Old school! Air-cooled carbureted thumpers 😍︱Cross Training Enduro

From www.crosstraini... Are you into technology for dirt bikes? Or do you think we've gone a bit too far sometimes? New stuff is addictive. I read about direct oil injection for two strokes and think hey that's going to be cool. I see the latest electric dirt bike starting to kick some serious arse and my heart starts to beat a little faster. The rise of extreme enduro, endurocross and hard enduro events has led to cross training - trials skills applied to dirt riding on enduro bikes with techniques from Chris Birch, Ruben Chadwick and Tim Coleman. Subscribe for endurocross training, enduro techniques and dirt bike skills. The KTM 690 had mind bogglingly ridiculous power for the adventure riding hooligan, guaranteed to wheelspin on dirt in every gear until you approached terminal velocity. Cross training is the application of trials-based skills to dirt riding, and it's got solid backing from the world's top riders. Graham Jarvis says "Going fast is the easy bit. It’s going slowly that will help you develop control. Simple riding exercises which are actually difficult to perform can give you a lot of control", while according to Taddy Blazusiak, "Want to be faster off-road? Slow down! Try to be as calculated, calm and precise as possible". Jonny Walker, Ruben Chadwick and Tim Coleman are all highly skilled trials riders now on enduro bikes who agree. Tim Coleman plans to fly out from Australia and ride hard enduro events like Romaniacs and the Red Bull Sea to Sky because he has applied his trials riding to extreme enduro technique. Then I hear some dirt bike geeks are working on an anti-gravitational device to make top gear wheelies easier and I swear I can feel a vague stirring in my pants... although at my age I'm probably just imagining it. But recently I went to change a fuel tank over and I was confronted with a maze of wiring, pipes and weird connectors because of the fuel injection system. I gritted my teeth, memorised the way it hung together then pushed ahead. And then of course the fuel pump stopped working. And a few years ago I bought a KTM 690 for adventure riding and only did my research after buying it. But while the DR650 tops out at around half the 690s horsepower, the low and mid range is very similar once the engine is derestricted and if are honest that's the revs we'll be using most of the time. Date a supermodel if you want - she'll be great to look at, very exciting when she's in the mood but often a bitch to live with. But there's always her less glamorous cousin who will be far more reliable and treat you like a best friend - most of the time. The ads talked about state of the art electronics but guys were saying on a long trip it can become state of the art ways to get stranded hundreds of miles from fuck knows where, thanks to two ECUs, a ride by wire throttle system, unreliable fuel pumps, the risk of clogging injectors, dodgy rocker arms, running out of fuel if that fuel light doesn't come on, and more. So I sold it and went old school with the DR650... the ugly bushpig that has had virtually no changes since 1996 except for what Suzuki calls exciting new graphics every year. Fix the suspension, derestrict the engine and she's a surprisingly capable old girl where usually the solution to a breakdown is remembering to swing the fuel tap over to reserve. I'm not necessarily knocking modern bikes. An introduction on how to ride dirt bikes with our 70 free training vids. Tips from Graham Jarvis, Chris Birch and other top enduro riders on cross training - a blend of trials and enduro techniques. And Australian Tim Coleman loves to ride hard enduro events like the Red Bull Sea to Sky on his Beta RR300 dirt bike due to his trials background.
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[@KestrelYI]

Indeed. Loving my new WR250F but glad I have my old DR350. Great bike. It just works.

[@212driller]

Just got one. The dr350 seems great all around so far

[@Roller71]

Beautiful sentiments. Had more than enough overtime to pay for a Beta Trainer or Husky 701LR. Took pride in a 1988 Yammy TT350, now 380 with big fin head, FMF wrapped exhaust, Ohlins internals, Wilburs Custom rear, Flexx Bars, Pivot Pegz, Magura hydrolic clutch conversion. Cerracoat engine and swing arm. NUTECH tubeless Golden Tyre, Big Daddy front. ACERBIS lighting. People laugh and say why, I laugh because I have done it. It's given me more focus to be Sober 3yrs, focus to ride more, and ride with confidence of understanding basics. Going slower to go faster. Fitter and faster. You know the drill.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to hear, Royce. It's great to have a worthwhile project in the man cave to keep the focus on positive things... then ride it too.

[@Giroux68]

Another great installment….and spot on advice for both bikes and girls..

