Why I Bet My Channel on Heavy Outdated Dual Sport Motorcycles | Ask SWANKY CAT
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Today we kick of a new weekly segment called "Ask SWANKY CAT". The topic today is my rather odd decision to build and test some of the oldest bikes on the market. A 2023 Honda XR650L and 2018 Suzuki DR650.
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I will soon be 75, still riding on and off road and having a ball. Just by getting a lighter bike has extended my riding by years. My previous bike was a 1990 BMW R100GS and I loved it. I also love thumpers and decided to get a DR650 and am soooo glad I did. Had it 2 1/2 years now and it has not missed a beat in 10k miles. Easy to work on when needed and performs very well. Rejected it, reworked exhaust, added some nice modes and I am in love with motorcycling yet again. Been riding 60 years and looking forward to many more years.
Forgot to add to the above. I have several friends who have expensive adventure bikes with all the whiz bang electronic “aids”. They bitch about dealing with systems that don’t shut off, don’t do what they expected, cost an arm and a leg to buy, forever to figure out and wonder why it was ever needed in the first place. …..as my old world thumper patiently waits for them to figure out how to turn abs off. $15-20k+ for headaches or $6500 for riding fun and dependability….a no brainer!
That's awesome!!! The DR is a great option and I'm glad you're getting out and enjoying yours. I actually just lent mine to my dad for an extended test ride today. He's 63 and looking for something lighter as well. A lighter bike definitely makes off road riding a lot safer, no matter your age!
My first dual sport got me interested in motorcycles again back when I was in my 20s. Now I like it so much I turned it into a career! Haha.
I subscribed because you purchased the DR650 and XR650.
In my experience, the RUclips market for big bore dinosaur content may not be enormous, but it is dedicated and ravenous in that they tend to watch literally every video on the subject
Yes, as a dinosaur, and Gen 2 KLR guy, I love the DR and XR content. And you simply put out good videos, so I’m watching whatever you decide to ride.
Amen! There's seriously nothing else like them new it's either super high performance and high maintenance or these machines that they just keep selling for years and years because they Don't want to put money into r&d upgrading them to modern emissions and uneducated people just tend to buy things solely based off of spec sheet.
Love the content and the series!
The "outdated" big thumpers are still more versatile and useful than most "modern" options.
My klr gets 48 miles to the gallon pretty much no matter how I ride. I love the thing.
Genius should be the spelling in title card. You got this Ben! Hell, even Fortnine and Dork in the Road are trying to jump on your DR650 bandwagon. I'm excited to see where the comparison leads 😎👍
GOD love you Swanky! We all love these bikes! I have and will continue to watch all of your videos in entirety as you are a great reviewer. Regardless of the bike. I like that you're comparing apples to apples.
Never underestimate the power behind bold new graphics.
TRUE!!! Honda & Suzuki have been riding that wave since for years! Ha-ha!
My motorcycle content has never caught up with my firearm videos. Ive tried the DR650, Royal Enfield, TW200 and Honda 300L. I just havent been able to break into the scene no matter the bike. I would recommend to just make what you like and if it gets view then all the better. If it bombs then at least you made what you liked. If you ever come down toward Arkansas I would be willing to ride together. Your channel is way bigger than mine but I can show you some good riding in this area. Also the Rally at the Rock is coming up soon so that could be cool for your channel too.
Well Ben, I finally pulled the trigger. After watching every one of your videos as well as many others I came to the conclusion that it didn’t really matter which one I got because all three (KLR,XR,DR) are decent bikes. I went with the approach of buying whatever I could find the best deal on. So I’ve now put about 100 miles on the new to me 2023 KLR650 adventure model with ABS (I will be wiring up a switch to disable the ABS when I want).
I think grabbing it for 6 grand with under 300 miles on it wasn’t a bad deal. As close to showroom new it could be without all the dealer fees and taxes. Now it is time to enjoy it and make it how I want.
