Suzuki DR650 Review: Dual Sport Motorcycling in its PUREST Form
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- Опубликовано: 15 июл 2024
- The Suzuki DR650 is the great grandaddy of pretty much all of our current dual sport and adventure motorcycles. This thing has existed virtually unchanged for 30 years, a feat not many motorcycles still on showroom floors can claim? But why has it continued to persist as the quintessential dual sport motorcycle? There's just something special about this bike that still has people asking "should I buy a Suzuki DR650" even after 3 decades and some change.
Huge thanks to the gang at South Pacific Powersports in Albany Oregon for letting me borrow this Suzuki DR 650 for an extended test ride and review. Check out their website here: www.southpacificautosales.com
I said in my 2024 DR650 test ride video that the transmission on this bike is unique and it always feels like you're simultaneously in the wrong gear and in the right one. The DR650 is like that overall.
It’s not QUITE what you need for any given situation, but given the right amount of finesse it can succeed at just about anything you need it to, whether it’s made for it or not.
It’s the ultimate distillation of everything dual sport. Which makes sense because most of our modern dual sport and adventure bikes were born from its DNA.
I say confidence inspiring a lot (catchphrase!) but this might be the most confidence inspiring bike of all time. The DR is easy to ride and handle thanks to low seat height and relatively light weight.
It's easy to work on because the technology in this bike was invented by Fred Flintstone.
You’re confident taking the DR650 places and doing dumb stuff on it because it’s cheap and easy to fix and/or find replacement parts. It’s the ultimate tabula rasa for creating the adventure platform of your dreams and the parts and know how exist in the massive community to help even the most inexperienced rider and mechanic make it happen.
It’s like a time machine that takes you back to a time when riding was simpler. Just you and the machine. No computers intervening or giving you information. No fancy readouts or ECU automatically adjusting to changing conditions. It’s dual sport motorcycling in its purest, simplest, and most dangerous form.
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What I heard at the end of this video was
“I’ve bought another motorcycle”
I bought my DR650SE in 2007. It is my only motorcycle for everything, from long trips to trails, and I still love it! It is very, very reliable bike!
What a great video sir! This is one of the most honest and helpful reviews of the DR650 we have seen in a while. From our experience, the DR650 is the "do-it all" motorcycle, want to do supermoto hoon stuff, rip up an old logging road, or travel the globe, the bike can be adapted to do any of it. Others understood this many years ago which led to the demand for aftermarket parts. So much so, that we built an entire business around this bike. We began by building jet kits for DR650 riders on various internet forums over 20 years ago. ahh.. good times! 😄
No, no, no...Thank YOU! Thanks for your site and getting all of that gear for the DR in one place. I should just get some sort of ProCycle credit card. hehe. Tail Tidy and jet kit from ProCycle are my next purchases, then new tires, risers and bars. A man can only take so much side eye from his spouse when a ProCycle package arrives.
Who's this!!?? Mike? Carl? LOL...just bought some new cush hubs and rotopax last night!!
DR is it!
Well done Ben. I would love to hear your thoughts after just a few mods - Cogents front/rear, lowered pegs and upgraded seat. Out of the box those stock items really take away from the experience. Thanks for looking past that in the review because they are an easy/cheap fix. I've heard that the DR is a "tinkerers" bike and I agree. For your consideration - Some will trash it for a supposed lack of power but if you look at the HP/torque curves it keeps up with the KTM 690 up to about 5200 rpm. Most riders shift before that point.
When I was looking for a dualsport 18 years ago, Jeff said the same thing as Dork, "You can economically make the DR into anything you want, then take it around the world." 40k miles later, I still love the DR for commuting, dualsporting on the weekends, and the annual, week long ADV trips. Thank you Jeff and Procycle. Not as fast or sexy as newer stuff, but is so fun, cheap and easy to own, it's easy to be married to her.
@teamprocycle and we thankyou for it
DR = Damn Reliable
I've had mine for 6 months. It makes me smile every time I ride it. It does everything the man says. I absolutely love its simple minimalism.
