Nice video mate…I’ve just bought one of the last ones before they were discontinued in Australia (July 2022). It’s got the 20 litre Acerbis tank. Plenty big enough for 99% of journeys. Fitted a heap of low cost aftermarket protection parts.
Good to see a loyal DR 650 owner. I put 10000 miles on mine in the last 2 years. I live in Idaho and take this bike everywhere. Never one problem! The bike is a blast on 2 lane highways. I rode it to Reno a couple of times , cruising at 75 plus for hours - pretty smooth motor for a single. Have fun, my friend.
Its great value and plenty of people ride around the world on this bike, they also make it into a supermoto and they throw knobbies on it and treat it as if it were a dirt bike. best all around machine with so many possibilities at an amazing price
The reason bikes like the DR, XR650, KLR and some others can be sold new as street legal bikes without cats, fuel injection and all the other stuff, is that they're grandfathered under a loophole that lets low production bikes like that be sold if they don't significantly change the design. That's why these bikes have been the same since the 90's. If they were to update them, they'd have to pass modern emission and safety standards. Everybody was excited about the CR450L, and it's a good dual sport, but for $10,000, you can buy an older bike and mod it any way you like.
Because I use mine to locate undiscovered caves other bikers laugh at my shovel carry. Sometimes my dig allows me to park underground. Its cool in hot weather and warmer until winter blows over. I can recommend the old lava flows in the Modoc National Forest (if you have a skid plate).
Someone in the know might rate a DR650 as a 6 on the road and 6 off road. That might not seem great but it's as good as it gets. You can't get a bike better off road that's also better for highway trips. Mine just keeps going and where I live in Canada a new one costs ($5500 for leftover last years model you can always find) the same or even less than a Japanese 250 dual sport and half as much new as a Tenere 700 ($12,500). I thought about buying a Tenere 700 but honestly a heavier Tenere 700 would be a little better on the road but could for no reason be better off road than my DR with the custom suspension I put on it. I've crossed every province in Canada on the highway on mine on a 10,000 mile trip a few years ago so for highway the DR works well enough. If i could pick any bike to go around the world on it would be a DR650 because it's as simple and reliable as anything could be. It's been around long enough you can upgrade anything you want on it and there's a free app that has a lot of the service manual on it when you want the torque specs. If my DR ever dies I'll replace it with another one. So far in 30,000 miles I only replaced a $4 cam chain tensioner gasket. If your starter sounds like a rooster take it out and grease the bearing and bushing and put some RTV silicone on when replacing the CCT gasket.
When you said the stock dr wasn’t good for long distance riding and it definitely needs some mods I thought you meant something major! Heck, a seat, some luggage racks, hand guards and such that’s stuff most bikes need anyway. Sounds like a great bike!
I used to have a Mikuni TM something, pumper carb. I liked it at first, the bike ran great with it, but the gas mileage suffered greatly, so I went back with the stock carb.
I haven't had any problems with the suspension, but I'm only 160lbs and don't really ride that aggressively. I've heard that some people replace the springs.
Just 1 blackberry? Munch on a handful at a time. There's millions of them in N California. On the riverbanks they are huge. Thorns are razor sharp and itchy.
You literally made me laugh out loud in a crowded room when you said they realized there was nothing they could do to make the motorcycle better. I have a Dr 650, I love my dr650, there are many many....many.... Flaws with the dr650 that could have been easily remedied at the factory.
Love it! I need to get one! I've just started looking in cycletrader, lol. It looks comfortable on you. How tall or inseam are you? Im afraid of that I am 5''7 and dont know if that bike would be too tall.
Sweet! It is kind of a tall bike, especially with the aftermarket seat. But I'm only 5'10" with 32" inseam and can almost put both feet flat on the ground.
Oops. Well it wasnt my grandpa's, it was one of my uncles bikes (he had quite the collection) that I bought from him years before he passed. I think he was ok with it, as he was fond of modifying vehicles himself.
Suspension upgrade is a must unless the bike is used strictly for street riding. The seat needs to be replaced, you're right on that one too. And yeah, the gas tank is too small, when I ride mine on long trips, I'm still using a strap-on fuel tank on the rear rack.
Nice video mate…I’ve just bought one of the last ones before they were discontinued in Australia (July 2022).
It’s got the 20 litre Acerbis tank. Plenty big enough for 99% of journeys. Fitted a heap of low cost aftermarket protection parts.
There is absolutely nothing better than loading up the bike and hitting the road!
Good to see a loyal DR 650 owner. I put 10000 miles on mine in the last 2 years. I live in Idaho and take this bike everywhere. Never one problem! The bike is a blast on 2 lane highways. I rode it to Reno a couple of times , cruising at 75 plus for hours - pretty smooth motor for a single. Have fun, my friend.
Nice! Must be some great spots to ride out in Idaho.
Its great value and plenty of people ride around the world on this bike, they also make it into a supermoto and they throw knobbies on it and treat it as if it were a dirt bike. best all around machine with so many possibilities at an amazing price
The reason bikes like the DR, XR650, KLR and some others can be sold new as street legal bikes without cats, fuel injection and all the other stuff, is that they're grandfathered under a loophole that lets low production bikes like that be sold if they don't significantly change the design. That's why these bikes have been the same since the 90's. If they were to update them, they'd have to pass modern emission and safety standards. Everybody was excited about the CR450L, and it's a good dual sport, but for $10,000, you can buy an older bike and mod it any way you like.
I don’t know if that’s true or not but it sounds good.
