Suzuki DR 650 - Ride Review and Weigh In!

I finally get a to ride the legendary DR650. To say I am impressed is an understatement. I head out for a ride with my mate Andrew who has one of the better set up DR's which he is preparing for a big trip to the outback. We have a walk around a ride and a weigh in.

[@johnmignano7872]

Both very nice rides, we often forget and overlook older model bikes, but can't beat the raw feel and real experience

[@andrewstambaugh8030]

100% agree. They are surprisingly good, but absolutely want suspension improvements. They can generally be had for around $3000-4500US (Washington / PNW). Throw around $800-2000 at suspension and a few minor improvements, and you have a decent bike for way less than I've ever see a KTM690 go for. Is the KTM higher performance? Yes. It starts with around the DR's power, but keeps building when the DR drops off. But it comes at some costs: Double to triple the price of entry. Still needs many of the mods the DR does (so it's not really race or road ready) Loses the forgiving nature of the DR (great for racing, but tiring constant attention for relaxed trailing) Has many serious reliability concerns/problems vs the dr's make 2 diy changes and never think about it again. Has higher maintenance and much higher part costs. I'm not against the KTM at all. But it's worth knowing what you are getting into and knowing that the DR will require a little more changes up front, but the KTM will end up costing around triple within a few years of riding. If you have money, almost no time to spare, and want the more active attention required experience and corresponding lithe responsiveness, go for it. The DR is a bargain for what it offers and bridges _freeway but don't want to have to load a trailer_ but still want to hang with the dirtbikes offroad. I there's only a few adventure bikes that can really claim to do that, and this toasts them offroad.

[@johnmignano7872]

@andrewstambaugh8030 If we put money aside, looking at riding from perspective of what it is to ride with your own skill and ability. I mean (good or bad) modern bikes are almost doing the "heavy lifting" for you in context to ABS, traction control and 10,000 other electronic decisions that are made on riders behalf. Not to mention, there is no way to fix basic failures, like a fuel injector out in middle of no where (maybe extreme example)

[@BrianKeast-cn5oi]

Thanks Mate for the well informed video very well done I enjoyed it very much so much that I went and purchased another Suzuki dr 650 I had owned a few in the past it's Great To have another I very Happy Thanks Again for the video keep up the Great work take care safe travels God Bless 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@AdamHoy81]

Lovely piece of kit mate, would look awesome with a Staintune on her, keep up the great work 👍

[@sausagesandwichSA]

Nice looking DR 👍

[@ne-adv]

You probably mixed up the KLR650 with the DR650. The KLR IS heavy, about 90 pounds heavier. You need to change out the front and rear suspensions on the KLR if you weight more than 170 pounds. The KLR has 2 inches less ground clearance and two inches less travel. For the same price. We can still get them here in the USA.

[@danielryle5596]

Thanks for putting together this video Steve! Looking at the DR650 and AJP PR7 they seem to cross paths inregards to capability's and there designed purpose would you consider the AJP as kind of a modern DR650? I think if there was good dealer support for AJP in Australia I think the PR7 would really take off and would suit the required needs of the single cylinder adventure bike buyers quite well!

[@dirtbikeadv]

Hi Dan, Yeah I think your mostly right about the PR7 being a more modern DR. The DR is closer to a trail bike while the PR7 is closer to a touring bike. COVID was really bad for AJP in Australia they just couldn't supply bikes down here so they are starting again really. They will get some dealers going again and with their online store it doesn't concern me at all. I will eventually do a review and comparison with the DR, PR7 and the 690 variants. Watch this space. Thanks for watching Regards Steve

[@PetterIvarsson]

Same here, my Tenere is too heavy so considering an AJP or DR. The AJP is now 15.000 Euros here in Sweden. If I buy a DR and do all the mods with suspension and motor will I be disappointed compared with the AJP?

[@dirtbikeadv]

@@PetterIvarsson Yeah good question. In my opinion both good bikes. The Dr is a bit more agile and probably more versatile with no screen while the PR7 is more of a light weight tourer but still very capable off road with great suspension. The Dr simpler with just an oil cooler and Carbi while the PR7 has fuel injection with radiators. I would base your decision on what is going to be the main use. If it's light weight touring with a bit of off-road go the PR7. If you want a simple bike for a lot of varied uses maybe the DR. If I bought a DR I would have to put a tower, upgrade suspension and steering damper as a minimum otherwise it would be no good for touring. Lots of after market parts for DR but not a lot for PR7 but PR7 is set up from the factory.... I could keep on waffling........

[@PetterIvarsson]

@@dirtbikeadv thanks for the good answer. I think I go with the DR because if I spend 3000 euro on the bike and another 3000 on parts I will have a very versatile bike and still havent spend half the money versus the AJP. Also stumbled apon a rally-build Yamaha XT660R with Öhlins, WP-forks, etc etc and I love that motor and suspension.

[@dirtbikeadv]

@@PetterIvarsson Yeah another great option with the 660 but on the heavier end of the scale. Your like myself it's a common sense decision made without the ego. Don't think you'll be disappointed with any of your options. See if U can test ride your choice you'll generally know in the first km if it's for you

[@EvaggelosVega]

That indeed is a great package. I was also in the group of calling dr650 an old heavy pig.Did , by any case, Andrew mentioned how many km range he has with this fuel tank? Great video by the way, have fun always.