You are providing a perspective many of us never could not readily experience. When hunting for commuter burner I settled on a KLR. I know it wasn't the wrong choice, but this is a great channel for exploring the what ifs. It explores a niche space
Some people just don't get it. I think motorcycle people who have ridden many different bikes, for many years absolutely agree, that the value and versatility of these bikes is undeniable.
I’m 63 yrs old now and looking forward to a lighter adventure bike and both these bikes were on my list! So I’m finding these videos very very useful! Keep it up, you are helping both potential riders, new riders and older riders!
So I rode bikes like this in my youth, growing up in Alaska. They're definitely have their use up there as you're always 5 minutes from the wilderness. I live in the deep south now. Always thought road bikes were king here. I have a harley, a triumph, and now thanks to your channel, I have the same 650L you do. Living on a dirt road in the country gives you ample reasons to ride a dual sport. There are endless county back roads both paved and dirt, farms, small towns to navigate through. Its just a great do it all platform. And the XR 650L is reliable and proven. So thanks to you Bud. Saved me 10 grand over buying the Africa twin!
Love the thumper content!
It seems like you started a trend with the other popular You Tubers on the 650 singles.
As old as they are, they are still relevant, and im happy you're giving them some love.
Well done!
Haha yeah, Dork in the road actually commented that he'd been meaning to make some DR content. Then a few days later I saw he'd gotten right to it! Is that who you were referring too? Or was there someone else?
I think F9 had something on, and some others, it seems like they're popping up all over! 😅
You're a trendsetter!
The world doesn’t need another crf300 video🤮
🤣
Um, actually... I'd really enjoy Ben build-up a CRF300L Rally.
Owned a KLX 300.
The DR 650 beats it on highway...on power ....simplicity.....maintaining.....off road.....nuff said.
I bought a used 2006 Dr650 with only 3400 miles on it almost 2 years ago. Just subbed because i like your content and think dual sports are highly under rated. I’m a daily rider in a city and chosen to turn it into a super moto. Handles these beat up roads like a champ. Just found a video where you bulletproof an older Dr650 with your friend. Awsome. Be cool to see comparison of y’all switching. But it’s just cuz I have one.
Keep up the good work. The reason I follow your channel is because you are shedding new light on these legendary bikes.
Love the fact that you're keeping the Walmart Art Department profitable.
I love the old bikes! New tech is great but old school gets it done very well!
I'm loving the content with these bikes!
I'm really glad to hear that! Thanks!!!
I subscribed after seeing the quality of your first ride on the DR650. Keep up the fantastic work!
I'm glad to hear that! Thanks!!!
Had to amend and erase my previous post. Too pugilistic and narrow minded. The Swanky Cat’s review of the 3 DINOSAURS is very welcomed and appreciate here. When doing all 3 together with an advanced and experienced rider seems to make his content more believable and unbiased for me. One thing I believe we can all agree upon is that even a new comer to the enduro riding community may be able to work on their own bike. Nothing like trying to figure out an electrical Ohms/voltage meter in Death Valley or Victoria Falls, Africa.
should a breakdown occur.
Hi Swanky, I just recently found your channel. Maybe 5 days ago. I grew up riding dirt bikes and alot of that time was spent on the streets searching for dirt. I've been on yamaha vstars since 2001 and have been looking to get back to dual sport/dirt for some time. The last one was a 86 Suzuki DR 200 with no 2nd gear that me and many friends beat the living s**t out of for years. No 200 is going to lug my big a** around anymore. This is exactly what I'm looking for. Maybe 50 year old over grown kids looking to play in the dirt was not your target but I thank you for putting this info and your experience with these bikes out there. Any motorcycle gives you a connection with your enviroment, but some you seek to get dirty, others you seek to spend hours in a hot dark space trying to polish cheap chrome.
Thanks again, JM
Hey JM! I'm glad you found the channel and that you're enjoying the videos! Once upon a time I had an 1100 Virago. I believe it was around when I sold my DRZ 400 and bought my first KLR. As much fun as the Virago was, I decided to sell it after continually ending up on gravel roads with it 🤣. I do miss it now, but there's nothing like a dirt bike that'll do power wheelies & 70 mph comfortably! Can't wait to hear about your new bike! 😉
Great ideas come in bunches my grandpa used to say, now that I have been on my DR650 for couple years now...FYI I bought the DR because of the weight issues I was having with the trail riding on my Africa Twin. Really been thinking of going to a new Honda CRF450RL and build that out to what I need for my riding style.
