Other must watch DR650 videos! 6 Things to Know Before You Buy a Suzuki DR650 th-cam.com/video/gtYxAO8XINA/w-d-xo.html AND Top 6 reasons to buy a Suzuki DR650 right now while you still can! th-cam.com/video/YylaAnOSe2M/w-d-xo.html Awesome supporters click here for more free content: www.patreon.com/MotorcyclesOffoad Our Merch: motorcyclesoffroad.com/store-page/ Motorcycle benefits for OLDER RIDERS th-cam.com/video/1JGnXWK6lOs/w-d-xo.html ---- NEW FB community group: facebook.com/groups/610565163851862 --- Amazon Store link: www.amazon.com/shop/EliteGamingHQ 5 tips to make you a better off-road rider instantly: th-cam.com/video/xrlrGJhb6wg/w-d-xo.html REVIEWS: DRZ 400 Review: th-cam.com/video/SLd1rLcqzZE/w-d-xo.html TW200 Review: th-cam.com/video/IWY0H_m9jo8/w-d-xo.html CRF300L rally Review: th-cam.com/video/FEj-KXaRvSs/w-d-xo.html Tenere 700 review: th-cam.com/video/91R2W2Gt9Gk/w-d-xo.html CRF300L review: th-cam.com/video/21MM-_iJhbA/w-d-xo.html CRF300L vs KLX300: th-cam.com/video/Ie3Tp0d86T0/w-d-xo.html CRF300L vs DRZ400: th-cam.com/video/QeFyBMJkMqY/w-d-xo.html CRF300L vs WR250R: th-cam.com/video/s0VY0wVymaY/w-d-xo.html CRF300L vs CRF250L: th-cam.com/video/on1uzOHKNsk/w-d-xo.html Tenere 700 VS 300L side by side comparison: th-cam.com/video/XjaQ7DgpVlo/w-d-xo.html
Miss my DR. Considering selling the T7 and getting another one. The newer bikes are approaching the power to weight of the dr but cost a lot and aren't available yet. The dr is such an epic bike.
FOR SALE: slightly used Suzuki DR650. Only ridden off-road a few times in Mexico, across the US and Bolivia. Only taken on a few road trips from Los Angeles to Maine, Florida, Alaska and Argentina. Only exposed to salt water during a sailboat trip from Panama to Colombia, and for a short trip across the flooded Salar de Uyuni. Only raced once, in the Baja 1000. And, only been down 25 maybe 30 times. New air in tires.
The truth about the DR650 is that it cost next to nothing for Suzuki to produce. If they dropped the price to match the CRF300L, nobody would buy the CRF300L or KLR. The DR650 aftermarket is the largest than any other motorcycle ever made. Mine is set up for dirt, but I can throw my ADV wheel set on and do BDR or street all day long. Once you replace the front fender, add the DR200 tail light with fender eliminater kit, and replace the turn signals, the DR650 looks surprisingly more modern.
It really doesn't take much to modernize this bike. When I first saw mine I was surprised how a fender, tail kit, and turn indicators really took the bulk look out of the bike and made the lines flow so much better.
@@mackenziedowlearn891The DR doesn't need EFI, a tach, or a fuel gauge. A tach could easily be had with a Vapor dash though, and Reserve works fine instead of a gauge. One could even replace the DR's stock tank with a transparent one, if they REALLY want to know their fuel level at all times. ABS might be nice for a lot of pavement riding, but the DR's brakes generally work fine with just stainless brakehoses and decent tires. A wide-ratio 6spd would be nice, but Nova aftermarket gearsets are good enough for gearspread and durability. Procycle, Strang, and their ilk have made the DR still be a great value. I hope that Suzuki adapts EFI and ABS soon though, just so they can keep offering it new for an affordable price.
The other great thing with the DR is it is easy to work on, home maintenance at its best, spark plugs are easy, oil and filter changes, air filter access, screw and lock nut adjustment on the valves, no PITA shims to change, snail cam adjustment for the chain, the list goes on. Part of the reason I love my DR and used it for countless years as a courier motorcycle in Melbourne Australia, it was my source of income, I would fire it up in the morning, ride it 250 - 300 klms a day for 5 days, maybe spend some time on the weekend doing some maintenance then back to work on Monday to repeat the process again for 9 years on one bike. I travelled 470, 000 klms on that bike as a courier and the longest it was off the road was 2 weeks when I blew up the gearbox at 199,000 klms. After 18 years of ownership I still own and ride that 2005 model, after I retired it from courier work in 2014, to be replaced with another DR, it became my off road travel bike and clocked up more kilometres on Aussie dirt roads. Definitely my nominee for the greatest motorcycle ever made, some may be faster and sleeker but for a bike that cost me $8500 AD back in 2005 and done that mileage and done everything I asked of it and more, a KTM 690 at twice the price would have been on the recycle heap long time ago, even with its better suspension and more power. 😂😂😂😂
The reason I love the DR is because, for the most part if I breakdown in the middle of nowhere I can probably troubleshoot the problem just like I could if I was at my house. And I don't have guess if there is something wrong with the computer screen because it doesn't have one and the electronics are minimal. I think I can take the whole thing a part with just a few tools and everything for the most part is easily accessible
Thank you for sharing you story of DR-650, amazing. I have been listening to thousands of reviews and stories and I have never seen a bad experience with the DR650, so I bought one and now I can say that this bike is very good and is a legend.
I've recently reacquired my 93 DR650 which had been my daily rider for some years, before buying a gen 1 KLR seven years ago. I had sold my trusty DR to a neighbor out here in rural NE, and he had not ridden it much when I checked with him this spring. He also said he couldn't get it started this year, so I said I'd take a look, as I had an affection for the old warhorse. Stale gas and some carb cleaner in the system, had it goin the next day. I fixed a few things and added some much needed lubrication to cables and that O-ring chain i had installed when I had it. Old feelings for it were rekindled, so I made a meager offer for it, and he accepted! My wife says I don't just have motorcycles, I have relationships with them. That is an apt description, especially with kick start only big four stroke singles. Some more TLC and some Barkbusters, tank bag, new rubber and a few things, she's nack to beautiful blue and white and a one or two kick starter. The drawback to the pre 96 models is a limited aftermarket (footpegs, skid plate, muffler), but I'm happy to have it back!
Dude - awesome review. Watched 100% - and subbed. No one will read my comment, but congrats on the success of your channel... Mine sucks LOL - But don't care either. I am 62... Been riding since I was about 5 if you count Mini-Bikes. THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 is the best bike I have ever owned.... Bar None. Won't go into "Mod's" - but you can make this bike into anything you want. ADV (for camping) and take off the paniers, and hit the jumps !!! Trust me. It is THE BEST TRUE 50/50 DUAL SPORT on the planet. Great video !!! - Very well done !!!!
I agree with your review 100% I was recently looking for a good used DRZ 400 and came across a next to new DR650 for a good price so I grabbed it and I am so glad I did. The more I ride the DR 650 the more I love it. It's great on the street and is suprisingly decent off road. I already added bar risers and have a 14 tooth sprocket on order to drop the gearing down a little to better navigate tighter trails. I'm 5'8", 170 lbs and the seat height and suspension is perfect for the type of driving I do. I am very happy with this purchase considering this model wasn't even on my radar while I was searching for a new ride. The only thing I can say negative so far about the bike is "The Factory Seat Sucks" lol Thanks for all your videos. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada
Hey man I am glad you found this bike and love it. I am by no means a fanboy I have a bike from each of the 4 Japanese manufacturers in my garage atm, but this bike really surprised me on how awesome it is.
I think you are right on with your review. I just completed a 7 day 1,400 mile trip on my 2017 DR650ES and it was a joy. It will cruise all day at an indicated 70 mph and it will single track just fine until you encounter a technical rocky uphill section. The weight and suspension are the only drawbacks. I'm 72 and I have smaller, and bigger, bikes in the garage but I chose the 650 for this trip to Northern California. My mods only include a luggage rack, skid plate, bark busters, and a Corbin seat.
Review is once again spot on. I own an 06 model and have done many of the mods you mentioned including the lower pegs and frankly this is the most comfortable bike I own or have owned. Pretty much knew you would love it once you threw a leg over. 😉
Awesome video. I tend to lean towards team XR when it comes to comparing these two, but it’s hard to deny how proven the DR has become over the decades.
