Dr 650?

**Kaituna** · 6th April 2009, 22:25

Around tight windy sealed roads, with decent tires, I reckon a dr650 would give anyone on any type of road bike a go. Providing the riders are the same skill and ability, but the same road bike on gravel against the Dr650, would totally suck shit and DIE!! Thats why I love my DR!

**GaZBur** · 6th April 2009, 22:46

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

Mate Paladin forgot to say.

just how tough they are as well, ill say no more....

Man they are almost indestructable. My 2006 has done about 30 race meetings, including being dropped both sides several times each side. Top speed on the track was 179Kph???.(max revs with 14 tooth sproket on a 150/70-17 rear) Rev it till just before the limiter and change. It has had in that time 3 oil changes, 3 full set of brake pads, and one of the twin spark plugs changed, because the shop only had one at the time. Also about 4 sets of various tyres. Motor doesn't appear to be tired yet and it still gets me to work and back every day for 2 and a bit years. No breakdowns on track or road. It did missfire once, but only for a second? Always starts first press of the starter.
Stage 3 dynojet, opened airbox and un-named aftermarket exhaust, running a 170 main jet on 98 petrol and no air filter when racing.
Cheapest fun to be had!
My mates on other bikes may be faster but they have spent more on pistons than I have on the whole race thing!

**Oscar** · 6th April 2009, 23:21

Originally Posted by president(msfc)

There seems to be alot of fans of this popular bike here. I am interested in hearing from any owners about open road cruising speeds of the suzuki dr 650? open road speed seems to be the biggest disadvantage of any adventure bike? do you agree?

I have several mates with DR650's and they never have problems keeping up on seal or gravel. Frankly, except at silly speeds on the open road, most keep up and on long rides our group has included GS1200's KTM990/950 & LC4's, Cagiva's, DR650's and things like Dt230's, DRZ400's and XR250's, and I can't recall anyone actually holding us up (although we might have got strung out on occasion. This is in the face of Vege's insistence on a 50km/h average*, too.

The biggest disadvantage suffered by many Adv bikes is lack of fuel capacity (and/or excessive consumption).

*Doesn't sound hard? - Try it on seal and gravel all day...(I'm not sure we've ever actually done it).

**NordieBoy** · 7th April 2009, 08:14

Originally Posted by Oscar

The biggest disadvantage suffered by many Adv bikes is lack of fuel capacity (and/or excessive consumption).

Bike or rider?

**Oscar** · 7th April 2009, 08:16

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Bike or rider?

Hehehehe..both.

**merv** · 7th April 2009, 08:37

Originally Posted by Oscar

Hehehehe..both.

What, and the rider ends up flaked out on the ground like this you mean http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1239013532

**Paladin** · 7th April 2009, 08:43

Originally Posted by merv

What, and the rider ends up flaked out on the ground like this you mean http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1239013532

Very very harsh Merv!

Poor Jezza, he must've really been going for it the night before, I don't know how he rode at all, he looked rough as a bears bum!

**Oscar** · 7th April 2009, 09:05

Originally Posted by merv

What, and the rider ends up flaked out on the ground like this you mean http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1239013532

I was perhaps guilty of this at Awaikino last time (although I swear it was an inner ear problem). When I stopped on the Pomerangi Road (rather than chuck in my helmet), Thommo pulled over and was very solicitous of me. He helped me up and suggested that I'd be better off standing in the warm sunshine on the other side of the road...

....little did I know that the little bastid was maneuvering me into better lighting so he could get a photo of me...er...being unwell...

**Denniso** · 7th April 2009, 19:13

When I first got my DR I hated it with a venjance but stuck with it as I had spent all that money on it I wasn't about to give up on it , then I altered my riding style and found it too much fun not to ride , so I put my thou's rego on hold for a year as it just wasn't getting used . What I'm saying is if your'e comming off a sports bike the DR will take a bit of getting used to , but it's worth it .