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Thanks! 👍

[@whitedrguy6503]

It was interesting to find out Lyndon Poskitt ran a carb on his races to places Basil bike, he dumped the injection in favour of a carb because of simplicity and never had one issue with it, he also just raised or lowered the needle to compensate for altitude, all engines lose power at altitude so compensate a little with the jetting and apart from a few less MPG a well set up carb is ultra reliable. Definitely no skool like old skool.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I never knew that about Lyndon... very interesting!

[@markcormier3669]

I ride a modified XR440 and love it. It does anything the new bikes do and is bulletproof

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Loved my old one...

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I bought a KTM300 EXC years ago and the suspension was great for jumping. But, it was absolute garbage on 99% of bumps found in the dirt. The KTM dealer was bemused when I said I've had old dirtbikes with better suspension. I'd hit this uphill bump that I've ridden clunkers over but the Kato would bounce and land absolutely sideways every time. Your XR is the go. Better than that KTM.

[@wesleywheeler7891]

That power and tech is only awesome for as long as the bike runs.

[@BadgerMcblasty]

Yep. Had my DR since Feb 21, 1st bike @ 43 ( mid-life crisis anyone? ). Love it.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

The mighty bushpig.... any mods so far?

[@BadgerMcblasty]

@@crosstrainingenduro Yes sir. FFRC suspension upgrade Plex Valves, FORK SPRING PAIR .58kg CUSTOM SHOCK PISTON & SHIM STACK SHOCK SPRING 7.5kg Practically all the B&B catalog ( I shit you not ), tail tidy, engine and radiator protection, luggage rack and plate, sprocket case protector etc. ODI handle bars. Pivot pegz. Barrett pannier rack Delkavic exhaust, I rejetted and modded airbox . It’s a Tanami edition so it came with the Acerbis 20 litre, barkbusters and bashplate. Sargent seat ( a must ). Windshield and an LED headlight system, ( can’t remember the brand, but it has a built in fan 🤔) I removed all the decals except for the dr650 stickers on the plastics And everything on the bike is either black or grey. IMO ( and its biased ) it’s the best set up DR I’ve seen anywhere, and it runs like a dream, and sounds beautiful. I can imagine the hate for being a total noob and having such a tricked out bike. Understandable, but it’ll be my bike for the next 3 years ( at least ) and if I’m able to do so without breaking the bank, then why wouldn’t I?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to hear! I'd love to be the panel for redesigning the DR650 and incorporate all of these mods into a stock bike.

[@pilotdane1]

BADGER !!!!!! - THE STUD !!!!!!

[@doc650adventures]

@@BadgerMcblasty Hell yeah Badger! Sounds a lot like the mods I did to my DR650! The longer I have the DR, the more I love it! Cheers!

[@RobertSmith-bh5cv]

Awesome! The DR650 is one of the best all round motorcycles made. It can do it all and do it all easily, simply and cheaply. The KLR is OK but I'd take a DR over it every time - no rad to get punctured, lighter and better off-road, less vibration and can be made just as comfortable with a better seat. Add a bigger tank and you're all set.

[@TrustyZ900]

Good to hear from one that knows the truth!

[@LCARSADV]

After a couple radiator punctures, I bought a GPX fse250e which is an air cooled carbureted 4 stroke that’s like a modern Honda xr. Couldn’t be happier with the simplicity! Good video!

[@tonyrichengod9280]

Shuda bought a Honda

[@TrustyZ900]

I respect a dedicated DR 650 rider. And your are definitely that. You've been around some of the latest and greatest dirtbikes, yet you still lend praise to the old DR. I have a '17 model and it's been everywhere in the NW US and has never failed. When they stop production of these , men in the know will miss them Great video!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

It's a real shame they didn't slap ABS on the 2022 model so we could still get here in Oz, Frank. But they are still available in the USA and a handful of other countries.

[@ReeceTasker]

I feel your pain Berry, i'm finding dating the super models are more hassle than they are worth, girl next door type is the way to go, not as pretentious as the super models and don't mind helping to clean the bikes after a filthy ride

[@crosstrainingenduro]

amen to that brother lol

[@hoppybounce]

@@crosstrainingenduro And I thought you were dating your cousin!

[@richardcabitto5108]

Funny AF!!! Cheers!!

[@davidnobular9220]

I dated Ophelia Payne.....once.... And..oil injected 2 strokes ?? Ha !! The old Suzuki TS models from the 70s/80s had this. It's great until you forget to top it up and the oil tank runs dry. The piston slap after about 4 weeks of riding and wheelie practice is a tell-tale sign.... I'd love to see them make a comeback with EFI.....but that'll never happen...thanks Euro-Greenies !!