When I bought my DR-650 I answered a survey from Suzuki, I appreciated the fact that THEY DIDN'T CHANGE THE MOTORCYCLE AT ALL and that was the reason I bought it. Nowadays there are no motorcycles made as good as the DR-650
Great review - Gotta love Suzuki - a manufacturer who get it exactly right so very often - also a manufacturer that lives by the wise and very sensible adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" 😎
In every sport in the world the best equipment is the lightest weight. It's worse off road than any dirt bike but better off road than ANY adventure bike. It's 100 pounds lighter than a KLR or T7. Good on the highway too. It is the best bang for the buck motorcycle you can buy. I could give you a list of 50 reasons why but most people have to go through 50 bikes before figuring this out.
Dr650 is an excellent bike. I installed the tm40, even thought the stock mikuni bst was not half bad, just less easier to adjust. People whine about the fuel mileage dropping with the tm40, but you can jet for preference. I installed a set of forks from a 2004 rm450, which is what made the biggest difference, and the seat concepts seat. Purchased my 1997 for 1300 bucks, it had been stolen 3 times previously and somehow managed to be recovered everytime. The owner i purchased it from before was a russian who just wasnt tall enough to seat the bike, personal preference since youtube has shown me plenty of short folks riding some massive beasts. Ill probably end up getting the purple frame paint matched and have the entire thing disassembled in a couple years for a full overhaul. Ive done plenty of upgrades, an acerbis fuel tank is nice, know this though if you take a spill with the 6.6gallon tank, you might end up ripping the rear tank mounts out. For 500 bucks, its not a cheap tank to replace. Fixing is way better. Its economical, large enough to ride on the highways. And small enough to ride single track.
Thanks, that was a great review. I actually bought this bike today and will be spending the winter months making some mods for some Rock Mountain adventures next spring. Oh, I did watch till the end.
The Suzuki DR650SE Motorcycle is the Glock of all Dual Purpose Motorcycles, it is the best example of price value, it is a machine, it is really a very well made and very durable motorcycle, mine is already more than 15 years old without a single problem or damage.
Thanks for your video... I just bought a DR650 with 24k for 3800... I was always doubting its capabilities, but your video pushed me over and no regrets thus far.
Great review man. I started riding aged 58 with a DR, riding 80 20 off-road to inroad, its been awesome to learn on. I too am 5.10 and did the bar risers a high bend bar and footpads. Still have the plank seat though. Awesome bike and easy to work on.
5:16... yep, that's the sound... we've all been there, luggin' it at low RPMs but the bike doesn't quit! The DR650 truly is an amazing motorcycle. My decision to buy one years ago was largely due to videos like this. But there's one channel in particular that solidified my decision: "Biker Bits" with Mark (and sometimes Nay!) Thanks "Motorcycles Offroad" for the great video! You got a sub from me.
6:14 - 41 miles per gallon! That's pretty good! I usually get somewhere in the 36 mpg range on mine. Of course, I'm also doing most my riding between 4,000 and 8,000 foot elevation. So that may play into it.
Yes, reliability is timeless. How some bikes like the KLR650 or the CB500X or the BMW F850GS can really be called "Adventure Motorcycles" is a bit misleading, because any bike with all that stuff to go wrong on you in the middle of nowhere (radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat, electric fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel injection wiring, ect...) isn't something you want in the middle of nowhere. What makes the DR650 and Honda XR650L the better option is the lack of all these things, the basic one-banger single-carb setup with standard gauges that don't tend to fail, and if they do you can usually fix it right where it sits. Way out in the bush it's not about "additional options" it's about survival and reducing points of failure, and the DR650 has that covered hands down... I have a '22 model and I love it.
Excellent video my man! You look like you’re about 30 or 32 years old lol I’m 57 and I currently own a ‘04 KLR650 and a 2020 DRZ 400 that I bought about six months ago with 3005 miles. The KLR is a fun bike but just a little too heavy for what I want and I’m looking at keeping the GRZ for trail riding and I think I want to get a DR 650 and maybe super Moto it and maybe put my girlfriend on a DR 650 as well, she just sold her Harley lol she’s very intrigued by riding dirt roads and pavement here in Vermont. And going from 800 pound bike to a 370 pound bike would probably be a pleasure for her and she’ll be able to touch flatfoot as well. She’s 5 foot seven with probably a 32 inch in seam. I’m 5 foot 11 with a 32 inch in seam. Excellent video. I look forward to seeing more!
@@jeffreystroman2811 wr250r is definitely better. Better balanced, better geared, better suspension. Feels light and nibble vs ] Drz400s it's like carrying very tall ladder, but for short rides easier to get on it.
Got a set of knock off 2" Rok risers on Amazon. First ride at a walking pace, in deep sand, one snapped off. Fortunately I had the tools to return it to the stock position. Got the real deal now. You get what you pay for. Sometimes less.
DR650 is the one bike I’ve sold and repurchased again a year later because I missed it so much. It is the best ADV bike out there in my opinion if you are looking to have a true 50/50 bike that is reliable as an anvil, easy to get parts, can mod and customize into exactly what you want. Great bike to learn how to work on bikes, super simple. With upgraded suspension and the right hands you can get it through some single track and still be able to hit 80mph on the interstate home. 100 percent agree it is the best one bike solution I’ve found if you want to cover the most possible bases with one bike.
I just bought the 2023 DRZ 400s and my neighbors now want's a bike. This is the bike I said for him to buy. TY for the reviews and I hope it help him with his choice as the DRZ 400 is great for me but he's a bigger boy than I so needs more power. Great video till the End and you got my Sub 30k Come on peeps
Haha well it's a great bike. If you do end up wanting to come look at it let me know if you in advanced so I can print some shirts for you following the channel.
This is a great video. I really want one of these so bad. The black and or grey ones are so perfect. After having phases of thinking I wanted just about every kind of bike, I landed on just this. I think thats all I'd want. Wish the seat was a little better for two, but that's only be for emergencies anyway so its fine. I want a daily commuter that I can attach to my campervan as a backup/fun/emergency vehicle for mountain trips.
At 5’11 and maybe 155 pounds I’m a thin guy. A dr650 is a heavy dirtbike. That’s the best way to look at it. I bought a 2023 after looking towards larger bikes, I wanted to try the XR650 but the height made me nervous about being able to put a foot down off-road, I love the current gen KLR650 but it feels redundant when a T7 is faster and roughly the same size. Even for a bit more money. The DR wasn’t something I was looking for (in the grand scheme of things I should have gotten a CRF ralleye, but I decided the DR was perfect for me when I sat on it and felt confident enough to put a foot down. Now, I’ve dropped this thing dozens of times and with my case savers from warp9, and my skid plate, I’ve beat the hell out of it. I’ve tried to hang with 2 stroke guys even with the stock suspension and I’ve done ok. I love this bike. Better suspension, a skid plate and a better set of tires? It’ll hang with most.
I've heard plenty of derogatory remarks about the DR650 bush pig and so forth. I love my DR650 and would recommend it to anyone who could fit it. You would probably fit a comfort seat and a bigger fuel tank. This bike will take you anywhere. Bang for buck it's unbeatable. We can't buy them in NZ anymore. It's a great concept I only hope Suzuki make an updated version.
I've been looking into small and mid ADVs, since I'm now done with pounding out the hard enduro on a 2t. I can't swing buying new ADV or most of the (decent)used stuff on the market for that matter(I unexpectedly had to buy a new road bike this year). But, I finally found a seller not price gouging with a very good condition 2011 DR650 at 8k miles for $3000... This I can do and I should grab it while I can. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful... I always watch too the end, unless the vid sucks... which yours most certainly didn't 😉
G’day, I really enjoyed watching your episode on the Honda CRF300L Rally, I 100% agree with your comments, I’m an Aussie who will be moving to Thailand to live, I use to ride a classic 1963 Ducati Diana 250cc single, I kept it in mint condition until it was stolen, after that I stopped riding and used the car, I rekindled my interest in bike riding again while backpacking in Asia, hopefully if things go to plan sometime in 2024 I will be touring Thailand and Vietnam by bike, I was originally was looking to buy a bigger touring bike but due to a shoulder injury from a fall, I now have to focus my thoughts on a smaller lighter bike to fit my needs, a friend I know who now lives in Thailand had bought a second hand CRF300L at a motorcycle auction, I had the opportunity to have a ride and fell in love with it, I think it’s the best small, light touring bike I’ve come across, I have already made inquires I will be buying the Honda CRF300L Rally, I will be doing some upgrades suspension, handlebars & risers, foot pegs, tires, seat re-padding, even with all the upgrades it’s still works out to a reasonably priced touring package, great bike. Cheers Michael
@@SuperEightball1 Your original said " 55 gallon ", that's why my comment, before you edited yours after leaving it for 3 months, is what it is, I understood it was an error. My comment isn't saying to put a 55 gallon tank on it, bike would be able to move let alone not bend or break in half from the weight, and I don't know why you are trying to spin it as if I was implying so except to make me seem like I'm the stupid one 😆
@@IrnMaiden304 sorry if it sounded that way. Yes I did edit because I didn’t notice MY error till you made me aware of it. No harm no foul. Relax enjoy ya DR I do. btw thanks for pointing out my mistake !
