And the winner is.... DR650

[Dirt_Dad]

Two weeks ago if you told me I'd be selling my WR and replacing it with a DR650 I would have laughed and called the idea preposterous.

Yet, here it is in the first glamor shots.











Long story short, I tried it, it felt better suited to the real world riding I do 99% of the time. It reminded me that I love torque, even in my dirt bikes.

It definitely has some shortcomings, like suspension so bad that even I can tell it's sub-par, reluctance to lift the front end, and a seat from hell that makes the WR stock seat feel like a comfy couch. I did some research before pulling the trigger and found all those items can be addressed.

After 400+ miles on it I'm very pleased with the switch. It's small and light enough to be plenty flickable for any place I'm going to be with it (no MX tracks). It's got nice torque and the ability to be tweaked power wise into what I want it to be. It's quieter than the WR screaming in my ears, that's a huge one for me. Overall more stable and relaxed than the quick handling WR.

I mean no disrespect to the WR, it is truly a fantastic bike. But not best suited to my current reality.

 

[rotortech71]

Outstanding! You're tempting me to pick one up as a stable mate to the S10. There is a local dealer who has a new 2014 DR sale priced at $4999. I live in an area where I could really put a DR to good use.

Can I ask how tall you are? I'm 6'2", and wonder how cramped the knees would feel on longer rides.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Outstanding! You're tempting me to pick one up as a stable mate to the S10. There is a local dealer who has a new 2014 DR sale priced at $4999. I live in an area where I could really put a DR to good use.

Can I ask how tall you are? I'm 6'2", and wonder how cramped the knees would feel on longer rides.

I'm 6' with a 31" inseam. Definitely not as much room as the WR. I'd say it is slightly less than the Tenere in leg room. My wife has the 1" shorter seat on her Tenere and I'd say it's similar to that one. I notice it's less leg room, but I don't feel cramped.

As for the bike, it's more fun than I ever expected. I find I'm putting 70 to 100 miles on it every time I get on it. Just don't want to stop.

 

[rotortech71]

I suppose it doesn't really matter how it would fit me in stock form, since there are so many options to tweak the ergonomics. I see that Seat Concepts alone has four different seats for the DR. A standard, a low, a high, and an extra wide.

Sounds like you've made a good move, and are having a blast! Congrats!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I suppose it doesn't really matter how it would fit me in stock form, since there are so many options to tweak the ergonomics.

That's the great thing. This bike has been out forever and in pretty big numbers. There are endless options available for it.

 

[Jagermeister]

You're going to love the DR650. I've had mine about 7 months, and it's such a blast! It's also bulletproof.

I'm 6'2" and this peg-lowering kit has been a knee saver: http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html#controls. I have bought a bunch of stuff from ProCycle, and been reasonably happy with them. Shipping seems to take forever, though.

The Seat Concepts seat is sooooo much better than stock!

Upgrade your springs immediately - it makes such a difference. I should've had the shock rebuilt (compression is lacking), but am waiting until winter to send it off to Cogent. The forks benefit from an 5-10 mm of extra 10w fluid as a temporary fix, but Gold Valves or Cogent DDC's are coming up soon.

Power improvement is simple on the DR. Bigger jet (I chose the 155 main), and cut a 4 inch opening in the airbox. Unless you're riding above 5,000 feet elevation, that combo works nicely. I also added a spacer to the needle seat, which helped the initial throttle hesitation. While you're fiddling with the carb, be sure to replace the carb screws with ProCycle's stainless screws (I learned the hard way not to reuse the OEMs).

If you haven't found this yet, it's full of great info: http://dr650.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

[Dirt_Dad]

You're going to love the DR650. I've had mine about 7 months, and it's such a blast! It's also bulletproof.

I'm 6'2" and this peg-lowering kit has been a knee saver: http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html#controls. I have bought a bunch of stuff from ProCycle, and been reasonably happy with them. Shipping seems to take forever, though.

The Seat Concepts seat is sooooo much better than stock!

Upgrade your springs immediately - it makes such a difference. I should've had the shock rebuilt (compression is lacking), but am waiting until winter to send it off to Cogent. The forks benefit from an 5-10 mm of extra 10w fluid as a temporary fix, but Gold Valves or Cogent DDC's are coming up soon.

Power improvement is simple on the DR. Bigger jet (I chose the 155 main), and cut a 4 inch opening in the airbox. Unless you're riding above 5,000 feet elevation, that combo works nicely. I also added a spacer to the needle seat, which helped the initial throttle hesitation. While you're fiddling with the carb, be sure to replace the carb screws with ProCycle's stainless screws (I learned the hard way not to reuse the OEMs).

