hyped
Really nothing bad to say about a DR-650! Great Motorcycle! Nice Video!
+Eric Fast Clip! thanks eric. actually we do have a comprehensive list of bad things about the DR but they all have solutions and you still wind up with a relatively cheap bike once done. :) this was as summary we did a few years ago: dr650-mods-reviews-tips.sportsontheweb.net/
Thanks, Ride Safe!
Good to see you guys back and in some style.
+n45829 thanks it's good to be back - i kind of overdosed on adventure riding and needed to take a break there for a while :)
YESSS!!! Looking forward to this series.
Very much looking forward to this series! Keep up the good work!
+Allen Huling same here allen. just picked it up last night after its first stage of suspension work was done, keen to see the result!
Wonderful! Can't wait to follow this series.
awesome! love your videos and super happy to see you dedicating a series to the DR.
+Bob LoCicero if any bike deserves a serie it's the bush pig lol!
Hangin out for the suspension review. I rode my DR through the Toowoomba Motorcycle Club grounds at Murphys Creek again on the weekend and I don't think it's much better than my 83 xl600r.
+Motahead 70 interesting point, the DR probably isn't much different to your XL as any improvements back then were very small... 1996 was the last big change for the DR and i think the main thing was dropping a fair bit of weight.
I just love your commentary! :)
+Leyton Smith i'm surprised how many people tolerate the nonsense i go on with leyton :D
Good video you guys seem like a good time
Lucky to ride with a great bunch of larrikins!
Awesome video bro!!! Keep it up
Great video as always from you guys, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't own my FE570. Keep them coming.
+RoleoRatedR i still wish i'd been able to hang on to mine but don't have the money or storage space for multiple bikes :(
La dr 650 es una exelente moto aqui mas que demostrado exelente manejo saludos desde colombia
y saludos desde australia tambien 😎
Subscribed! Was seriously considering a Dr650 for back roads and two tracks in northern Michigan, USA but found a screaming deal on a 2015 DRZ with 300 miles.
Looking forward to the build.
BTW still laughing at the prayer scene.
+detroit.mike i was thinking of a DRZ for this adventure build but we've usually got an hour's ride of bitumen out for the city before we get to the fun stuff and the DR just eats up those bitumen miles.
Very excited as I just bought another DR650 :-D
Run-out pricing on these has me looking into mods. Will save the rest of the series for work so I can watch when I should be working. Cheers.
The ultimate goal of these vids is get riders watching them at work, eventually collapse the economy, then we all have more time to ride. 😎
Still looking for a WR450.. my favorite adventure bike I've owned so far was a klx250 modified for less weight and more power. I only have a few days at a time to ride though.... and getting across rivers in the air is likely to be required.
I love this series!
Great channel! Still waiting for the next episode here in Sweden!
+Axel Hammarström hopefully get the second episode out in one or two weeks time. :)
Nice, been looking forward to this series! I just got home from the dealership after buying a 2016 DR... so excited but have to wait a few days for delivery and then a couple of weeks before I can go ride as I'm still recovering from a broken ankle... grrr.
+Josh White arrgh, broken bones. it's been a few years since my last one and now i'm riding quite a bit i figure it's only a matter of time before the next one. hope you heal up fast. :)
+ADVENTURE OZ Just took delivery of the DR, broken leg is pretty well healed so taking a putt around in the morning... carefully lol. You're not kidding about the stock suspension, I can compress the forks 4 inches with 1 finger! Gonna be interesting when I plonk my 95kg arse on it...
+Josh White just got the first suspension mods done josh, what an incredible difference! can't wait to see what the second and third level of mods achieve with the big girl. :) how goes the leg?
Very nice video! Thank you
The rider is usually the only mod needed. People focus way to much on what bike to get and they still have no skills. Marketing is still number one! :-D Get this get that, Just get out and ride!
right they want to wine and complain i had a 92 dr250 and it was a beast!
Fancy seeing you here! ;-)
I agree! Only upgrade if its hindering your ability to progress your skills.
honestly the only thing you need to make sure is the bottom/oil pan is protected. Thats it
So right!! I ride a 14 V Strom 1000 in places it should never be.. Working on riding skills is something $$ can't buy!! A DR is in my future.. I'm a Suzuki man!!
Yeah, it's a bit naff when stock, but so many mods available!
Mine has an FCR pumper carb, FMF Powerbomb header, FMF exhaust, Tag Fat Bars, Tag Risers, Bajaworx Screen, Lowered foot pegs, Acerbic Bark Busters, re-upholstered seat, 6mm bash plate, Acerbic 20L fuel tank, Improved suspension, Scottoiler, Side Racks, Rear Rack, Double Take Mirrors, Acewell Speedo, 18" DR350 rear wheel, Tubliss system front & rear, and more stuff.