I rode dirt as a teenager and somehow avoided road riding until recently, where I decided that I would go through all the classes and things on a TW200, something I knew from "back when". I love the TW200, it's so darn forgiving and the little mule can go places most bikes cannot simply due to the cheater tires. But highways aren't great, even with gearing changes. So the next bike has to be able to handle all without the excess vibration and gearing issues, while still staying in the weight range that is sweet. I love the KLR 650, but it feels overweight in too many situations. So for the last 4 months I keep seeing the DR650 as the answer. Bush Pigs seem to be the right balance. The only dark-horse on the horizon, for a Dakar fan like myself, is the darn Kove. Almost feels like Suzuki could blend a DRZ400 and DR650 and get a competitor to this new entrant, but I doubt they care to. One real benefit of picking a DR650 is that I could technically fly to another continent, buy a DR650, get it tuned-up and go ride. There are so many and they are so well known. That almost fulfills one of the most adventure seeking side of riding I know of, while staying in the budget most mortals can handle.
I had a tw200 and loved it, but just like you l needed something simple, fun, capable of easily handling 65 mph if need be, affordable and sit not too high. I'm 5'10" and the DR 650 feels perfect to me! I've had my 2023 for one year now and l'm so glad l got it, the TW200 is missed and will always have a place in my heart but it just was too limited. If you decide to get a DR l hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!!
Nice review ! I'm rocking a new to me Suzuki 2008 V-Strom 650, and can testify to Suzuki quality, reliability as good as it gets. I'm more Road & Touring oriented, just like my DL 650 (model # for Vstrom) is, but if / when I get the urge to hit the Trails & Dirt I'll look up a DR first.
The main knock for me on the DR650 is the weak suspension. Sure, you should optimize springs for your weight, but even then the dampening is crap. That said, I love mine. Especially after modding the heck out of it. Including an 18" rear wheel. Not quite as good as a DRZ off road, but much better on pavement stretches or long miles. I recently rode part of the TAT route thru 7 western States for 2 weeks (4000+ mi.) I'll always have a spot for it in my stable.
I read reviews that the DR can go anywhere. So can the TW200, but the DR has much more travel. Is the longer DR travel a noticeable advantage over other shorter travel bikes?
@@dr.x4050 I'm from the longer travel dirt bike side of things, but a TW200 seems like a fun bike for it's purpose. I'm sure it's limited in power and ground clearance by comparison, but even being a tall guy, I wouldn't mind having one. I'm sure the fat tires compensate somewhat for shorter travel. That said, I probably wouldn't want to ride it some places I've taken my DR, or long distance packed with gear. I scored a KTM 500 early this year, but if I could only have one bike, it would be the DR. Hope that helps...
@@jasonb6570Exactly. I revalved the shock and used emulators in the forks not long after getting mine in 2016. Forgot to point that out. The emulators did take some fiddling with to get just right, along with using different weight fork oils. Probably something the average rider isn't willing to do, but well worth the results. Not sure about the Cogent fork units.
Good job critiquing this model. I've had many motorcycles in three different categories, the KLR-650 being the only bike that I would take off-road. I mostly commuted with it, so I had 90% road tires. It lacked the torque that I required for hill country asphalt riding, so I passed it on in favor of the Kawasaki Versys 650 parallel twin. That "Supermoto" style bike was a howl to ride as a commuter, as I live in the hill country of rural Western Franklin County, Massachusetts & commuted 27 miles to work, including several miles of divided highway & 3 1/2 miles of uphill to my place of work on a mountain ridge. I had six bikes registered & on the road simultaneously including; GL-1800 Gold Wing, Triumph Rocket III Classic 2300cc 3 cylinder, Suzuki 1250 Bandit & Honda PS-250 Big Ruckus ( 70 mph & 70 mpg, just not at the same time ) lol. Now, at 73, I have the Bandit & the Triumph Bonneville Bobber 1200 high torque parallel twin. So far, I haven't found anything wrong with a 1255 Sport Touring bike & a 1200 hooligan bike.
i have a xt250, drz400 and a ktm950 but have a craving for a big single 650, i think a DR will be in my garage before long maybe a 690 too. I am all about that reliability
I think you hit the nail right on the head with your view and explanation of the DR650. I was looking for one when I sold my last tour bike. It was a VRF 1200. I ended up buying a new (2022) Royal Enfield Himalayan. I do really like my Himalayan, but I think I really should have waited and found a DR650. I feel like the DR650 would have been more versitile in the long run.
I am blessed with hundreds of miles of well graded forest roads near by. My 2014 DL1000A is a tad unwieldy for them though. I have often thought of this 650.
Great review. I am 6' 1" tall and raised the bars 2" and lowered the pegs 2". It is so comfortable to ride sitting and standing now. You can get pegs that are set back 2" to make for a perfect standing balance but you would need to modify the brake lever and gear change lever. I went down 1 tooth on the counter sprocket as I found it too high geared on and off road. I rode the bike home from the dealership and refused to ride it again until my replacement seat arrived. It is that bad.
Had a few of these now. Definitely very capable bike even in standard trim. Plenty will argue it’s too soft in the suspension or it needs fuel injection or a 6th gear. Just get on it and ride and enjoy being free. Lost count how many times Ive rounded up the special riders with the fancy suspension upgrades or guys who spend big bucks on the fancy bikes only to find their riding skills won’t improve with the more expensive motorcycle.
Great review! I've been riding a dr350se for a few years and I've been looking for a bike that does better on the road. I really don't do any serious offroading, but the I wasn't sure what it was I would switch to. I think the good choice is a dr650.
I have a '96 350 and an '06 650. Both good bikes. Ones a little more street friendly and the other more dirt friendly. I do alot of riding on the 650 with my son on the 350. They both can hold their own in most situations.
There is a company that makes taller 5th gear kits for the DR650 - plus 5% and 10% i believe- so, putting a smaller front sprocket would lower all gears, but then you 5th gear would be genuine highway ( low rpm )gear.
Being 5'10" @ 240# guy that needed a low maintenance, affordable, air cooled dual-sport and preferred a carburetor, clearly made my choice simple : DR 650 The XR650 was way too high and the KLR 650 is simply too big & heavy on the trails l ride ( tight Eastern single track ) I'm enjoying the hell out of modding it for my own particular needs. Pro Cycle ( God bless 'em ) have been receiving some fat stacks from me since l got my 2023 DR650 last spring. The great thing about the DR is it's one helluva great " blank canvas" to mod into what the owner wants. There's tons of aftermarket accessories, l'm already planning on getting the Pro Cycle 790 kit once the engine needs rebuilt and from what l've read about the DR' s longevity, it'll be awhile😂
New subscriber here, Like your style of reviews. Its clean and organized and entertaining. Cool network of trails you were on. That tunnel was awesome.
Huge thanks for this great review. Great points you made that have helped me in deciding if this is the right bike, which I reckon it is now! I need a 50/50 bike that doesn't compromise too much and suits me as a 110lbs 5'5" rider. Got the Svartpilen 401 at the moment which is a great bike but have been getting into more offroad and its too limited for that.
The reason I have a DR 650 can be summed up in one word..reliability.Ive modded mine like all the way, But I need that reliability..ATM I have a 1996 model which has 120000 miles on it and still goes like a train..it goes like new..if its not broke don't fix it..Yes all the mods I did were to address stock issues ie..bigger tank, more comfortable seat uncorked it with a new flat slide carb, open airbag with hi flo filter and a full stain tune exhaust to make it sound and go better...( and some cosmetic stuff) but it was still less expensive than the equivalent ktm and it looks sounds and goes better and is more reliable and cheaper to maintain and service..best bike ever made in my opinion..cheers for the vid.
Awesome video been riding since I was 7 years old now 51 love it currently riding a Kawasaki Z900 RS and looking for a good dua sport or Adventure bike to kick around on Subscribed
Had many bikes over 40 years of dirt bikes and my favorite is my DR 650 ,even in the snow , I was impressed ,great bike , great prices ,adventure awaits , jumping on mine to do bird hunting trails in ten minutes .
great video and i watched and enjoyed all the way through even though i have no interest in this bike - i had one as a field bike when i was 15 which is a looooong time ago, i now ride an exc500 and am just wandering around the web watching stuff, great presentation bud, all the best
The XR has a high seat, and is very top heavy. It feels every pound of it and is much more challenging in slow, technical stuff than the DR. Even though it is significantly lighter than the DR, it feels significantly heavier. The other thing about the XR is that for a bike with such a tall seat, the actual riding position is quite cramped. You need a long inseam to get on it, but a short inseam to be comfortable. I have both. The XR hardly is ridden.
