My DR sucks. After 70,000km I had a valve cover oil leak and had to spend 4 dollars on new seals and take 5 minutes to change those o-rings as I drank my morning coffee before meeting up with my friends. Soon I'll have to spend 20 minutes along with my morning coffee to adjust the valves and I might get my hands dirty.
I was doing some single track woods riding last week end on the DR. I rolled up to 3 guys on a KTM, Beta, and Sherco. All three are absolute awesome bikes, but all they wanted to do is look at and ask questions about my DR...lol. I have 2 sets of wheels, one with knobbies and one set with Shinko 705's. My advise for buying a DR is get a used one and make it into what ever you want. Aftermarket is huge, everyone has parts for it.
I did eaxtly this. I got a pre-owned for $5200 with not alot of klms on it and used the saved money to clean it up and add some farkles and better stuff to it for less than a new bike.... No brainer !
I'm so bummed I had to sell my farkled DR650 years ago. I really want another but I'm in the Philippines, no DR650s here. I had to settle for a little XR150L which at least is inexpensive and fits in with the other bikes here.
A few thoughts: Weight is irrelevant until you have to pick it up; DR for the win. Budget; a fully farkled DR’s journey ends where the T7’s begins, so both are essentially the same price but the DR is better at this point and the T7 still weighs a 100 pounds more. The T7 might have more power to stretch its legs on the highway but where I live if you get caught using it kiss your bike goodbye, the DR has more than enough power to flirt with this legal limit while still being able to pass so if this is the T7’s advantage it’s lost on me given the task. The T7 offers weight I don’t want to pick up, with performance I can’t use, complexity I can’t fix and all at a price I don’t want to pay. Sounds like a winner.
Very good decision indeed !!!! You nailed it too on the simplicity & being "BULLET PROOF" - TRUST ME - There is nothing like a single cylinder carbureted "thumper" - that is literally a "BLANK SHEET" - and you can absolutely make it "ONE OF A KIND". I have been riding for about 55 years and it is, BAR NONE, the best bike I have ever owned. Congrats for sure !!!!! - And it doesn't make "Hot Pockets" LOL.... And I also agree with you on the look - even "stock" - I think it is a freakin work of art..... I understand, all too well, "what do you want to do?" - Where do you ride, how do you ride, etc... I am a true 50/50 DUAL SPORT RIDER, and I could smoke the Tenere' off road - Hell, I smoke KTM's off road with my DR.... Just saying.... Cheers !
Makes you wonder why Suzuki keep selling them after 26 years and most other bikes need serious updating after 5 years. 😂😂😂😂😂 They hit the nail on the head back in 1996.
The aftermarket has had time to support the DR well, starting with a versatile bike to begin with. Suzuki should do minimal partsbin updates to be able to keep selling it at a good price, like adapting Grizzly 700 EFI and TU250X ABS. DR-Z400S suspension is just about bolt-on too. A wide-ratio 5spd with billet gears is already available, but Suzuki could engineer a wide-ratio 6spd and DOMINATE the big-bore dualsport market with a better bike that is STILL well under the $10K+ that Honda or KTM want for high-maintenance 450s. Suzuki could even keep the same frame and many other parts. Then the aftermarket would have an easy time of keeping up.
Good video and I appreciate your points. I'm having this struggle myself, though finding a Tenere 700 anytime soon is unlikely to happen for me in the USA. I sold a well sorted DR650 a while back and I've missed it ever since. I know I'll never get my money back out of all the mods, but I can also build MY perfect machine. The DR650 is a wonderful platform to build your own custom bike. I'm also concerned by the weight of the T7. Anything over 400 lbs seems like too much to take offroad, for me.
Nice vid. I am a DR rider and extremely happy with my bike, and my main riding buddy rides a T7. I would not part with my bike, nor he his. He looks at a carburetor like I do a steam engine (and he is very mechanically adept). I look at his bike like one I don’t want to either maintain, or ever have to lift alone. One thing I will give the T7 is it does seem to me, on balance, to be a more reliable bike than the DR. Yes, the DR is often called “bulletproof “ but that has not been my experience. Mine dropped a valve in the cylinder, toasting that top end. Then I swapped engines with a newer one and at the end of my first riding season found a piece of that dreaded circlip in my oil change. So I combined the two engines, the top end from the newer and the bottom end from the older to keep the bike on the road. Bottom line for me is I still love the DR simply because I COULD do all of these procedures, but I remain skeptical about reliability claims based on my personal experience. At the end of the day, it’s different horses for different courses. He and I are both happy bike owners and we each wouldn’t change a thing.
Lots of good points made here. And if the motor dies miles from home I’d much rather work on simple old technology that I fully understand. Fuel injection is great but it relies on too many components that are never lying around in the middle of nowhere.
The DR650 was my first dual sport and I really took for granted how awesome it was. Other than being a bit top heavy, it was an amazing machine on and off road. Here I am 15 years later looking at getting another one. Please make a video about the bulletproofing process you are doing!
I had a DR. It was lots of fun. I put 55,000 miles on it. I spent over 2k in mods. I had two sets of wheels and gearing. It’s a nice bike but I wouldn’t put it in the same category as a T7. While there’s quite a bit of overlap the DR is really a dual sport but the T7 is a better traveling bike. The ABS on the T7 adds to the safety plus you can run full heated gear on the T7. You can’t on the DR without draining your battery. The choice really depends on what you primarily plan to do with the bike. If your going to include lots of single track the DR (with mods) is better. If your primarily doing long hauls on fire roads and paved roads, the T7 is better.
Great video! I am struggling with a recent purchase of a 2009 DR with low miles. After having a few fancy bikes previously with traction control, abs, full dash/instrumentation etc etc the stock DR feels very outdated and rough ha ha. What I am looking forward to is building it into a bike that fits my riding style. The bike is like you said very simple and a tinkers dream. The best part is when I drop it down the side of a hill I am not worried about a 4000$ repair bill for plastics, computers radiators, shrouds, lights... and so on.
Replace the suspension with a full cogent kit; DDCs in front with adjustable preloaders & shock out back as soon as you can afford it. Do a carb mod or replace with a flat side pumper. These are the most significant improvements you can do. Of course, the usual: lowered pegs, bars, seat…& don’t forget to wire the neutral safety switch before a loose screw grenades your engine.
Good one. All of same reasons that I settled on last year when looking for a replacement for the BMW. Never looked back!! Love it. Weight was the top of my list and find it absolutely amazing moving from the 200kg F650 to the 160Kg DR650. Chalk and cheese. So easy. Simple things like physically turning the bike around to get out of a narrowing no exit track and the like.
Both good bikes. Kind of apples and oranges. Once I decided that I was not going to ride anything more difficult than a 2 track dirt, the T7 became my choice. When I want to ride a trail, I want to be on my ktm 300. If you are going to own one bike, the DR650 would be hard to beat.
I went from crotch rockets to a couple Honda cr650ls and a Yamaha XT500 the simple daul sports are just gratifying to ride fast or slow mostly I think simplicity is something you can go out and carry a tool kit and know you are coming home! Great comparison
Great video. In 2018, I was in the market for a new bike and impatiently waiting on the T7 to come to the U.S. I finally settled on the DR as the T7 took another couple years to show up. $2K in upgrades later, I wouldn't trade the DR for anything. It has been rugged and reliable over 11K miles, so far, riding all over New Mexico, parts of NMBDR, most of AZBDR and COBDR. I'm 6' tall, but the lower stature of the bike make it feel comfortable and planted offroad.
