And the winner is.... DR650

[Dirt_Dad]

Damn I am JEALOUS!!

I figured you would be. Considering you were the one who first exposed me to Smith Mountain Road, and to going up Dolly from the other way. Both were fantastic calls...thanks for that by the way. I had really hoped to get over to that mountain road that I showed you (where we did the photo shoot of the WR). But the lightening was more than I was willing to risk. I managed to keep DM out of the rain Saturday morning. Then she sent me back out after lunch to go play. I went up Dolly Sods and still got stuck in the lightening. Back home now. Found my 606s sitting in the garage waiting for me. Now if I could only find time to install them.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Glad to see you piling the miles on the new ride.


As you know, we plan to go to the Cabins soon and found they are booked till the end of October. How did you guys get into that place on such short notice - last minute cancelation?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Glad to see you piling the miles on the new ride.


As you know, we plan to go to the Cabins soon and found they are booked till the end of October. How did you guys get into that place on such short notice - last minute cancelation?

Harman's was booked as you said, but had no problem getting into the Smoke Hole Luxury Cabins. That's the place just a short distance before Harmans that calls themselves "Honeymoon" cabins. They squeeze more cabins into the area than Harmans, but they are nicely setup. Noticed several cabins that appeared to be vacant both Friday and Saturday evening.

 

[20valves]

...This was our wedding anniversary weekend...my wife said, "lets load up the dirt bikes and go to...

I've added this to the list of stuff I'm sure my wife will never, ever say. You're a lucky guy.

 

[krussell]

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.

Three weeks ago for me. I bought the DR 8/19, sold the WR 8/31. ::012::

It took me two WR250Rs to realize the guys who love them only weigh 150 lbs. At 280 I had to wring it's neck to get to/from the places I wanted to go off pavement. The DR is much better suited for my large self.

My only riding shot so far...

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.

They've got many, not sure exactly how many, but when I picked up mine the word was they brought in a 'bunch' and were going to offer them all at $4999. It took me another $500 in fees to actually walk out with one though. When you do better please don't tell me. ::010:: I got $5800 for the WR, so it all worked out for me.

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

Another datapoint... I'm 6'4, 33 inch inseam. I bought acme zoom peg lowering brackets, and added a couple of inches with bars and risers, happy with the result. Rotortech, If you want to take it for a spin in tall guy form I'm near Washington Square.

The lowering brackets move your feet back 1", down 1"...

I put on HDB medium risers and went to a Pro Taper Suzuki Factory / KTM oversize bar to get a couple of inches there...

Got to 577 miles this weekend and did the 600 mile service. Oil/filter, tighten things up, and valve adjustment. Valves were fine, took me about 30 minutes. The bike is a breeze to work on.

Posted my initial impressions and details on the setup so far over at http://advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25023182&postcount=97957

I've got a Mojave shock and fork goodies on the way from Cogent, I'll have 'em on this weekend.

 

[trikepilot]

I bought acme zoom peg lowering brackets, and added a couple of inches with bars and risers, happy with the result. Rotortech, If you want to take it for a spin in tall guy form I'm near Washington Square.

The lowering brackets move your feet back 1", down 1"...

Make sure that the footpeg lowering brackets don't hang down below the skidplate and then find yourself on some rocky terrain.

You might have to ride home without any footpegs at all!!!

Don't ask me how I know!?!

 

[krussell]

Make sure that the footpeg lowering brackets don't hang down below the skidplate and then find yourself on some rocky terrain.

You might have to ride home without any footpegs at all!!!

Don't ask me how I know!?!

They are 3/4" below the skid plate. I considered it a bunch before deciding on these pegs. I very rarely ride anything hits the skid plate, and didn't want to give up the 1" rearward movement this solution offers. Here's hoping you never get to say "told you so."

Some folks just cut / weld the stock peg mounts, and others by the procycle.us version for a mere $150. The downside to the procycle option is they only go down, not back, and they eliminate the rubber dampers in the factory mounts. Some like them, less vibe, some don't, more peg movement.

 

[trikepilot]

Just be aware and you'll be OK. I learned the hard way - sheared all 4 footpeg bolts off on one ride. Rode home footless.

 

[Madhatter]

I miss my dr650se, my head got turned by the tenere... im thinking of buying a dr again .... my only complaint is the seat, wow my butt starts to hurt just thinking about the dr... a very good bike. couldn't kill it with a hammer... first farkel if I buy one , new seat.....