What a great adventure. I agree with all your points. I hope the DR never goes out of production.
Because I use mine to locate undiscovered caves
other bikers laugh at my shovel carry. Sometimes
my dig allows me to park underground. Its cool
in hot weather and warmer until winter blows over.
I can recommend the old lava flows in the Modoc
National Forest (if you have a skid plate).
Someone in the know might rate a DR650 as a 6 on the road and 6 off road. That might not seem great but it's as good as it gets. You can't get a bike better off road that's also better for highway trips. Mine just keeps going and where I live in Canada a new one costs ($5500 for leftover last years model you can always find) the same or even less than a Japanese 250 dual sport and half as much new as a Tenere 700 ($12,500). I thought about buying a Tenere 700 but honestly a heavier Tenere 700 would be a little better on the road but could for no reason be better off road than my DR with the custom suspension I put on it. I've crossed every province in Canada on the highway on mine on a 10,000 mile trip a few years ago so for highway the DR works well enough. If i could pick any bike to go around the world on it would be a DR650 because it's as simple and reliable as anything could be. It's been around long enough you can upgrade anything you want on it and there's a free app that has a lot of the service manual on it when you want the torque specs. If my DR ever dies I'll replace it with another one. So far in 30,000 miles I only replaced a $4 cam chain tensioner gasket. If your starter sounds like a rooster take it out and grease the bearing and bushing and put some RTV silicone on when replacing the CCT gasket.
Good tip on the starter, mine is starting to make some noise.
I'll be honest man, I would love to have those old classic purple/yellow decals on my bike.
They definitely have character. In hindsight I should have just bought the larger tank and left this one as is.
When you said the stock dr wasn’t good for long distance riding and it definitely needs some mods I thought you meant something major! Heck, a seat, some luggage racks, hand guards and such that’s stuff most bikes need anyway. Sounds like a great bike!
I just bought a new DRZ400s. My Buddy has a new DR650.. We're gonna have some fun!! Nice video. Take care, Clark
Ride on! Enjoy!
Cool video and soundtrack! And thanks for mentioning my dad! It's so cool to see your adventures with the bike. Looks like a lot of fun.
Of course! I've been wanting to make this video for a while, and just got this gopro. Glad to hear your house made it through the fire!
Great video. Great bike. Great adventure 👍
Just bought a dr650 and love it! Awesome video! Reminds me of when I lived out in Redding and did a couple of rides out to the pch!
Nice! Have fun
Suzuki need to invest in a 6th gear on the DR, that would be awesome. I love my DR, it goes everywhere an never has failed me, touch wood.
100% agree. I have one and that is the one thing that would make a diff. Everything else is easy to fix.
i have one of these the dr650 is a cult classic buy far
I was watching and thought you got a sweet new bike. Love it!
Just the same sweet old bike, gotta ride it up your way soon!
reconized the oregon coast, done some mileage there!
Man I need to get my bike going. Damn it!
Hell yeah!
Bought my Dr650 for 1800 bucks 14,000 miles on the odometer. Just got me a pumper carb stock wasn't working for me after rebuilding it 3 times
Nice! Yeah, I took mine into Fator's Motorcycle in Redding at one point to have them work on the carb.
I used to have a Mikuni TM something, pumper carb. I liked it at first, the bike ran great with it, but the gas mileage suffered greatly, so I went back with the stock carb.
Great vid. Love the commuter seat. Any comments on the suspension?
I haven't had any problems with the suspension, but I'm only 160lbs and don't really ride that aggressively. I've heard that some people replace the springs.
Just a simple straight forward no frills motorcycle. Fk yeh bud. It needs a Kickstarter
Just 1 blackberry? Munch on a handful at a time. There's millions of them in N California. On the riverbanks they are huge. Thorns are razor sharp and itchy.
Good vid... Keep the dr clips coming from down oz...
Thanks!
9/10 (I like my heated handgrips 😉).
Ha! Yeah I've been on a few rides where I wished I had those...
You literally made me laugh out loud in a crowded room when you said they realized there was nothing they could do to make the motorcycle better. I have a Dr 650, I love my dr650, there are many many....many.... Flaws with the dr650 that could have been easily remedied at the factory.
The biggest flaw in the dr650 is that most yuppies obsessed on how to make the bike better instead of just smiling and riding
Love it! I need to get one! I've just started looking in cycletrader, lol. It looks comfortable on you. How tall or inseam are you? Im afraid of that I am 5''7 and dont know if that bike would be too tall.
Sweet! It is kind of a tall bike, especially with the aftermarket seat. But I'm only 5'10" with 32" inseam and can almost put both feet flat on the ground.
@@AglipayMusic thanks!
I'm 5'11" and I'm learning how to ride on a that bike and I got no hight issues with the seat
Which front fender please?? Just bought my 09 back from a guy three years later, Except for suspension it had every mod done you could possibly do
Right on! The front fender is from a Suzuki DRZ400, not sure what year.
I was with you until you toke off the factory graphics! How could you do that to your grandpa’s bike
Oops. Well it wasnt my grandpa's, it was one of my uncles bikes (he had quite the collection) that I bought from him years before he passed. I think he was ok with it, as he was fond of modifying vehicles himself.
False.
Needs a suspension upgrade from start.
Bigger tank.
Seat.
Suspension upgrade is a must unless the bike is used strictly for street riding. The seat needs to be replaced, you're right on that one too. And yeah, the gas tank is too small, when I ride mine on long trips, I'm still using a strap-on fuel tank on the rear rack.