[@nothinyaseehere9449]

@@davidnobular9220 hey mate I own a 72 ts 185 and two 82 ts185ers. I still ride em today. Suzuki stopped manufacturing the ts 185er in 2018. I bug my parts brand new from a dealer… you can still find new ones unsold through Suzuki. Nothing changed apart from lighter materials. No fibreglass just plastics. I only collect old bikes and my ts is my favourite.

[@braaaaaaaaaaap]

F*ck yea! I love my DR! Never selling it!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Mighty mighty bushpig 😍

[@outlawpat8038]

I bought my first bike 2 1/2 years ago (XR400R)still my only bike besides other small bikes crf70 crf100. And I haven’t had any problems ever yet. In that time I have rode over a 1000 miles in hawaii big island. Love this bike so much. Honestly this channel turned me on to this XR. I’m a Honda car guy so I figure buy a Honda bike. Wanted reliability boom days later found a 98 X-ray 400r for 1500$. Since then I did new tires new rear sprocket 46 from a oem 45. And the Gordon’s mods. This is a monster an I’m 220 with gear. Can’t say enough about the bike man. In the near future I want a air cooled 6 speed crf250f. For all the same reasons of the XR-R’s

[@crosstrainingenduro]

$1500 sounds like a bargain, I reckon in running condition they'd still fetch $4000 or so here!

[@Cg3delijah]

Your older videos are exactly why I got a dr650. Love it!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Glad you like them! Have you kept it stock or done lots of mods?

[@Cg3delijah]

@@crosstrainingenduro I've done all of the comfort mods like seat, pegs, bars and intake/carb/exhaust mods to open it up a bit. Biggest change was the suspension though. Cogent shock and ddcs really made the bike.

[@richardcabitto5108]

Barry! I can’t believe the quality and continuity of this vid!! Amazing drops down those little hills!! Super great content here boss!!! Great insights and considerations about the DR. Love this !! Cheers!!

[@richardcabitto5108]

Can’t believe I’ve never “seened” it!!lol!! Just realized how “old” it is!! Cheers !!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Glad you enjoyed it, Richard! Had a lot of fun filming this one...

[@John5ive]

I've been reassured many times by you that my DR650 was a great choice. Right now it's bone stock mechanically. I've put handlebar risers and lowering pegs on it because I stand almost all of the time. I've heard of people getting 50k miles or more with these bikes, so I should have it a long time. Long live old school!!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to hear, John! It should go a long way before needing an overhaul. It was probably a one-off, but I remember some old Aussie guy with 450000km on his DR650 and he had only done two top end rebuilds in that time (and a few cam chains I assume).

[@roadstrom]

Nice footage mate 👍 couldn't agree more I was at glasshouse not long ago on a XR 600 /29 year's of reliability

[@robsonenduro3316]

Man, agreed completely - old school any time, you can rely always on it. I abandoned orange clan cause of fuel/oil injection.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My nephew bought a new 250 two stroke which seized. Guess their air/ fuel mixtures are too lean. Thought they would have had heard of a powerjet.

[@robertandre3506]

Great inspiration to keep it simple Barry! I've looked at many new modern bikes but the maintenance is astronomical

[@Wintersdark]

That's crazy. Leaving aside KTM's well known quality issues, compare a Tenere 700 and a 2000 DR650. Change altitude? Temperature? No problem, ECU handles it. You're doing oil changes and valves, exactly the same. You know what you're not doing? Work on carbs. Injectors are fine, fuel is well filtered. No needles, no sticky floats, no tearing diaphragms. It's fine to be comfortable with carb maintenance, but realize modern EFI has *no maintenance*. It just works. And continues to just work. There's *vastly* less maintenance work to do on a modern Big 4 bike than those from 20 years ago.

[@AppalachianLife]

I just got back into trail riding after 20 years off because my 10 year old son was interested in riding. My last bike was a XR400 that I sold many years ago. Should of never sold it. I wanted something new, but air cooled and more old school, less maintenance than the new liquid cooled race bikes. I picked up a Honda CRF250f for me and a Kawasaki KLX140LR for my son. The bikes or more than capable for the single track trail riding we have hear in the mountains of North Carolina. I just need to get the suspension setup for my 50 year old fat ass! Now my son wants to try hare scramble racing.

