Which Dual Sport Thumper do I Like Most? (Mid Summer Update)
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- After a few mods, a few miles and a day of riding each bike I own, one right after the other, I made a bit of a discovery. In this video I share how each bike felt and which is currently my favorite. Is it the little Yamaha TW200? The mighty Suzuki DR650? The slightly ridiculous XR650L? Or the even more insane Husqvarna 701 Enduro? Watch and find out!
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Totally agree 100% bro, I've owned 91 Honda XR600R since new, over 60k of hard daily riding, this bike gets thrashed onroad and offroad, done basic mods to airbox, lowering link 50mm made a massive difference, still original engine, noisy but no rebuild or problems, that is testament to a real quality engineered thumper.
Awesome :)
Dr650 doubled the mileage without rebuild
DR’s have been known to run 90,000 miles without requiring an engine rebuild with proper maintenance. Really great bikes.
Nice!!! Yeah, definitely the smartest route for my build plans! Can't wait to get it modded!
Switched an XR650L and a DR650 over to tm40 pumper carbs from procycle. Worth every penny! Night and day difference
The DR is my choice, mainly because I own one. I upgraded the suspension, seat, fuel tank, foot pegs, handle bars, etc., over the years and it suits my riding style. Recently in the Black Hills it handled everything from challenging rocky trails to windy asphalt very nicely (this was all in the same day). I do know an XR owner that absolutely kills it, riding very technical single track with it.
That's a good rider doing that on the XR650L, I know I couldn't but at least I know my ability.... lol, peace
@@user-dv7hb2sc9m Xr650 baby , handles anything :) .I think I'd like a Dr too though ,but I'm good !
TDub is the undisputed "peoples champion". The sit and scoot of the motorcycle world.
Go to Procycle and order the polyurethane cush drive dampers for the DR. They'll firm up the slop and last longer.
My DR650 has almost 44,000 miles
I owned an XR600 RK 1989 model for 32 years and air cooled with oil in frame - I thought the XR650L also rand oil in the frame.
Riding in Aussie bush at 30-40 degree C days ( 86F - + 100F - fo you imperial dudes) and river and creek crossings, never missed a beat not got over heated, never cracked a case, never had a head gasket fail.
The Honda just did it. I only sold it October 2022 now I am no longer riding bush and strictly pavement . I now on a 2005 Honda VT750C shadow. Honda just know how to make a bike . IMO Honda engine failure comes from those who have poor maintenance routines and don't clean their air filters, or thrash the living daylights out of the 600/ 650's
You didn't pick my favorite bike - unsubscribed!
Just kidding, another great video!
Hehe haha :)
I have a 21' DR650, I was considering another bike... Possibly a new XR650, but after researching... I'd probably just get a second DR650 due to the longevity and reliability... before the big 3 650s are discontinued forever.
Heheheehehe - yeah, that Big Ol XR Thumper is a real attention grabber! After I lowered mine, I felt so much better about how it rides for me. The grunt is super appealing, but lowering the platform really helped that grunt to be more comfortably accessible. It was great watching you get more comfortable with the XR!
ETA - there is a youtuber, heddletowns enduro (former pro FMX rider), that really modded his XR and does some amazing things with it.
I know I knew he was going to just LOVE that Xr 650 she sures does grow on ya :) Good stuff. ride safe Welcome aboard
If I could only have one bike.. I keep my KLR 650.. I’d sell my Pan America, KLX250 and R3… but I’ll keep them all for now
Hey hey xr650L for life man . Just rode last night on street ,beautiful night here :) N.CALIF. Swapped back to 15-45 stock primary upgrade , I lover my bike again . I'll never change out sprockets again on this bike . Ride safe thx for vids , The 20$ risers w/ stock bars so comfy . Can't wait to get my set tUSK TIRES u RECOMMENDED , i SEEN ANOTHER GUYS VID 1ST ON xR650 W/ them too . But yeah I'll keep clicking ur link man , We buy sruff all the time thru them ! :) thx Vids
That's awesome man thank you!!! It really makes a big difference and helps me to keep doing what I love! Nice! It was a beautiful night for a ride here too!!! Stay safe out there!!!