What I like most about my DR, is the Dial-a-Slide torque monster, throttle control. And the fact that I can pick it up when I lay it down. I ride it 80% dirt, and just enough pavement to get me out to Owyhees. 🍻😎🏴☠️
My plan exactly. Just enough pavement to get ne from Boise to the owyhees.
A wonderful video and review. I have had a couple through out my life and was truly wondering about purchasing another for the fear of it no longer being manufactured because of epa regulations. You made up my mind. I do love the mule and price point has been dropping in my location under mrsp.
Thank you Ben. I would love an XR650L review like this. They are the best. DR650, XR650L, and DRZ 400
I just need someone to loan me one.
@@DorkintheRoad That would be the third 650 that hasn't changed in 20 years. Said to be the best off road bike but also said to be not as dependable as the others. Swanky cat has one maybe you can talk to him and he might want to get together?
If an adventure rider drops one of these old dinosaurs (DR, XR, KLR) into the drink, while miles from help, they can make some modest mechanical adjustment to resuscitate their ride and move on. I can only imagine what it would be like to resuscitate a new heavily modded bike back to life?
@user-uh3sp9pm8j the KLR is fuel injected now,but good thinking about stream crossings that would be a real problem to get home.
@@DorkintheRoad I'll loan you mine for a review... 2022 XR650L with several mods. It's in Southeast Texas though...quite a trek from Bend, OR.
Thank you for answering the question about having just one bike.
I love this review, not just because I own a heavily modded DR, but because you confirm why i can't find it in me to sell it, just to get something new. After a new Cogent suspension front and rear, Seat Concepts commuter seat, Carmichael bars, Acrbis 5.3 tank, lowered/solid pegs, and a custom 7" round headlight installed, etc, I've made it mine. It does everything so well i can't justify losing money selling it or paying a lot for a bike that won't necessarily take me on an adventure any better.
Great job reviewing this bike!
I fought with myself for over a year on whether to sell my extremely heavily modded DR. RMZ forks, cogent shock, pumper carb and everything else you could imagine. I listed and delisted it a number of times but ultimately it had to go. I'm in the Philly area and I couldnt do the no ABS situation, especially with knobbies. I was commuting, adventuring and single tracking the thing and its probably the most fun bike I had. Twisting that throttle was always so fun. Large displacement thumpers with pumper carbs are amazing. I also bought a CRF450L and had them side by side for 2 years but I ended up using the 450 more often due to the terrain I was riding. I stupidly sold the DR because the bikes are so similar. To fill the void I picked up a real nice 2013 R1200GS for an amazing price and I dont regret that bike...but I often think about my DR and how I miss it. In truth, I've never thought about a bike as much as I have the DR. I miss that damn thing every day. Never sell yours. If it was for this thing called a wife who would have had a sh@t fit if I had three bikes, I would never have sold it. Two is the limit unfortunately.
45?
I’d be interested in hearing how you did the custom headlight?
@RandomGRK Thanks for your story and sorry to hear you regret it; the struggle is real. I think a lot of us have stories af regret from selling something. I have an 2018 XT250 also, so naturally I've thought, "if I sell both I could pay cash for a T7, or a 800 DE," etc. For now, I'm happy with the DR. The 2014 V Strom 1000 had was the most comfortable travel bike I've ever had. It just wasn't exciting. The last exciting bike I had was an XSR900, but it was terrible for travel for obvious reasons. I like to keep nice things so I don't see myself wanting to risk dropping a nice new T7 or something. I don't want to drop my DR, but the idea bothers me less. I hear you on the idea of ABS, that is nice to have.
@Randomintrests I might have to do a short video and post it on RUclips. It really wasn't that hard actually. It does require fabrication of custom brackets, but it's nothing crazy. I used a 7" headlight bucket I had from a 1987 KZ550 LTD. It's a unique look for the DR. It was actually featured in the 2020 Procycle calendar, the month of October.
I was named after that movie. So I appreciate that intro even more than most people will 😂
Great name. And who doesn't want to be Wade Garret?! 😊💥👊🏼
@@2wheels2everywhere22 I was actually named after Patrick Swayze's character... James DALTON.
@Dalton5042 yeah that's obvious. But Wade Garret is the star of the movie. Sorry Patrick. 😅
The DR 650 is a real one bike solution to our ADV / dualsport world issues. I would LOVE to see your take on the suzuki DE 800!!