If you haven't found this yet, it's full of great info: http://dr650.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

How much did cutting the airbox increase noise? I'm thinking about the ProCycle carb kit, but I love how I can sneak around so quietly on the bike and I hate to give that up.

 

[cosmic]

Enjoy your new ride!

 

[Twisties]

Hmmmmm...... strange..... seems a mite familiar....

Seat concepts works for me. I haven't messed with power/carb/airbox..... so long as it runs properly I am happy. I can keep up with the BMW RTs on UT-12 from Torrey to Boulder with it stock, so really, who needs more power, and it's a blast on the street. It runs great from sea level to 11k', which is as high as I've had it so far. Totally agree about the torque.... torque equals control, and I am not a rip 'em up and spit 'em out dirt rider. I just want to get where I am going. Torque is engine braking, torque is throttle control. Torque is putting around. I had a DR-Z 400 and had to wind it up all the time... not for me.

Enjoy the new ride!

I've lowered the front sprocket one or two teeth, forget which. May put a larger rear on. Added the racks, carry a Kolpin 1.5 g fuel thingy, the wolfman, put on a skid plate, heated grips, and the seat concepts. Love the bike.

 

[Twisties]

If Mrs Dirt Dad gets one, we'll be like the only two families in the world with a pair of Super Teneres and a pair of DR 650's.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I think Dirt_Mom is sticking with her XT250. She sat on the DR but didn't seem so inspired to make a switch.

 

[GrahamD]

Well time for a couple of celebration videos then.

ALL HAIL THE WORLD'S BEST BIKE - SUZUKI DR650

DR650 v KTM - THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Videos are a bit goofy, but they were helpful before I bought. They let me know the bike could be made to do what I want it to do.

 

[GrahamD]

Videos are a bit goofy,

I don't think they are meant to be taken at all seriously.

 

[20valves]

Adding a lighter dirt bike to the stable is fun. It reminds me how to be more aggressive dirt riding and actually helps with the big bike when off road. ::26::

 

[NittanyXT]

Congrats on the new steed! My stable is going to have to remain as is for a while, got the son's tuition bill ???

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Congrats on the new steed! My stable is going to have to remain as is for a while, got the son's tuition bill ???

Understood. This is my first semester in a very long time where I did not send away enough money to buy a very nice motorcycle.

Someone needs to come up with a 529 Plan to purchase bikes.

 

[Jagermeister]

I didn't notice any additional noise. But, I also added a DG exhaust can, so maybe I'm a bad reference point.

That airbox is very restricted. I was originally thinking that a new pumper carb was in my future, but those simple, cheap changes (main screw + airbox) made such a big improvement, that I'm satisfied.

How much did cutting the airbox increase noise? I'm thinking about the ProCycle carb kit, but I love how I can sneak around so quietly on the bike and I hate to give that up.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Two weeks and 600+ miles since I first rode the DR. That alone says something to me. It took me a year to get 2K miles on the WR.

So far, except for the bar risers it is completely stock. I attempted to installed the 14t counter sprocket today, but didn't realize I'd need a new retainer plate, so put the OEM 15t back on. The 10w fork oil, Dunlop 606s and skid plate have arrived. If I could find a small enough washer for the carb needle I think I'd be done spending money on it for a while. I can see other stuff in the future, but nothing I'm in a hurry to get to.

I continue to be surprised at how much stupid fun this bike is even in stock configuration. I'm just having a blast riding it. There's no question there's stuff I want to get done soon. Like the hate/hate relationship I have with the stock tires. I hate that they have so little grip that I rarely can get the front end off the ground. But I also hate that they have so much grip in a power slide that they shut me down so quickly in a corner. But I've ridden with them in multiple heavy rain rides, and I need to give them credit for confidence there.

The bike is nice and forgiving of rider errors. Yesterday I was going too hot into a downhill switchback. I grabbed more front brake than prudent and locked up the front end in the gravel. Bike started down to the ground real quick. I got off the brake and she came right back upright for me. That's a point for the bike, I was certain I was about to get a close inspection of the soil there on the mountain.

This was our wedding anniversary weekend. Last week my wife said, "lets load up the dirt bikes and go to WV." ??? Didn't have to suggest it twice.

If you're at all familiar with WV, I probably don't need to tell you where we were. The pictures make it pretty obvious.










The rain in the background of this picture did not stay in the background. The DR has been in the rain a lot in its short time in my fleet.







The bike did great on Smith Mountain Road, which is one of those roads that seems more like a fun trail at times.

Feeling like this was a good switch for me.

 

[trikepilot]

That right there, sir, is God's Country. AKA - the motherlode of stupendous ADVriding of about every flavor you could want.

Please be sure to thoroughly enjoy it all and post copious photos so I can vicariously enjoy my old home turf.

Damn I am JEALOUS!!