@@SwankyCatProductions You'll notice at soon @ 55 mph it'll be wound up pretty good , 15-45 @ 65 mph its just cruising along . On rpm's its about a 20 mph tradeoff on the top end . The14 wound between 55-60. mph w/ 15T - 75mph barely starting to get wound up. I might try 14-46/47 one day . 15-44 or somethinmg , not sure . Been so hot here month of triple digits . Like 108/119 record breaking . So I haven't went back on the dirt tight stuff again yet . I've had the 14 on it for awhile now , was totaly hitting the trails , but been hitting lil street rides at night ect . Noticed the 14 Y just wasn't doing it for me . Let us all know on your 14T , Ok keep vids coming keep up the good work :) GOD Bless Brother .
Get the DR650 sorted with the necessary modifications and do the comparison again. You have the opportunity to improve that bike exponentially.
I definitely will!!! And can't wait to do so!
Right when I'm about to go off on some "different life, different longevity" tirade...Swanky goes full circle and saves the day. Pretty sure retro-fever is partially at play here as I suffer from it, too. In the battle of my small displacements, the wife's knobbied crf230m is better in almost every way...but its just hard to beat the look and feel of our (mod'd) DR200SEs.
🤣 Haha! Yeah, I think it's sort of funny how "certain" bikes get a bad reputation, yet the people who ride them also pride themselves on riding the wheels off them... There has to be SOME correlation there, right?! Nice! I've always wanted the Honda TW230m! Almost bought one back in the day but missed out. They still always catch my eye to this day! I've never been on a DR200 but they share a lot of what I like about my DR in the looks department! Ride safe man!
The XR is my favorite as well. Here in Texas, the oil cooler is a must. Although the DR is a lot of fun. I have a gen 1 and a gen 2 dr650. The Gen 2, like your DR, is a lot of fun. I built it more for adventure off-roading. You know, the soft luggage stuff. The gen 1 hits harder, in the mid-range. I've rejeted the gen 1, exhaust and jetting on the Gen 2. The gen 1 handles weird, very heavy when turning. The Gen 2 is very stable.
Exhaust and jetting on the XR's. So much fun and well-connected as you say. All four of those bikes are geared down. That is the most potential from all of them.
I personally think that anyone that has an XR or a DR will not be disappointed. It all depends on what you use them for.
The XR benefits the most from an exhaust, but the carb jetting is extremely important.
I'm sure none of these bikes will run like your KTM / Husqvarna.
All bikes have their charm. Even my trail 70.
Keep on going with your reports, they are very enjoyable. Modify the heck out of those bikes... So fun. Thank you for the good time I am having watching your videos.
P.S. Get the off-road tail light for your XR, then your dad won't say anything about your bouncing tail light.
Texas on the prairie
There are a couple weak points on the XR. It's air cooled and it's jetted Very lean from the factory. The average guy will overlook that and not think anything of it. If you desmog it, rejet and give it some oil cooling it will greatly extend the life of the engine.
Mine always smells a bit rich actually... I'll have to have a look at my plug!
@@SwankyCatProductions mine is a 1994 but I don't think they're all that different. I rejetted mine, desnorkled the airbox and it really made it a different machine even with the stock muffler still on.
I recently got an XRs only temperature dip stick for my 2024 XR 650l . I have noticed that it runs cooler on tight slow single track than I does riding at faster road speeds.
I have the Twin Air filter, de smoged, 52 pilot jet and shimmed my needle up .020”. I’m at 450 ft altitude. I’m very happy with the way it runs. I have chosen not to de snorkel or add a pipe because I love the low end torque.
Really??? Huh, interesting! I'll have to get myself one of those for my hwy test! Nice mods! I'm going to try a pipe, no snorkel and jets, but am not set on keeping any of it unless I like the changes. Should be interesting!
I currently own a well sorted 2nd gen Klr650 and XR650L love both.
My friend has the DR also sorted that I ride often.
If we're talking farkled out bikes I do think the DR650 is the best machine of those 3. But my favorite is the XRL it's just a unit.
XR650l positive vibration!
The XR is like a weapon. There is actually a swanky cat!
It definitely feels that way! Haha, yep that's him!
Your Husqvarna is my favorite of all your bikes. But I'm a single track strictly off-road rider of a KTM... so what else am I gonna say??!! LOL
Yo, that cat is cool. Do some vids with him in it!!
I have a KLR and his 701 is the one bike I wish I had.
I rode a 2015 KTM 690 and you could not give me ...hated it with a passion...
Wekcome to the Xr650L fam man ! :) .
Thanks bro!
