Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« on: December 07, 2019, 09:01:02 AM » |
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A while back I commented on how I was looking for a change to a dual sport bike to expand where I could ride. There's lots of back country here that needs exploring, and I guess that's on the bucket list now. Plus...My Grand Kids are all on motorized trials type bikes with the exception of the "soon to be" 3yo who is already fearless at downhill runs on his Strider (won't be long for his first motorized experience).
I have been looking at the DR650 as they seem to get a lot of good comments from long time owners.
Has anyone here had experience with this bike? There are a few used ones available around here now that winter has arrived....Thanks.
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2019, 09:17:32 AM » |
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I haven't but I know a lot of riders who like their bike.
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98valk
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« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2019, 09:50:31 AM » |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Ken aka Oil Burner
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« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2019, 09:51:26 AM » |
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I went through a similar discussion with myself recently. I sold my Triumph to a friend and used the proceeds to buy my back road exploration bike. I was down to a KLR650 or a DR650, but then stumbled on a 2002 V-strom 1000 that needed a home. In all honesty, I decided that I wasn't going off-roading; just fire roads and the like.
Back to the subject. From my research, the DR650 is considered one of the best dual sporters ever. Very capable off road, but make no mistake; it's not a dirt bike. Heavy by dirt bike standards, but that's the trade off for on-road capabilities. The KLR650 is it's direct competitor, and it's generally considered that the DR is a bit better off road, and the KLR is a bit better on road. Both have made road trips from all over the place to Alaska, Baja, and all over the world. The DR650 is air-cooled, but has an oil cooler. The KLR650 is liquid-cooled, with a radiator. Trade-offs to each, I guess.
There are other dual sport bikes that are lighter, and will beat you up less when off roading with the Grandkids. I guess it depends on how far from home you want to explore the back country. The more off-road worthy the bike is, the less likely you're going to want to hit the slab for long distances.
Ideally, I'd have a bike for every condition, but I'm closer to broke than rich, to say the least. If there were a perfect bike for everything, we'd all own it.
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DirtyDan
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« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2019, 10:02:43 AM » |
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EXCELLENT dual sport bike
After 200k ish My buddy torched his in a campfire incident.......
Liked it so much bought another one
Dan
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Do it while you can. I did.... it my way
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2019, 10:45:52 AM » |
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This all sounds pretty good. I have no thoughts about serious dirt bike riding, mostly trail/forestry road type riding. One big concern for me is that it needs be highway capable. Riding at a steady 70 should not be maxing out whatever bike I choose. This bike is 366 lbs curb weight, so I'm thinking with a bit of tweeking of suspension parts it could be a good choice without over heating the credit card. Seems like a lot of after market add-ons mostly because the bike has been around since '96.
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2019, 11:41:44 AM » |
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Beer Run and Bush Bike...Sheets, that is exactly what I am looking for.  There are some videos on how to lower the suspension a bit (31" inseam) that look pretty simple....Maybe gold valves up front as well. Also some engine performance tweeks that don't look too complicated...air box mods and carb needles. It's been around since the 90's and sounds like all the reliability bugs have been worked out for some time now. |
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« Last Edit: December 07, 2019, 11:53:45 AM by Alberta Patriot »
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2019, 12:00:23 PM » |
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I went through a similar discussion with myself recently. I sold my Triumph to a friend and used the proceeds to buy my back road exploration bike. I was down to a KLR650 or a DR650, but then stumbled on a 2002 V-strom 1000 that needed a home. In all honesty, I decided that I wasn't going off-roading; just fire roads and the like.
Back to the subject. From my research, the DR650 is considered one of the best dual sporters ever. Very capable off road, but make no mistake; it's not a dirt bike. Heavy by dirt bike standards, but that's the trade off for on-road capabilities. The KLR650 is it's direct competitor, and it's generally considered that the DR is a bit better off road, and the KLR is a bit better on road. Both have made road trips from all over the place to Alaska, Baja, and all over the world. The DR650 is air-cooled, but has an oil cooler. The KLR650 is liquid-cooled, with a radiator. Trade-offs to each, I guess.
There are other dual sport bikes that are lighter, and will beat you up less when off roading with the Grandkids. I guess it depends on how far from home you want to explore the back country. The more off-road worthy the bike is, the less likely you're going to want to hit the slab for long distances.
Ideally, I'd have a bike for every condition, but I'm closer to broke than rich, to say the least. If there were a perfect bike for everything, we'd all own it.
Ya the Off Road "Beat Me Up" thing could be partly solved with the gold valves and maybe some rear suspension mods. I am still pretty limber, so standing on the pegs a lot to spare my kidneys should help as well. The "more broke than rich" thing is definitely a factor. |
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« Last Edit: December 07, 2019, 12:04:38 PM by Alberta Patriot »
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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sandy
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« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2019, 06:09:03 PM » |
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An older XR400 Honda is light and cheaper. That might solve your desires and wallet capabilities.