In my humble opinion, I think there's enough riders/ people interested in motorcycles/ people interested in buying a motorcycle that want an adventure/ dual sport bike but don't care about all the bells and whistles, I think you're gamble will pay off
I subscribed to you because you were doing things with the XR. Yes big expensive adventure bikes are cool but not doable for a normal guy where the Dr, XR and KLR and upgrades are more realistically obtainable financially than say an Africa Twin or BMW Gs. This will be a great series for us on a budget or those who don't want a huge adv.
NAILED IT
I just found this channel and it’s great!! All the bikes I like! I owned a klr and am getting a dr660 this week and always been curious about the xr650l so what more can a guy ask for??
DR is what brought me to your channel. I’ve owned two XR650L’s and a 701 enduro. Never liked 701. Hated the crazy tall unusable 2nd gear on the XR650. Hopefully the DR fixes that annoyance but will be upgrading the DR suspension as soon as I get one.
Ya got genius spelled wrong in your clickbait,
It’s not Genious
Da!
🤣
Whats up man. I just did a video comparing the DR650 and the CRF300Rally I dont think we are too far apart, maybe we should put something together sometime. Also if this this would be interesting to you but where I ride we have 1.1 million acres of street legal and service roads, also plenty of places to camp.
Nice! I'll definitely check that out! Wow 1.1 million! That's awesome!
@@SwankyCatProductions Sure, remind me again what state or zip code you are in? I remember you were more north when I heard it before but I dont remember how far.
I definitely think it would be cool to colab on something sometime.
As much as the new tech these days is really cool, these old designed bikes really are a Swiss Army knife. They’re reliable, fast enough, and they’ll take a beating… mostly. I think it’s great you did this. Reliable and cheap is what people will always be in the market for
I think u should buy my fully restored xr650r, not even ridin yet,still just tuning it,
Great content mate! Love watching these larger cap Dual Sports getting coverage. Down the line pls sell either DR or XR to me! Can do some vids on the long journey to Oz/down under! 🇦🇺 can’t get them newish here anymore! 😢
Just go with your instincts. Enjoying your vids. Go Thumpers (‘23 XR650L)
I love the subject of these 650 "thumpers". There's something about their character and the way they feel to ride compared to all the new modern parallel twins. I guess I cannot put it into words exactly, but I think you understand what I mean. I'll definitely be watching to see where you go with both 650s, especially equipping them for light ADV and perhaps some moto camping.
Puttin' swAnk in da bank >> > these bikes are old stallions that are hard to kill. That said, they're both big enough to actually
do some highway riding which is a huge deal & they are a work horse. On top of all the industry built upon aftermarket parts
you might just find lots of of these bikes still sitting around in yards/garages, & barns plus they can be had for cheap. That's
my draw & I am LQQKin'..... peace & be safe
Those bikes are considered new to me. Did a motorcycle ride to Houghton Lake and back, some 300 miles on a 42 year old bmw. Starting shopping for a XR 650 R for some stupid reason....
If your interested in trying a crf300l rally I'm in the area and happy to let you give it a try.
Hey Ben, I've really been enjoying your DR vs XR videos. I bought (brand new) the same year DR as you have. I've built it up to be a combination long distance adv bike and a trail bike to search out fishing streams. I really love mine. I also have a big Victory touring bike that I ride all over our nation on. To be honest, if I had bought the DR first, I don't think I would have bought the Victory.
I hope this isn't too personal of a question, but as a vet myself, I have to ask...the flag behind you...who was it for? I come from a long line of military serving family, so that caught my eye right away.
Keep up the great work.
