Sounds like for your intentions it would be a great bike. I bought a DR650 because I wanted the Dual Sport side to be more dirt oriented and for blasting chewed up gnarly paved roads at stupid speeds, hence the 10+ in. of suspension travel and lighter weight was important. It's obviously no where near the street bike the DL is (and forget 2 up) but I've done 200 comfortable miles with a big grin! I agree with the others too; that 650 twin is one of the all time great motors and punches above it's weight! My '99 SV650 race bike has been a race/track bike since new, 8 years of bouncing off the rev limiter and wringing it's neck before I ever touched the stock motor and even at that it didn't need it, it was only to turn it into a mild superbike motor with 2mm over high comp. pistons and other stuff.
Suzuki DL650 Adventure? Good bike?
- Thread starter bigjohnsd
- Start date
Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
BobCo
Well-known member
If you get it, choose your tires carefully. I put a set of Michelin Anakee 3s on my Vee. Great road tire - mud, gravel, dirt not so much. But as 900gc said, that v-twin is a sweet engine. Hope you enjoy.
yamafitter
Reigning NERDS Granite Lane Gold Medalist
Last year when we were riding the Black Hills Rendezvous I saw a number of the trailheads and some of the ATV trails that ran along the road in a few spots and was really thinking about going back to the trailer and grabbing the WR450. From what I saw a DR650 with the proper tires would be a blast on those wider trails.I have limited off road/dirt bike experience. I had an XT 350 for awhile 10 years ago and rode it in the Black Hills mostjy on two track stuff. Managed to fall down a few times. I'm looking for something a little smaller and lighter than the FJR for around town and gravel road/two track Hills riding. Not planning on technical dirt or motocross
When I was in Strugis a couple of dual-sporters pulled into the shop looking for an oil filter for one of the bikes and we got talking to them about the trails. They seemed to be having all kinds of fun. From what I gathered you need to get a trail permit from the forest office but if you do get a dual sport bike you could host a Black Hills FODS event.
Last edited by a moderator:
Abercrombie FJR
Well-known member
Going back to get the dirt bikes would have made for a tough decision. Ride the great roads or ride the great trails? We have neither in North Dakota.Last year when we were riding the Black Hills Rendezvous I saw a number of the trailheads and some of the ATV trails that ran along the road in a few spots and was really thinking about going back to the trailer and grabbing the WR450. From what I saw a DR650 with the proper tires would be a blast on those wider trails.I have limited off road/dirt bike experience. I had an XT 350 for awhile 10 years ago and rode it in the Black Hills mostjy on two track stuff. Managed to fall down a few times. I'm looking for something a little smaller and lighter than the FJR for around town and gravel road/two track Hills riding. Not planning on technical dirt or motocross
When I was in Strugis a couple of dual-sporters pulled into the shop looking for an oil filter for one of the bikes and we got talking to them about the trails and they seemed to be having all kinds of fun. From what I gathered you need to get a trail permit from the forest office but if you do get one you could host a Black Hills FODS event.
Last edited by a moderator:
Abercrombie FJR
Well-known member
Every since Big John has posted a link to the Black Hills trail system it has been in the back of my mind trying to figure out how to get back there and do some dirt riding. www.dakotaadventureloop.com/the-route
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
Looks like I'm about to be a proud owner of a '14 VStrom 650 Adventure bike with 10,000 miles on her.
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
Last edited by a moderator:
Abercrombie FJR
Well-known member
Dang pictures are not available. Congratulations. One of our firefighters had one of those 650s a couple years ago and when he got married he sold it and bought a Harley Sportster. I think he has a screw loose.
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Nice find John. Those are cool bikes!!
FJRay
Well-known member
A recall was just sent out for cam problems. Make sure your covered and ride the **** out of it.
Last edited by a moderator:
FJRPittsburgh
Rally Addict
Congrats John! One of the best all around bikes made. You'll enjoy it.
jmgrif
Well-known member
I had a Litre Strom just prior to the FJR. I rode almost exclusively on pavement. Recently my riding buddy's and I have decided to get a little more adventure in our lives! Just in the process of outfitting my new to me 2010 DR 650. Farkling just never stops? Sorry I should have started with congratulations! Maybe one day we'll meet in the dirt somewhere!
[img=[URL="https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/166757-suzuki-dl650-adventure-good-bike/"]https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/166757-suzuki-dl650-adventure-good-bike/[/URL]
]
[img=[URL="https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/166757-suzuki-dl650-adventure-good-bike/"]https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/166757-suzuki-dl650-adventure-good-bike/[/URL]
]
Last edited by a moderator:
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
pix fixed above
Enn
Well-known member
Great looking bike, congrats! Now every time you go riding you'll have a dilemma, which of the 2 fine bikes to pick. But do not worry, which ever you take, it is a right choice.
El Toro
Innocent Bystander
Very nice. I had an '05 DL1000, and it was bit on the heavy side, but as Carver noted, it would easily do 1,000 mile days. With a Corbin seat installed, it was one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever owned.
I had a friend who liked mine, and later he bought the DL650 specifically to ride through Newfoundland and the full length of the Trans-Labrador Highway. Lots of gravel. He said on his return that that much gravel had been a real challenge, but that his companion who was riding a BMW R1200GS, struggled more than he did. He said they thought about abandoning the effort, but forged on, and were eventually successful.
I think that most folks enjoy both the DL1000 and the DL650. I should have kept mine. I traded it on the "must have" brand new 2007 Moto Guzzi Norge so that I could ride along with Guisepe Guzzi's spirit to the Arctic Circle through Norway (Norge in Norwegian). I am convinced to this day that Guisepe stopped in Kristiansand where he lolled around drinking akavit until enough time had passed to convince his brother that the swing arm was a success, and that he'd made it to the Arctic Circle.
I had a friend who liked mine, and later he bought the DL650 specifically to ride through Newfoundland and the full length of the Trans-Labrador Highway. Lots of gravel. He said on his return that that much gravel had been a real challenge, but that his companion who was riding a BMW R1200GS, struggled more than he did. He said they thought about abandoning the effort, but forged on, and were eventually successful.
I think that most folks enjoy both the DL1000 and the DL650. I should have kept mine. I traded it on the "must have" brand new 2007 Moto Guzzi Norge so that I could ride along with Guisepe Guzzi's spirit to the Arctic Circle through Norway (Norge in Norwegian). I am convinced to this day that Guisepe stopped in Kristiansand where he lolled around drinking akavit until enough time had passed to convince his brother that the swing arm was a success, and that he'd made it to the Arctic Circle.
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
Can anyone tell by the photos what tires are on this bike, I can't remember.
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
I wanna say those are Michelin Anakee IIs.