[@rossmarkle1713]

As the old saying goes if it isn't broken why fix. There's that fine line a tipping point of sorts. Sometimes I kinda miss my 1987 XL 600 R

[@motabandito]

I love riding and racing my ol 86 xr600r 🤙🏻 I line up with all the new 300 2t bikes and get looked at like I'm crazy, yea maybe, but im having the most fun out there and my bike has way less issues

[@baisleyde]

I recently got rid of my fancy MX bikes and got a TW200 and TTR250 , and I'm having more fun than ever

[@crosstrainingenduro]

The mighty TTR250 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKHWop-Yidqkd8U

[@gncc1race]

I LOVE drone shots... Aerials are always cool, but the flexibility of modern drones provides the videographer some amazing possibilities at lower altitudes as well. That was a great video, excellent cinematography. Thank you Barry.

[@NCER999]

Second that! I came down to write pretty the same comment.

[@smokey6859]

With the last of the KTM Two Strokes allegedly going fuel-injected this year, I really hope yamaha retains the old-school carburetor and Kickstarter on the YZ250

[@pourquoippaass4284]

1985 DR 600 from France here says yeah, old school thumpers rule.

[@arudd60]

What a beautiful video! Well done. And excellent statement about keeping it simple. I watch Ewen Mcgregor and his buddy Charlie Boorman in Long Way Round (great documentary if you haven't seen it) and realize they had a support vehicle hauling their shit with them around the world! Couldn't have done it otherwise. I love the idea of older mechanical things that can be tweaked with a hammer thrown at it if need be.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

actually i never watched the series adam, but i heard they wanted KTMs initially but were turned down. i suspect there would have been a lot more roadside maintenance and fixes going on in that case! as with any bike that had more enduro leanings...

[@joyuncovered]

I love the camera angles and filming. Fantastic!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers, Peter. We had a pro videographer handy for this one, it makes a difference!

[@supersuermeli]

fantastic video 👍👍👍 my newest bike is 22 years old by now and my current favourite is 42 years... the more I look at modern bikes, the more certain I am that they aren't for me. they lack personality and like a supermodel, they require expensive tlc aka diamond rings and stuff... the old heavy beasts return so much love for a lil elbow grease and simply return more smiles per gallon. the community of these old schoolers is also great and many people help each others, as your need to keep them going without much dealer support... ...auf alten pfannen lernt man zu kochen...

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Smiles per gallon! Alte Pfannen für immer....

[@braikka]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a Dominator as a second bike😀

[@tylermears480]

My new old school 22 dr is my forever bike

[@Adriftimages]

Solid💪 good work on those shots! Really dig the faraway side shots crushing those wheelies

[@crosstrainingenduro]

We had a guy keen to try filming motorbikes so he has all these professional rigs to try, Matt... he was hanging out the car window for some of those shots.

[@two_stroke_or_broke9297]

Love my 1984 ts185er nothing over complicated ,does what it should

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I had one as a teenager, great bikes

[@reallynolen3623]

Berry you nail this one!!!!

[@Sandman355]

I keep finding myself looking at the newer WR's, but still cant see that much of an upgrade for the cost over my 96 XR400R. The HRC 450 kit helps too

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Never, ever sell the XR, even if you buy another XR, keep it.

[@mimi1girl2dempsey3]

I'm now riding a klx250s with carb. If I decide to go with big bore kit, I just need to re-jet the carb. That's as complicated as I like it. I do like liquid cooling though.

[@bret1tmcleod]

Great vid! Cool music. Interesting camera shots. Good message!

[@wv4life375]

Love the simpler life...air-cooled, carbureted, cars with steel bumpers, and bush

[@keithclarke5137]

About once every 6 months I pull my crf230 out the shed for a ride. Every time I think why don't I ride this bike more often.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I'm sure our bikes are thinking the same thing, Keith...

[@Noastrenght]

You speak to my soul, like juzzie smith- keeping it simple.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I bought a new registerable TTR230 for the family , 10 or more years ago. I'm keeping it.

