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Posted: 11/26/2014 8:13:44 PM EDT
I think I'm going to be getting a 10 YO DR650 next week.  Super excited, I have never had a dual sport.  I was looking at the KLR & KTM, but found a deal I can't pass up & like the DR.  Anyone ride one?
Link Posted: 11/26/2014 8:47:19 PM EDT
[#1]
my brother has a 2012 DR650 and it's a great bike.  I've ridden it a few times and it's a pretty agile bike for it's size and has plenty of power... enjoy.

ETA:  I've owned a KLR650 and a KTM 625 SXC.  The DR blows the KLR away... but the KTM blows the DR away.
Link Posted: 11/26/2014 9:27:40 PM EDT
[#2]
the DR is a good bike, a bit more dirt friendly than the KLR, more road friendly than a KTM....ANY KTM thumper (Duke excluded).

There is a ton of aftermarket stuff for them and a huge thread over on ADV.

You will enjoy the hell out of it.


Link Posted: 11/27/2014 1:27:02 AM EDT
[#3]
DR's are solid bikes. Thumpertalk.com is like the ARFCOM of single cylinder motos, they have a dedicated DR section that will give you the heads up on the DR's idiosyncrasies.
 



The Neutral Sending Unit screws have a nasty habit of falling out and making their way through the oil passages, that's probably the only big known issue on DR's. Fairly easy fix
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 9:09:57 AM EDT
[#4]
I ride a '90 dr650.  Its big and heavy so I have a bit of a time keeping up with guys on actual dirt bikes. Good bike though.

I'm running substantially lower gearing than stock (14-46) and D606 tires. Those two mods have helped out a lot in the dirt.

Be sure to check out the dr mega thread in adv rider.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 9:27:53 AM EDT
[#5]
Thanks guys!  I think I will be about 90% road time, with a lot of those roads dirt and secondary roads (I live in the sticks).  I have a non street legal XR600 in the barn that hardly ever makes out out.  A big part of my reasoning is that my son will be getting his learners permit next month and I plan on picking up a small dual sport for him (XT225/XT250/KLX250) to start learning how to ride on the street and wanted a similar bike to pester him.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 11:58:44 AM EDT
[#6]
One of the guys I ride with has one...little better on fire roads/trails than my KLR...but I make do.
Nice bike.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 12:10:36 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
One of the guys I ride with has one...little better on fire roads/trails than my KLR...but I make do.
Nice bike.
View Quote


I like the KLR's a lot also, but I like $$$ best of all, so when I got a great deal on the DR I jumped.  Still don't have it in the barn, hopefully this week.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 2:10:34 PM EDT
[#8]
Great, solid bikes. Not the best at anything except running forever, but they are pretty good at most things.

Nice choice. Enjoy.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 2:15:31 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Thanks guys!  I think I will be about 90% road time, with a lot of those roads dirt and secondary roads (I live in the sticks).  I have a non street legal XR600 in the barn that hardly ever makes out out.  A big part of my reasoning is that my son will be getting his learners permit next month and I plan on picking up a small dual sport for him (XT225/XT250/KLX250) to start learning how to ride on the street and wanted a similar bike to pester him.
View Quote


Winning
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 4:52:54 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


I like the KLR's a lot also, but I like $$$ best of all, so when I got a great deal on the DR I jumped.  Still don't have it in the barn, hopefully this week.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
One of the guys I ride with has one...little better on fire roads/trails than my KLR...but I make do.
Nice bike.


I like the KLR's a lot also, but I like $$$ best of all, so when I got a great deal on the DR I jumped.  Still don't have it in the barn, hopefully this week.

My KLR has upgraded suspension which makes a huge difference off road and on. I believe from my impression there are more KLRs out there but there are lots of DRs too. So there will be plenty of parts.

If you can get a good deal on the DR then go for it. It will he an awesome bike.
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 9:45:48 PM EDT
[#11]


Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:



Thanks guys!  I think I will be about 90% road time, with a lot of those roads dirt and secondary roads (I live in the sticks).  I have a non street legal XR600 in the barn that hardly ever makes out out.  A big part of my reasoning is that my son will be getting his learners permit next month and I plan on picking up a small dual sport for him (XT225/XT250/KLX250) to start learning how to ride on the street and wanted a similar bike to pester him.
View Quote





 

Check out a DRZ400 for a first bike, reliable, cheap and capable offroad but not near as boring as a lot of the 250 dual sports.

 
Link Posted: 11/27/2014 11:29:39 PM EDT
[#12]
Because this thread needs more pics,...


1993 DR650



1996 DR650
Link Posted: 11/28/2014 3:13:45 AM EDT
[#13]
Link Posted: 11/28/2014 7:10:16 PM EDT
[#14]
I like the DRZ, but my son isn't very tall, I want him close to flat footed on his first street bike. Once he has a bunch of miles on the street, the DRZ might be in the cards.

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Check out a DRZ400 for a first bike, reliable, cheap and capable offroad but not near as boring as a lot of the 250 dual sports.
 
View Quote

Link Posted: 11/28/2014 11:27:45 PM EDT
[#15]
In late '04 I picked a barely used '04 model for less than $3k.  Been a good bike. I run it as a sumo sometimes with a GS500 front wheel and a wider rim mated to a stock rear hub.
Link Posted: 11/29/2014 12:27:34 AM EDT
[#16]
I have a 2000 DR and it is tons of fun.  On true single track it gets to be a pudgy bitch, but for casual trails and back roads it is great.



FYI I rode my buddies DRZ and it's great but too darn tall for me. The DR is easier for my 5'9" frame to ride.




 
Link Posted: 11/29/2014 8:41:31 PM EDT
[#17]
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