What bike to buy?

**GPS MAN** · 20th February 2010, 16:08

Yea, the DR 650 is more dirt oriented than the KLR...

It would be my choice for more dirt work!!!

Did I say Work?????? UGH!

**Taz** · 21st February 2010, 17:59

My 525exc is the bees knees for the rides themselves. I prefer to trailer it to rides more than 150 kms away tho as it aint the most comfy road bike. Mine came with the motard wheels and I have fitted a knobby to the rear motard rim to use on the road (thats gravel and seal) based adv rides as the motard wheel has the cush drive. It's a very smooth powerful sweet handling ride in these conditions. The things that really make it better than the DRZ are the suspension and 6th gear. I can put along in first thru the bush yet still do 160km/h on the road (private closed road of course). Think you'll struggle to find a good registered one for 5k tho.

**countryguy** · 23rd February 2010, 07:37

I've just got back into trail riding after several years and ended up with a 08 DR650 that is off road biased through the addition of a 13th front sprocket, bash plate and knobblies. I also use it to ride to work 8k's. After riding the likes of xr 200's and 250's years ago I find I can take the DR most places I would have years ago except for very knarly areas where I cant ride slow enough.

With my present set up 100-110km's on the road is about top cruising speed but its a piece of cake to put the original sprocket back on. It does tend to get a bit unstable over these speeds on the knobblies though.

Just my thoughts from a relative 'newby' to dual sports.

**Gizzit** · 23rd February 2010, 17:03

Originally Posted by countryguy

I've just got back into trail riding after several years and ended up with a 08 DR650 that is off road biased through the addition of a 13th front sprocket, bash plate and knobblies. I also use it to ride to work 8k's. After riding the likes of xr 200's and 250's years ago I find I can take the DR most places I would have years ago except for very knarly areas where I cant ride slow enough.

With my present set up 100-110km's on the road is about top cruising speed but its a piece of cake to put the original sprocket back on. It does tend to get a bit unstable over these speeds on the knobblies though.

Just my thoughts from a relative 'newby' to dual sports.

Good choice !!!

I have a new DR650 .... having previously owned one in 2008. I should never have sold that one !!!

**Pedrostt500** · 23rd February 2010, 19:25

The DR650 is my pick of the bunch, a good simple bike, plenty around and suzuki has done little to change the formula on them, if getting a second hand one, look for one that some one has put all the Goodies on, I'm happy with my one, and its stock standard.

**irsh** · 24th February 2010, 14:21

I'm starting to think DR650 more and more now . i just missed out on one yesterday on TM for 4995 but they're popping up regularly. In the mean time i need to get rid of the freewind so i've put it on TM.
i have been going cross eyed looking at bikes and checking out reviews but the DR comes up trumps for most of the applications i would subject it to. will definitely be putting some new fruit on it when i get one if it's not already been pimped .what would be thefirst things to look at ?......i suppose protection and safety wise first

....then performance

**veny** · 24th February 2010, 16:28

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?

**Padmei** · 24th February 2010, 17:45

Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast...

**dino3310** · 24th February 2010, 18:27

Originally Posted by veny

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?

dont even f@#k%n go there

Originally Posted by Padmei

Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast...

yeah kinda turning into an old record aye mate

**dino3310** · 24th February 2010, 18:42

or you could buy this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-273836939.htm

**Ally67** · 24th February 2010, 18:55

Originally Posted by veny

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?

Perhaps it's because KLR owners know they won't be able to sell

sorry..... had to be said...... as you were

jatz.....

**Padmei** · 24th February 2010, 18:57

Originally Posted by dino3310

or you could buy this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-273836939.htm

That would be a great buy. Like a DR but good

(sorry it just came to me)

**NordieBoy** · 24th February 2010, 19:21

Originally Posted by veny

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?

Originally Posted by Padmei

Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast...

Originally Posted by dino3310

dont even f@#k%n go there

yeah kinda turning into an old record aye mate

Shall I or shant I?

To respond or not to respond – that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outraged KLR'ista,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And, by farkling, end them.