Great summary of the old dinosaur!
Hey hey
I'll be picking up my new DR 4-25-24. The main reason I got it is because it's ridiculously reliable, long lived and a monkey could work on it with a role of duct tape and a can of WD40.
My DR650 is my OHV, logging road single track bike. Heavily modded, always reliable. My Tiger 900 Rally is for doing things out of our state.
“Well, you’re looking at it “Lol!
The sad truth.
I live on Vancouver Island and my DR is absolutely great for exploring and camping. The rest of the time I ride trails.
Yes! The DR650 is hands down the best. Timeless and reliable. A go anywhere do anything ride. Not great at any one thing but good at everything. It was my first bike and my only bike. We love each other and will never part.
I just bought one, its freaking awesome, so much fun to ride.
Bought my 2005 DR about 4 years ago. First bike. Thought I'd have it for a bit, sell, and "upgrade to a nicer bike". I have 0 reason to upgrade. Took it off road a bit, prefer street riding, got more street forward tires and works great as a street bike. It's very enjoyable to ride in the city, on short freeway bursts, backroads, gravel, etc. Any time I doubted the bike, it showed me that it was way more capable than I gave it credit for. Literally every issue the bike has had (which hasnt been much) was because i didnt know how to work with a carb, now i have 0 issues after learning. Love this bike.
I love my DR650. I set it up to fit my needs perfectly. Thanks to your guidance, I am about to acquire my first DRZ400s for the more technical stuff. Thanks for putting out such great content!
Keep us posted on if there is a big improvement off road with the Dr.Z. I'm curious how much of a gap there is between the two.
Cheers!
@@machupikachu1085 Will do bud!
40 lbs. lighter and way nimbler on trail.
Thank you for the great review. I have my DR in Pakistan while I have a Transalp here in the US. In Pakistan, it is the perfect motorcycle to take to the Himalayas which I did last August and plan to do again this July. You can drop it and pick it back up again, something is important to me as a 49 year old. I love the DR. Mine is all modded out courtesy Procycle. It’s just a different beast and nothing really should be compared to it. It’s in a category all its own.
I love this review. Modern motorcycling makes me feel like I'm from a different planet. I certainly am from a different time period. My playground ----- the Mojave Desert. My toys ----- a Ducati 250 Scrambler, BSA 650 Spitfire Hornet desert sled, Yamaha DT Enduros, a Honda Elsinore. My protection ------ my Army field jacket, combat boots, and sometimes a battered and gutted Bell helmet. How did I and my WIFE, who also road her own bike, survive? No Traction control, drive modes, ABS, cruise control, fuel injection, electric start, fuel gauge, infotainment screen. But ---- I did have a whoppi'n 4" of suspension travel. What a fabulous time that was. Not many of us left who know what it was like back then. My current stable --- a Royal Enfield 650INT, CRF250L, Suzuki DR200S, and a '73 CT90. Just doing what I can. Happy Travels!
I have a 1990 Kickstarter model. It feels a lot different than the current model. I have to say these are excellent motorcycles. I had a KLR but always stayed with the Suzuki.
Been waiting for you to do this one, glad to see it
This is one of best honest reviews I have watched on this bike. Great job Dork.
Love that you're a bigger guy like me and enjoy life on bikes and camping. I do the same! I have a klr 650 and looking to do my first moto camping this year.
Picking up My DR 650 Friday! Thx Dork!
Up in Alaska from Florida now on my DR650. After plenty of bikes over the decades I'll say this review is right on. This bike does everything plenty well. 50,000+ miles and it has taken nothing but regular maintenance
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the DR!
Always an amazing review thank you very much for your your insight😊
Enjoyed the review! I have a 2023 DR650 and love it! Appreciate you giving some love to a great motorcycle which had stood the test of time. A DR650, while certainly not "the best" off road or on road it is a motorcycle one keeps a lifetime.
Thanks for the review. Appreciate the comments on the gear box, it’s something I haven’t heard before and makes me think maybe there’s no need for a sixth gear on this bike. I like the fact that this bike is still made in Japan when a lot of the other entry level dual sports are not. Keep up the good work, enjoy the channel.