I'm very biased I'm glad your opinion is the XR.
There is a guy that has 90 K + on his DR. I really like mine; I bought new in 2019. No problems except for me being 65 and my knees are totally shot. Even lowering the bike I have a hard time getting on it, but that is not the bikes fault. I like the fact it has an oil cooler and larger tank then the XR, but I put a 4.9 gal IMS on mine which you can do on the XR, and a Seat Concepts seat. I would never be able to get the XR low enough for me.
If you like a XR650 then try a 500 EXC. I’ve raced mine in harescrambles and GPs. I like the XRs 1980s ergos, because I grew up on them, but the KTM is a beast. I recently got a new KLR650 to pair with my 500 EXC, so I have something available when I’m feeling lazy.
I believe the XR have a oil cooler you can get for it. I wouldn't worry about the longevity of a XR. When I got married, longevity was never a factor. If it feels right, then go with it. You can always sell it later or get a divorce. No biggie.
How do you compare a 200 cc to the 650 cc where the XR is customized and the DR is not and a Husqvarna? These bikes are not equal. I just don’t understated this vid.
Well, it's a video about which of my bikes I like the best in the middle of the summer of 2024. No real scientific method behind it, I just get asked a lot and took them all out one day, so I made a video about it! Wasn't supposed to be anything profound, just an update.
Wish you had The 19+ Husky 701 after the major upgrades. With the dual counter balancers etc. It’s smooth for a single. That said digging your coverages.
Me too! Haha. Thank you!!!
I can say after purchasing a new Suzuki dr650 in 2013 and putting over 14.000 miles on it. Zero problems. Great dualsport. Sold it. Regretted selling it and missed riding. Bought a Honda xr650l 2021. It to me is hands down a much better dualsport. Rides better. Seat eons more comfortable. Power and pull torque. To me much better! Sits high, but love the height and feel I'm on a horse. Honda is just a better bike. Just my opinion.
Leaking fork oil will soak into the pads and ruin them. The DR probably doesn't have the best braking performance anyways but it's gotta help
when I bought my XR650L I had a pre set idea of it's performance because I owned a earlier version i think it was a 1985 version.... not a powerhouse but a good o'l thumper....
but this bike is not the same at all, it is a 2002 XR650L it has at least twice the power of the older one and just as tall but I knew I could lower it easily...so I did I set out to be able to flat foot the bike ....and I am short at 5'9" with a 30" inseam . I didn't plan to lower the bike 4" total in seat height.... it just wound up that way. I have the spring in the rear set fairly light so the sag is noticeable but the ride is alot softer that way.... I rode it when I first got it and
it was very harsh I felt every pebble and it was just sprung too hard for me.... loosing the preload made a big difference alone but I still could only touch the ground on one side.
and to me that is UNSAFE ! so I got a 2" lowering kit and put it on... I could now touch both feet easily but not with my heels only the balls of my feet.... but it was pirty close to being able to flat foot it after I lowered the front too....with about 1.5~2" of the fork tubes protruding above the triple trees that was all I could get.... so I rode it like that for the first season and it showed me it needed to be lowered more I had way more ground clearance than I would ever need at that point so I thought I'ed lower it yet again....
I cut off the bearing eye of the lowering kit and welded in a 1/2" piece of steel to extend it's length I did this knowing if 1/2" was too much all I had to do was screw the link together to make it shorter.... so I did that ...WOW that was too much the rear swing arm was horizontal to the rear wheel when I sat on it with my feet on the ground my knees had to bend ! so the seat height was Perfect but I didn't like the swing arm being flat so I shortened up the link leaving it high enough for me to still flat foot it and the swing arm angled down about 2~5 deg. ....dropping the front more posed a problem the fork tubes taper in about 1/8" about 2" from the top the bottom triple tree is that size but the top triple tree is for the larger size... that worried me would it hold if it was on that smaller size ? that was a big unknown. so I bought some handle bar risers the type that pivot put them on and moved the handle bars as far forward as I could and locked it down then I loosened the triple trees and let them hit the handle bars on each side...that was as low as she could possibly go !.... upon tightening the triple trees I was pleasantly surprised to see the top clamp stop closing about 1/32" from being completely closed that means they are clamped well ! ....with the wide foot pegs and the back rack I can ride and ride... but with the seat barely having 1" of foam my butt hurts after 30minutes on it.... so I am saving for a seat concepts low seat for the machine....that's a bunch of money for me but I think it will make the bike useable for this old man !
