Suzuki DR650 ADV light?

[900gc]

I'm thinking of getting a used one to add to the FJR and set it up as an ADV light mount.

After riding my FJR in NH and ME last week on some horrible back roads (with some turning to dirt no joy), I find that a DR650 type of bike would be more suited for the dirt 'gap' roads and really bad boondock roads I like to explore all over New England. Looking at 2007-2009 years for price range reasons.

What do you think? Anyone have one of these?

 

[Ignacio]

I debated with this and have an XR650R (too sporty, little haul capacity), a V-Strom (too street and bends rims off-road), and a Husqvarna TR650 Strada (just right, good haul capacity, spare set of spoke rims, and great road manners for a thumper), Inverted forks, ABS, and 58hp pumped of 650 thumper BMW rotax engine, and 4 grand cheaper new than its BMW name plate sister. Having ridden the DR the Husky is better on road and off-road IMO...maybe just a bit light in the suspension travel department at 7.5" in the rear.

2013 is a bit newer than your years, but they're probably in the 3-4 grand range. This one is in road-bias mode with various farkles. Spokes take 30 minutes to switch over.

 

[Fred W]

For what you are considering using it for, the DL650 may be a better fit. The DR will get you a little further into the woods, but not much. It's still a pretty heavy beast for a thumper, and a LOT less capable on the road. The bumpy New England roads, both the "paved" ones and those that are not, are perfect environment for a Vstrom.

 

[yamafitter]

I've ridden the DR650 and the 650 V-Strom. I prefer the V-Strom over the DR because of the motor and ergos for Adventure riding. The DR is better suited for dirt but an upgraded suspension and decent tires make the V-Strom capable of handling most situations except technical single track.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I debated with this and have an XR650R (too sporty, little haul capacity), a V-Strom (too street and bends rims off-road), and a Husqvarna TR650 Strada (just right, good haul capacity, spare set of spoke rims, and great road manners for a thumper), Inverted forks, ABS, and 58hp pumped of 650 thumper BMW rotax engine, and 4 grand cheaper new than its BMW name plate sister. Having ridden the DR the Husky is better on road and off-road IMO...maybe just a bit light in the suspension travel department at 7.5" in the rear.
2013 is a bit newer than your years, but they're probably in the 3-4 grand range. This one is in road-bias mode with various farkles. Spokes take 30 minutes to switch over.

FYBYFF?

...back to dual sporting...

 

[UberKul]

I'm thinking of getting a used one to add to the FJR and set it up as an ADV light mount.
After riding my FJR in NH and ME last week on some horrible back roads (with some turning to dirt no joy), I find that a DR650 type of bike would be more suited for the dirt 'gap' roads and really bad boondock roads I like to explore all over New England. Looking at 2007-2009 years for price range reasons.

What do you think? Anyone have one of these?

I think you should get one. Yes I do have one.

Not fancy or impressive to look at but will do 90% of what needs done on a motorcycle. If the rider is capable it will fill the mirrors of a sport bike in the twisties or street legal dirt bike on single track. If that type of riding is what you do and it happens you need to go 300 miles that day, even better! This bike gets no ego stroking at Starbucks but is dazzling in function. Old school tech that's easy to obtain and maintain by the average Joe. A KLR is good too if you are thinking less dirt more gravel/street. Exploring alone? Get a bike you can pick up by yourself.

 

[900gc]

Thanks all.

Ignacio.... your Husky is SWEET! No doubt it's a better bike in many ways but are still out of my price range.

Fred & yamafitter..... I thought about the WeeStrom, my track bike is a first gen SV650 and I do love the motor, it's obviously much better, faster, smoother for the street but it's almost 100 lbs. heavier wet than the DR and has 40% less ground clearance and suspension travel.

UberKul.... You sum it up pretty well, thought of a KLR too but from what I've read the DR is better on trails.

What I'm looking for is to ride these distressed roads at 'sporty speeds' where lighter weight and more suspension would prevail. Another thing I just remembered, there are 100's of miles of ATV trails to ride up north as well. So.... single track is in the cards. Need more of a 50/50 bike as Danny Coe referred to the DR in MCConsumernews me thinks.

Thought of a 400cc too but are too strung out at 75-80mph on the highway.