Had the GS1200, still have a Honda Africa Twin but bought a DR650 in 2019 for all the reasons you mentioned and am extremely happy. Put 5 miles on it and stripped it down much like you have and spend about another 4 thousand on mods. It was a great decision and I now have about 20,000 miles on it with no issues. Love it so much I am considering buying another to replace this one. We share the same opinion regarding the T7 and DR. Great video. To me, the DR is the ultimate adventure bike now and is much more fun to ride than the bigger ADV bikes with only one exception, that being long miles on the slab. Enjoy your bike...
Curtis, us DR owners just can't seem to just leave them stock. I have a bunch of mods and the only more enjoyable than adding mods is riding the Mighty Bush Pig! Cheers!
Dr 's are so great after you throw another 4000 at them... Kinda defeats the purpose throw 4 gs at a Dr and you end up costing the same as a ten 7 and with less bike
enjoyed your talk. on my 3rd DR. I likes 'em. bought my last '18 thinking they were about to stop production but they are still putting them out at least in USA.
I have a 1995 dr650. Love the simplicity of it as well. Been coveting the Tenere 700 almost to the point of buying one. Thank you for this reminder video of why I should stick with a DR650, possibly 20 or so years newer though!
Thank you for validating my decision of a few years ago LOL. I did exactly what you did except I ended up with a yenkro fairing. That and all the other mods made it feel modern look modern but also be extremely reliable you can take the bike apart really easy to put in a shipping crate send it to some country and then go fly their travel around for a little bit and you can't really do that very well with a tenere all the electronics and all the other BS I think you made the right decision
An honest comparison of the two bikes. The weight is a deal breaker for me, and for the new KLR650 too. These manufactures don't seem to get it. Off road = light weight. I sat on a T700 and it was just weird, the DR650 feels like a dirt bike. I look at the complexity of the T700 engine and it's like WTH? Where would I start if something went wrong. The DR650 easy peasy, just a brute powerhouse, carby & air/oil cooling. The neat thing like you said is everyone has their own idea of what they want their DR650 to look like. And its refreshing to see people excited about their bike, getting their hands and bike dirty.
@@doc650adventures Thank You DOC650. You have one of the coolest DR's around and are a perfect example of building the bike to suit your needs and conditions. Take care my friend.
I was lucky and sound a well fArkled dr650 prior to the pandemic and all it’s bullshit and price gouging. Got it with low miles for $3000. A buddy of mine wants one now and they are almost double in price (USA). Definitely my favorite motorcycle that I have had and I’ve had quite a few over the past 30 years. So easy to maintain and with proper riding skill you’d be surprised at what you can do on one. Great video btw! I think a lot of people can agree and the motorcycle you compare it to is quite different for sure.
Or you can just keep it bone stock - like I have: and ridden it 40,000 kms around the mountains and deserts of Southern Africa. The only thing i’ve Done to it is change the oil, sprockets and chain when needed. Still the original spark plugs!!! Never broken down on me, even over the gnarliest terrain...
Agree completely on all counts. An ex Dakar winner on a manufacturers promo video could make a Goldwing with knobblies look agile. The DR is a dirtbike...a gs1200 ( or the like ) is a touring bike with off-road styling, albeit a great one. Weight is everything when you leave the highway, particularly when the terrain changes from billiard table gravel to mud, ruts, rock and gradient.
Great video. One thing I would like to say to any potential DR owner is that you do NOT need to spend a lot of money on the DR to be happy. Here is a list of my mods and costs. Only the first three on the list are essential for me. 1. Seat Concepts seat $550 2. Rear rack $100 3. Rear case $150 4. Accerbis skid plate $150 5. Windshield $150 6. FFRC f&r valving $600 7. Rear spring $200 8. 20l fuel tank $500 9. Extra set of OEM wheels $500 used 10. life battery $150 As you can see, I am just over $3000 including the big ticket items of a full suspension job and extra set of wheels. The first three mods that I consider to be the only essential ones are under $1000
A friend of mine lent me his Tenere 1200 for a few days. Gutsy, shaft drive nice on the road, however a but heavy. So I decide on a 750. I nearly bought 1 but the seller changed his mind. I'm on holiday in S.a. And walk into a Suzi dealership, and spot a Dr650 new. I couldn't believe how light this thing was. $9000 brand new , considered buying. Looked on Gumtree and there is 1 for sale around the corner back home. 2017 model 8000kms all the mods Thousands of dollars worth . $8000 so I snapped it up and never looked back. I like them.
Great vid bro! I'm retiring in a few months and looking for a dual sport. and your rite the dr is a bullet proof. I just sold my gl1500se Goldwing tourer. know going with the dr650. Thank you for the video.
Anyone in doubt of the Tenere, I understand the weight may seem like a deterrent but first you gotta ride one to understand it and second look up Pol Tarres on youtube, you'll be surprised what the tenere 700 is capable of. He even entered a Red Bull event with it, it is quiet insane. I agree other heavy Adv bikes are just not really suitable for proper offroad riding but the Tenere definitely is in a class of its own right now.
That’s a true statement simple works best, I sold 2014 660 Tenere with only 6000 kms which I owned for 11 months because it didn’t work for me, brought a older bike, 07 model Ktm 640 adventure that hadn’t been butchered in good shape. Straight off the bat it feels heaps better to ride & 40-50 kilos lighter. Some genuine Parts are still available aftermarket fill in gap. The DR is a great bike I had a 600 late 80’s early 90’s
I also wanted a T7 early last Summer but none could be had. Heck … could not even find one to just see it in person. I thought of a 300 or one of the 450’s but I wanted something more roadworthy to street ride to dirt riding places. I ended up with a 2021 DR-650
I agree with everything you said, especially the part about simplicity. Even if you need a mechanic to fix it, it can be fixed anywhere in the world, even deep in the Himalayas or the Andes. Parts can be easily obtained anywhere as well. SIMPLICITY IS KING!
Most Aussies, Americans and in other parts of the world are born mechanics, they buy a DR650, spend twice the price improving it and I don´t know if they ride that much, in poorer countries like México you buy one, replace or upgrade the seat and then you go go and go for thousands of kilometers, all I spend on mine is tires, chains and that´s about it. I have a Guizzi Breva 750 and yes the V-Twin engine feels better but.. most roads are bumpy or have potholes or topes (bumpers across the street when going thru villages) which many times neither of these are signaled, so this makes me ride my DR like 4 out of 5 times more often and nothing happens to the bike, the Guzzi is as good also, Greetings from Yucatán.
My son and I went and looked at a T7 a couple days ago, in Arizona it was $10500-with all the dealer ads, fees, tax, registration it was right at $15K.. wow.. we loved it, maybe in the future we can land a used one.. I currently ride a XR650L, kinda similar to your DR.. has been Hammer reliable for over 15yrs and 29K miles, has useful mods and goes anywhere it's pointed from gnarly single track to easy forest service roads. I feel the T7 would be A LOT better on the highway, and for that reason only I lust for one but these old school dual sports I feel are still extremely relevant bikes, especially factoring in affordability.. Cheers.
