Can my Big Bore ADV Unicorns Handle THIS?! (DR650 vs XR650L)

[@TheeFlyingScotsman]

Nice video. What a pleasure to be riding with your Dad. Wishingyou guys many many more adventures, moments that matter, and making memories. Cheerish it.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thank you!!! It really, really is!

[@deang9317]

I really enjoy your videos and the fact that you and your Dad are doing them together is Priceless. One day, I will get my DR and maybe one for my son too. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm glad you enjoy them, we really do too! That would be awesome!!! I hope you do!

[@mkramsauer]

The instant comparison and feedback your getting and it's on film is absolutely invaluable. Great work brother 👊

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thank you! I'm really glad to hear it's interesting and helpful!!!

[@JacobAnawalt]

So fun to see you two ride together. Very nice of your dad to support you like that. It looks like the adv towers are a little bit of a hinderance, but fair point about them getting out of the way when you ride standing.

[@jonwoodworker]

Owned them both but still have the DR650. I have never had ANY fueling issues on the DR with the stock carburetor. I can damn near bring it to a dead stop and rip the throttle with no hesitation. My DR will lug perfectly everywhere. I'm 6'1", 220lbs, have no issues with weight or height of either, and I feel more comfortable on the DR. The XR turns better and has better clearance, but the tippiness cancels the advantage. Adding Cogent suspension to the DR put it way over the top for me. Plus, the DR aftermarket is mind-blowing compared to the XR-L. I would love to get a street legal XR650R and kit it with dual sport gear. That would be a fun beast.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm not sure why I was so concerned about the DR locking up on the slow sections. I don't know that I've ever even stalled it out... I think the XR just acts so different at low RPMs that it makes the DR seem like it's lugging more than it actually is? I'm really interested to see how this same comparison will go after the DR has had some suspension work, and maybe a few performance mods. I'll bet it'll feel like a whole different bike!

[@vernlochtefeld1626]

Yea! A new XR650R and pear it with the KTM 690 enduro. 😃

[@stevebrittain3807]

Love my XR650,but would probably be happy with the DR also.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

The XR is an awesome bike! The DR really is too though!

[@ParrishCubed]

If anyone is hesitant on the MSR helmets, I have a Bell MX-9 deluxe with MIPS, and an MSR with MIPS, and the MSR is a more comfortable helmet and much lighter, and I love the MX-9

[@S.G.37]

I highly recommend the Acerbis 5.8 gallon tank. No more range anxiety!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha, yeah I'll bet that makes a huge difference!

[@jimgarcia6317]

Not to mention the lower center of gravity with the bigger tank.​@@SwankyCatProductions

[@garyhoward2490]

I had several XRs. The 600R was the best. I rode my buddies Suzuki off road. And it was like riding a street bike...in the dirt. No comparison. The Suzuki is a better street bike, but the XR is a far better off road bike. Both are great bikes...just depends on which way the rider is mostly riding.

[@airadaimagery692]

As much as I love both of these machines, and have to agree with you as being the closest thing to a unicorn bike as you can probably get, essentially due to their HWY performance characteristics, I still prefer my 300s for this type of riding. Being just a little bit lighter and having such low center of gravity, makes them that much more flickable. Also, having the ability to punch into the higher end of the RPMs and rev range, without the bike getting away from you, adds that much more to the fun factor. And I’m referring to highly modified 300s, not stock, because that made a big difference, specifically for off roading.

[@c0c0asauce]

I think the in-depth comparison of these two bikes will be really valuable for people in the future. Especially if Honda and Suzuki update them. I still have to say, my favorite rides are seeing Pop's lil' sherpa munching up trails behind the big bikes. I love the trails you guys have. The more trail videos I watch the more I realize my local trails are kind of hardcore lol. The undergrowth is super dense and it's down in a valley so the leaves refuse to fall until the first snow. It's almost non stop left right up down through sugar sand/rocks and you can't see more than one turn ahead. The trail is beat from use and it gets washed out every time we get heavy rain. There are multiple grave markers 🪦along the trail.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm glad to hear that thank you! The Sherpa is definitely an awesome little machine! Yikes, yeah that does sound rough!!!