This video is confidence inspiring 🙌
Your review’s are very good! And entertaining!
The DR650 has definitely found a special place in my heart, I am an admitted fan boy. ProCycle for after parts and Cogent for suspension upgrades - one can mod the DR for your needs and wants ❤🏍️
Absolutely love my dr650. Bought it new in 2010 to ride 3 hours back and forth to work for a month long hitch on a towboat being that was only chance i had to ride. It has taken dome time as i unfortunately don’t get to ride nearly as much as i used to, but i have slightly over20,000 miles on mine with no major and very few minor mechanical problems. Mine has gradually morphed from the stock dual sport to more of an adventure bike. To anyone thinking about getting one i would highly recommend. If i had it to do all over again this would have been my first bike most likely.
High praise indeed. Making me rethink my wants/needs.
Bought a new DR six years ago after a long gap of not owning a bike. Did all the common mods, commuted to work every day spring, summer and fall rain or shine. Played and explored off road after work and on the weekends. Dead reliable and versatile. Only thing I didn't like was riding on the highway. Just bought a new Norden 901 with all the bells and whistles ( fantastic machine), but I will be keeping the Suzuki so I allways have something to ride when the Husky inevitably breaks down.😂
Is there anything about highways that the DR can't be set up for?
@@chadkline4268 The motor is powerful enough it's just a little on the light side, and you are exposed to the wind (I have a brittania fairing but I am tall and your lower body is completely exposed).Don't get me wrong it's not terrible, just depends on the speed. If you can stay on roads that you can travel at less than 110kmh it's OK. 80 to 90 (kph) is perfect, could do that all day. Just for a point however, the Norden gets bashed for it's wind bufetting, but it is way better than a Dr with the windscreen that I have on mine. The weight is the biggest factor. Just feel planted at speed on the Norden.
Great review and my favorite dual sport. I've had the WR250R, DRZ400, BMW 650 Sertao, T7 and Super T... The DR650 is the true unicorn!
Great video. I already knew you were gonna say everything you said. Lol. Great to hear it all once again confirmed by the Dork!!!! Great job.
You already knew that he was going to say that Fred Flintstone actually invented his very own tabula rasa?
Dang your good...
Thanks
I lowered my seat height 1.4inches just using the Seat Concepts "low" seat model and it is more comfortable than the stock seat. Lowering the rear suspension with the factory adjustment got me to a seat height of 30.3 inches and with Cogent suspension, it still had a great ride.
Couldn't agree more with this review ii love my Dr. Hell I still get giddy like a kid on Christmas eve every time I have a ride planned out, it's just so capable and confidence inspiring I swear it makes me a better rider. All the being said you nailed it as good as the bike is it does need love in the performance area if you want to get the real hard to reach places. Exhaust, intake, carb are essential mods to really wake up the sleep old man inside the amazing machine but also dropping a tooth in the front sprocket is currently my new favorite mod. For the $15 it cost to gain 7% power was a game changer, so much easier to crawl through tight trails and makes popping the front up a breeze even with a full 6.6gal tank and really a miniscule loss in the top speed ( 165km to 145km ish)
Great all rounder. I rode the nebdr on mine. It handled it with ease.
Great video El dorko.
Great vid.
The fun factor is off the chart on a DR.
They are air-cooled, as you said, but they also have an engine oil cooler for additional cooling.
I have yet to overheat mine
Your stole my line! I've owned a 1999DR650 since 2006. Since then, I have had probably gone thru 20-30 other bikes, (currently sitting at 7 bikes in the stable). Friends often tell me I'm nuts, and/ or "have a problem". Both TRUE! Now to the point.... I have said many times since about 2007, "if someone pointed a gun at my head and said, pick one, get rid of the rest" It would be the Mighty DR! and I've got some other great bikes, but the DR --- "IS THE ONE" as Neo. I've done the suspension with Cogent, transforms it!
Great review. I'm glad to see you like it so much. Suzuki did stop selling the DR200. I hope the same doesn't happen here. Take care!