Thanks for the great video, i just subscribed. I have an 09 ktm 530 that I want to sell and I'm looking at getting a DR650. The reason being is that I'm 5'9", I want more of an adventure bike, and I like how cheap and old school the bike is. I have a 2022 GasGas MC250 that is my main woods and hard enduro bike, but I would like to get into multi day camping trips and really cover some ground. I think the DR might be a great fit for this and like you said the price is more than fair for how versatile the bike is, especially if I can find a good deal on a slightly used one. Thanks for the great informative video, take care and happy riding.
Hey, in the clip where you crossed the puddle with the lake to the right at 4:03 was that in the NJ Pine Barrens? Something T. Burnes State Park? I was just there and it looks almost identical... I chickened out and turned around lol. That dark rust water was kinda foreboding.
They say it being heavy is a bad thing. Try driving down a freeway with heavy traffic on the CRF 300l or rally and you will be quickly getting off at the next exit thinking you have a handlining issue. It is so light and blows you around so bad that its scarry. I think the few extra pounds the DR has would make the bike more composed with less fatigue when riding on the highway at higher speeds then the 300 Hondas. My bike is the Honda 300 Rally, it's a good bike that I plan to do the tat with this year, but I sometimes wish I had a DR650 as that's a long ride back at 65 MPH. on a 300 rally.
So glad I bought this bike. I was about to buy a KLX 300 (fantastic bike by the way) but the dealership owner was a massive asshole and I walked off. Said to myself: “I’m just going to buy a big thumping 650” and the next day bought a brand new dr650. Thank god I did, because I love the low end grunt power this bike has!!! And banging 70 on the highway is extremely important if you’re like me and you use the highway every day. Banging 70-90 for safe passing is what’s important to me. And it does it when you need it to. And having the oil cooler is really convenient because all you need to do is drain the oil cooler and oil pan for an oil change. Air filter is reasonably easy to replace. l, and that’s it! No radiator to drain and maintain with hoses to remove and reclamp. AND, if you can get ethanol free gas in your area the engine really loves 91 octane ethanol free. Handle bar vibration is mildly annoying but all you have to do is learn the speed for 5 gear on the highway and your subconscious will eventually keep you above the vibration rpm range. For me it’s about 67-68 so I just stay at 65 or a little over 70 and I have no vibration. Lastly, you can abuse the death out of this bike. It is a BIG METAL BEAST that just won’t quit! Seems like the bike comes off the lot tuned down so I have a lot of confidence that I can’t blow thing bike up unless I try to intentionally destroy it.
i bought a new 22 first thing i did was bar risers and foot peg lower dropped 1 tooth on the counter sprocket next is rejet and exhaust stiffer springs as im over 6 ft and 260 good bike go get one
Hey! at 6:30, is that Richloam WMA in Florida? I haven't ridden it in over a decade, but the trail that opens up to where you took a right at 6:30 in the video looked crazily familiar...
Haha you know how any times I have been asked if I am riding in Florida?! This is the pine barrens in New jersey. We have 1.1million acres of pine lands to explore out here.
new subscriber here. someone mentioned you in the comments on Swanky Cat’s channel. I bought a 2021 DR650 in 2021 and have only done minor mods. One of which is the seat, damm … the stock seat is like sitting on a 4”x4” piece of wood. I bought a used like new Sargent Seat and it looks like the one you have. It is way better than stock but needs padding. I am hoping to see someone that has a Seat Concepts one in person and compare them. Sadly I still haven’t changed out the crap stock times. I will most likely go with the 606’s and the Pirelli MT21 and also go one tooth down on the front sprocket. BTW … where do you ride ? The trails in this videos are exactly like the ones here in New England.
I’ve been thinking about trading my KLR for a DR650 but I just bought a DR250 and now I’m thinking one for dirt, one for longer trips with little to no off-road. It would be nice to take a longer highway trip with a better off-road option at the end but I love that KLR now. Maybe I’ll buy a DR650 and if the KLR sits in the garage too much I’ll sell her.
Great info...did you get your risers on Amazon...what brand...I'm 5"11 and when I stand on pegs feels uncomfortable...think I need the bars higher and slightly back...did the risers make a difference for you?
I did get my Risers from Amazon, there is a link in the first comment to the DR 650 upgrades and the ones I use are there. I feel they make a difference for me when standing and riding which I like to do a lot.
Great bike, I have owned two. But they really need to update it. I get not updating the expensive EPA related stuff that is currently grandfathered, but they need to up date other aspects of the bike. It is silly to buy a cheap bike, and then pour a bunch of unrecoverable money into it. They should put longer foot pegs on it, put bars on it that are suitable for stand up riding, and update all of the lighting at an absolute minimum. Skid plate and rim locks should be standard - at least drill and plug the rims for locks. Fully adjustable fork and shock damping would be nice too.
My Honda/KTM dealer talked me out of both of their lineup. They said KTM can be unreliable, unlike my Honda. They said the CRF300L was anemic with lame suspension, they were 50/50 on the XR650L after money, and the CRF450RL is too much maintenance for high mileage riding. That is why I'm looking at this simple platform, as opposed to the DRZ400s.
Other must watch DR650 videos! 6 Things to Know Before You Buy a Suzuki DR650 th-cam.com/video/gtYxAO8XINA/w-d-xo.html
AND Top 6 reasons to buy a Suzuki DR650 right now while you still can! th-cam.com/video/YylaAnOSe2M/w-d-xo.html
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5 tips to make you a better off-road rider instantly: th-cam.com/video/xrlrGJhb6wg/w-d-xo.html
REVIEWS:
DRZ 400 Review: th-cam.com/video/SLd1rLcqzZE/w-d-xo.html
TW200 Review: th-cam.com/video/IWY0H_m9jo8/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L rally Review: th-cam.com/video/FEj-KXaRvSs/w-d-xo.html
Tenere 700 review: th-cam.com/video/91R2W2Gt9Gk/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L review: th-cam.com/video/21MM-_iJhbA/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L vs KLX300: th-cam.com/video/Ie3Tp0d86T0/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L vs DRZ400: th-cam.com/video/QeFyBMJkMqY/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L vs WR250R: th-cam.com/video/s0VY0wVymaY/w-d-xo.html
CRF300L vs CRF250L: th-cam.com/video/on1uzOHKNsk/w-d-xo.html
Tenere 700 VS 300L side by side comparison: th-cam.com/video/XjaQ7DgpVlo/w-d-xo.html
Had you ever try the Honda xr650l? I'm between this one and the Honda to turn it to an adventure bike, but I can't decide which one
Ý⁶
@anonymous_PR I have not been on the honda enough to make a judgement. But I can say it is a super tall bike for the mid 300lb weight class.
Miss my DR. Considering selling the T7 and getting another one. The newer bikes are approaching the power to weight of the dr but cost a lot and aren't available yet. The dr is such an epic bike.
FOR SALE: slightly used Suzuki DR650. Only ridden off-road a few times in Mexico, across the US and Bolivia. Only taken on a few road trips from Los Angeles to Maine, Florida, Alaska and Argentina. Only exposed to salt water during a sailboat trip from Panama to Colombia, and for a short trip across the flooded Salar de Uyuni. Only raced once, in the Baja 1000. And, only been down 25 maybe 30 times. New air in tires.
$6.5k firm but wiling to trade something of equal value
Not even broken in yet.
The truth about the DR650 is that it cost next to nothing for Suzuki to produce. If they dropped the price to match the CRF300L, nobody would buy the CRF300L or KLR. The DR650 aftermarket is the largest than any other motorcycle ever made. Mine is set up for dirt, but I can throw my ADV wheel set on and do BDR or street all day long. Once you replace the front fender, add the DR200 tail light with fender eliminater kit, and replace the turn signals, the DR650 looks surprisingly more modern.
It really doesn't take much to modernize this bike. When I first saw mine I was surprised how a fender, tail kit, and turn indicators really took the bulk look out of the bike and made the lines flow so much better.
It's $6999, how much cheaper does it need to be????
@@cyclegoonCarbed, no abs, no tach or fuel gauge, R&d paid for well over a decade ago, like $1000 cheaper 😅
The DR is still made in Japan. The KLR and CRF300l are made in Thailand. There's your price difference.