Hey Cayoot! Good to hear from ya! Sounds like I'll be shooting for the same end goal as you were with the DR. Definitely seems like the best option! Thinking I'll stick a pole holder on mine as soon as I get a rear rack installed! First, thank you for your service! The flag is from my mom's Dad, who got me into wrenching on things and taught me so much about life. My Dad's dad was actually in the Air Force, also a really great guy who taught me a lot. Both have been gone a while now, but I'm proud to have the memories and the flag! Ride safe out there!
@@SwankyCatProductions
Thanks Ben, and thanks for a great channel. I'm looking forward to following you where you take it in the future.
Misspelling “Genius” is ironic.
Dude, that IS jeanyus!!!!
Dork in the road gave you a shout out on one of his latest videos where he did a DR650 test ride. But i haven't seen anyone really digging into these old school 650 class bikes.
Theres some out there. The DR650 is very popular down under, Cross Training Adventure is probably the most well known.
Here in the US @precipiceofgrind makes some good DR650 content. Along with some smaller bikes.
This spring I sold 3 motorcycles, including a TW200 and a Harley Dyna I bought new and owned for 18 years. I walked into my local dealer with every intension on buying a new T7 which they had two of. I left with a new '23 XR 650. That bike just spoke to me. I have no regrets. That bike is awesome!
No way!!! That's awesome! I never really thought I'd end up on one, mostly because of the seat height. After I got to looking at them a bit more though, I don't know. I just had to have one too!
I was set on getting a new XR650L cant find em where I'm at or at least not used (beat to death), I have an old XL600R but cant kick it anymore. Ive had first gen KLR/DR650s but I Loved my Honda XR650 late 90s. I happened on a brand new too me CRF300L w 670 Miles not too long ago so im satisfied for now.
I've been hearing that a lot! I'm really surprised, there are plenty of decent used ones around me in WI and I believe at least a few new as well. I'm glad your CRF is working out though. I'd like to try one sometime soon!
What I like and really appreciate about these types of bikes is their proven reliability. The increased use of electronics has not improved reliability and worse yet, makes one dependent on proprietary software at a dealer. Its readily apparent in automotive, construction and agricultural equipment. They are purposely pre-programmed to fail. Imo modern motorcycles look to be headed into the same direction. I'll stick with old school, bold new graphics over the new any day.
Some bikes are just generational like these two folks riding will always find them and ride them because they are just that much fun
I think your videos are great and there is a reason they still make and sell them
Thank you! Yeah, kinda makes you wonder how many are out there! 🤔
Don't forget to talk about the gigantic amount of aftermarket parts and accessories for these old dual sports. There is a reason you do not see them stay on the dealer floors very long. They just really work for a lot of people.
There’s definitely not as many aftermarket parts available for the XR as there is for the DR and KLR
@@2010ChargerRT Yes, the XR may be a better performer in some respects, but not as versatile as a DR or Gen1 KLR650
@@robbieandbeckie having owned all 3 the XR is superior to both.
Hell yeah brother
Hi why don't you go and try out the YAMAHA XT 600 E?
In my view most people can't afford to buy the new and put all the aftermarket parts so they buy used and then can. I was fortunate and found a dr650 almost completely done with aftermarket parts that I would've ended up buying but it came with it and at $3700.00 I'm happy as I can be.
Whats your opinion on the DR650 for a new rider, vs something like a XT250?
Im looking to start doing motocamping and BDR's, but im concerned a 250 wont be safe on the highway.
62 , 50 years riding all genres. My 94 xr 650l fits a niche so well I cant imagine selling it. Dr’s a great bike too. I think I’d super moto the DR . Lower center of gravity , Cush drive, factory oil cooler. Ones no better than the other in my opinion. Probably depends on inseem more than anything else.
Fair enough. I think I'd almost like the XR better for a supermoto, but I've never actually ridden one so it's definitely not my area of expertise 😂.
I looked at the xr650 and bought a crf450x and plated it instead.
I've always wanted to ride a xr650r. I wish they had come with an electric start.
There’s pics of a dr650 on the pyramids.
Next bike ya might wanna think about is a Honda CRF450RL! My next bike! Lol
Cheap old tech bikes will take over the market again shortly.