[@Gen-X.Adventures]

Great comparison between the two thumpers in the single track / woods category. It would be hard to choose between the two overall.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks! Yeah, these trails really bring out the differences between bikes. I'd agree though, when you take other types of riding into consideration, along with things like fuel capacity and the oil cooler, the choice becomes a little more difficult. Both are great options!

[@lumpskie]

The choice at 32 minutes was telling. Both seem like great bikes. The XR still seems to intimidate when walking up to it but be easier in the rough stuff once you get going. Thanks for the great content.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah, it is sort of odd. I really thought my dad would favor the DR, but he always seems to gravitate towards the XR. I think if it was still stock height, that might not be the case though. Dropping it just an inch really makes it a lot more friendly to get on and seems to improve the handling, at least for our skill levels.

[@lumpskie]

@@SwankyCatProductions Does it seem like the height is right on the edge of "good" for you now? I wonder if the 1. 75" lowering links I've seen might make it even more approachable/easy to ride..

[@EricKoch-s5b]

Great video! Sure like watching you and your dad ride. I am getting a lot of good info on both bikes and both are great bikes. In my younger days I would have went with the XR, but at 65 years old, the seat height is a deal breaker, even lowered the XR is too tall. I lowered my DR and still want to lower it more. I like it's softer suspension and it has an oil cooler. I dislike you have to pull the clutch in to start which could be a problem with a broken clutch lever. The XR needs a larger gas tank, the DR has better range stock, but still not a deal breaker. I am really looking forward to you doing some engine mods to both bikes.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Eric! I'm glad to hear that! We both really enjoy being able to share our adventures and being able to look back on them is also pretty neat! Yeah, the XR is great... but there are a lot of things that make the DR the more sensible option. Kinda cool that they are so different really!

[@raptorjesus5488]

37:00 where i live we have trails that are 5+ feet below the forest floor they are so worn in

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Wow!!!

[@MyNameIsTimIThink]

Pops was goin through it on this one😂 seemed like a good day overall though

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha yeah, it took him a bit to warm up to the DR. That first part of the trail was a bit hard to navigate though!

[@robbieandbeckie]

I got some new goodies coming for my old DR. Hope the link worked from RMATV&MC.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Nice! What did you get??? Thank you!!!

[@vernlochtefeld1626]

Great job guys

[@jeffblack1902]

I love how your old man is old school. Blue jeans and bear arms ridding on single track with his son dressed like a motocrosser. Swank

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha yeah! It took me a long time to convince him into motorcycle boots 😂. He's the best though!

[@jamesadams2334]

Back in the day, I always raced in a T shirt, jeans and motocross boots. Now is a different story but I am 72 years old, and I still wear a T shirt, short pants and mx boots to ride vintage trials.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Hey thanks for riding along with us on this adventure! If you're interested in any of the parts or gear we're using, here's a list of affiliate links that help support more content like this! Thank you!!! Affiliate Links to my gear, tools & parts! (Click an affiliate link, make ANY purchase, & SWANKY CAT will make a small commission) Carplay Units: carpuride.com/products/carpuride-w702-wireless-portable-dual-bluetooth-waterproof-ip67-motorcycle-stereo?ref=pcoxoocl Large Tank Bags: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-olympus-tank-bag-p?ref=1042& Handguards: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-d-flex-pro-adventure-handguards-p?ref=1042& 14 Tooth Sprocket: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/primary-drive-front-sprocket-p?v=15214?ref=1042& XR650 Stuff Tires: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/tusk-waypoint-adventure-tire-p?ref=1042& 14 Tooth Sprocket: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/primary-drive-front-sprocket-upgrade-p?ref=1042& Chub Bars (Moto Bend): www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-chub-1-1-8%22-big-bar-p?ref=1042& Bar Risers: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-universal-big-bar-clamp-kit-p?ref=1042& Tusk LED Bulb (NOT DOT APPROVED): www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-h4-led-bulb-p?ref=1042& DR650 Stuff GPS Bar & Windshield for 1-1/8" Handlebars (!!!WARNING!!! The BLACK windshield is far too dark to see through, I recommend the TRANSPARENT!): amzn.to/3Tkd1WS GPS Bar & Windshield for 7/8" Handlebars (!!!WARNING!!! The BLACK windshield is far too dark to see through, I recommend the TRANSPARENT!): amzn.to/3z010yT Tires: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/tusk-dsport%C2%AE-adventure-tire-p?ref=1042& Chub Bars (KTM Bend): www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-chub-1-1-8%22-big-bar-p?ref=1042& Rox Offset Risers: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/rox-speed-fx-pro-offset-elite-block-risers-p?ref=1042& Seat: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/seat-concepts-complete-seat-p?ref=1042& Ultralight Battery: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-lithium-pro-battery-p?ref=1042& Linkage Guard: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-impact-universal-linkage-guard-p?ref=1042& Riding Gear MX Helmet: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-mav4-sensor-helmet-w-mips-p?ref=1042& MSR Rover Hydration Vest: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-rover-vest-p?ref=1042& Off Road Jersey: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-legend-offroad-jersey-p?ref=1042& Off Road Pants: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-legend-offroad-in-the-boot-pants-p?ref=1042& Gloves: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-legend-offroad-gloves-p?ref=1042& MX Boots: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-m3x-boots-p?ref=1042&