@@mackenziedowlearn891The DR doesn't need EFI, a tach, or a fuel gauge. A tach could easily be had with a Vapor dash though, and Reserve works fine instead of a gauge. One could even replace the DR's stock tank with a transparent one, if they REALLY want to know their fuel level at all times. ABS might be nice for a lot of pavement riding, but the DR's brakes generally work fine with just stainless brakehoses and decent tires.
A wide-ratio 6spd would be nice, but Nova aftermarket gearsets are good enough for gearspread and durability.
Procycle, Strang, and their ilk have made the DR still be a great value. I hope that Suzuki adapts EFI and ABS soon though, just so they can keep offering it new for an affordable price.
The other great thing with the DR is it is easy to work on, home maintenance at its best, spark plugs are easy, oil and filter changes, air filter access, screw and lock nut adjustment on the valves, no PITA shims to change, snail cam adjustment for the chain, the list goes on.
Part of the reason I love my DR and used it for countless years as a courier motorcycle in Melbourne Australia, it was my source of income, I would fire it up in the morning, ride it 250 - 300 klms a day for 5 days, maybe spend some time on the weekend doing some maintenance then back to work on Monday to repeat the process again for 9 years on one bike.
I travelled 470, 000 klms on that bike as a courier and the longest it was off the road was 2 weeks when I blew up the gearbox at 199,000 klms.
After 18 years of ownership I still own and ride that 2005 model, after I retired it from courier work in 2014, to be replaced with another DR, it became my off road travel bike and clocked up more kilometres on Aussie dirt roads.
Definitely my nominee for the greatest motorcycle ever made, some may be faster and sleeker but for a bike that cost me $8500 AD back in 2005 and done that mileage and done everything I asked of it and more, a KTM 690 at twice the price would have been on the recycle heap long time ago, even with its better suspension and more power. 😂😂😂😂
Extremely impressive
The reason I love the DR is because, for the most part if I breakdown in the middle of nowhere I can probably troubleshoot the problem just like I could if I was at my house. And I don't have guess if there is something wrong with the computer screen because it doesn't have one and the electronics are minimal. I think I can take the whole thing a part with just a few tools and everything for the most part is easily accessible
Thank you for sharing you story of DR-650, amazing. I have been listening to thousands of reviews and stories and I have never seen a bad experience with the DR650, so I bought one and now I can say that this bike is very good and is a legend.
470, 000kms ??
I've recently reacquired my 93 DR650 which had been my daily rider for some years, before buying a gen 1 KLR seven years ago. I had sold my trusty DR to a neighbor out here in rural NE, and he had not ridden it much when I checked with him this spring. He also said he couldn't get it started this year, so I said I'd take a look, as I had an affection for the old warhorse. Stale gas and some carb cleaner in the system, had it goin the next day. I fixed a few things and added some much needed lubrication to cables and that O-ring chain i had installed when I had it. Old feelings for it were rekindled, so I made a meager offer for it, and he accepted! My wife says I don't just have motorcycles, I have relationships with them. That is an apt description, especially with kick start only big four stroke singles. Some more TLC and some Barkbusters, tank bag, new rubber and a few things, she's nack to beautiful blue and white and a one or two kick starter. The drawback to the pre 96 models is a limited aftermarket (footpegs, skid plate, muffler), but I'm happy to have it back!
I can attest to the relationship part, I am the same way!
Dude - awesome review. Watched 100% - and subbed. No one will read my comment, but congrats on the success of your channel... Mine sucks LOL - But don't care either. I am 62... Been riding since I was about 5 if you count Mini-Bikes. THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 is the best bike I have ever owned.... Bar None. Won't go into "Mod's" - but you can make this bike into anything you want. ADV (for camping) and take off the paniers, and hit the jumps !!! Trust me. It is THE BEST TRUE 50/50 DUAL SPORT on the planet.
Great video !!! - Very well done !!!!
DR650 all the way Dane ;)
@@hegemonictrader45 MARIO !!!!! FNA BROTHER !!!!!
Very true bud, l'm loving my DR650!!!,👍
It really is the Jeep Wrangler of motorcycles: not great at anything from the factory, but can be widely upgraded for one's choice of riding.
I agree with your review 100% I was recently looking for a good used DRZ 400 and came across a next to new DR650 for a good price so I grabbed it and I am so glad I did. The more I ride the DR 650 the more I love it. It's great on the street and is suprisingly decent off road. I already added bar risers and have a 14 tooth sprocket on order to drop the gearing down a little to better navigate tighter trails. I'm 5'8", 170 lbs and the seat height and suspension is perfect for the type of driving I do. I am very happy with this purchase considering this model wasn't even on my radar while I was searching for a new ride. The only thing I can say negative so far about the bike is "The Factory Seat Sucks" lol Thanks for all your videos. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada
Hey man I am glad you found this bike and love it. I am by no means a fanboy I have a bike from each of the 4 Japanese manufacturers in my garage atm, but this bike really surprised me on how awesome it is.
I think you are right on with your review. I just completed a 7 day 1,400 mile trip on my 2017 DR650ES and it was a joy. It will cruise all day at an indicated 70 mph and it will single track just fine until you encounter a technical rocky uphill section. The weight and suspension are the only drawbacks. I'm 72 and I have smaller, and bigger, bikes in the garage but I chose the 650 for this trip to Northern California. My mods only include a luggage rack, skid plate, bark busters, and a Corbin seat.
You've won a subscriber here. I'm already a DR650 (commuter/do-it-all) owner, I just like hearing people's experiences. Thanks for making this.
Review is once again spot on. I own an 06 model and have done many of the mods you mentioned including the lower pegs and frankly this is the most comfortable bike I own or have owned. Pretty much knew you would love it once you threw a leg over. 😉
Ohh its a great motorcycle, I was looking for one for a while lol.
Awesome video. I tend to lean towards team XR when it comes to comparing these two, but it’s hard to deny how proven the DR has become over the decades.
You got my subscription! Just bought a new DR, came off street bikes and touring Harleys. New adventures ahead!
That is awesome to hear, it will open up a whole new world of places you can ride.
When I bought my DR-650 I answered a survey from Suzuki, I appreciated the fact that THEY DIDN'T CHANGE THE MOTORCYCLE AT ALL and that was the reason I bought it. Nowadays there are no motorcycles made as good as the DR-650
Great review - Gotta love Suzuki - a manufacturer who get it exactly right so very often - also a manufacturer that lives by the wise and very sensible adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" 😎
Loved this video. Haven’t seen any good DR videos for awhile. Much appreciated.
No problem, and glad you enjoyed it. This video took forever to edit and put together.
I love seeing all this Jersey footage, and your analysis of some of these dual sport bikes is great. Very helpful
I bought a DR 650 back in the 90’s so I could ride legally in the Jersey Pines.
In every sport in the world the best equipment is the lightest weight. It's worse off road than any dirt bike but better off road than ANY adventure bike. It's 100 pounds lighter than a KLR or T7. Good on the highway too. It is the best bang for the buck motorcycle you can buy. I could give you a list of 50 reasons why but most people have to go through 50 bikes before figuring this out.
Dr650 is an excellent bike. I installed the tm40, even thought the stock mikuni bst was not half bad, just less easier to adjust.
People whine about the fuel mileage dropping with the tm40, but you can jet for preference.
I installed a set of forks from a 2004 rm450, which is what made the biggest difference, and the seat concepts seat.
Purchased my 1997 for 1300 bucks, it had been stolen 3 times previously and somehow managed to be recovered everytime. The owner i purchased it from before was a russian who just wasnt tall enough to seat the bike, personal preference since youtube has shown me plenty of short folks riding some massive beasts.
Ill probably end up getting the purple frame paint matched and have the entire thing disassembled in a couple years for a full overhaul.
Ive done plenty of upgrades, an acerbis fuel tank is nice, know this though if you take a spill with the 6.6gallon tank, you might end up ripping the rear tank mounts out. For 500 bucks, its not a cheap tank to replace.
Fixing is way better.
Its economical, large enough to ride on the highways. And small enough to ride single track.
Thanks, that was a great review. I actually bought this bike today and will be spending the winter months making some mods for some Rock Mountain adventures next spring. Oh, I did watch till the end.
Thanks for watching!
So this video helped me pick my first bike , I ended up getting a 2024 650. It’s my first bike, could not be happier appreciate you
That is so awesome to hear! I am glad this video helped you and that it was a cause to something that truly makes you happy.