 

[RossKean]

I have been considering the Wee as an OK highway bike capable of reasonably mild off-road and easily capable of packing a bunch of gear. (logging roads, Trans Labrador, Haul Road etc.) Are the tubeless tires and alloy wheels a bad idea for this sort of riding? Enough suspension travel for this? I do not expect to be doing much in the way of single track, rocky paths etc.

I was looking at the adventure model with the aluminum hard cases, engine guards, skid plate, hand guards etc. Maybe not the best off-road choice but the fact that many of my destinations will involve a long highway trip to get to where I want to ride, I thought it might be a reasonable compromise.

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I thought I'd toss the questions on wheels and suspension in there.

 

[Fred W]

What I'm looking for is to ride these distressed roads at 'sporty speeds' where lighter weight and more suspension would prevail. Another thing I just remembered, there are 100's of miles of ATV trails to ride up north as well. So.... single track is in the cards. Need more of a 50/50 bike as Danny Coe referred to the DR in MCConsumernews me thinks.

Be aware that many of the private ATV trail systems are OFF LIMITS to two wheelers regardless of whether it is street registered, OHRV registered, or both. The whole ATV thing (especially the big side by sides) has taken off big up north. Anywhere north of the notches you see them riding down the public roads legally because the towns know what a big deal it is to summer tourism. They mark the paved streets as "shared ATV trails. But 2-wheelers are looked at with disdain by the quad crowd.

Even many of the private logging roads up in northern Maine prohibit motorcycles. Granny can drive her Buick Roadmaster station wagon down them, but you can't ride your street legal dual sport motorcycle.

 

[Canadian FJR]

I have both a first Gen KLR and a 2011 DR sitting in my garage. I love my old KLR but have to admit that my son's DR with a 14 front sprocket and Dunlop 606 tires is a very nice trail bike.

We have both chased smaller/faster dirt bikes through the tight stuff. You won't be dissapointed in the DR.

Canadian FJR

 

[900gc]

What I'm looking for is to ride these distressed roads at 'sporty speeds' where lighter weight and more suspension would prevail. Another thing I just remembered, there are 100's of miles of ATV trails to ride up north as well. So.... single track is in the cards. Need more of a 50/50 bike as Danny Coe referred to the DR in MCConsumernews me thinks.

Be aware that many of the private ATV trail systems are OFF LIMITS to two wheelers regardless of whether it is street registered, OHRV registered, or both. The whole ATV thing (especially the big side by sides) has taken off big up north. Anywhere north of the notches you see them riding down the public roads legally because the towns know what a big deal it is to summer tourism. They mark the paved streets as "shared ATV trails. But 2-wheelers are looked at with disdain by the quad crowd.

Even many of the private logging roads up in northern Maine prohibit motorcycles. Granny can drive her Buick Roadmaster station wagon down them, but you can't ride your street legal dual sport motorcycle.

Good point Fred. Berlin seems to be ATV Central. Out of curiosity I did some research online and found that most of the trails I'd be interested in do not restrict 2 wheelers (many of the private ATV clubs do restrict MC use). I did find out that NH requires an OHRV sticker to ride the trails...." Motorcycles which are registered for highway use must have an OHRV registration to operate off road. "

 

[Fred W]

Only true on State OHRV trails. If it is a public dirt road (of any class) a plate is all you need. Private roads and trails have their own rules. I do not bother with the OHRV stickers because the state trail system is very limited and crowded with non-registered off road vehicles. The decals for a bike cost $46 a year for NH residents and (hold on to your hat) $65 a year for non-residents.

All the state sponsored privately owned trail systems in Coos County north of Berlin are ATV / UTV only. No "Trail Bikes" allowed, and they mean it.

If you haven't already seen it, take a look at the "Hampster Trail" thread over on ADVriders. It is a dual sport trail being formed of linked together dirt roads (all big bike friendly, street tags only required) that starts near the MA border in Hollis, NH and runs north. It's still being developed in the northern most sections, eventually linking it over to the east and into the Maine north woods,

I have also posted a link in that thread (I'm "1 Wheel Drive" there) to a route from the Hampster up the Bayley Hazen Military Road in VT, which is also mostly dirt, and that runs you from Wells River up to the northern end of the Puppy Dog Route in Troy VT right at the Canadian border. The Puppy Dog runs N-S through the full length of Vermont, and takes a couple of days to run it all the way through. That connects to the TransMass Trail also going N-S through the Bershires of western MA, and takes another good half a day in one direction. You could start out in Hollis and easily spend 4 days (or more) riding mostly dirt roads.