Nicely Said Ben 👍
My DR650 has taken my wife and me 22000 kms around South America 2up, its been dropped more times than a hot potato, taken me on big sections of the TCAT and some knarly trails, its an awesome master of none do it all bike
Hey Dork! ( love saying that) Great review as always, im just learning, but love your takes. I was glad to hear this would be your 1 bike. Im trying to find theeeeeeee 1 bike. ummm this helped!
WUT??? I finally made a cameo appearance in one of your videos!!!. My life is now complete.
And yes, the "bushpig" is my carefully considered choice for a one bike solution in terms of capability (with mods) comfort and reliability for all the things I want to do. Yes, a lighter, higher performance sexy rig would be nice from time to time, but this thing just fills a niche that fits my riding style perfectly. Think of it as less Ginger and more MaryAnn.
Enjoyed hanging out with you in Death Valley and look forward to future rides. Doing the Oregon, Washington and Idaho BDR's later this summer and hope to see you on the trail.
great review ! no whining, complaining, this is a great base dual sport do it all bike !! Real world everyday review.
awesome review thanks
Great video.....
Informative, funny, and engaging.
Excellent work.
Awesome intro!!!
Te agradezco tu revisado, me gustó mucho. Saludos.
Great review
They stopped selling them here in Australia, so we are waiting for the new DRZ 450 with 6 speed and fuel injection lol
I'm short and I sold my CRF250L (modified) for a used DR650. Now that I have the suspension upgraded and the carb jetted, I'm keeping that bike for as long as I can. When Suzuki announces they are discontinuing the the DR650, I'll buy one immediately and hold on to it until my current one dies.
The DR would be a much better bike for you than the CRF300L.
I feel like I'd have to do the same. Even the KLR got a refresh. Suzuki doesn't have to change anything with the aftermarket.
Great review and echos how I feel about mine. While you can get faster, lighter, etc bikes it is just such a good down to earth bike that does it all. This is one bike I will never regret buying.
truly a confidence inspiring review
Honestly, I am thinking about buying one thanks to your videos, particularly your suspiciously similar (to this video ) topic from your last video... Seems like it's good at pretty much everything you would ask a beginner friendly dual sport to do.
I am a proud member of the DR650 cult and ride mine in basically stock form except for a skid plate and real hand guards to protect the levers in a fall. I have to ride on freeways to get to the dirt and it is more than adequate in either case.
Tires next .
lots of stuff to do to it if you want to, and because the community is so great theres walkthroughs and parts for anything you want to do to it. all the issues with the bike have been figured out and fixes posted. this bike is perfect in my mind, it can do anything if you give it some love.
Stop telling people about them where maybe I can find one at a decent price.😢
They DO seem to hold their value ridiculously well, dont they?
The word is out.
Nice job, I agree with all of your descriptions of this bike, except I’m not a fan of riding my DR on the road for too long , but in dirt all day long . I’ll probably keep mine till it disintegrates but might look at some adventure bikes for some long distance rides with maybe a little dirt roads as well.
Your taste is impeccable
Great review Ben! DR650 and XR650L are two great bikes in my simple opinion and its just my opinion. I love my XR650L and what I love the most other than the lower cost of other dual sports is exactly the simplicity. None of the new technology to break. No ABS so you actually have to have a feel for what you are doing and be tuned into the bike while riding. All analog and air cooled. It's a great all around bike that will do anything I want it to do and more but it's not the best for long highway riding and that's ok by me. It'll tractor through anything with enough HP to climb anything I'm willing to try. The money I saved when I bought it over a KTM or other more expensive dual sport will buy me a lot of gas even at todays prices.
Loved the tabula rasa reference!
Ive not ridden this bike but ive been looking at it sideways for a couple years. Mainly because ive had 2 Savages and loved them both for their boring simplicity & reliability.
Ive had Harley dressers, BMW k models and bigger honda bikes.
Im telling you, at my age, smaller and simpler is better for me.
I am actually surprised by your last statement here. Percisely because ive seen you on so many different bikes.
I will be taking the DR more seriously moving forward.
Ill have to ride one.
Thanks.
Good stuff!