Mate you are on the money with your video. Like who of us normal working guys can Afford a $19,3990 tenere. I’m not interested in paying that much for a dirt bike. The dr 650 is the working man’s bike It’s simple to fix , no abs , just a big thumper.
I have a Tenere 1200 and went down to the T700 (weight, simplicity) and now have been looking at 450's (Kove, Royal Enfield, CF Moto MT; weight, seat height). I am developing an appreciation of reasonable HP, lower seats, lower weight, and low maintenance cost/reliability. I stumbled onto the DR650 which has never been on my radar and have been doing the CZcams deep dive for a week. Your videos have been spot on and the most convincing of what I have watched. Keep them coming, You have a lot of good ideas for the right reasons and an easy to listen to style. Question, is that dash something you fabricated or is a panel from the fairing manufacturer? I do love the dash layout /of my T& and the whole rally layout is quite attractive. Born in Brisbane, raised in the US, headed back to Oz permanently probably about the time I turn 80
I really like my DR650. Bigger seat and tank is about all I have done. I may go with a 44 rear sprocket as I really don't need the top end that the bike has. A lower 1st may be better. For me it was the weight and the low seat. many of the other bikes were too tall and too heavy. Many of the 300cc class weigh as much as the DR.
I agree with your decision on bikes! Your bike looks great. What front model of UFO fender did you put on there? I put an Acerbis on my DR but not crazy about the look - that UFO looks nice. And what about that headlight/windscreen? Is that the Britannia?
The fender is RM-Z 250/RM-Z 450 08-14 model. Unfortunately I'll need to replace it though - it makes it too difficult to secure the Britania front. It would work with the standard front though - definitely an improvement and it was only $20
I have a 22 T7 and the Dr? it's the same design for many yrs. What top speed what 95 100mph. Fuel capacity? I was waiting for the t7 since December just got this in March I would have waited another year for the t7 to arrive but just my opinion and everybody's different
Good video. I’m trying to decide whether to get a dr650 but the looks are putting me off a little. Can I ask where you got that headlight/fairing unit? Looks ace!!
Yeah its a Lynx fairing - www.britanniacomposites.com/ -theres a few companies that make these kinds of things but I think these guys have the best one. I'll be posting a video about it soon - basically I wanted it becasue it gives me more options on what to include in the dashboard. More about that in a future vid
Agreed sold my DR650 thinking the GS1200LC would be the go. BMW great for a bit of everything and as long as you go to the gym so you can pick it up when you drop it. Back to a DR later in the year with mods for outback roads.
Great video! Everybody lists fuel injection like a potential issue? Has anybody ever had issues with the fuel injection on their bike? Never heard of it. I’ve got three bikes and two of them has carburetors. One of them has four… 😊 I’ve rebuilt plenty of carburetors in my days but never had any issues with fuel injected bikes. The DR is an awesome bike but I wouldn’t say that the carburetor makes it simpler and better. It’s a great bike anyway. Ride safe!
The DR fuel system is gravity fed (no fuel pump) - so one less thing to worry about I suppose. Fuel injection is pre-set - based on factory tests (I have remapped mine in other bikes). But the DR you can adjust things on the fly - from sea level up to 4000 meters (Nepal). Which you will need to do if you want to keep your torque Just seems better for expedition to me.
@@ironhorsedr6505 Modern fuel injection adjusts fuel mixture according to ambient condition. A carburetor is optimized for a certain criteria. I agree that the fuel pump might be an issue but I’ve had fuel pumps on several bikes with carburetors. You can re-jet carbs and adjust the mixture on the go but most riders don’t know how. Just to be clear, I like carburetors but I think it’s wrong to list them as something better than fuel injection. Specially now days when they mix in all kinds of fluids in the gas so fuel goes bad and gunks up fast
The DR gets stripped down (about 250 lbs) in the dirt bike config. Put racks, saddlebags and a comfy commuter seat on and it's an Adventure bike. Swap out for the 17" mags with road race rubber, drop the forks and crank-up the preload and it's a supermoto. Being a "full house" 790 doesn't hurt also. Most fun bike I've ever owned, super easy to work on and mod happy. The Tenere is nice bike but way too big and heavy and doesn't look very crash worthy or user friendly.
Agree 100%!!! Relaible, simple, lighter!! Particularly for riding in remote areas, moreover in developing countries. Please share another video with the mods you will improve. How would you compare it with the KLR650? Greetings from Bolivia 🇧🇴
got one used 2019 , 6km with large tank, bash plate and concept seat half price of the new one. Upgraded the forks and a rear spring, added a windshield and happy as can be.
Interesting to see perception VS actual data playing here the T7 especially the motor is statistically proven as one of the most reliable on the market. Good luck and all the best with your DR
*@Dion Oliveira* You're right. I think perhaps the video makes an unnecessary comparison between the two bikes with regard to reliability given that the T7's engine is, as you say, a very well proven deeply reliable mill.
Good choice of bike, I have a DR and a T7, the T7 is a good bike but it is too tall for me and bloody heavy. I have added lowering links and a lower seat and it is better, even for an old fart it is great to ride the T7. The DR on the other hand is just a jack of all trades in my book, a great all round bike, they really don’t need a lot of mods just the basic crash protection like stronger bars, Barkbusters, bash plate, maybe a larger tank, heavier springs, suspension revalve, add a couple of charging points, soft luggage and that’s about it, really no more than you would on most bikes, even the seat is fine once you get used to it, I had a seat concept and a Procycle and am now back to the standard seat. I found the only maybe plus side with the T7 is the power but I don’t ride that hard anyway so no biggy there, fuel economy is very good and that’s about it, the 40 kg difference, cost of tyres, the basic oil and filter changes are easy enough but I am not looking forward to changing the spark plugs, OMG. 😩 The one or if you want 2 bikes I will never get rid of are my 2 DR 650s.
Add a Procycle 790 kit to the Dr and you will have approx 60 Hp and 50 kg lighter than the T7. I’d take that every time, mine toured very well at 110kph. Only problem is the crazy 2nd hand prices of DRs.
I'd ride my DR650 anywhere. Good choice and great overview on the reasons for ownership. I think us older guys and gals prefer the looks of the DR because the 90s were great. What were the bits that you thought were cheap and needed replacement?
I had 2 Tenere XT 660s from 2012 until 2017. Now have a 13 DR. lighter, handles the dirt better, rear end doesn't slide out under hard braking - this is a huge flaw IMO. And not to speak about how heavy the Ten is with a full tank. This is what eventually put me off of them. Love my old bushpig.
DRs are not in the same class of bikes as T7s. T7 is twice the HP and is twice as planted at speeds. With that said I traded my T7 for a DR after one year and no regrets.
Wow, I'm debating on adding either a dr650 or t7 to my built drz for more mellow rides. First time I've heard someone say they left the t7 for the dr650
@@thatoneguy2756 For a lot of pavement, the T700 is going to be more planted, smoother, and more powerful. The DR travels interstate pretty well for basically being a chunky dirtbike though. I'd try to save money by buying a used DR and riding it until T700s become more available.