[@redraiderrider3289]

KTM 690 is an answer in search of a question nobody asked. Dr650 gang.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Is the question how to spend close to twice as much for a bike half as reliable? 😉

[@jason3985]

Barry, The first new motorcycle I ever bought was a pretty yellow 2003 DR-650. I was disappointed with it - not much power and suspension too soft for an old fat guy like me. But it never ever quit on me or let me down! It was a wheelie machine - I could wheelie for a mile with it!! I sold it several years ago and am totally into "No School Like Old School" now. I bought and rebuilt a 1982 IT-465 (Ohlins does make a replacement mono-shock that suits old fat people!!) and in the last three years, I've had no problems with the fuel pump or direct oil injection or the ECU!! Or the electric starter... Anyway, with your endless Enduro Powers, I would LOVE to see an old school air-cooled 2-stroke dirt bike (like say, an IT-465?) ridden by someone like Tim Coleman. I would pay money to see that... As usual, your video is the best!! And you were my biggest inspiration to get back into riding dirt bikes again!! Going for a ride in the Black Hills of South Dakota next month when the trails open. Can't wait!! (-: Thanks!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great you are back into it, Jason! I would love to film a well ridden old big bore two stroke... I might be filming someone on a CR500 next month, fingers crossed.

[@trevornugent9680]

Great video mate!!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers, Trevor!

[@cumnmrmptaaa4234]

Beautiful RFS and DR

[@markcdeyoung3118]

That little runner-up girl is one of my favorite picks haven't had a seconds worth of troubles out of her since she been in life we got hitched and she joined the harem about 10 years ago with the rest of my girls XRR XRL XLR'S TRIMOTO'S and Grizzlies ....and Shiiiiii .... I've got some street bikes I occasionally visit every once in awhile 🤪😅

[@Antivir123]

Yeah still enjoying my XT 600 e with some suspensions mods. I wish I could buy DR in EU... Old but gold

[@crosstrainingenduro]

It's a shame there's so little choice in Europe for thumpers. It looks as though even the updated 2022 KLR650 with fuel injection couldn't meet the emission regulations there?

[@Antivir123]

@@crosstrainingenduro well think so. It's not listed here

[@doc650adventures]

Spot On Video Barry! The old school thumpers will get you where you need to go every time. I am not a fan of the high-tech stuff that is out today. Seems everyone is chasing the last 5 percent of performance without thinking about the liability of the extra wiring, fuses, relays, sensors and such to keep the EFI bikes going. Nothing wrong with getting a modernized bike as long as one knows what they are in for. To each his/ her own! Cheers!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I'm with you! No problem with guys wanting the latest and greatest, but it simply isn't my thing. Same with cars...

[@Randy_Cox]

I have both a 2003 XR650L that is old school thumper goodness and a 2022 kx250x that is all electric start, FI and high strung madness. I love them both but am always reminded I know the kx is a ticking time bomb and the xr will ride after I am dead. 🤣

[@caseypettman276]

I love your videos and learning from them about log hopping funny moments and reviews on. bikes and you should do some videos of you riding bush that would be cool to watch I reckon and have you ever ridden down to Tasmania that is where I live and there are some good tracks down here you should come down and check it out down here

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Riding bush on the DR650, Casey? We've got a few vids on that. We rode all over Tassie a few years ago, there's a pile of old vids on this channel. 😎

[@theravedaddy]

Just had another 2 gaskets sets arrive for the XR2fiddy. Why 2sets? ....cos the postage was £0.80p and the gaskets were £3.00 a set. Your TPI gaskets cost how much?

[@davidrockwell9776]

Another great video, thank you Barry

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@kyleosbun]

Id have to say. The fuel injected air cooled 250f is the best version of the old school

[@STONEDARTphotos]

I have a 2022 250f and love it but I must say that off idle response is better on my 230f.

[@BeeWhere]

As someone still rocking my 97 xr250 the new 250f seems tempting, mine kicks easy but electric start would be nice. My XR handles everything I want to do, so until it let's me down, or I get better, I'm trying save the money. Even though my lizard brain likes all the shiny things

[@whereswaldo5740]

2016 KLR baby. Love mine.

[@PCPete68]

Here here, I second that.

[@hernanmontero4928]

I had the Honda XR 600R , it was a beast back then , nice rides!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I'd love to see a retro model come back!

[@simmor6041]

Interesting comments. Comes after reading motorcycle production is being delayed due to chip shortages used in abs systems....pretty relevant for Aus. All new bikes with a rego need them fitted. So if they can't fit them then no sendy to Australia. By the way I love the low tech bike. My zx9r was as analogue as they come, XR650 and zrx1200 as well. All in how you delivered the power using your skills. And really no need for electric wizardry at all. Basic and raw power that just worked and easy to solve issues.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I've read reviews where they make fun of analogue speedos with these older bikes, but they keep working. There probably are some reliable digital setups out there but I've always found them glitchy within a year or two on my modern bikes.