Good review
It´s just you said, i have and old Yamaha xt 600 E , it´s the only bike i have and my main mean of transportation.I have modified the bike for doing serious and technical offroad and just like that i used it every day for commute.You can do single track with very technical sections, very rock, steps,very step hills and on the next day going to work like nothing happened ,after that go in a multi day camping trip and commute to work again , the bike just keep going, with no issues (doing its manteniance and threaten it with a bit of care of course).All this old dual sport big single cilinder bikes (XT 600, DR 650, Dominator 650...etc) are behind the same idea, they are meant to be ridden, no matter what.
I Totally agree with you because is exactly my case, if you can have just one bike, just pick one of this bikes and RIDE IT.
Confidence inspiring!!! :)
DITR, I picked up a 2017 DR a couple weeks ago and love it. I’ve never ridden off road (pavement), but I’m getting why people own offroad bikes. Exploration, going places street bikes can’t get to, or where 4x4 vehicles can’t reach either. I replaced the OEM tank with a 5.3 gallon Acerbis white tank and have been getting over 58 mpgs using it. I stay below 60 on the road, but I don’t know how I’m able to get that mpg when off road too. Love the bike.
Long live the DR! All around good bike, air cooled, easy to work on and reliable. D in the R with a DR! 😎
Nice overview!
I've also had a handful of carbureted bikes in the past. For me, the only real issue is ethanol fuel gumming them up in storage. It's not necessarily a dealbreaker, depending on who you are, where you live, how you ride. Personally, between EFI and lithium batteries, I've gotten pretty used to the idea that I can forget about a bike for 6 months, then air up the tires and check fluids, fire it up and go for a ride. It's kinda nice, particularly as I own two bikes and don't have a ton of time to ride or maintain either. I would have to weigh whether I want to accept anything 'fussier' than that. I don't mind doing maintenance in order to keep riding a bike, but preventive maintenance to _not_ ride it-or having to rebuild a carb because I neglected to? I dunno.
Yes, I know in some markets you can buy ethanol-free gas at a slight premium...but it's not an option in my state (at least not at any retail gas station).
I just bought a new 2024 and I have almost as much in aftermarket parts as I do the bike itself. The beauty of the bike isn’t its price, the beauty is its simplicity. There isn’t a lot to go wrong and in the last 28 years in production it’s a solid bike that is cheap to fix and easy to work on. I was in the market for a T7 and passed on it for this. Even though I have more into the DR than the OTD price of the T7
Great vid! I love my WR250R because I can only afford or justify one bike in the shed right now. If I didn't have that, I'd go the DR650 or DRZ400E for sure :)
Had a Vstrom 650 2nd gen, gladius engine. Beautiful V-twin, Suzi know how to make awesome bikes!
and to reiterate what everyone else said, once mods are complete it is much easier to love, suspenders need done right away, flat side carb, Procycle will make that bike a gem to behold.
It was my first bike and I absolutely love it, but if I'm doing primarily technical off road the lighter bikes are definitely more fun. The versatility and the low end torque are endless fun to me. Every time I throw my leg over and crank it feels as exciting as the first time I rode it.
I’m debating on buying this at my local dealership, but after watching your videos I’m locked in. I probably will change to a pumper carburetor and upgrade the suspension but other than that I’m sold.
"Confidence Inspiring" is a good way to sum up the DR650. I have both a '23 XR650L and a '24DR650S (and a '23 CRF300L). The DR is indeed confidence inspiring. I am not worried about taking it anywhere. The XR on the other hand, IS kind of intimidating. Both are AWESOME bikes, and granted the XR is fantastic off road (its a big old school 4 stroke dirt bike with lights as an after thought!), the DR is my 'go to' when I just want to go ride, relax, and have fun.
My first dual sport. Still have it
This is my dream bike and I’m hoping to set don’t discontinue or stop shipping to US before I can get one
Another great video! I would love to hear you compare the DR650 to the Honda CB500X (now the NX500).
This bike has been on the list for me for years. Now that I'm retired, mayhaps it's time to add one to the stable.
Hey Ben - thanks for the review.
I’m interested in your thoughts on the dirt handling / ease of lifting the DR vs the CRF300l Rally you just rode in Death Valley.