@@RKmndo the tenere 7 is easily found in my area new, so is the dr. Problem with dr650 is you have same cost in it as t7 by the time you get done with upgrades. That being said I avoid pavement at every chance so maybe the t7 isn't a good choice for me.
@@thatoneguy2756 If you're never hauling a passenger, the DR-Z could still be your best option. A 500 bigbore and hot cams could give you almost as much power as a T700, and a pumper carb with a wide-ratio gearset could give you plenty of gearspread for both crawling and slabbing. A DR650 can be shaved down to 320lb curb, but that takes some money and work. You'd be lucky to shave a T700 under 400lb curb. I don't miss EFI, personally. The ABS of the T700 would be nice for commuting though.
I have had a couple of DR650s, and they definitely have their pluses. The only thing they really need is to straighten out poor lean fueling.... which is horrible in the US, and some dirt tires and rim locks. Maybe some pegs. And good to go. However, after having owned a 690 SMC-R, I would definitely go with a 690 Enduro if I was considering a DR650 again, and could afford it. If I wanted some heavier metal, the 890 ADV R is a ridiculously good bike too, though with any KTM you just aren't going to get Japanese levels of product support and quality control. I love Yamaha as a brand, my favorite manufacturer, but I test rode a T7 demo bike and was not impressed... floaty on the highway and the engine was a dog.
Changed my mind on the T7. I bought a '24. I said the engine was a dog, and it is, compared to the MT09, MT10, and R1s, and KTMs that I had been riding - on the street. However, I have found the T7 engine is an absolute sweetheart on the dirt, and sufficient on the street for a bike of this type. The suspension is quite good too after dialing in the clickers. As long as single track was not part of the equation or really nasty two track, I would take the T7 over the DR650 any day. Way more power, excellent fueling, way better ergonomics, longer legs, modern dash, and ABS. The only down side is the extra weight and the seat height, which really only matters on single track and really nasty two track.
I bought my 3rd dr650 new 6 months ago...I was thinking about buying a Husky 701 or a KTM.....instead I bought the DR for $7300 out the door and spent another $6000 on upgrades...yes I now have a $13,000 dollar DR650....which is the price before taxes on the 701 and ktm....I have a bike with new suspension and many other mods and a 5 year warranty...not that I'll need the warranty though...because it's a Suzuki!
I picked up a KTM 690 enduro r used with 4053 miles for $8000. It is in great shape and had a few mods already installed like larger foot pegs, taller risers and a rear rack. I’ve since added a yoshimura slip on, foam air filter and Rottweiler fueling dongle that has made a huge difference in sound and throttle response. There are lightly used ktm’s and husky’s out there if you search for them. Plus at 70+ horsepower and a great suspension there’s not many mods needed honestly
@@mikef3300 Wow Mike! Sounds like a great score on the 690! They are great bikes! Agree there are some great deals out there if one is lucky enough to find them. Congrats on the new bike and I know you will be enjoying the crap out of it! Cheers!
Love you´re thoughts about oldschool thumpers. But you forget about something. The yamaha xt 600 2kf from -87-89. Mine is at 100 000 km now and still ticking. Same hp, lighter and bullet proof like a tank.
I'm with you, I don't need a fancy bling bike. Not saying they aren't impressive but for me I love the dr. I also had a drz and have a vstrom and ridden both off road. People told me the dr is heavy but I find the lower height over the drz makes it feel lighter. Dr is in between both bikes.
Lol so I see your points and they are yourse and your opinions are valid. But being a Tenere owner I disagree. I was actually working on my Tenre review for the channel this week or next. I also like the dr650 but man the sound, the power, the flickability all makes me love the T7. You have to actually take the T7 for a few rides and you would see some advantages there.
I got my DR a 2017 6000k all the mods $8000. As for 40kilo weight difference, to put that into perspective, that is 2 bags of cement weight comparison. Imagine picking up 2 cement bags and carrying them 100 yards. I'm 60y/o I'd be fucked after that. A big difference lifting a dropped machine. Liquid cooled is nice but show me any water jacketed machine that does not corrode on the inside after yrs of opperation. Keep it simple people. If it aaint broke don't fix it.
Aussie Farmer Wow, same here. Same age and same year DR with low k's, haha. Yes, dropped mine a few times and easy to pick up, no damage and away you go. I'm a small guy and dealing with a larger dual purpose bike would be harder, especially where I want to take it. I like the fact I can play with it (don't we all) and set it up how I like and still come out thousands cheaper than other more "modern" machines. All the elsewhere mentioned prehistoric parts are bonuses in my book, like carbies, air cooled, no computers, etc....
If you clicked on this vid,you already know the answer.😆. I was just thinking about giving my high km bush pig some love and rego,that's been sitting in the shed for a year. Now I've watched a few vids,im going to.👍.
It's a single for one thing. That's before watching this. I'm all for simplicity. Air cooled is what you want. It's been around since 1990, not 1996. It was a replacement for the DR600. It's great it's still available new in Australia. I always wanted a DR600 in the '80s when I had an XT500E. If I lived in Australia, I'd buy a DR650 over a T7. Interesting video.
Spot On Mate! You really hit all of the key points on why the DR650 is superior to the T7. I was in the same place 2 years ago when I was anxiously looking forward to purchasing a Tenere and the more research I did, the better the DR650 came out ahead. My Brother OBI- WAN had a lot to do with it also! I would add a couple of things also: Fuel injected motors usually have a higher-octane fuel requirement than a single cylinder carbureted bike. You can damn near piss in the DR's tank and it will run. This is a big deal if you are somewhere out and about and do not have the option of high octane fuel. Electronic fuel pumps are also very vulnerable to failure due to heat and fuel that is not highly filtered. Great video and I just subbed! Cheers!
Good points DOC650, Simplicity and reliability are not something that can be added to a T700. The T700's best attribute, is hopefully it will show the Japanese manufactures that we as consumers want more and will line up with cash for better suspension, 6 speeds, and light weight.
It is blank slate but often ends up costing more than a 10k bike to improve all of it's short comings. Ask me how I know. I went with a KTM 790 and couldn't go back if I could only own one bike. But after suspension, brakes, seat, gas tank foot pegs, handlebars and risers adding heated grips and power to the handle bars, luggage racks headlight and on and on and on for the mighty DR. I basically could just turn the key on the KTM and ride. The T7 would be similar. But then after you fix it's short comings in the suspension and protection department you are at KTM pricing. If your going to put 100k on the same bike get the yamaha. The DR still required more maintenance than I thought for only 9k miles besides oil changes. I've changed the oil once in 9k on the KTM and otherwise haven't turn a wrench on it. Of course not everyone is that lucky with KTM. ymmv. Fuel Injection doesn't fail often enough to say a carb is more reliable. It is easier to fix but you are way more likely to have carb issues before you will FI issues. I've been stranded by carb off road and on road every time I've ever been stranded. I've never been stranded by fuel injection. But no doubt it def checks a lot of boxes for a lot of folks but I just don't think bullet proof is one of those compared to the yammi for instance.