[@jimmcbride6297]

Still have the stock carb on the DR, but the suspension upgrade was well worth it in my opinion. Even had the bike up over 12,000 ft (3.7 km) and it performed well. I wish I had the riding skills to need the carb upgrades you describe in your DR series, though I still may do them for next year's riding season. Impressive riding in this video.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

It's not the world's best carb by a long shot but it's very forgiving when it comes to altitude or any adjustments, Jim

[@tomperry9954]

Excellent content Barry!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers Tom!

[@jimmycone3717]

Great video! Agree100%

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers Jimmy

[@benjohnson7170]

Choice wheelie montage! And go the Bush Pig. Everything has it's drawbacks,but the old DR doesn't have many.😆

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Only a couple of dozen drawbacks at last count, Ben!

[@bengraham6672]

Hi mate, are you local to the Glass House Mountains? Great riding up here

[@thatalaskaguy]

Great video and I completely agree!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Thanks for watching!

[@manugatzi6158]

The main reason i can afford to update to modern bikes.. time. Prefer to use time in riding than mastering new gadgetries resolving once it breaks down. Got an old bike, stripped from all electronics except the CDI and the kill switch. old is cool.. especially when i get held back by modern bikes. lol

[@aaronphillips2728]

Great content as always! About to pick us a husky 300 hope I don't regret it. But I have the ol yamaha yz250 for a back up! 🇺🇲 🇦🇺

[@cokecruzb]

I did a similar transition and I don’t regret it. So far, with a bit more than 80 hrs of very intense riding, I’ve had no troubles with the gas and oil injection… and the bike is amazingly efficient (I’ve literally not used 1 liter of 2T oil yet!)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great to have a backup bike, Aaron. A few years back a local guy was selling a YZ250 cheaply, I almost bought it as a backup bike. Is the Husky a brand new TPI model? If so, just make sure the dealer has that 'extreme' map in place so it uses more oil!

[@aaronphillips2728]

Yes the husky is new, and the yz250x is a 2020

[@aaronphillips2728]

@@crosstrainingenduro thanks for the tip

[@JamulDano]

Nice video, but not old school enough. The old thumpers, that serve me well, are a 1979 Honda XR500 and a 1980 Honda XL500S.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😍

[@brianlafollette7530]

All good points. 👍

[@frogzie]

Very good and fair summary. Also the old school girl is nearly half the price of those fancy exciting modern computerised stuff. One day you won't have to master wheelies, the bike will do it for you :)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

you have to wonder how much difference there is in the cost price between a DR650 and a more modern bike. sure the alloy stuff costs more, and more development time... but i can't help feeling the markup is a lot bigger too.

[@Tom70s]

Wow! This is a great video!

[@davelambardo6464]

Fuel injected high tech high reving high dollar ,exotic alloys ,gorgeous lines,great ergonomics , state of the art computer controlled ass wipers . ... with rider alert lights... it's all good stuff! But the old Xr 650l and Dr650 is a tried and true Japanese marvel of engineering that last for 25-35 years or more. Time will tell with these euro offerings. But most all euro bikes I see from the same Era are either untouched as far as hrs riden or clapped out beyond all recognition. Even a clapped worn out carbed air-cooled Dr or xr usually still runs . If it's got any valve train left in it..

[@crosstrainingenduro]

State of the art computer controlled ass wipers... love it! Yes I'll go for an old school bike every time if I'm heading into remote areas.

[@STONEDARTphotos]

I really hope the big three never stop making an air cooled single.

[@whiteunicornDR659]

Picked up a brand new (to me) 2008 bush pig recently. New pads and a tank of fuel then rode alongside my mate on his $20k fuel injected litre. His ride was far more nerve-racking than mine.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yeah those big bikes can be daunting! Just back from a ride and I'm just cruising through the snotty tracks on the DR650 but my brother had to keep slowing down to ease the GS1200 through.

[@Ammothief41]

The best bike I ever owned was an 82 suzuki gs450e. Bought it for almost nothing with 20,000 miles on it and I put another 20,000 onto it within a couple years. Wish I still had it.

[@Turbo_JAM]

So by the comparison at the end….what you’re really saying is to get both! Happy with that.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Why not? 😊

[@georgelynch6139]

XR400, nuff said😎

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Loved mine!