I just rode my loaded CB500X (w Rally Raid kit, TKC 80’s) down to DV, went off pavement, and quickly realized how top-heavy and unwieldy the bike is in the loose stuff. I was riding solo, and it was sketchy / not exactly fun… DV was still awesome though…
Thanks for the great content 🫠🖤🦄🍻
You only get one bike for the rest of your life - and you choose the DR650. That's a strong statement. Appreciate this review.
The DR and the XR 650’s are the pinnacle of the dual sports that’ll do damn near anything you want. If you weren’t so far away I’d let you ride my XR for a review. I will say that it’s a tall bike for someone like me with a 30” inseam. But i make it work. I was torn between the DR and the XR I just happened to find the xr in my price range first. I’m happy with my choice but I know I would have been happy with either. Bulletproof, untouched, crude, simple.
The Honda 650 L is the elephant in the room - almost the same, bomber old-school dual sport with even better suspension, and maybe a bit more dirt oriented. I think reviewers struggle with it as it is a tall bike, and it is hard to find a good review between them. The Aussies you mention that rip on DRs don’t get the Honda down under so would be interesting to see what they thought ion the difference. If you can test one of those, be cool to hear your thoughts on a comparison.
I have both. I prefer the DR far above the XR. The XR is lighter, but feels significantly more top heavy, and I'm not short. I'd much rather pick up the DR. Speaking of height, you need the inseam of an nba player to get on it, but then the inseam of a jockey to be comfortable once you are on it (short seat to peg distance).
It lacks an oil cooler. It has no cush drive hub and is prone to wearing the countershaft splines. It has a weak subframe prone to cracking if used for luggage with no reinforcement.
The suspension is "better" than the DR's....marginally. That's about the only thing it beats the DR in. And it isn't a huge difference. Dropped $350 for the Cogent kit in my DR and now there is no difference.
My XR is going to be a trade in.
Jet kit, airbox mod, slip on exhaust 14tooth front sprocket. Totally different bike, it rips.
Pain don’t hurt
LOVE these Japanese made thumpers, I have a 1983 Honda XL600R....totally LOVE it for the woods and trails. My fun bike is a 2016 Ducati Multistrada 1200S DVT.
1991 Suzuki DR 650 Djebel, red and white, kick start, 4 years ride, never a problem, just change oil, oil filter and ride every day. Make 68000 miles on that.
Weight seriously matters. I stripped EVERYTHING not mission critical off the KLR, like two heavy milk crates worth of parts and it's a whole different beast. Went from feeling like riding a full dress scooter offroad to big, capable dirt bike. For it's size, its light, flickable, i daily it on dirt and the pig flies now lol i jump it daily and just whip it around like a fat dirt bike with a tractor engine. Most of the weight came off the front which made the front super easy to lift and float over stuff like sand and rock gardens, the suspension works so much better unloaded like that, and needs less body english to make it do what it do.
But yeah, add lightness and every bike gets better. I swapped out probably 40lbs of windscreen, fairing, headlight, brackets, the dash and cluster and assorted OEM nonsense off the front, and replaced it with about 5lbs of Jeep style LED headlight in a 7" round Harley bucket. I'm eventually gonna get a Vapor for instruments but that only weighs ounces. Same off the back, useless plastic fender wells, chain guards and useless chain 'guide' replaced with a real full cage motocross style guide, fire sale style, everything must go no offer refused!
And do the same for yourself, go outside, walk, touch grass, cut wood, mountain bike, skateboard, whatever gets you to move and not sit around. Do weight reduction mods on the rider and bike and then you've REALLY got no excuse not to be able to ride to near pro levels (like not as fast, but you'd hang and finish a ride at least) after grinding some XP to level up.
If you worry about weight in your bike, do the same for the rider, and ALWAYS just practice basic skills until they're automatic then they turn into advanced skills when you need to apply them on the fly.
@Dorkintheroad your like the Luke Thomas of the dual sport world! Great video!
old school that still works...there is evan 2 transmission kits available aftermarket.....it would be nice to do a setup with suspension and engine work.
Now we need a review of the Honda XR 650L
Another great review. Spot on with the old pig, good bike with some simple mods.
Progenitor. You made me look up a new word! Never heard that one before :-)