Are you me in disguise? 😁 Simple, cheap, and (relatively) light weight. Exactly why I bought my DR. I couldn't imagine dropping an expensive bike and not crying. The DR? End over end and still good! I find the DR heavy enough, and have had to remove luggage to be able to pick it back up. Much harder to remove bike bits to get it lighter. Fast? Ha! No, but plenty fast enough to lose your licence in Australia. I had an R100GS years ago, when they were only 200kg or so dry. Way too big and heavy for me. Plus, it's fun to leave the big fellas behind, standing on their pegs on easy dirt, while I just get on with it. 🤣
If only Suzuki could do a little tweak on this bike (or its brother DRZ400) by replacing carburetor to EFI to make it EURO5 compatible, just like what Kawie did to KLR. they could instantly create a best budget friendly replacement of KTM 690 and a strong competitor of T7. Don't know why they did not this simple job.
Good video. Like the delivery. Sort of like "I caught you rummaging around in my car, looking for shit to steal. Don't bother denying it, rather, convince me it's not best to just shoot you. Convince me I should let you live." kind of delivery. Nice. 1. Agree. 2. Agree. 3. Not so much. If you had the extra cash for the Tenere, you probably have the cash for matching gear and a pool boy to wash it after each ride. Maybe he will wash your bike, too. 4. TOTALLY AGREE! 5. Yes. The ground clearance and the suspension travel are nearly identical, but the DR doesn't bring an extra 100 pounds to the trail with it. I do ride a DL1000AL8 off-road, but not like I ride a DR off-road. 340 compared to 600 pounds. The V-Strom is a workout. 6. No. It should be about ergonomics, not pretty. The two real things that are different between an ADV and a Dual Sport are: A. Dual sports usually are 5 gears, not 6. The DR has a really nice low end and a huge gap between 3-4 and 4-5 so you get that highway speed, but don't lose the low end for a hill climb. B. Dual sports are usually reusable sponge foam air filters, ADVs are paper. Get an ADV's air filter wet and its done. Get an oiled foam filter wet and you shake or squeeze the water out. (If you sucked water, you have to pull the plug out to drain it in either case, but most ADVs are twins, so you are pulling two plugs on them). And your paper filter is literally a wet paper bag.
Right, exactly, the DR is basically just a very big, old school dirt bike. I love mine and have been riding it on mountain trails in Colorado for over a decade, and I don't want anything else, it's perfect for that kind of stuff.
I was going to buy a used T700. WAS. Instead, I purchased a mint, used DR650, farkled the Hell out of it, then bought a mint, used 2013 Triumph Trophy SE...and still had money left over (compared to what used T700's cost...if you can find one) lol. As much as I would have enjoyed a T700, I know I enjoy having those two bikes far more.
I came back home after being deployed, rode my bicycle to my storage unit, cranked my 14 Stryker up, and drove it home. Dead ass reliable! I hope the same reliability for my DR
Bro the whole DR Is More reliable AND even if brokes It Is super Easy to fix, just saying as a DR AND Tener owner i can assure if i were in a remote place with no dealers close i'll take the DR for sure 😊
I've got a very well setup DR that I'll probably keep forever. It's not the greatest bike in the world- it's heavy, underpowered, and cheaply built compared to euro bikes. But....as everyone else says, it's a great blank slate to build your own adventure bike, and it's simple to work on and reliable.
I really like the price and weight of the DR650. By the time you upgrade everything it sure gets close to what you pay for a T7. Right now, used DR650s are going for the same price used as they are new (minus PID). There are no really good front fork upgrades that bring the DR650 into the same league as the T7. There is a reason why the T7 is becoming the new favorite by many for RTW trips.
The FFRC fork plex valves would make the front as good or better than T7 forks. Both ends of the DR are pathetic standard but quite good with $1000 spent.
@@MrEtnorb does the valve have rebound and compression dampening? I know some of the after market upgrades for the T7 include front fork preload adjustment as well.
@@thehoelzels6316 not sure but it transformed my bike from fork bottoming and potentially going over the bars. Look up Plex valve from full force racing components. I didn’t even need new springs and I carry a load.
@@MrEtnorb Ricor racing fork inserts for $199 solved the front end issues. I bet I can hang with any T700 off-road. On road it's a different story. My Dr runs out of steam at 100 mph. But it will cruise at 85 all day long
@@Andriig75 yes, I thought my DR was a bit gutless on the highways. But I installed the Procycle US 790 kit with TM40 carb. What a difference. 50% increase in rear wheel Hp, it could run with a 690 on the highway and had huge grunt.
I was in totally the same view and almost went and bought a T7. But, watching reviews, along with all the good points there are also some bad too. In the end I thought for the cost of a new T7 I can almost get myself 2 bikes that will be the best of both worlds, so I bought a used low km KTM 1090 Adventure R and for more serious off road and smaller bike will be the Honda CRF300 Rally. I am seriously considering a DR650 too for a bit more power and similar weight to the Honda. I think the Yamaha will be a good bike but its over hyped and the KTM is frickin awesome and similar weight to the T7
I agree with your thoughts on the DR. Bang for buck the DR wins eveytime. I went to one of the launch events for the T7 and they were taking pre-orders for them at $15700 ish. They already had a selection of OEM accesroies made for them which easily add over $1k is you opted for a few of the necessary ones. This was a pre-covid time and the Husky 701 was around but you also had to spend 40-50% more than its cost just to get it with a rally type cockpit and the fuel range. The T7 is actually 208kg wet weight before you add anything. Will be interesting to see what Aprilia's Tuareg 660 comes to the showroom floor at compared to a T7 and the Tuareg has alot more fruit on it than a T7.
My DR sucks. After 70,000km I had a valve cover oil leak and had to spend 4 dollars on new seals and take 5 minutes to change those o-rings as I drank my morning coffee before meeting up with my friends. Soon I'll have to spend 20 minutes along with my morning coffee to adjust the valves and I might get my hands dirty.
I'm so glad I read this before I spent any more money upgrading my DR! I'm going to trade it in for a KTM immediately!
I was doing some single track woods riding last week end on the DR. I rolled up to 3 guys on a KTM, Beta, and Sherco. All three are absolute awesome bikes, but all they wanted to do is look at and ask questions about my DR...lol. I have 2 sets of wheels, one with knobbies and one set with Shinko 705's. My advise for buying a DR is get a used one and make it into what ever you want. Aftermarket is huge, everyone has parts for it.
I just did the same thing and you are sooooo right Bro!
Cheers!
I did eaxtly this. I got a pre-owned for $5200 with not alot of klms on it and used the saved money to clean it up and add some farkles and better stuff to it for less than a new bike.... No brainer !
I'm so bummed I had to sell my farkled DR650 years ago. I really want another but I'm in the Philippines, no DR650s here. I had to settle for a little XR150L which at least is inexpensive and fits in with the other bikes here.
I have 2 sets of wheels also - my 19/17 set has shinko 705s
A few thoughts:
Weight is irrelevant until you have to pick it up; DR for the win.
Budget; a fully farkled DR’s journey ends where the T7’s begins, so both are essentially the same price but the DR is better at this point and the T7 still weighs a 100 pounds more.
The T7 might have more power to stretch its legs on the highway but where I live if you get caught using it kiss your bike goodbye, the DR has more than enough power to flirt with this legal limit while still being able to pass so if this is the T7’s advantage it’s lost on me given the task.
The T7 offers weight I don’t want to pick up, with performance I can’t use, complexity I can’t fix and all at a price I don’t want to pay.
Sounds like a winner.