Best all around bike 100%. If you can only have 1 bike forever this is the one.
The Suzuki DR650SE Motorcycle is the Glock of all Dual Purpose Motorcycles, it is the best example of price value, it is a machine, it is really a very well made and very durable motorcycle, mine is already more than 15 years old without a single problem or damage.
Thanks for your video... I just bought a DR650 with 24k for 3800... I was always doubting its capabilities, but your video pushed me over and no regrets thus far.
Great review man. I started riding aged 58 with a DR, riding 80 20 off-road to inroad, its been awesome to learn on. I too am 5.10 and did the bar risers a high bend bar and footpads. Still have the plank seat though. Awesome bike and easy to work on.
5:16... yep, that's the sound... we've all been there, luggin' it at low RPMs but the bike doesn't quit!
The DR650 truly is an amazing motorcycle. My decision to buy one years ago was largely due to videos like this. But there's one channel in particular that solidified my decision: "Biker Bits" with Mark (and sometimes Nay!)
Thanks "Motorcycles Offroad" for the great video! You got a sub from me.
6:14 - 41 miles per gallon! That's pretty good! I usually get somewhere in the 36 mpg range on mine. Of course, I'm also doing most my riding between 4,000 and 8,000 foot elevation. So that may play into it.
Own a CRF300L; used to own a DR650. Totally agree with you.
Yes, reliability is timeless. How some bikes like the KLR650 or the CB500X or the BMW F850GS can really be called "Adventure Motorcycles" is a bit misleading, because any bike with all that stuff to go wrong on you in the middle of nowhere (radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat, electric fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel injection wiring, ect...) isn't something you want in the middle of nowhere. What makes the DR650 and Honda XR650L the better option is the lack of all these things, the basic one-banger single-carb setup with standard gauges that don't tend to fail, and if they do you can usually fix it right where it sits. Way out in the bush it's not about "additional options" it's about survival and reducing points of failure, and the DR650 has that covered hands down... I have a '22 model and I love it.
Excellent video my man! You look like you’re about 30 or 32 years old lol I’m 57 and I currently own a ‘04 KLR650 and a 2020 DRZ 400 that I bought about six months ago with 3005 miles. The KLR is a fun bike but just a little too heavy for what I want and I’m looking at keeping the GRZ for trail riding and I think I want to get a DR 650 and maybe super Moto it and maybe put my girlfriend on a DR 650 as well, she just sold her Harley lol she’s very intrigued by riding dirt roads and pavement here in Vermont. And going from 800 pound bike to a 370 pound bike would probably be a pleasure for her and she’ll be able to touch flatfoot as well. She’s 5 foot seven with probably a 32 inch in seam. I’m 5 foot 11 with a 32 inch in seam. Excellent video. I look forward to seeing more!
I use to have drz400, tenere 700, wr250r, vstar 1300 and dr650. Dr650 hands down is the best bike for versatility
If you were to only ever have on bike this might be the best one you can ever get.
How's the wr250 off road compared to the drz? No comparison or is it up to the rider?
@@MotorcyclesOffroad dr650
@@jeffreystroman2811 wr250r is definitely better. Better balanced, better geared, better suspension. Feels light and nibble vs ] Drz400s it's like carrying very tall ladder, but for short rides easier to get on it.
Great video answers a lot of questions thanks.
I really like your no nonsense, matter of fact presentation... subscribed. 👍
Got a set of knock off 2" Rok risers on Amazon. First ride at a walking pace, in deep sand, one snapped off. Fortunately I had the tools to return it to the stock position. Got the real deal now. You get what you pay for. Sometimes less.
Damn that is crazy, I have been running these 20$ ones for over 1000 miles offroad. Seem pretty good so far.
The Doctor is the best motorcycle ever made period.
The King is dead, long live the King!
DR650 is the one bike I’ve sold and repurchased again a year later because I missed it so much. It is the best ADV bike out there in my opinion if you are looking to have a true 50/50 bike that is reliable as an anvil, easy to get parts, can mod and customize into exactly what you want. Great bike to learn how to work on bikes, super simple. With upgraded suspension and the right hands you can get it through some single track and still be able to hit 80mph on the interstate home. 100 percent agree it is the best one bike solution I’ve found if you want to cover the most possible bases with one bike.
I just bought the 2023 DRZ 400s and my neighbors now want's a bike. This is the bike I said for him to buy. TY for the reviews and I hope it help him with his choice as the DRZ 400 is great for me but he's a bigger boy than I so needs more power. Great video till the End and you got my Sub 30k Come on peeps
Watched all the way to the end. Love the dr 650
Great bike overall it's a great bike.
I found this video based on the for sale listing and you’re making it very hard for me not to drive a few hours and take this off your hands
Haha well it's a great bike. If you do end up wanting to come look at it let me know if you in advanced so I can print some shirts for you following the channel.
Welcome back. Saw it through🎉
Well thank you! I did enjoy a break but also missed making videos lol
Took a dr650 overland from UK to western Sahara back in 98
Super reliable
This is a great video. I really want one of these so bad. The black and or grey ones are so perfect. After having phases of thinking I wanted just about every kind of bike, I landed on just this. I think thats all I'd want. Wish the seat was a little better for two, but that's only be for emergencies anyway so its fine. I want a daily commuter that I can attach to my campervan as a backup/fun/emergency vehicle for mountain trips.
At 5’11 and maybe 155 pounds I’m a thin guy. A dr650 is a heavy dirtbike. That’s the best way to look at it. I bought a 2023 after looking towards larger bikes, I wanted to try the XR650 but the height made me nervous about being able to put a foot down off-road, I love the current gen KLR650 but it feels redundant when a T7 is faster and roughly the same size. Even for a bit more money. The DR wasn’t something I was looking for (in the grand scheme of things I should have gotten a CRF ralleye, but I decided the DR was perfect for me when I sat on it and felt confident enough to put a foot down.
Now, I’ve dropped this thing dozens of times and with my case savers from warp9, and my skid plate, I’ve beat the hell out of it. I’ve tried to hang with 2 stroke guys even with the stock suspension and I’ve done ok. I love this bike. Better suspension, a skid plate and a better set of tires? It’ll hang with most.
I've heard plenty of derogatory remarks about the DR650 bush pig and so forth. I love my DR650 and would recommend it to anyone who could fit it. You would probably fit a comfort seat and a bigger fuel tank. This bike will take you anywhere. Bang for buck it's unbeatable.
We can't buy them in NZ anymore. It's a great concept I only hope Suzuki make an updated version.
I've been looking into small and mid ADVs, since I'm now done with pounding out the hard enduro on a 2t. I can't swing buying new ADV or most of the (decent)used stuff on the market for that matter(I unexpectedly had to buy a new road bike this year). But, I finally found a seller not price gouging with a very good condition 2011 DR650 at 8k miles for $3000... This I can do and I should grab it while I can. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful... I always watch too the end, unless the vid sucks... which yours most certainly didn't 😉
Excellent review, really enjoyed hearing your impressions.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 😉
G’day, I really enjoyed watching your episode on the Honda CRF300L Rally, I 100% agree with your comments, I’m an Aussie who will be moving to Thailand to live, I use to ride a classic 1963 Ducati Diana 250cc single, I kept it in mint condition until it was stolen, after that I stopped riding and used the car, I rekindled my interest in bike riding again while backpacking in Asia, hopefully if things go to plan sometime in 2024 I will be touring Thailand and Vietnam by bike, I was originally was looking to buy a bigger touring bike but due to a shoulder injury from a fall, I now have to focus my thoughts on a smaller lighter bike to fit my needs, a friend I know who now lives in Thailand had bought a second hand CRF300L at a motorcycle auction, I had the opportunity to have a ride and fell in love with it, I think it’s the best small, light touring bike I’ve come across, I have already made inquires I will be buying the Honda CRF300L Rally, I will be doing some upgrades suspension, handlebars & risers, foot pegs, tires, seat re-padding, even with all the upgrades it’s still works out to a reasonably priced touring package, great bike. Cheers Michael
The 2x6 yellow pine factory seat was the very first mod, then risers,peg lowers And 5.5 gallon fuel tank. What a do it all bike
55 gallon 🤔🤨 ....
@@IrnMaiden304 5.5 gal is hard enough to wrestle. Couldn’t imagine 55gal
@@SuperEightball1 Your original said " 55 gallon ", that's why my comment, before you edited yours after leaving it for 3 months, is what it is, I understood it was an error. My comment isn't saying to put a 55 gallon tank on it, bike would be able to move let alone not bend or break in half from the weight, and I don't know why you are trying to spin it as if I was implying so except to make me seem like I'm the stupid one 😆
@@IrnMaiden304 sorry if it sounded that way. Yes I did edit because I didn’t notice MY error till you made me aware of it. No harm no foul. Relax enjoy ya DR I do. btw thanks for pointing out my mistake !
