The DR650 thread

[Ocean1]

Whole Freewind engine.

Here's their earlier Rotax powered one back in 2003...

A CCM DS644 would be a good adventure steed.
A DR650 with a good frame, suspension and more power...

They orta have stuck with the B50.

Only lighter.


And with less maintenance.



And no fucking Amal carbs...

[Eddieb]

Ok, another queastion, Mine is an 09 and the rear spring is black, Do the spring colours have anything to do with the rates?
The spring is in the top hole but the preload is wound down to nearly the bottom of the threads so Im on tippy toes and Im 6ft.

Ive sat on a 650 with the spring in the top hole (lowered) and both feet were flat on the ground easy.

No difference in spring rates between different colour factory springs that I am aware of. Though it sounds to me like your spring might be wound up further than factory recommended settings if it's pretty much at the bottom of the threads.

If you can measure the length of the spring in it's current state compare it to the factory settings below:
Factory soft - 253.5mm
Factory Medium - 247.5mm
Factory Hard - 238.5mm

If you are looking to do anything more than smooth gravel roads you should get used to not being able to flat foot it, if the bike is lowered enough to flat foot it you will bottom it out on bumpier terrain. DAMHIK.

[Waipukbiker]

Cheers mate, ive backed the preload off so the spring is now approx 240 mm, I'm about 100kg so will try it there and see. The rear shock is in the top hole but the front forks are flush with the top of the brace, not sure how to tell if the front forks have been lowered internally, The bike dousnt look like its too high in the front but then im still a noob with the beast.

[Waipukbiker]

Ok, First decent ride on the beast today with a mixture of twisty seal, city streets and heading back home on the main highway the main tank ran out at
142 kms, It didnt help that I was on an uphill passing lane at the time I was about 4kms from a servo and it took 9.5 ltrs to refill. As far as I know the bike is stock (Still has the snorkle in), The gearing is 15/43.

I was expecting better range than that as I was not riding hard. I will pull the air cleaner out tomorrow and check it but it runs fine so not sure why its a tad thirsty.

Any ideas?

Cheers

[dino3310]

14.9kms a litre..... ouch

[bart]

That seems a bit rich. Even worse than my thirsty pig.

[Shewolf]

eeeuuuw, I did that sort of km/l coming back from Cold Kiwi with a full load and a strong headwind.

[Night Falcon]

Ok, First decent ride on the beast today with a mixture of twisty seal, city streets and heading back home on the main highway the main tank ran out at
142 kms, It didnt help that I was on an uphill passing lane at the time I was about 4kms from a servo and it took 9.5 ltrs to refill. As far as I know the bike is stock (Still has the snorkle in), The gearing is 15/43.

I was expecting better range than that as I was not riding hard. I will pull the air cleaner out tomorrow and check it but it runs fine so not sure why its a tad thirsty.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Ross, mine used to get 180 - 200 ks depending on how hard It was riden. If you only put 9.5 ltrs in it to fill you must of still had some gas in the tank? Have you checked your fuel tap isn't blocked on the reserve position?

[Waipukbiker]

I filled it to the brim before I left, The main ran out at 142 kms and after switching to the free flow position to refill the bowl, I went to reserve and it started ok and after about 5 kms, It took 9.5 ltrs to refill back to the brim.
The air filter is out at the mo, its much darker on the outside than in and very wet with oil at the bottom, will clean it tomorrow and re oil. Because the main is supposed to hold 10 ltrs im starting to wonder if it stopped for some other reason.
I will also check that the choke is adjusted correctly and remove one of the plugs to see if there is any sign of running rich.
The odo may be reading under but not that much I think.

[pomgolian]

Ross, mine used to get 180 - 200 ks depending on how hard It was riden. If you only put 9.5 ltrs in it to fill you must of still had some gas in the tank? Have you checked your fuel tap isn't blocked on the reserve position?

Ross must be a blocked filter or running really rich mine did on stock with snorkell removed 240km havelock - minginui - Lake wiakari before fill up 240kms think it was 11.5 litres to fill up so half a litre left, thought it was going to run out long before that as i hit reserve a long way from the lake, i did the procycle jet kit & it got better on fuel & more power.

[Waipukbiker]

Yeah, its a bit odd, if it was running very rich the idle would be crap but its fine, be interesting to see how the plug looks.
The only other thing is one of the previos owners may have re jetted the carb without allowing more air to get in to compensate so Ill keep that in mind if a filter clean dousn,t change anything.

[pomgolian]

Yeah, its a bit odd, if it was running very rich the idle would be crap but its fine, be interesting to see how the plug looks.
The only other thing is one of the previos owners may have re jetted the carb without allowing more air to get in to compensate so Ill keep that in mind if a filter clean dousn,t change anything.

Check the choke brass plunger in the carb as well as mine was seized solid after 10,000k and the choke lever hardly moved so it maybe seized on sucking the gas and the idle turned down to compensate

[Waipukbiker]

Cheers mate, The choke feels fine, Im getting a normal reaction from the engine as I move it back to the off position after starting.
I will check that its fully returning to the off position though. It cranks over a few times before starting from cold but instant when warm.
Once Ive done the air cleaner I will pull the snorkle out and do about 50kms and recheck the consumption.

I will also contact the last owner and see what he was getting out of a full tank just as a double check.

[bushy]

I have just fitted the Procycle replacement foam and cover to my seat base and have to say first impressions are pretty good. I havent been for a long ride yet but my arse is already thanking me...1600kms in 3 days during Dusty Butt 2012 on the stock seat was enough to get me looking at alternatives. $149.00 US , It will be worth every cent.

Also got the HID conversion kit as got caught out in the dark and rain 2 hours from home a while ago and the stock lights are very bloody average. Will let you know how the fitting of kit goes and the difference it makes. At $80.00 US its worth a shot. Took a week to get here after placing the order. Great communication so thumbs up to Procycle.

Cheers,

[Transalper]

I found the DR light to be fine and I road all hours of the night but I've seen the light Shoshoni's DR puts out with the HID and it is impressive.
I think you'll be happy.