 

[Dirt_Dad]

i agree, the seat ranks up there as one of the worst. I'm trying to see if I can adjust to it before replacing it. People complained about the WR seat, but it never really bothered me all that much.

I had purchased a pair of Moto Skiveez to see if they would improve anything long distance wise on the Tenere. They were absolutely worthless to me on the Tenere, causing more annoyance than improvement. But I've used them a few times on the DR now and I think they actually do help on that bike. They are still annoying, but I have done a couple of multi-hour rides now without much of an issue.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Spent most of the weekend working on the DR. Carb mod, valve adjustments, dropping a tooth up front, new tires, suspension changes.

Looking better.

Alright, all you can see are the knobbies, but that looks better to me.

Still have to install the skid plate, but want to do an oil change before doing that and I didn't realize I was out of oil. Some of my tweaks are very satisfying, like the carb mod and 14t counter sprocket. Made this a lot easier.







Yes, that's really what it looks like in my back yard. Just back and forth, wheelie after wheelie. It's a scene that plays out with damn near every bike or ATV I've ever owned. Back and forth. I really am a one trick pony. But it makes me happy.

So power is much better, but I really hated the extra noise of the snorkel being off. Found I was gritting my teeth at the noise. I like a quiet bike. So the snorkel went back in and I was happier. Bike still lofts the front end with snorkel, so it's probably going to stay.

No so sure about the 10W oil and 1" spacers I put in the forks. I'll give that one more ride before pulling out the spacers.

It was a frustrating weekend of pinched flats not recognized until taking the bike off the stand, and miserable little tricks suppose to take only a minute or two taking two or three hours. The bike is easy to work on, but somehow I insisted on making it difficult. Blaming myself and not the bike for that one.

 

[ride1st]

We have a very similar garage. I have a 13 Tenere and a 13 DR650SE. The wife has a 13 XT250 and a 12 Triumph Street Triple.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

We have a very similar garage. I have a 13 Tenere and a 13 DR650SE. The wife has a 13 XT250 and a 12 Triumph Street Triple.

We match 3 of them. Today was the first time all ours were out of the barn at the same time.



My number is a little inflated at the moment. The WR is for sale and will hopefully be out of the picture at some point soon.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Phase 1 is complete.



Everything I plan to do to the bike (for now) has been completed.

I decided to remove the bars from my (for sale) WR and move them over to the DR. I liked those bars, plus the hand guards were already attached. Also moved the Wolfman tank bag over from the WR. I don't believe I've spent $400 on setting up this bike, and that include new tires. I'll ride it for a while to see what else the bike tells me it needs, but for now, there's nothing else on the list.

Almost put it on the ground yesterday simply going around a gravel corner and catching an edge. Fortunately it's light enough that it was pretty easy to save.

Still enjoying the heck out of this thing. It's giving the Tenere some earned rest. I find I'm wanting to beat around on this thing every chance I get. It's been a true surprise of a bike to me.

 

[Random ride]

I'm also going to add one of these to my stable. Great bikes that really come alive with just a few dollars spent.

 

[Boondocker]

Hey DirtDad,

I feel some Deja Vu coming on.

Short story - I was flirting with the idea of a mid-sized dual-sport, then you started gushing about your new DR650.

Long story - I have a history of similarities with you, this isn't the first time. Started back in StromTrooper days with the V-Strom. Loved pretty much everything about the DL650 except its utter lack of off-road worthiness. Then moved over here with the upgrade to the Super Ténéré. Carried on with the WR250R, which I've had for about 5 years, and loving it. But that's just the bikes. The kicker was some videos you posted with Joe Bonamassa background music. That got my attention. I had never heard him before and now I have very expensive tickets to his next concert in Las Vegas and bunch of albums. Thanks for that ::003::

Now back to the DR650. Back in the late '80s, I had and early Honda XL650R. I really liked that bike (except the kick-start only ) but thought it was too much of a compromise, too porky in the dirt and to dirty for highway. That's not knock on the Honda, just the nature of the genre. So now I have a small dual-sport and big ADV bike. Talk about your compromises. Starting to feel like Goldilocks here, looking for the one that's just right. Maybe it's the middle one? Maybe it's a DR650? Maybe my wife will give me "the stink-eye" if I suggest wanting a third motorcycle, 'cause I have no intention of giving up my 2 wonderful Yamahas. Maybe I'll get lucky and she'll take interest to ride one of them. She's MSF certified and has the MC license endorsement, she just doesn't have relationships with machines.