[@HardEnduroAddict]

Rumour has it Barry still has them pants.......well what's left of them anyway haha

[@crosstrainingenduro]

The important question... does my arse look big in these pants? 😂

[@Superdisco199]

It's a great topic. I often wonder "when did we cross the line". If you look at the success of the KTM RFS and early WR's I think it's clear people loved a pumper fed 4 stroke. They had the leccy start, lighter weight and the nice ergo's we longed for. The USD forks were overkill and we lost a little too much seat padding. WIth FI and a few other silly decisions 4T's, esp 250/350 gained complexity and lost personality. I think the 2 strokes gained ground by staying closer to original recipe mostly...plus the trails getting increasingly technical/overgrown. I wonder what the future is for over-complicated bikes on the second hand market ?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

All very good points! I went to buy a new car recently and was horrified at all the electronic wizardry, it just seems to be a recipe for multiple problems down the road.

[@chuddledollops]

No need to worry about the fuel light on a DR650! 6 or 9 times out of ten you won't run out of fuel. Nothing beats it for me!

[@hvalour1]

If the bike breaks, the bike is junk, don't be fooled into thinking giving up reliability is progress or improvement in any way.

[@Slinger251]

totally fine with the message, but as we need to pass those new emmisions rules and old bikes get older and older - and screws get more and more rusty - it's sometimes good to get a new bike. I like electric start, not mixing oil and not being too loud when sneaking through german forest's ... so, beside the need of having a laptop with you all the time - something is good with a new bike too ;-)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Very true Marc... while I love old school bikes, I do appreciate a kickstart lol. And I'm just back to premix with my new Sherco which is a bit of a pain. But then I've stopped worrying about oil pump failures so it's usually a two edged sword.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@@crosstrainingenduro I used to mix 10 or 20 litres at a time with some fuel stabiliser and just give it a good shake before filling the bike. Easy.

[@garrysimmons111]

Then there is the old school KTM/euro option (pre FI). Love my 2009 KTM 530 EXC. Pretty much stone axe reliable after fixing a few design flaws. Yet still has the power, suspension, light weight, and build quality far ahead of the Japanese thumpers. Sailed past 400 hours / 13K miles last year.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Great engines. I had a motarded version with 25000km and no engine work done... still ran perfectly.

[@zachariahbodkin9151]

You should check out heddletowns enduro ride he redid his old Honda XR 650l modernized it and dual sports it everywhere

[@motoric5188]

Love your videos man. But damn it sucks to see those massive deforestations... They are aren't they? I do hope I am getting it wrong though. :) Keep it up dude, huge fan of yours!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

This was in a local state forest. So arguably the felled timber is locking up carbon and kind of doing a good thing environmentally. But then again quite a bit of it goes into woodchip for cheap nasty furniture that won't last that long so it's a grey area when it comes to being green lol.

[@MarkDaleADV]

Can't fault you Barry, You just have to compare the cost, weight and volume, of what you have to carry (in both cases) when you need to guarantee that you can get yourself out of any scrape? No contest!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Can't argue with that, Mark 😊

[@mikeisland7382]

I never had to replace a broken radiator or buy a new ECU to make the bike run properly on either of my DR's, my XR or my XL's... Love those Glasshouse Mountains.

[@edwardo737]

Lmao. A state of the art way to get stranded 😆

[@mohba01]

Honda still selling the xr650l in the us of A.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I think you've got the DR650 and KLR650 going too? Lucky. As of 2022 we only have the KLR650 for sale now. 😢

[@bhart89]

In the US Honda ‘retrograded’ the XR650L with white plastics and black rims but other than that it is unchanged for 2022.

[@1991enduro]

I run a tm33 8012 pumper carb for my 96 xr250 woke the bike right up easy as fck to kick start too

[@Matt-iz3lt]

Can’t wait for my DR to be delivered, will be replacing my wr250r

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Good upgrade... not a lot heavier but heaps of grunt coming your way, Matt.

[@nvmcrider8475]

Making me miss my 1994 XR600r

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Classic bikes

[@ildoc66]

Hey Berry what mods you done to your DR 650 ? Engine and suspension I assume

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Most of the stuff mentioned in our DR650 series...