[@retiredwaterdoctor]

great comparison....I vote to do the dr first for mods.....but it's a selfish request, as I am starting mine...suspension here, skid plate here, tank here, working on a design for the tower and navigation, and carb of course and remove the pair valve. Pegs are done and lowered, bars are up 2", but may drop them an inch. While I have the suspension apart, going to lower it internally also. Like I said...selfish motives here.....Let the mods begin! Garth

[@2vford241]

Jerry should treat himself to a crf250f or beta xtrainer, trail riding on easy mode haha

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah... After watching this I think it might be time to get him on something a little more sensible haha.

[@mikerichards3248]

Great ride. Great length. Have to watch it again to catch everything. Single track on a 650 is no cake-walk. At any point did you wish you were on a lighter bike?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Mike!!! I think my dad definitely did to start with, and if we did, I think we'd have taken less breaks. But there's something strangely satisfying about getting these old ponies that deep in, and then back out again. Reminded me a lot of the good ole days with the Gen2!

[@RandomParrot]

Jerry is using the Flintstone breaks alot

[@joshtruesdale9515]

Come Florida it's all sand. I didn't ride trails until I moved from Wisconsin. I pray for solid ground when riding

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha I knew a guy through KZbin who tried to learn sand riding on a KLR650 in Florida! These bikes are much easier to ride, but I'll take dirt and mud any day!

[@FrankValiente-ng4mk]

My xrs are are jast 250cc and i tak them on rock trail sand, watter in the fl swamps on 1.5 foot of swamp watter and goten stucke fallen with bike and all under watter, straight them up, kick atar it and keep going. Xr 250 to the 650 pig are just thr best.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Nice! I had an old XL250R and that was always happy to keep on plucking as well!

[@Austin.TaylorAdv]

What trail system is this?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Knobby Ridge

[@FrankValiente-ng4mk]

Dont try to man handle the xr like a dr, let her do the jumps she likes and she will take u out, your imput is a sugestion, when you change thwt on the xr it will glide righ through.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It's a pretty impressive machine!

[@davejessee7173]

Those trails are a blast to ride

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They are!!! Some of my favorite!

[@chrishawkes9141]

You should learn to keep your feet on the pegs 😊

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It definitely helps!

[@jamesadams2334]

To me the Honda is useless. It is simply too tall for me to even get on and once there, I cannot touch my feet to the ground. I only have a 30" inseam and because of that, there are many modern bikes that I cannot ride. KTM does not make ANY bike that I can ride including their street bikes because of height. I have owned 2 DR 650s in the past and lowered both slightly, but they were great bikes for on / off roading.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I thought the same, but with my 31" inseam and my lowered XR and 701 Enduro, I'm really happy with the reach and handling. I honestly think lowering them improved their on and off road performance.