Very good decision indeed !!!! You nailed it too on the simplicity & being "BULLET PROOF" - TRUST ME - There is nothing like a single cylinder carbureted "thumper" - that is literally a "BLANK SHEET" - and you can absolutely make it "ONE OF A KIND". I have been riding for about 55 years and it is, BAR NONE, the best bike I have ever owned. Congrats for sure !!!!! - And it doesn't make "Hot Pockets" LOL.... And I also agree with you on the look - even "stock" - I think it is a freakin work of art..... I understand, all too well, "what do you want to do?" - Where do you ride, how do you ride, etc... I am a true 50/50 DUAL SPORT RIDER, and I could smoke the Tenere' off road - Hell, I smoke KTM's off road with my DR.... Just saying....
Cheers !
Makes you wonder why Suzuki keep selling them after 26 years and most other bikes need serious updating after 5 years. 😂😂😂😂😂
They hit the nail on the head back in 1996.
@@whitedrguy6503 Absolutely! You just made an excellent point! If it aint broke, don't fix it!
The aftermarket has had time to support the DR well, starting with a versatile bike to begin with. Suzuki should do minimal partsbin updates to be able to keep selling it at a good price, like adapting Grizzly 700 EFI and TU250X ABS. DR-Z400S suspension is just about bolt-on too. A wide-ratio 5spd with billet gears is already available, but Suzuki could engineer a wide-ratio 6spd and DOMINATE the big-bore dualsport market with a better bike that is STILL well under the $10K+ that Honda or KTM want for high-maintenance 450s. Suzuki could even keep the same frame and many other parts. Then the aftermarket would have an easy time of keeping up.
Good video and I appreciate your points. I'm having this struggle myself, though finding a Tenere 700 anytime soon is unlikely to happen for me in the USA. I sold a well sorted DR650 a while back and I've missed it ever since. I know I'll never get my money back out of all the mods, but I can also build MY perfect machine. The DR650 is a wonderful platform to build your own custom bike. I'm also concerned by the weight of the T7. Anything over 400 lbs seems like too much to take offroad, for me.
Dude, see my comment - above, or below.....
Yup! Looks like another DR might be in your future! I love mine!
Cheers!
I cant imagine trying to pick up a 450lb bike in the mud.
The weight is an issue for me too
Nice vid. I am a DR rider and extremely happy with my bike, and my main riding buddy rides a T7. I would not part with my bike, nor he his. He looks at a carburetor like I do a steam engine (and he is very mechanically adept). I look at his bike like one I don’t want to either maintain, or ever have to lift alone.
One thing I will give the T7 is it does seem to me, on balance, to be a more reliable bike than the DR. Yes, the DR is often called “bulletproof “ but that has not been my experience. Mine dropped a valve in the cylinder, toasting that top end. Then I swapped engines with a newer one and at the end of my first riding season found a piece of that dreaded circlip in my oil change. So I combined the two engines, the top end from the newer and the bottom end from the older to keep the bike on the road. Bottom line for me is I still love the DR simply because I COULD do all of these procedures, but I remain skeptical about reliability claims based on my personal experience.
At the end of the day, it’s different horses for different courses. He and I are both happy bike owners and we each wouldn’t change a thing.
Remember? The vid guy said he tore down the bike and found cheap parts. Where are the cheap parts he did not find?
I like the DR650 locknut valves, over T7 $$$$$ shim and bucket. My next motorcycle will be old fashion locknut valve adjustment.
Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to share. I am looking at dr650's or drz400e. Cheers
DR 650 !!!!!
Lots of good points made here. And if the motor dies miles from home I’d much rather work on simple old technology that I fully understand. Fuel injection is great but it relies on too many components that are never lying around in the middle of nowhere.
The DR650 was my first dual sport and I really took for granted how awesome it was. Other than being a bit top heavy, it was an amazing machine on and off road. Here I am 15 years later looking at getting another one. Please make a video about the bulletproofing process you are doing!
How fast could it comfortably go on a stock engine. Will it do 80 all day
@@censored4christ162 it can do 80 for as long as your ass can bear sitting on the seat lol
I had a DR. It was lots of fun. I put 55,000 miles on it. I spent over 2k in mods. I had two sets of wheels and gearing. It’s a nice bike but I wouldn’t put it in the same category as a T7. While there’s quite a bit of overlap the DR is really a dual sport but the T7 is a better traveling bike. The ABS on the T7 adds to the safety plus you can run full heated gear on the T7. You can’t on the DR without draining your battery. The choice really depends on what you primarily plan to do with the bike. If your going to include lots of single track the DR (with mods) is better. If your primarily doing long hauls on fire roads and paved roads, the T7 is better.
You can run heated gear on a DR. Upgrade the incandescent lighting and the stator, instead of buying extra wheels and tires.
I run heated grips and seat on my drz and my battery does fine does the Dr not output enough for that? I do have a 150cca battery though
@@jessecrawford2711 grips and or gloves are fine. Full heated gear not enough wattage output.
If you want ABS I don't think you're looking for the right type of bike my guy
@@RKmndowhat's a good stator for the DR650?
Great video! I am struggling with a recent purchase of a 2009 DR with low miles. After having a few fancy bikes previously with traction control, abs, full dash/instrumentation etc etc the stock DR feels very outdated and rough ha ha. What I am looking forward to is building it into a bike that fits my riding style. The bike is like you said very simple and a tinkers dream. The best part is when I drop it down the side of a hill I am not worried about a 4000$ repair bill for plastics, computers radiators, shrouds, lights... and so on.
Replace the suspension with a full cogent kit; DDCs in front with adjustable preloaders & shock out back as soon as you can afford it. Do a carb mod or replace with a flat side pumper. These are the most significant improvements you can do.
Of course, the usual: lowered pegs, bars, seat…& don’t forget to wire the neutral safety switch before a loose screw grenades your engine.
Good one. All of same reasons that I settled on last year when looking for a replacement for the BMW. Never looked back!! Love it. Weight was the top of my list and find it absolutely amazing moving from the 200kg F650 to the 160Kg DR650. Chalk and cheese. So easy. Simple things like physically turning the bike around to get out of a narrowing no exit track and the like.
Nicely put. I agree with you wholeheartedly and hope you make more vids of your customization process. Cheers!
I loved your video and your straight and direct style of communication. Thank you!
Both good bikes. Kind of apples and oranges. Once I decided that I was not going to ride anything more difficult than a 2 track dirt, the T7 became my choice. When I want to ride a trail, I want to be on my ktm 300. If you are going to own one bike, the DR650 would be hard to beat.
I went from crotch rockets to a couple Honda cr650ls and a Yamaha XT500 the simple daul sports are just gratifying to ride fast or slow mostly I think simplicity is something you can go out and carry a tool kit and know you are coming home! Great comparison
Great video. In 2018, I was in the market for a new bike and impatiently waiting on the T7 to come to the U.S. I finally settled on the DR as the T7 took another couple years to show up. $2K in upgrades later, I wouldn't trade the DR for anything. It has been rugged and reliable over 11K miles, so far, riding all over New Mexico, parts of NMBDR, most of AZBDR and COBDR. I'm 6' tall, but the lower stature of the bike make it feel comfortable and planted offroad.
