Dirt_Dad
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I realize this is not your normal shoot out comparison, but it's the one that happened with me this weekend.
I was able to ride the DR650 yesterday and today in nearly all my normal riding areas in everything from dry conditions to a downpour.
Yesterday was all rain slicked roads and highways. Still I was impressed with the power of the little bike.
Today I decided to do a back to back test between the WR and the DR. First I rode the WR in the roughest places I have nearby home. Granted, they're not impressive by any standard, but the dirt roads are falling apart in some locations and it's a somewhat bumpy ride at speed. I made sure to do everything to make it a nice WR ride. 1st and 2nd gear wheelies, lots of power sliding...the stuff that puts a smile on my face.
Next was to take the DR on the same 20 mile loop. After riding the DR for a while I looked down and realized I had gone 70 miles. I also realized I might have a problem.
Hi, I'm Dirt_Dad, and I'm a bike whore. (the collective responds in monotone with: Hi Dirt_Dad)
I'm reminded of the old saying, "there is no replacement for displacement." I must face facts, I'm a power junkie. I like it when things happen when I twist my writs. When I twist my writs on the DR650, my arms grow several inches longer. That makes me happy.
The DR is a far more stable, refined and cushy ride despite the torture rack seat. I wondered how that would translate into the rougher stuff. While the WR just seems to skitter across the rough stuff, the DR just plows right through it. The few times I checked my speed on both bikes I couldn't see where I lost any speed on the DR. That surprised me. I took it into water crossings, and it gave the same level of confidence as the WR. I do love a 21" front wheel.
Despite being about 50lbs heavier than the WR, the DR feels like a smaller bike. It's shorter with less leg room, but wider. I honestly don't think there is many places I would take WR that I would not take the DR. The only exception coming to mind is a MX track. Unfortunately I haven't seen a MX track in years, so that's not really a factor to me. Too bad.
My lone complaint is the DR is a terrible wheelie bike. Part of that could be the stock tire on the rear just not getting any grip. But the other part could be the extra 50lbs just making the front heavier. Despite having a hard time getting the front wheel off the ground, I still had a blast with the extra power. Didn't realize how much I was missing it.
Back at home I immediately got off the DR and back on the WR. Out to more rough spots. First the slowness of little 250 really felt like I was dragging an anchor behind me. It got to speed, but so gradually. It was a disappointing ride overall. Back to my yard for a few wheelies. A place where the WR shines right now. Park it and get the DR out to the yard for wheelies. Damn, this thing is fast...but the back wheel just spins when time to lift the front. Over to the driveway pavement, up it comes.
Bottom line of all this testing...I may need to switch bikes. Like I always say, life is too short to ride the wrong bike. I've missed power in a competent dirt bike for too long. Didn't realize it before, but I do now. I would be easy to argue the DR is not a competent dirt bike. But in the real world places where I actually get to ride, it does a great job.
Hummm....
I was able to ride the DR650 yesterday and today in nearly all my normal riding areas in everything from dry conditions to a downpour.
Yesterday was all rain slicked roads and highways. Still I was impressed with the power of the little bike.
Today I decided to do a back to back test between the WR and the DR. First I rode the WR in the roughest places I have nearby home. Granted, they're not impressive by any standard, but the dirt roads are falling apart in some locations and it's a somewhat bumpy ride at speed. I made sure to do everything to make it a nice WR ride. 1st and 2nd gear wheelies, lots of power sliding...the stuff that puts a smile on my face.
Next was to take the DR on the same 20 mile loop. After riding the DR for a while I looked down and realized I had gone 70 miles. I also realized I might have a problem.
Hi, I'm Dirt_Dad, and I'm a bike whore. (the collective responds in monotone with: Hi Dirt_Dad)
I'm reminded of the old saying, "there is no replacement for displacement." I must face facts, I'm a power junkie. I like it when things happen when I twist my writs. When I twist my writs on the DR650, my arms grow several inches longer. That makes me happy.
The DR is a far more stable, refined and cushy ride despite the torture rack seat. I wondered how that would translate into the rougher stuff. While the WR just seems to skitter across the rough stuff, the DR just plows right through it. The few times I checked my speed on both bikes I couldn't see where I lost any speed on the DR. That surprised me. I took it into water crossings, and it gave the same level of confidence as the WR. I do love a 21" front wheel.
Despite being about 50lbs heavier than the WR, the DR feels like a smaller bike. It's shorter with less leg room, but wider. I honestly don't think there is many places I would take WR that I would not take the DR. The only exception coming to mind is a MX track. Unfortunately I haven't seen a MX track in years, so that's not really a factor to me. Too bad.
My lone complaint is the DR is a terrible wheelie bike. Part of that could be the stock tire on the rear just not getting any grip. But the other part could be the extra 50lbs just making the front heavier. Despite having a hard time getting the front wheel off the ground, I still had a blast with the extra power. Didn't realize how much I was missing it.
Back at home I immediately got off the DR and back on the WR. Out to more rough spots. First the slowness of little 250 really felt like I was dragging an anchor behind me. It got to speed, but so gradually. It was a disappointing ride overall. Back to my yard for a few wheelies. A place where the WR shines right now. Park it and get the DR out to the yard for wheelies. Damn, this thing is fast...but the back wheel just spins when time to lift the front. Over to the driveway pavement, up it comes.
Bottom line of all this testing...I may need to switch bikes. Like I always say, life is too short to ride the wrong bike. I've missed power in a competent dirt bike for too long. Didn't realize it before, but I do now. I would be easy to argue the DR is not a competent dirt bike. But in the real world places where I actually get to ride, it does a great job.
Hummm....