[@geaffmaule7512]

Hi im in the uk and have owned all the latest supper bikes and then tweeked them but over the last 5 to six years i have gotten sick of the cost of bikes getting so say smarter and taking away the feel of the bike and the rider actualy having to learn the skill to ride it and it getting hevy and less home sirvice and repairable, so i went out and bought an old ccm 644 to nock around on untill i could deside what bike to go for next, thinking cheap and easy to repair, basicly throw away money and at the end of winter i would deside what next, little did i no it would chainge not only my riding stile but my out look on life. I have the supper moto wheels as well as the mx wich means i have 2 bikes in one and as all ways ive tweeked it, so far its got a 710 big bore, kent cam and air box mod with jet up grade and a yoshi carbon slip on, and wile it was apart, i ported and reground the head and valves. And no its not the fastes thing on the road but its got oodles of tork and will litraly go any were. The engine is the free wind lump so think dr but twin carb and port intake but everything inside is dr so about 10 bhp as standard more than the dr. Now why the apifany as it were, its so simple to repair and work on and i can do it all my self wich ive found i love to do, the satisfaction i had when ide swapped the the big bore, kent cam, rebuilt and jetted the carbs was confidence inspiring and then taking the bike for a six houndred mile ride over the next week end around devon and cournwall was the cherry on the top and then to find the bike used less fuel after the tuine up siprized the hech out of me. Suzuki should def up date this bike but still keep it simple and easy to repair, say, tuine e.c.u, simple fuel injection and good brakes and suspention, it would sell like hot cackes. Oh did i say, it puts a smile on my face every time i ride it and im not looking for another bike.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

A 710 kit... sweet! I'd love to try one of those old DR800s, Geaff.

[@oldladycrenshaw]

All my bikes are of the old ways.

[@someonethatwatchesyoutube2953]

I took your advice Barry and dumped my supermodel girlfriend and asked my cousin out on a date. He said YES! We had a great time but things got kinda weird when I pulled into a jewelry store halfway through our ride…..😂

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Love it!!

[@pilotdane1]

Barry - STRAIGHT UP - The only reason I have THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 - is because of you and other "outback" reviews. I am over 60, and have been riding since I was about 5 (if you count mini-bikes) THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 is BAR NONE - The best bike I have ever owned. My 1979 Husky 390 OR is second, when I used to Desert Race back in the late '70's / early '80's. I will take a single cylinder, air cooled, carbureted THUMPER any day of the week. There is NO fuel injection, computers, ride modes, radiator, ABS, and on and on. Lastly, I do not have a freakin CHECK ENGINE LIGHT that comes on, when I am at a stop light, when it's a freakin 120° here in PHX., AZ U.S.A. - THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 does not care... TRUST ME !!!!! Cheers !!!

[@doc650adventures]

Spot On OBI- WAN! The Bush Pig for the win!!! Cheers!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Old school all the way for me! My cars too... I can't believe all the electronic stuff in new cars. So much to go wrong once the warranty lapses.

[@timsilva1944]

Yep. Kinda like any new vehicle these days. So much crap to go wrong at 2x the price.

[@JimmyStewpot]

Bring back the XR's

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Hear hear

[@ExpeditionaryRanger]

"Less glamorous cousin"... no need to elaborate on THAT I suppose.... :p

[@crosstrainingenduro]

🤣

[@paulmcb9070]

Is Fucknowswhere out near Dingo Piss Creek?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

You've obviously been out that way yourself, Paul. 😂

[@reinokotze]

I have a 78 xt500. A lot of fun because its so imperfect and quirky but solid at the same time. The bike can do 120km/h but it feels and sounds like its falling apart. Apparently thats normal and the you are supposed to live close to redline while doing normal commutes. Brum brakes? What brakes? Also have a tt600. It feels like the xt500’s grown up brother that went to private school. But still with the family’s shitty drum brakes

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Damn, a 1978 model. That would be a classic now, Reino. When I was a kid a guy in our local area was doing wheelies all over the place on one of those, we all thought it was biggest coolest four stroke trail bike we'd ever seen...

[@reinokotze]

@@crosstrainingenduro a xt500 is probably the most prefect city bike there is. small, flickable, or in anther word nippy with a good motor. But you would be suppressed to know a xt500 weighs 140kg. that fact surprised us as well wen we attempted to lift it onto our bakkie (UTE) when we picked it up. And the fuel economy on those old 500 bikes ..... with the fuel prices going like they are i would probably never sell that bike.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Brilliant, that's the sort of weight I'd like in a dual sport. Suzuki could do this quite easily by just boring and stroking the DRZ to a 500...

[@andrisjakubovs5297]

@@crosstrainingenduro Or desizing a DR650 and leaving it oil cooled.