Had the GS1200, still have a Honda Africa Twin but bought a DR650 in 2019 for all the reasons you mentioned and am extremely happy. Put 5 miles on it and stripped it down much like you have and spend about another 4 thousand on mods. It was a great decision and I now have about 20,000 miles on it with no issues. Love it so much I am considering buying another to replace this one. We share the same opinion regarding the T7 and DR. Great video. To me, the DR is the ultimate adventure bike now and is much more fun to ride than the bigger ADV bikes with only one exception, that being long miles on the slab. Enjoy your bike...
Curtis, us DR owners just can't seem to just leave them stock. I have a bunch of mods and the only more enjoyable than adding mods is riding the Mighty Bush Pig!
Cheers!
Dr 's are so great after you throw another 4000 at them... Kinda defeats the purpose throw 4 gs at a Dr and you end up costing the same as a ten 7 and with less bike
I own both bikes. The only place the Tenere is superior is for higher speed highway crusing.
This comment probably saved me thousands of dollars 💸 not kidding!
Thanks for sharing. I have a DR for 18 years. Thanks for your good reasons. I must use it for another 18. Thanks!!
enjoyed your talk. on my 3rd DR. I likes 'em. bought my last '18 thinking they were about to stop production but they are still putting them out at least in USA.
Right on man, great reasoning and perspective. I'm tied to the simplicity as well.
thanks :)
I have a 1995 dr650. Love the simplicity of it as well. Been coveting the Tenere 700 almost to the point of buying one. Thank you for this reminder video of why I should stick with a DR650, possibly 20 or so years newer though!
Isn't the '95 DR650 the previous generation to the current DR? I had new 1993 and 2003 DRs. They were quite a lot different.
Thank you for validating my decision of a few years ago LOL. I did exactly what you did except I ended up with a yenkro fairing. That and all the other mods made it feel modern look modern but also be extremely reliable you can take the bike apart really easy to put in a shipping crate send it to some country and then go fly their travel around for a little bit and you can't really do that very well with a tenere all the electronics and all the other BS I think you made the right decision
An honest comparison of the two bikes. The weight is a deal breaker for me, and for the new KLR650 too. These manufactures don't seem to get it. Off road = light weight. I sat on a T700 and it was just weird, the DR650 feels like a dirt bike. I look at the complexity of the T700 engine and it's like WTH? Where would I start if something went wrong. The DR650 easy peasy, just a brute powerhouse, carby & air/oil cooling. The neat thing like you said is everyone has their own idea of what they want their DR650 to look like. And its refreshing to see people excited about their bike, getting their hands and bike dirty.
Hi Dave! You are the MASTER when it has to do with mods on a DR or any other Dual Sport!
Cheers Brother!
@@doc650adventures Thank You DOC650. You have one of the coolest DR's around and are a perfect example of building the bike to suit your needs and conditions. Take care my friend.
I was lucky and sound a well fArkled dr650 prior to the pandemic and all it’s bullshit and price gouging. Got it with low miles for $3000. A buddy of mine wants one now and they are almost double in price (USA). Definitely my favorite motorcycle that I have had and I’ve had quite a few over the past 30 years. So easy to maintain and with proper riding skill you’d be surprised at what you can do on one. Great video btw! I think a lot of people can agree and the motorcycle you compare it to is quite different for sure.
Or you can just keep it bone stock - like I have: and ridden it 40,000 kms around the mountains and deserts of Southern Africa.
The only thing i’ve Done to it is change the oil, sprockets and chain when needed. Still the original spark plugs!!!
Never broken down on me, even over the gnarliest terrain...
Agree completely on all counts.
An ex Dakar winner on a manufacturers promo video could make a Goldwing with knobblies look agile.
The DR is a dirtbike...a gs1200 ( or the like ) is a touring bike with off-road styling, albeit a great one.
Weight is everything when you leave the highway, particularly when the terrain changes from billiard table gravel to mud, ruts, rock and gradient.
There is a vid out there that shows 2 mid 80s goldwings climbing a medium gradient rock garden at speed. Skill.
I watched a video on changing the plugs on a a t700 it was a major contributor on why I did not want to have one. Cheers
Great video. One thing I would like to say to any potential DR owner is that you do NOT need to spend a lot of money on the DR to be happy. Here is a list of my mods and costs. Only the first three on the list are essential for me.
1. Seat Concepts seat $550
2. Rear rack $100
3. Rear case $150
4. Accerbis skid plate $150
5. Windshield $150
6. FFRC f&r valving $600
7. Rear spring $200
8. 20l fuel tank $500
9. Extra set of OEM wheels
$500 used
10. life battery $150
As you can see, I am just over $3000 including the big ticket items of a full suspension job and extra set of wheels. The first three mods that I consider to be the only essential ones are under $1000
A friend of mine lent me his Tenere 1200 for a few days. Gutsy, shaft drive nice on the road, however a but heavy. So I decide on a 750. I nearly bought 1 but the seller changed his mind. I'm on holiday in S.a. And walk into a Suzi dealership, and spot a Dr650 new. I couldn't believe how light this thing was. $9000 brand new , considered buying. Looked on Gumtree and there is 1 for sale around the corner back home. 2017 model 8000kms all the mods Thousands of dollars worth . $8000 so I snapped it up and never looked back. I like them.
Great vid bro! I'm retiring in a few months and looking for a dual sport. and your rite the dr is a bullet proof. I just sold my gl1500se Goldwing tourer. know going with the dr650. Thank you for the video.
Anyone in doubt of the Tenere, I understand the weight may seem like a deterrent but first you gotta ride one to understand it and second look up Pol Tarres on youtube, you'll be surprised what the tenere 700 is capable of. He even entered a Red Bull event with it, it is quiet insane. I agree other heavy Adv bikes are just not really suitable for proper offroad riding but the Tenere definitely is in a class of its own right now.
That’s a true statement simple works best, I sold 2014 660 Tenere with only 6000 kms which I owned for 11 months because it didn’t work for me, brought a older bike, 07 model Ktm 640 adventure that hadn’t been butchered in good shape. Straight off the bat it feels heaps better to ride & 40-50 kilos lighter. Some genuine Parts are still available aftermarket fill in gap. The DR is a great bike I had a 600 late 80’s early 90’s
I also wanted a T7 early last Summer but none could be had. Heck … could not even find one to just see it in person. I thought of a 300 or one of the 450’s but I wanted something more roadworthy to street ride to dirt riding places. I ended up with a 2021 DR-650
I agree with everything you said, especially the part about simplicity. Even if you need a mechanic to fix it, it can be fixed anywhere in the world, even deep in the Himalayas or the Andes. Parts can be easily obtained anywhere as well. SIMPLICITY IS KING!
Brutally honest and hilarious! I subscribed!
Most Aussies, Americans and in other parts of the world are born mechanics, they buy a DR650, spend twice the price improving it and I don´t know if they ride that much, in poorer countries like México you buy one, replace or upgrade the seat and then you go go and go for thousands of kilometers, all I spend on mine is tires, chains and that´s about it. I have a Guizzi Breva 750 and yes the V-Twin engine feels better but.. most roads are bumpy or have potholes or topes (bumpers across the street when going thru villages) which many times neither of these are signaled, so this makes me ride my DR like 4 out of 5 times more often and nothing happens to the bike, the Guzzi is as good also, Greetings from Yucatán.