[@dirtbikeadv]

Hi, yeah he did say he could get 450kms easily but I would think if U were doing 5 litres per 100kms which most bikes will do you would get more like 600kms from a tank. I'll ask him again and get back to you Thanks for watching Regards Steve

[@andrewgreen1181]

I've gotten 18 ks to the litre having a crack. If was to do distance I would actually do it on 15 ks per litre

[@ktm690endurorally]

Great review, how were the engine vibrations compared to the AJP, also, think it has a similar highway cruising capability as the AJP? Thanks for the content

[@dirtbikeadv]

Hi, yeah didn't notice any engine vibration at all really very similar to the AJP. Make no mistake that big singles do have vibration compared to a twin but nothing that worries me. Happy that there about 30-40 kgs lighter . I was pleasantly surprised by the DR. Thanks for watching Regards Steve

[@ktm690endurorally]

@@dirtbikeadv thanks for the reply 👌👌

[@Getgowin]

Great to see your thoughts on this bike. What brand is the suspension?

[@dirtbikeadv]

The front was set up by Tecknik so I assume the rear. shock was by them as well.

[@andrewgreen1181]

The rear shock is TFX with remote cannister

[@DanielSmith-vp5vn]

interested to get your thoughts on this vs the XT660z. Ive never ridden the DR650 but have always been keen to take a look at them due to the lighter weight

[@dirtbikeadv]

Hi Dan, Yeah good call mate I was keen to ride a DR just to see what all the hoo haaa was about. So the 660 is definitely a tourer that bit heavier but capable of carrying big loads/ passengers and just set up for open roads. The DR is a lot more agile with a lower centre of gravity and so capable of going just about anywhere. It will sit on the open roads as well but would be better with a steering damper and just won't be as stable on open roads as the 660. I really enjoyed riding the DR, thought it was really capable. Between the 690 variants the DR650 and the PR7 there is some really good choices there. I will do a review at some stage and compare the three and the 660. Thanks for watching Regards Steve

[@DanielSmith-vp5vn]

@@dirtbikeadv thanks steve.. I didnt have much love for the DRZ400 until i rode one on an organised trip to the cape. (with similar bias) Was wondering the same about the old DR650. Old doesn't necessarily equal out of date or irrelevant. These geezers might be onto something.

[@dirtbikeadv]

@@DanielSmith-vp5vn Yeah spot on have a look what Skids and Stuff does on his DR

[@TheVitalishe]

One thing that disappoints in this review is the limited challenges in terms of tested terrain. I have a VStrom DL1000 and was wondering if there is a point in getting DR650 a a second bike, and didn't see anything in this video VStrom would not do at least as good.

[@dirtbikeadv]

Hi Mate yeah a borrowed bike on a Sunday afternoon ride so deliberately did nothing challenging. A very capable bike I can assure U. Have a look at the you tube channel Skids and Stuff if U want to see what they are capable of. Sorry I couldn't be of more value Regards Steve

[@andrewgreen1181]

I can assure you I would go alot further on the dr than on a vstrom

[@kurtisgarrett3357]

What front fender does he have?

[@dirtbikeadv]

I'll find out ...

[@kurtisgarrett3357]

@dirtbikeadv thanks man! I really like the look. Looks like a RMZ or YZ fender.

[@dirtbikeadv]

He think it's of a WR. It was on the bike when he bought it 👍

[@kurtisgarrett3357]

@@dirtbikeadv thanks for asking, I appreciate it!

[@jackchristodoulou197]

Have you sold the ktm690

[@dirtbikeadv]

Yeah I have!

[@jackchristodoulou197]

@@dirtbikeadv I ride a 2022 model and love it, yours was well set up and surprised to see it go

[@dirtbikeadv]

@@jackchristodoulou197 Yeah sold it to buy a 2021 or 2022 690 to be honest but prices were and are still very high. Bought a Yamaha 660 for fun for a little while but the 690's are still pretty dear but are coming down now. Bought a really cheap PR7 which I am loving. Watch this space as prices come down I might buy a later model

[@dirtbikeadv]

@@jackchristodoulou197 .... a later model 690 I meant

[@EricBanner571]

DR650 is a well proven platform but when you consider how much you have to invest to bring the suspension and power mods up to a reasonable level of performance, you are not far of a modern KTM 690.

[@mcdonaldslover52]

the problem is that if you buy a ktm 690 instead youre gonna mod that one too and spend an even further $5-6k getting all the bells and whistles

[@andrewgreen1181]

You would be surprised at how much I haven't spent on the dr

[@ericweber1969]

How many KTMs last 90,000 miles with routine maintenance? Fairly common for a DR650.

[@EricBanner571]

No one is saying that the DR in not a good bike, just another tool. Yes, the DR will go 100,000 miles if well maintained but it is a low tech 35 HP low compression motor. Where as the 690 is a high compression high tech race motor. Apples and Oranges.@@ericweber1969