The economy is bad, people are broke and cant afford bikes that cost 20 grand as much as before. Anyone can buy a old school 650 for 4-5 grand and go on adventures anywhere, you have to be rich to buy the latest greatest bike going now. The crf300 rally is popular for this reason too, I just dont like gutless bikes tho.
I don't fit on a CRF300.I fit on my XR650L.
My channel only has 160 some subcribers and was for uploading some of my day trades with only like hundreds of views.
I bought a DR650 last year and uploaded a review with some mods I did and it had like 19,000 views 😂. That should say something. I don’t even know how it happened.
Tells you how badly the market wants the Japanese to update this class of bike, or release new versions. I certainly would be at the front of the line should they do so. I have owned a 1st gen and 2nd gen DR650S, and a couple of DRZ400s, as well as a couple of XTs and a XL, I am done with carbureted DP bikes with ancient "sit down" ergonomics, lighting, and dash assemblies.
If Suzuki and/or Honda would just update the foot pegs, bars, and lighting they could probably milk the old grandfathered engines/emissions for 20 more years. But it is just too much of pain to buy one of these old bikes and have address all of these things. That is why I recently bought an under-powered KLX300. The only things wrong with it are the small displacement and pegs are too small. So I got a T7 too, to address the low horse power, and then some IMS pegs.
The 2-bike solution is a good one if you can afford it. You get a light modern bike for single track, and heavy modern bike for everything else. The large DR / XR, stock, aren't very good single track (unless maybe you are a giant of a human) due to their weight and ergonomics, and they aren't that good on the street due to their lack of wind / weather protection.
I still have a soft spot for both of them though and frequently toy with the idea of "just one more".
Have you thought doing a raffle to give away the bikes your done with?
How Swanky Cat and OnTheBackWheel released almost at the same moment a video with the same topic? Is there some sort of trend alogirthm that every small channels follow?
I am here to watch videos about the dinosaurs :-)
🤣
"Outdated"...??? Hmmm, how many of the new bikes with all their electronics & technology will still be around in 5 or 10 years? The DR will still be alive and well AND kicking ass!!!
Haha yeah, the tech it's got definitely lasts and is easy to keep up!
Hay swanky I’ve been with you from the start love your channel ! Looking forward to seeing what you can do with the xr and dr simple bikes You don’t haft to be a Computer geek to figure out all the different settings to ride the Dang thing 😮 ps I’ve heard your name mentioned a couple times on other channels since you got the dr and xr now they are reviewing the same bikes.But you started first 👍!!! Good Job
Really??? What channel??? It's sure been a long road, but I'm pretty excited to be here now and I think it's awesome that I've got supporters like you that have been with me the whole time. So cool!!! Thanks for that and thanks so much for your membership!!! It means a lot!
I think ppl like to see new bikes.
Not bikes that came out during the war of 1812.
I love all these terms. Content, creator, channel. If you are paying attention RUclips has sent multiple nuclear missiles throughout RUclips and demonetized hundreds of popular " channels" leaving the shoestring DIY tv producers to scramble to pay for food and their bills. You Tube has some arbitrary criteria for like or hate for people trying to make videos for money and you don't know RUclips does not like you until they quit paying or change criteria for monetizing videos. This business model is sketchy at best.
I’d take an XR/XL500-600 over any of the new junk and I’ve owned just about every make. Bells and whistles over reliability? Nope
What’s a “genious”? 😂
Pretty sure napoleon rode a dr650
I think a big thing on the internet that goes way to far is everyone being a crybaby about seat height.. the best 450 moto riders in the world are like 5’5-5’8!!! It’s a off-road bike not a sport bike it’s supposed to be tall 😂 put 1 foot down and keep one on the peg, most who started motorcycle riding on dirtbikes have done this since day 1
True. Thing is though, those bikes don't weight nearly the same as these do and they spend a lot more time on a seat than the average weekend warrior.
Ben saved my marriage!
Not sure if it was "genious" LOL.
🤣
Concentrate on the older 4 & 2 strokes. Not much content on them. Find YOUR niche and go for it.