I don't know if I'm looking for solace or encouragement, but your thread here strikes a prophetic vibe with me.

Cheers,
Boondocker

 

[Checkswrecks]

I know that I keep saying I'll never buy another KTM .
But if it weren't a lot more money than I want to put into a dirt bike:

KTM350EXC-F
45 hp and 236 lbs.


Drooool
ol

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I feel some Deja Vu coming on.

My wife has always told me I'm a bad influence. I had no idea how deep it went. Sorry about that.

Here's what I can tell you. I've now put just about 1100 miles on the DR in little more than a month. It took me 13 months to compile 2000 miles on the WR. Actually since buying it I think it has done 4 times the mileage of the Tenere. When I go for a ride, I'm grabbing the DR.

Few tasks in life are easier than coming up with a list of reasons why the DR is inferior to most everything else out there today.
It's carbureted, the carburetor is too small for the task, it's all plugged up, it's heavier than idea, it's suspension is too soft, the stock seat is horrible, the bars are quite bad, and on and on it goes. Every single point is true and undeniable.

The lists of unique positives is very short. a) The thing is just an absolute blast to ride. b) see "a"
That's about it. It's constantly making me smile. Seems like every time I point the thing towards home, I look for just one more diversion that will keep me out a few minutes longer.

If you include all cost, most of which is tires and skid plate, I've spent less than $450 getting the bike to be one of the best smile inducing machines I've owned. It's not the fastest bike I've owned, not the most powerful, not the best wheelie bike, far from the best suspension I've experience, but it entertains the hell out of me right now. No bike has ever obliterated my preconceived notion as totally as the DR has done.

Not sure how long that feeling will last, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

As for Joe Bonamassa, you're welcome. A friend of mine turned me on to his stuff. Can't get enough. I'm also considering some very pricy tickets to see him next month.

Since you're contemplating a DR, here's some DR porn from my 160 mile ride today.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I know that I keep saying I'll never buy another KTM .

As a former KTM owner I'd consider one again. It would have to be a second bike, not a primary bike that I'm going to take thousands of miles from home. No question they are pricey and higher maintenance, but they build a high performing bike.

 

[greg the pole]

My wife has always told me I'm a bad influence. I had no idea how deep it went. Sorry about that.

Here's what I can tell you. I've now put just about 1100 miles on the DR in little more than a month. It took me 13 months to compile 2000 miles on the WR. Actually since buying it I think it has done 4 times the mileage of the Tenere. When I go for a ride, I'm grabbing the DR.

Few tasks in life are easier than coming up with a list of reasons why the DR is inferior to most everything else out there today.
It's carbureted, the carburetor is too small for the task, it's all plugged up, it's heavier than idea, it's suspension is too soft, the stock seat is horrible, the bars are quite bad, and on and on it goes. Every single point is true and undeniable.

The lists of unique positives is very short. a) The thing is just an absolute blast to ride. b) see "a"
That's about it. It's constantly making me smile. Seems like every time I point the thing towards home, I look for just one more diversion that will keep me out a few minutes longer.

If you include all cost, most of which is tires and skid plate, I've spent less than $450 getting the bike to be one of the best smile inducing machines I've owned. It's not the fastest bike I've owned, not the most powerful, not the best wheelie bike, far from the best suspension I've experience, but it entertains the hell out of me right now. No bike has ever obliterated my preconceived notion as totally as the DR has done.

Not sure how long that feeling will last, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

As for Joe Bonamassa, you're welcome. A friend of mine turned me on to his stuff. Can't get enough. I'm also considering some very pricy tickets to see him next month.

Since you're contemplating a DR, here's some DR porn from my 160 mile ride today.

first off...those pictures look awful..stop posting them! You my friend are depressing me.



second: do not visit procycle. You will mortage your house on DR stuff.
Third: I'm on my second DR650. First one was traded for a vfr. stupid move.
this one, has a procycle catalog thrown at it, 725 bb kit, and a pumper carb. A lot of fun, for not a lot of money.
No it would never ever replace the tenere, but it does an admirable job for a 1/4 of the price (bought used for $3500 including a second set of sm rims)

I'll do a write up once the snow settles in and I'm bored to tears.