 

[900gc]

Only true on State OHRV trails. If it is a public dirt road (of any class) a plate is all you need. Private roads and trails have their own rules. I do not bother with the OHRV stickers because the state trail system is very limited and crowded with non-registered off road vehicles. The decals for a bike cost $46 a year for NH residents and (hold on to your hat) $65 a year for non-residents.
All the state sponsored privately owned trail systems in Coos County north of Berlin are ATV / UTV only. No "Trail Bikes" allowed, and they mean it.

If you haven't already seen it, take a look at the "Hampster Trail" thread over on ADVriders. It is a dual sport trail being formed of linked together dirt roads (all big bike friendly, street tags only required) that starts near the MA border in Hollis, NH and runs north. It's still being developed in the northern most sections, eventually linking it over to the east and into the Maine north woods,

I have also posted a link in that thread (I'm "1 Wheel Drive" there) to a route from the Hampster up the Bayley Hazen Military Road in VT, which is also mostly dirt, and that runs you from Wells River up to the northern end of the Puppy Dog Route in Troy VT right at the Canadian border. The Puppy Dog runs N-S through the full length of Vermont, and takes a couple of days to run it all the way through. That connects to the TransMass Trail also going N-S through the Bershires of western MA, and takes another good half a day in one direction. You could start out in Hollis and easily spend 4 days (or more) riding mostly dirt roads.

I was not aware of these roads/trails. Thanks for the info! Have you ridden any parts of these yet?

 

[Fred W]

Yeah. I've ridden all of them except the still being developed part of the Hampster north of Benton. Looking forward to that being completed soon.

We did the ride up thru NH to the BH road to the Puppy dog over 4 days. Did that twice and have done day loops of the TMT twice also.

I've also done some scouting of the Province Rd across NH, which is still dirt in many sections, and those that aren't are nice back roads

 

[kurbennett64]

WebBikeWorld fixed a Suzuki DR650 up for touring somewhat (https://www.webbikeworld.com/suzuki-dr650/ride-report.htm). I kind of like the Yamaha WR250R, another adventure convert on it at Marks page (https://www.bigdogadventures.com/WR250R.htm).

 

[900gc]

Well, I pulled the trigger:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5lydvndyru72ir8/2015-08-23%2009.52.10.jpg?dl=0


2009, 3100 miles, very excellent condition, $600 worth of goodies that I would have done anyway (Bill Mayer seat, tail light/fender kit, rear rack, windshield).... all for $3,600!

What an absolute hoot! I have to re-calibrate my riding to adapt to the long travel, soft suspension, weaker brakes and light steering but man this thing tears up chewed up paved and dirt roads like a magic carpet ride. The other adjustment is to where I look when riding really bad roads; on the FJR, I'd spend most of the time looking at the road trying to avoid pot holes, broken up sections and BIG bumps while at reduced speeds, with the DR I can look much further up the road not caring about the road condition and keep up a 'sporty pace' ahem. The 21" spoked rim with the 90 series tire at 23 lbs. pressure simply ignores the rough stuff. It is actually pretty darn nice at 70mph on the highway too!

Exactly the tool I needed!

I'm now in the farkling (disease) process of adding Hyper-lites, LED aux. lighting and.....oh that's right, #1 son is going off to college in 4 days. $$ Chaching!

Thanks for the input all!

 

[rmcobb]

Yeah, I bought a used 2005 last year, and so far am loving the off road fun. I see a Cogent sticker on your fork, you might have rebuilt forks in there as well, and possibly the Cogent DDC cartridges, and if so, you scored.

You'll want to check out www.drriders.com A lot of good info there.

A bigger tank is waiting in my garage as we speak, the stock tank leaves you pretty limited in Range.

Enjoy.

 

[rushes]

Bring it to EOM..

I'm bringing my KLR. I've ridden WV pavement many times, and look forward to exploring the backroads and trails of the area.

 

[rushes]

oops..

Tried to help you with a photo assist and it didn't show.

*edit*...