I'm pretty much running it as an adventure bike. It seems fine for several hours of road riding and I've taken it on some fairly challenging off-road tracks - but wouldn't do that again on 50/50 tyres.
+Mark Heyes those 50/50 tyres can be lethal, hey mark? it's coming back tomorrow with the first stage of the suspension done but still the same tyres, gulp. :(
+ADVENTURE OZ
I'm going to run Mitas E07 tyres for seal, gravel & easy dirt. I've got some Kenda tyres that I'll try out when I go somewhere for proper off-road riding.
+Mark Heyes i liked the E07 on the rear for longevity but it could get a bit hairy sliding on corners, twice it spun a complete 180 and i stopped facing the opposite direction.
+ADVENTURE OZ
Yeah, that's why I'm gonna avoid using them on the trick technical stuff. 50/50 tyres like the E07 for the easy stuff only. I already have an E07 on the front and it has been good on the seal and OK on easy stuff, just not my choice for slippery mud!
+Mark Heyes +ADVENTURE OZ I put the mitas E09 on mine after a set of E07's, though I admit i havent had much time to run them in the bush yet.
Good stuff. I just bought a 2000 model to practice offroad riding on while waiting for the Africa Twin to come out... I may just buy a brand spankin' DR.
+Joshua Lammi i've noticed a lot of online chat about the reborn africa twin, be interesting to see how well it sells
+ADVENTURE OZ - well, power to weight isn't that impressive... However a more dirt-orientated ADV does sound good!
Sie machen sehr gute Videos
Danke schoen
We all read these reviews of the newest and best bikes but to b honest the vast majority of us c8uldnt out ride the fkn things if we tried. Big old bruisers like this keep selling cos a lot of us just want to explore and have a good time. I dobt own one but hav alot of respect for the old DRs.i will quite hapily put around on my trusty xr650r.
Oh I'm excited for this one!
Nice wheely
You dropped your psi down to 15. Mean while, I've become accustomed to running about 8psi on my rm250 with full knobs. Gets great traction, especially the front. I've been considering a dr650. Because street legal .
On our dirt bikes we usually run around 2 to 3psi with the TUbliss setup. Incredible traction! Sadly much below 15psi on the heavy DR650 and the chances of punctures and bent rims goes up fast.
@@crosstrainingadventure Right on! Yea I still have tubes and there's several dents in my front rim but no pinch flats in to long to remember.
Id buy the dr650 in a heartbeat, its a lighter version of the klr, can go anywhere, do anything and there are loads of cheap used ones out there (not to mention its cheaper than the wr250 and drz400)
Your team should do a series on the drz400 🙂
The willie king!
This is great! I am an XT fan, you can't get these DRs in Serbia, you can get only pre-1996 models but I enjoy your videos very much :)
I think this will be my next bike since I sadly just sold my DR350s.... Sheeeeeeee will be missed.
I'm a glutten for budget bikes
Haven't sold my 350 yet, but I'm thinking along the same lines...for when I upgrade. Hope you find the right one soon!
I dont know about you, but my 94 DR350S had a super comfortable seat, with stock gearing coukd carry my 250lb frame 80mph - and I thought it was a great option for long distance ADV ride with decent off road capability... I LOVE the 6 speed - I consistently got just shy of 70 miles per gallon and how simple it is to work on - air cooled sohc motor? Yes please!!
It seems to me the drz is everything I DONT want in an adventure bike - 5 speed, dohc, more complicated motor - radiator, narrow hard seat etc... and typically costs 1.5-2x as much as a dr350- yet I get it that it has the superior suspension..
I will be a lifelong fan of the DR350 platform, despite it's shortcomings
My DR350SE is a '99 model with only about 4500 miles on it (was kept in storage for 10 years until I got it) I've since done the engine and exhaust mods with good results but badly need new tires, longer range gas tank, a better seat, better suspension, etc. Like you, I'm 6' 1" and 240 so I keep thinking that the bigger bike with more horses would be the next logical step.
I just turned down a DRZ400 the other day for some of the same reasons you gave. I really like that air cooled 'simple' platform and all the relatively inexpensive mods that can be done to the 650 to make it 'mine.'
Best of luck as you take the next step!
no school like the old school... it's one reason i like the DR650 for adventure riding as there are way less things to go wrong with it.
Well stated - thanks Barry!
I had one. Sure was a good "motor." Dependable best describes it.
wish i could get a kickstarter for my old dr
you can there are sets for em
I wouldn't want to kick a 650 over, specially on a hill or off balanced
I think taking the dr 400sm and making it a enduro with better wheels and tires would be a better start.