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Warlock
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« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2019, 06:25:02 PM » |
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A while back I commented on how I was looking for a change to a dual sport bike to expand where I could ride. There's lots of back country here that needs exploring, and I guess that's on the bucket list now. Plus...My Grand Kids are all on motorized trials type bikes with the exception of the "soon to be" 3yo who is already fearless at downhill runs on his Strider (won't be long for his first motorized experience).
I have been looking at the DR650 as they seem to get a lot of good comments from long time owners.
Has anyone here had experience with this bike? There are a few used ones available around here now that winter has arrived....Thanks.
Owned one for about a year. Don't let a 650 fool you plenty of power. I feel a little heavy for off road riding. Dirt roads and fire lanes are no problem. Would work you pretty good in the back woods. David |
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 I don't want to hear the labor pains, I just want to see the baby |
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Misfit
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« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2019, 07:26:53 PM » |
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I have one. They are a good bike. I would ride mine more if it weren’t for my Africa Twin. Try one out and if you don’t like it sell it. It won’t lose any value in a year.
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If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough.  |
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2019, 09:00:57 PM » |
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From your color filled map, looks like you've been around the block |
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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Leathel
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« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2019, 09:42:42 PM » |
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When I was looking at DR650's there were some pretty well setup bikes out there, those serious about it changed carbs, big fuel tanks and tweaked the suspension, I nearly got one but ended up with a KTM525 Now that I have changed the gearing on the KTM I have been impressed with how well it handles on the road even with 90% dirt tires, Its lighter with the same power as the 650, I did a 100 mile ride Thursday night, Off road the ktm is streaks ahead of the DRZ400 I also own which is supposed to be better than the 650. Plus side for the DR650 is servicing is less often so if you are going to clock up the K's less to do, more bits available of the shelf (I generally make my own frames) The XT/TT Yamaha's are pretty good too, Last road legal dirt bike I had was an XR600, great bike but getting old now   |
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« Last Edit: December 08, 2019, 09:55:24 AM by Leathel »
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rocketray
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« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2019, 07:14:25 AM » |
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I bought the 400s years ago--it is much lighter than the 650 and got the rear suspension lowering parts which were cheap and made it a flat footing at a stop-on a difficult trail it is nice to be able to flat foot a stop-it is a great non-super slab ride-I got an after-market seat and added a front windshield that bolted on w/some struts-my aftermarket pipe was way too loud--there are some good ones-the carb is not too good needing re-jetting if you want any sort of power--the one on the dirtbike model is much better-unfortunately Dallas is pretty much all super slab--the semi's once did literally blow me onto the shoulder once and that was it for me and I bought the heaviest thing around--the Valkyrie
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Binkie
Member
Posts: 226
Binkie from the holler
Vonore Tn
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« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2019, 04:51:57 AM » |
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I have a 2013 DR650 that I ride on FSR and dirt roads here in East Tn. Love the bike and cheap to maintain. It is heavy for trail riding. If I were to do it again I would probably get a Suzuki DRZ400. It’s lighter and easier for me to flat foot it.
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DirtyDan
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« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2019, 06:30:27 AM » |
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Just heard from my DR guy
DR 650 stock gearing 70-85 all day
Dan
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Do it while you can. I did.... it my way
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1384
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #17 on: December 09, 2019, 06:39:32 AM » |
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I haven't ridden the DRZ but I did buy this KLR 650 about a year ago. It's a great bike, no problems and they are dirt cheap. With a 300 pound rider, it will still cruise at 80 and tops out at about 95. Gas mileage is high 40's. It's light, narrow, nimble. It just works.  Qdi2Edx by Scott Sapers, on Flickr Ride Safe, Alien |
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2019, 07:57:46 AM » |
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Been looking at the KLR as well. I do need to get the seat height down to around 32" and not sure that can be done with the KLR without compromising stability. This is a big challenge for us inseam challenged riders. Short Legs...long body, a close relation to my chimpanzee brothers.
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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sheets
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« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2019, 08:50:36 AM » |
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. . . with a 30" inseam I've checked in to lowering the bike a bit. The forks can be slipped a little to lose an inch or two of seat height. Don't know about the rear. Will have to get a shorter side stand at the same time you lower the bike. OEM sprockets are 15/42 for highway. Kid changed them out to 14/43 for a little more low speed grunt when riding off-road. He always rode to his distant off-road adventure destinations - never had the bike on a trailer. Bike is 2010 model year. I got it two years ago with 26,600 miles on the clock.
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Alien
Member
Posts: 1384
Ride Safe, Be Kind
Earth
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« Reply #20 on: December 09, 2019, 09:13:59 AM » |
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I have a 30" inseam and have no prioblem with the KLR. There are lowering links available too.
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Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
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« Reply #21 on: December 09, 2019, 10:22:16 AM » |
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I have a 30" inseam and have no prioblem with the KLR. There are lowering links available too.
I don't need to flat foot it but rocking back and forth is not an option either. At 190 I guess there will be some suspension sag...I think specs are an unladen bike?? I really need to sit on a few bikes at my motorsports dealer...they have all brands except Honda. |
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« Last Edit: December 09, 2019, 10:27:06 AM by Alberta Patriot »
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Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
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98valk
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« Reply #22 on: December 11, 2019, 12:51:43 PM » |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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