I know this is a comparison of currently available models but I'd find it interesting to see how my KTM 640 Adventure stacks up against the DR, XR and 701.
Yeah that would be interesting!
of yours the TDUB , IRL 90's era XR 400's. 34hp at a wet weight of 276 , compared to the modern xr 650 34hp @ 350 lbs. Seriously find one and build it up. you wont look back
Although I love XR650's, nothing, nothing compares to my Husky 701.
Both are pretty awesome bikes!!!
Check to see if the fork oil got on the brake pads. Most likely that is the cause for the poor braking.
I just want to ride one that will not break down and will start when I push that button!
Take a moment to go and watch 2vintage’s last post on the 45 year old (14k) XL 600 , and what he did to free up the locked up rings, and bring that beauty back to life!! You just can’t beat a Honda...
I have to know, is that a Vincent Darby painting hanging on the wall behind you?
14k is nothing lol xr650l cant last 50k without a rebuild
@@Hgftghf I never said 14k was high miles did I Cmin face? Lol...
the point of my comment is in regards to what Ben mentioned about these machines seizing up, at any given time due to the design.
Please get the yenkro gen 2 fairing headunit for the DR650 and do a review alot of people wanna see that
I think I'll eventually do a rally fairing of some sort, but I've decided to just try out the old universal windshield I've got first. Back in the day I was always very against it, but I figure before I go the expensive route it's worth trying the cheap easy way, just for a better comparison.
Do ya miss the KLR?!
I'm heading to Wisconsin at the end of this week. I have a brand new Clarke oversized tank color red. I would give it to you for free if you want it.
I'm curious how close to CT are you?
I was going to say, If you're ever in the neighborhood and want to try a spun up 890, give me a holler, but it was definitely creepy how i wrote that XD
Gen1 KLR
Is it me or expecting 30K miles out of a bike seems low? I'd easily expect 60-80K out of these low-tuned Japanese bikes. The Husky, maybe?
Although I'm a moron, I don't know much about anything.
I’ve gotten high miles out of them. And as long as you replace the top end before it blows up and tears up the crank case, you can keep a Japanese bike going forever.
There is a 100k mile DRZ they all can last just change the oil more frequently I always do mine around 1000miles depending on how hard I ride could be sooner keep the air filter clean dirty air filter means less air flow and if it's really bad will make the oil dirty faster I also oil the Chain every 100miles they will go a long time I'm a big guy and ring out the DRZ all the time it loves it 😂
You know it’s the KLR
🤣
I have a klx 300 i will never part with... i want a versys x 300!
DR vs XR....age old debate..never owned an XR..my 2014 DR650 with mild mods..sergeant comfort seat..lowered pegs..1 inch bar risers..lithium battery (big weight savings).. 14 tooth front sprocket..the stock suspension is soft..BUT at lower speeds it soaks the bumps n such up..my DR650 riding buddy says its like sitting on a marshmellow..lol..(true)..the DR and XR carb bikes will eather be discontinued or go F-injection..the beauty of thiese bikes at 350/366 fairly light for 650's..KLR650 have gotten heavy by compairson, 450lbs..ug.. 2025 models should be interesting..getting spendy tho..DR and XR can still be purchased for a song..(craigs list ect) eather one = bang for the buck hard to beat..true duel sport bikes..thanks Swank..finish your DR build then compare..we shal see 😇
I'm still sort of embarrassed about how much better the DR and XR are for my style of riding than the old KLR. I still love them for what they are, but as much as I knew I was pushing them to do things they weren't meant for, I didn't really understand how big of a difference that 100lbs would make. As for the DR, I'm really interested to see how my feelings change once it is a fair fight. I'm also really interested to see what I can make the bike do with the stock suspension setup! The XR certainly feels good off road, but sometimes a slightly more plush ride (especially on a ADV build) can be sort of nice! Time and mods will tell!!!
Where's them hats!
Honda.
A stock DR 650 and a mod DR are two very different bikes.
Comparing stock bike that needs to be modded to a bike already modified is totally unfair and truly biased.
Go sell more XR's and dis the DR, i will continue to ignore your bias videos.
🤣 How many times did I say it was unfair and that the DR needed to be modified? And that the DR probably makes more sense!?!? Relax man! There's only so many hours in a week and I spend most of them editing... The DR will have its day!