701 enduro for the win
Definitely way more top end power. I used to own one but eventually sold it as I wasn't too keen on the reliability in remote regions. Some issue have probably been fixed, but I think this KTM mechanic summed it up for me a few years back....
"I am a KTM fan and we work with them, but the 690 is the most unreliable dirt bike out there. Fuel pumps, rocker arm bearings, electrics, injectors, you name it, it suffers from it. Yes there are 690s out there that have never had an issue, not saying there aren't, but overall, its an unreliable machine.
It was designed to be a roadbike, frame wise. They just decided to put dirt suspension on it. It has a huge wiring loom, and it has not just one ECU but two. One to do the normal stuff, the other to govern the throttle. They are awesome to ride, loads of fun, but as a bike to do trips on? It's not for me. Everyone I know with one (bar one actually) has had problems with it."
@@crosstrainingadventure I agree it looks like me and my dad got lucky sof ar nothing wrong with our bikes for now hopefully it keeps up
Love it mate!!
Where did most of this riding take place? Great vids, thanks.
east coast of australia
Production started in 1990...I have one...kick start
After all the reviews I tried to watch but failed by bloody skeptics, along comes this one one spoken in plain Australian. Thank you looking forward to watching the whole series.
Where on the Sunny Coast are you lot at?
* septics ^^
+Jeff parrett most of us are scattered further south than that jeff which is a pity as there's great riding up there
nice video -
i like it. and i like DR too :-) and..on the other side of the world we give the same recommendations...
Is that in Germany, Stefan? A shame they don't sell them in Europe anymore. 😢
yes it’s a shame... but if you look at our site (or youtube channels) you see: we restore- renovate- update- tune... and finally we ride and race all Suzuki Endurobikes 💪✅👍😎. why we love this.
Can you do videos like this dr650 but with the Yamaha 700 tenere
Unfortunately the original XT600 would have been fine for this but it just heavier and heavier and became a very obese bike. 😢
I have now been inspired to get a DR650... thanks I guess?
+Don2323 well, depends if you like it or not... they are pretty doughy and soft when completely stock but most guys agree they are a pile of fun with a few basic mods. :)
Going to do most of the basic stuff right away, then when the money presents itself I'm going to do the suspension.
+Don2323 just a personal opinion, i wouldn't try any aggressive riding till the suspension is done.... l learned this the hard way. :(
I have been told to slow down before lol. My plan was to take it easy until everything was done actually.
+Don2323 your bones will thank you for it lol
If you have one bike to take around the world what would it be? Would the BMW 850 GS be better? Or would the DR650 as well?
0:56 Love it, Where are guys from? The accent is Australian
si, desde australia :)
Eager Beaver here!!! Cant wait to see what you folks end up trying out on the suspenders brother...... Did one of these bush pigs break one of your bones???? Got me curious now!!
+MrDuhfactor my last DR, i was going to get the suspension done but jumped over a small rut and she bounced out of control on landing. it came down so hard sideways it crushed my foot sideways through an expensive pair or oxtar mx boots.... four out of five metatarsals broken. :(
So I'm guessing Secret Garden Project got renamed? I don't think I subbed another channel. Sounds like this is going to be a great project though. looking forward to it and some ADV rides!
+ColoradoDualSport originally it was going to be a channel for some very dodgy music i used to do with some mates but it never really took off then very gradually became a riding channel... and now it's becoming an adventure riding channel so thought it was time for a better name. :D
Weird question but what's the name of the intro music? Watched this series quite a few times now and it's quite catchy
just a little loop from playonloop.com these are usually only 10 seconds long so i usually only credit full songs in the vids.
Just bought a DR, previous owner was a lighter than me, so am interested in your thoughts on the FFRC suspension, I dropped into their shop 2 weeks ago to see what sort of dollars I will need to spend.
+ToyCollectr i'll post my thoughts on their first stage suspension mods, but in brief it has transformed the bike already. only thing i could pick was a bit harsh on little corrugations but it hasn't been dialled in for my weight as yet so i suspect that will be a non-issue.
I've got a 1994 DR650rs so most of the mods in this series won't fit my bike, the main one I need to do is adjust the carb and fix the airflow, already got home made pannier mounts
Another great video as always.. The DR is a great bike.. But I'm wondering if you debated getting the KTM 690. Since you do most of your riding off road?
+Z Shark i did get a 690 and figured it would be my dream bike but i hated it. i don't know if the later models improved but the early ones were terrible, at least in my opinion. another mate loved his so i did this written review about both our perspectives: ktm-690r-test-review-problems.blogspot.com.au/
+ADVENTURE OZ -Great write up.. And I agree with all of it.. Sad to report my 2015 690R has all those issues still. But I still love it which is strange. And KTM can't keep them on the floor when they show up. So they don't have much motivation to change it.