I rode dirt as a teenager and somehow avoided road riding until recently, where I decided that I would go through all the classes and things on a TW200, something I knew from "back when". I love the TW200, it's so darn forgiving and the little mule can go places most bikes cannot simply due to the cheater tires. But highways aren't great, even with gearing changes. So the next bike has to be able to handle all without the excess vibration and gearing issues, while still staying in the weight range that is sweet. I love the KLR 650, but it feels overweight in too many situations. So for the last 4 months I keep seeing the DR650 as the answer. Bush Pigs seem to be the right balance. The only dark-horse on the horizon, for a Dakar fan like myself, is the darn Kove. Almost feels like Suzuki could blend a DRZ400 and DR650 and get a competitor to this new entrant, but I doubt they care to. One real benefit of picking a DR650 is that I could technically fly to another continent, buy a DR650, get it tuned-up and go ride. There are so many and they are so well known. That almost fulfills one of the most adventure seeking side of riding I know of, while staying in the budget most mortals can handle.
I had a tw200 and loved it, but just like you l needed something simple, fun, capable of easily handling 65 mph if need be, affordable and sit not too high. I'm 5'10" and the DR 650 feels perfect to me! I've had my 2023 for one year now and l'm so glad l got it, the TW200 is missed and will always have a place in my heart but it just was too limited. If you decide to get a DR l hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!!
Nice review !
I'm rocking a new to me Suzuki 2008 V-Strom 650, and can testify to Suzuki quality, reliability as good as it gets.
I'm more Road & Touring oriented, just like my DL 650 (model # for Vstrom) is, but if / when I get the urge to hit the Trails & Dirt I'll look up a DR first.
I have two DR's and they are great!
dr650 not really an adventure bike? where have you been for the last 33yrs the dr650 is "the" adventure bike.
ohh damn, I stand corrected! It really is an awesome bike, I should have known this since I enjoyed the DR350SE a ton.
Excellent content and review. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Like & subscribed!
@@MJFUYT thank you, glad you enjoyed.
Nice review, thanks for sharing it with us.
I am seriously thinking about buying a DR650.
It's a great do it all bike, and anything you don't like about it you can aftermarket part replace or change.
The main knock for me on the DR650 is the weak suspension. Sure, you should optimize springs for your weight, but even then the dampening is crap. That said, I love mine. Especially after modding the heck out of it. Including an 18" rear wheel. Not quite as good as a DRZ off road, but much better on pavement stretches or long miles.
I recently rode part of the TAT route thru 7 western States for 2 weeks (4000+ mi.) I'll always have a spot for it in my stable.
I read reviews that the DR can go anywhere. So can the TW200, but the DR has much more travel. Is the longer DR travel a noticeable advantage over other shorter travel bikes?
@@dr.x4050 I'm from the longer travel dirt bike side of things, but a TW200 seems like a fun bike for it's purpose. I'm sure it's limited in power and ground clearance by comparison, but even being a tall guy, I wouldn't mind having one. I'm sure the fat tires compensate somewhat for shorter travel. That said, I probably wouldn't want to ride it some places I've taken my DR, or long distance packed with gear.
I scored a KTM 500 early this year, but if I could only have one bike, it would be the DR.
Hope that helps...
While true, it's not hard to revalve the rear shock and drop in some emulators or DDCs in the forks to make the damping behave like it should.
@@jasonb6570Exactly. I revalved the shock and used emulators in the forks not long after getting mine in 2016. Forgot to point that out.
The emulators did take some fiddling with to get just right, along with using different weight fork oils. Probably something the average rider isn't willing to do, but well worth the results. Not sure about the Cogent fork units.
Good job critiquing this model. I've had many motorcycles in three different categories, the KLR-650 being the only bike that I would take off-road. I mostly commuted with it, so I had 90% road tires. It lacked the torque that I required for hill country asphalt riding, so I passed it on in favor of the Kawasaki Versys 650 parallel twin. That "Supermoto" style bike was a howl to ride as a commuter, as I live in the hill country of rural Western Franklin County, Massachusetts & commuted 27 miles to work, including several miles of divided highway & 3 1/2 miles of uphill to my place of work on a mountain ridge. I had six bikes registered & on the road simultaneously including; GL-1800 Gold Wing, Triumph Rocket III Classic 2300cc 3 cylinder, Suzuki 1250 Bandit & Honda PS-250 Big Ruckus ( 70 mph & 70 mpg, just not at the same time ) lol. Now, at 73, I have the Bandit & the Triumph Bonneville Bobber 1200 high torque parallel twin. So far, I haven't found anything wrong with a 1255 Sport Touring bike & a 1200 hooligan bike.
i have a xt250, drz400 and a ktm950 but have a craving for a big single 650, i think a DR will be in my garage before long maybe a 690 too. I am all about that reliability
All great motorcycles! you are very lucky.
The Mighty DR, what a Legend
FNA !!!!!
Love the review. Well said!
great video, very honest ne subscriber and fan
Excellent video, thanks for sharing. Cheers
I think you hit the nail right on the head with your view and explanation of the DR650. I was looking for one when I sold my last tour bike. It was a VRF 1200. I ended up buying a new (2022) Royal Enfield Himalayan. I do really like my Himalayan, but I think I really should have waited and found a DR650. I feel like the DR650 would have been more versitile in the long run.
Watched the whole vid. SUBSCRIBED 👍👍 Great Video !!!
Thank you! It helps out a ton to have such great people who are willing to support me.
I have a 2018 white with 400 miles on it Love it😊
I am blessed with hundreds of miles of well graded forest roads near by. My 2014 DL1000A is a tad unwieldy for them though. I have often thought of this 650.
Great review. I am 6' 1" tall and raised the bars 2" and lowered the pegs 2". It is so comfortable to ride sitting and standing now. You can get pegs that are set back 2" to make for a perfect standing balance but you would need to modify the brake lever and gear change lever. I went down 1 tooth on the counter sprocket as I found it too high geared on and off road. I rode the bike home from the dealership and refused to ride it again until my replacement seat arrived. It is that bad.
Had a few of these now. Definitely very capable bike even in standard trim. Plenty will argue it’s too soft in the suspension or it needs fuel injection or a 6th gear. Just get on it and ride and enjoy being free. Lost count how many times Ive rounded up the special riders with the fancy suspension upgrades or guys who spend big bucks on the fancy bikes only to find their riding skills won’t improve with the more expensive motorcycle.
Great review! I've been riding a dr350se for a few years and I've been looking for a bike that does better on the road. I really don't do any serious offroading, but the I wasn't sure what it was I would switch to. I think the good choice is a dr650.
I also had a DR350 up until 2021 when I bought my crf300L. Great bike overall!
I have a '96 350 and an '06 650.
Both good bikes. Ones a little more street friendly and the other more dirt friendly.
I do alot of riding on the 650 with my son on the 350. They both can hold their own in most situations.
@@mikes4352 I really do love my 350. I’ll probably keep it when I get another bike so I can have a friend ride with me.
There is a company that makes taller 5th gear kits for the DR650 - plus 5% and 10% i believe- so, putting a smaller front sprocket would lower all gears, but then you 5th gear would be genuine highway ( low rpm )gear.
Being 5'10" @ 240# guy that needed a low maintenance, affordable, air cooled dual-sport and preferred a carburetor, clearly made my choice simple : DR 650
The XR650 was way too high and the KLR 650 is simply too big & heavy on the trails l ride ( tight Eastern single track )
I'm enjoying the hell out of modding it for my own particular needs. Pro Cycle ( God bless 'em ) have been receiving some fat stacks from me since l got my 2023 DR650 last spring. The great thing about the DR is it's one helluva great " blank canvas" to mod into what the owner wants. There's tons of aftermarket accessories, l'm already planning on getting the Pro Cycle 790 kit once the engine needs rebuilt and from what l've read about the DR' s longevity, it'll be awhile😂
New subscriber here, Like your style of reviews. Its clean and organized and entertaining. Cool network of trails you were on. That tunnel was awesome.
Well thank you, and I am glad to have ya here.
Huge thanks for this great review. Great points you made that have helped me in deciding if this is the right bike, which I reckon it is now! I need a 50/50 bike that doesn't compromise too much and suits me as a 110lbs 5'5" rider. Got the Svartpilen 401 at the moment which is a great bike but have been getting into more offroad and its too limited for that.
great video !!
The reason I have a DR 650 can be summed up in one word..reliability.Ive modded mine like all the way, But I need that reliability..ATM I have a 1996 model which has 120000 miles on it and still goes like a train..it goes like new..if its not broke don't fix it..Yes all the mods I did were to address stock issues ie..bigger tank, more comfortable seat uncorked it with a new flat slide carb, open airbag with hi flo filter and a full stain tune exhaust to make it sound and go better...( and some cosmetic stuff) but it was still less expensive than the equivalent ktm and it looks sounds and goes better and is more reliable and cheaper to maintain and service..best bike ever made in my opinion..cheers for the vid.
I have a 1982 Suzuki SP500 it is a sweet duel sport I bought it new inj 1985 for a little more than 1,800 new look at the spoecs.
The Granddaddy to the mighty 650! That's a cool bike man😎 l love the late70's early 80's bikes👍
Just got a 2022 with 850 miles for $5700. It even came with a corbin seat!
Pretty decent score! Enjoy it👍
Nice ride through the Jersey pine barrens, what, Wharton state forest??…..
All sorts of areas in NJ, PA, and MD.
Awesome video been riding since I was 7 years old now 51 love it currently riding a Kawasaki Z900 RS and looking for a good dua sport or Adventure bike to kick around on
Subscribed
Had many bikes over 40 years of dirt bikes and my favorite is my DR 650 ,even in the snow , I was impressed ,great bike , great prices ,adventure awaits , jumping on mine to do bird hunting trails in ten minutes .
great video and i watched and enjoyed all the way through even though i have no interest in this bike - i had one as a field bike when i was 15 which is a looooong time ago, i now ride an exc500 and am just wandering around the web watching stuff, great presentation bud, all the best
Well thanks for watching to the end.
Thanks for the review. Are you riding in the Pine Barrens? The trails look vet familiar. So much fun out there.
The XR has a high seat, and is very top heavy. It feels every pound of it and is much more challenging in slow, technical stuff than the DR. Even though it is significantly lighter than the DR, it feels significantly heavier. The other thing about the XR is that for a bike with such a tall seat, the actual riding position is quite cramped. You need a long inseam to get on it, but a short inseam to be comfortable. I have both. The XR hardly is ridden.
Thanks for the great video, i just subscribed. I have an 09 ktm 530 that I want to sell and I'm looking at getting a DR650. The reason being is that I'm 5'9", I want more of an adventure bike, and I like how cheap and old school the bike is. I have a 2022 GasGas MC250 that is my main woods and hard enduro bike, but I would like to get into multi day camping trips and really cover some ground. I think the DR might be a great fit for this and like you said the price is more than fair for how versatile the bike is, especially if I can find a good deal on a slightly used one. Thanks for the great informative video, take care and happy riding.
Hey, in the clip where you crossed the puddle with the lake to the right at 4:03 was that in the NJ Pine Barrens? Something T. Burnes State Park?
I was just there and it looks almost identical... I chickened out and turned around lol. That dark rust water was kinda foreboding.
They say it being heavy is a bad thing. Try driving down a freeway with heavy traffic on the CRF 300l or rally and you will be quickly getting off at the next exit thinking you have a handlining issue. It is so light and blows you around so bad that its scarry. I think the few extra pounds the DR has would make the bike more composed with less fatigue when riding on the highway at higher speeds then the 300 Hondas. My bike is the Honda 300 Rally, it's a good bike that I plan to do the tat with this year, but I sometimes wish I had a DR650 as that's a long ride back at 65 MPH. on a 300 rally.
So glad I bought this bike. I was about to buy a KLX 300 (fantastic bike by the way) but the dealership owner was a massive asshole and I walked off. Said to myself: “I’m just going to buy a big thumping 650” and the next day bought a brand new dr650.
Thank god I did, because I love the low end grunt power this bike has!!! And banging 70 on the highway is extremely important if you’re like me and you use the highway every day. Banging 70-90 for safe passing is what’s important to me. And it does it when you need it to.
And having the oil cooler is really convenient because all you need to do is drain the oil cooler and oil pan for an oil change. Air filter is reasonably easy to replace.
l, and that’s it! No radiator to drain and maintain with hoses to remove and reclamp.
AND, if you can get ethanol free gas in your area the engine really loves 91 octane ethanol free.
Handle bar vibration is mildly annoying but all you have to do is learn the speed for 5 gear on the highway and your subconscious will eventually keep you above the vibration rpm range. For me it’s about 67-68 so I just stay at 65 or a little over 70 and I have no vibration.
Lastly, you can abuse the death out of this bike. It is a BIG METAL BEAST that just won’t quit! Seems like the bike comes off the lot tuned down so I have a lot of confidence that I can’t blow thing bike up unless I try to intentionally destroy it.
YES IT IS THE GOAT OF SINGLE TRAK MACHINES! I should know,.... riding and buying bikes since 1969!
i bought a new 22 first thing i did was bar risers and foot peg lower dropped 1 tooth on the counter sprocket next is rejet and exhaust stiffer springs as im over 6 ft and 260 good bike go get one
I'm glad they still make the DR. The only new bike I want is 33 lmao
Hey! at 6:30, is that Richloam WMA in Florida? I haven't ridden it in over a decade, but the trail that opens up to where you took a right at 6:30 in the video looked crazily familiar...
Haha you know how any times I have been asked if I am riding in Florida?! This is the pine barrens in New jersey. We have 1.1million acres of pine lands to explore out here.
new subscriber here. someone mentioned you in the comments on Swanky Cat’s channel. I bought a 2021 DR650 in 2021 and have only done minor mods. One of which is the seat, damm … the stock seat is like sitting on a 4”x4” piece of wood. I bought a used like new Sargent Seat and it looks like the one you have. It is way better than stock but needs padding. I am hoping to see someone that has a Seat Concepts one in person and compare them. Sadly I still haven’t changed out the crap stock times. I will most likely go with the 606’s and the Pirelli MT21 and also go one tooth down on the front sprocket. BTW … where do you ride ? The trails in this videos are exactly like the ones here in New England.
I’ve been thinking about trading my KLR for a DR650 but I just bought a DR250 and now I’m thinking one for dirt, one for longer trips with little to no off-road. It would be nice to take a longer highway trip with a better off-road option at the end but I love that KLR now. Maybe I’ll buy a DR650 and if the KLR sits in the garage too much I’ll sell her.
GREAT review!
Thank you, glad you liked it. 👍
Just found your channel. Great content. Subscribed
Thank you, I am glad you are enjoying the content!
great video on the bush pig, Subbed.
Thank you for the support. Next week or the week after I should have a couple more on this bike.
Great info...did you get your risers on Amazon...what brand...I'm 5"11 and when I stand on pegs feels uncomfortable...think I need the bars higher and slightly back...did the risers make a difference for you?
I did get my Risers from Amazon, there is a link in the first comment to the DR 650 upgrades and the ones I use are there. I feel they make a difference for me when standing and riding which I like to do a lot.
One thing you didn’t mention is the dismal headlight. That’s a must upgrade.
Excelente video !! Excelente resumen, soy fan de Suzuki y dueño de una dr, lo mejor en motos 👏🏽
Great review.
Thank you, thanks for the comment.
Great video. I’m looking to trade my Yamaha mt07 for a DR now and get some riding in where you look to be in the pine barrens
Awesome! I am out there at least a few times a month in the nicer weather. I ride in a few different places but the pines are one of my favorites.
Great bike, I have owned two. But they really need to update it. I get not updating the expensive EPA related stuff that is currently grandfathered, but they need to up date other aspects of the bike. It is silly to buy a cheap bike, and then pour a bunch of unrecoverable money into it. They should put longer foot pegs on it, put bars on it that are suitable for stand up riding, and update all of the lighting at an absolute minimum. Skid plate and rim locks should be standard - at least drill and plug the rims for locks. Fully adjustable fork and shock damping would be nice too.
Would love a comparison between the DR and the CRF300L.
I actually have that on my video idea board lol
@@MotorcyclesOffroad I look forward to it! Thanks for the videos!
Greg.... hundreds of reviews of both on YT
Also an Aussie company in QLD makes a full front and rear suspension upgrades - see the YT videos of DR650 doing motorcross style high jumps. ;)
My Honda/KTM dealer talked me out of both of their lineup. They said KTM can be unreliable, unlike my Honda. They said the CRF300L was anemic with lame suspension, they were 50/50 on the XR650L after money, and the CRF450RL is too much maintenance for high mileage riding. That is why I'm looking at this simple platform, as opposed to the DRZ400s.