+Z Shark yeah, a bit similar to suzuki's approach i guess. it might be partially broken but if people think it ain't broken, why fix it....
you going to do a full exhaust too? i'm hunting for the legendary 01 grxr muffler, but having no luck. I think im about 10 years to late :( I really dont wanna splash out on a full staintune or fmf system.
+SuperOrcy yes we'll be doing the GSXR exhaust... i contemplated the FMF Q4 but it's still fairly loud. :(
Even Chuck Norris ride a DR600! Ok you ride the 650, respect!Ha ha!
i have a suzuki sp200 and a dr650
With the suspension mods on the DR650, How does it compare to the Drz400s? Is it better or almost as good, thanks
how they get the DRZ400 so right but the bush pig is so bad .....it amazing
+Lee Bradley there's plenty wrong with the DRZ400 too, but less as you would expect with a bike that was designed later than the DR.
How to improve DR highway rides..?!🤔
Do they need improved?
C'mon big girl !!
Funny and informative video as always. Good name change, have you been doing so research on TH-cam search engine key words.
+Bikes & Drones not really, i'm not too fussed on all the SEO stuff but just figured it was a slightly accurate name... the old one was simply the name of an extremely bad band i was in. :)
ADVENTURE OZ Thanks mate, you don't need SEO stuff, the quality of your productions speak for themselves. Viewer retention alone will help, I always watch all the way through as I'm sure most of your subs do.
+Bikes & Drones thanks B&D, i always figured that if guys liked the bent sense of humour then the vids would just tend to get spread around rather than promote them. not that it matters, i don't make any money from them so it's all just for the love of the sport.
+ADVENTURE OZ Good on you. You should be sponsored by Suzuki, though. You have been their best advertiser they could have ever dreamt of :)
+frogzie they probably don't like me bagging the suspension though :)
Old vid but I thought for the sake of housekeep I should ask here, looking at a 2010 DR with 70,000km on it. On first looks, I don't think it's been abused. Has RMZ forks and 20l tank, stock seat for a fair price. I think I remember 3rd gear could be a problem. So should 70k scare me off is the question.
PS I have been rebuilding bike and VW engines since the 70s, well the VWs came a bit later with the kids. But I'm older now, without a decent work area. Is it worth the risk. or should to looking at 10-20k on the clock ?
Very hard to know how common the third gear failure is. I'd say it IS a known issue, but probably rare.... at least since the part number changed for the third gear cog and many think it may have been strengthened (this has never been confirmed though).
I think it's like the known issues for many bikes. Once you hit a critical mass of reports on social media it suddenly is well known and many think it happens all the time.
That's like KTM's TPI bikes seizing. Or Beta main bearings failing. E.g. Third gear failures might happen in 1% of DR650s by 100,000km. Very rare. But enough reports? It sounds really serious.
If the bike is cheap enough, I reckon the high km shouldn't matter. An engine or gearbox might self-destruct but you can always part the bike out and get thousands back.
I've got an annoying buzzing sound coming from the front end of my 2017 dr 650 when ever i accelerate . Do i need to upgrade my front sprocket? Do my front bearings need to be greased or is it something to do with my breaks?
Unless I'm wrong, I couldn't see any handlebar risers despite your great size. Would that be deliberate?
+frogzie as per the video title and the content, this is a completely stock DR650 and the video series will look into all the mods. ergonomics and handlebars will be looked at later.
+ADVENTURE OZ OK, I understand. You just started with free adjustments (rolling the bar forward, disabling safety switches) before looking at aftermarket options at a later stage.
Anyway I'm completely astonished how you make this mastodon look like a trial bike in this video!
Hahahahah all bow to the mighty dr
Do you know if the DR650 has similar plastic mounting points as the DR200? Im trying to update the plastics (front and rear fenders) to a more modern look and I am having a really hard time finding pieces that much up without too much modification, besides drilling mounting holes. I know that the frame is a little different but do you know how much different?
+John Murwin no idea on the rear fender but anything will work on the front if you drill new holes. i think a lot of guys fit the WR450F fender for example, because it doesn't shake around at all.
Alright cool, Ill look at it and go from there. I posted on the DR200 forum on ADV so hopefully someone has messed around enough to find out.
This is why I decided on the XR650L
wah wah wah. calm down
Dunno, mine feels neither underdamped nor soft. I would even say it has a road-oriented setup. But then again I only weigh 66Kg.
But perhaps one of the previous owners has done sth. to the setup.
The stock springs would probably suit you then. Although the front end will still dive under heavy breaking because the softer part of the dual rate springs is way too long.