My son and I went and looked at a T7 a couple days ago, in Arizona it was $10500-with all the dealer ads, fees, tax, registration it was right at $15K.. wow.. we loved it, maybe in the future we can land a used one.. I currently ride a XR650L, kinda similar to your DR.. has been Hammer reliable for over 15yrs and 29K miles, has useful mods and goes anywhere it's pointed from gnarly single track to easy forest service roads. I feel the T7 would be A LOT better on the highway, and for that reason only I lust for one but these old school dual sports I feel are still extremely relevant bikes, especially factoring in affordability.. Cheers.
Don't, just don't.
I wish we had the XR650L here. XR650L is in the same league as the DR in simplicity and aftermarket, but better
Mate you are on the money with your video. Like who of us normal working guys can Afford a $19,3990 tenere. I’m not interested in paying that much for a dirt bike. The dr 650 is the working man’s bike It’s simple to fix , no abs , just a big thumper.
I have a Tenere 1200 and went down to the T700 (weight, simplicity) and now have been looking at 450's (Kove, Royal Enfield, CF Moto MT; weight, seat height). I am developing an appreciation of reasonable HP, lower seats, lower weight, and low maintenance cost/reliability.
I stumbled onto the DR650 which has never been on my radar and have been doing the CZcams deep dive for a week. Your videos have been spot on and the most convincing of what I have watched. Keep them coming, You have a lot of good ideas for the right reasons and an easy to listen to style.
Question, is that dash something you fabricated or is a panel from the fairing manufacturer? I do love the dash layout /of my T& and the whole rally layout is quite attractive.
Born in Brisbane, raised in the US, headed back to Oz permanently probably about the time I turn 80
I really like my DR650. Bigger seat and tank is about all I have done. I may go with a 44 rear sprocket as I really don't need the top end that the bike has. A lower 1st may be better.
For me it was the weight and the low seat. many of the other bikes were too tall and too heavy. Many of the 300cc class weigh as much as the DR.
I agree with your decision on bikes! Your bike looks great. What front model of UFO fender did you put on there? I put an Acerbis on my DR but not crazy about the look - that UFO looks nice. And what about that headlight/windscreen? Is that the Britannia?
The fender is RM-Z 250/RM-Z 450 08-14 model. Unfortunately I'll need to replace it though - it makes it too difficult to secure the Britania front. It would work with the standard front though - definitely an improvement and it was only $20
I have a 22 T7 and the Dr? it's the same design for many yrs. What top speed what 95 100mph. Fuel capacity? I was waiting for the t7 since December just got this in March I would have waited another year for the t7 to arrive but just my opinion and everybody's different
Good video. I’m trying to decide whether to get a dr650 but the looks are putting me off a little. Can I ask where you got that headlight/fairing unit? Looks ace!!
Yeah its a Lynx fairing - www.britanniacomposites.com/ -theres a few companies that make these kinds of things but I think these guys have the best one.
I'll be posting a video about it soon - basically I wanted it becasue it gives me more options on what to include in the dashboard. More about that in a future vid
Get a DR Djebel 650 !!
Agreed sold my DR650 thinking the GS1200LC would be the go. BMW great for a bit of everything and as long as you go to the gym so you can pick it up when you drop it.
Back to a DR later in the year with mods for outback roads.
Great video! Everybody lists fuel injection like a potential issue? Has anybody ever had issues with the fuel injection on their bike? Never heard of it. I’ve got three bikes and two of them has carburetors. One of them has four… 😊 I’ve rebuilt plenty of carburetors in my days but never had any issues with fuel injected bikes. The DR is an awesome bike but I wouldn’t say that the carburetor makes it simpler and better. It’s a great bike anyway. Ride safe!
The DR fuel system is gravity fed (no fuel pump) - so one less thing to worry about I suppose.
Fuel injection is pre-set - based on factory tests (I have remapped mine in other bikes).
But the DR you can adjust things on the fly - from sea level up to 4000 meters (Nepal). Which you will need to do if you want to keep your torque
Just seems better for expedition to me.
@@ironhorsedr6505 Modern fuel injection adjusts fuel mixture according to ambient condition. A carburetor is optimized for a certain criteria. I agree that the fuel pump might be an issue but I’ve had fuel pumps on several bikes with carburetors. You can re-jet carbs and adjust the mixture on the go but most riders don’t know how. Just to be clear, I like carburetors but I think it’s wrong to list them as something better than fuel injection. Specially now days when they mix in all kinds of fluids in the gas so fuel goes bad and gunks up fast
The DR gets stripped down (about 250 lbs) in the dirt bike config. Put racks, saddlebags and a comfy commuter seat on and it's an Adventure bike. Swap out for the 17" mags with road race rubber, drop the forks and crank-up the preload and it's a supermoto. Being a "full house" 790 doesn't hurt also. Most fun bike I've ever owned, super easy to work on and mod happy. The Tenere is nice bike but way too big and heavy and doesn't look very crash worthy or user friendly.
very good explanation.. Subscribed..
Agree 100%!!! Relaible, simple, lighter!! Particularly for riding in remote areas, moreover in developing countries.
Please share another video with the mods you will improve. How would you compare it with the KLR650?
Greetings from Bolivia 🇧🇴
Thanks! - Would love to ride through Bolivia some day! My other video goes through the mods (to date)
Bought a dr650 for $1800. Needed a chain and sprocket. I've put about 5k miles on her and I definitely lucked out it's a beast.
got one used 2019 , 6km with large tank, bash plate and concept seat half price of the new one. Upgraded the forks and a rear spring, added a windshield and happy as can be.
Interesting to see perception VS actual data playing here the T7 especially the motor is statistically proven as one of the most reliable on the market.
Good luck and all the best with your DR
*@Dion Oliveira* You're right. I think perhaps the video makes an unnecessary comparison between the two bikes with regard to reliability given that the T7's engine is, as you say, a very well proven deeply reliable mill.
Good choice of bike, I have a DR and a T7, the T7 is a good bike but it is too tall for me and bloody heavy.
I have added lowering links and a lower seat and it is better, even for an old fart it is great to ride the T7.
The DR on the other hand is just a jack of all trades in my book, a great all round bike, they really don’t need a lot of mods just the basic crash protection like stronger bars, Barkbusters, bash plate, maybe a larger tank, heavier springs, suspension revalve, add a couple of charging points, soft luggage and that’s about it, really no more than you would on most bikes, even the seat is fine once you get used to it, I had a seat concept and a Procycle and am now back to the standard seat.
I found the only maybe plus side with the T7 is the power but I don’t ride that hard anyway so no biggy there, fuel economy is very good and that’s about it, the 40 kg difference, cost of tyres, the basic oil and filter changes are easy enough but I am not looking forward to changing the spark plugs, OMG. 😩
The one or if you want 2 bikes I will never get rid of are my 2 DR 650s.
Add a Procycle 790 kit to the Dr and you will have approx 60 Hp and 50 kg lighter than the T7. I’d take that every time, mine toured very well at 110kph. Only problem is the crazy 2nd hand prices of DRs.
I'd ride my DR650 anywhere. Good choice and great overview on the reasons for ownership. I think us older guys and gals prefer the looks of the DR because the 90s were great. What were the bits that you thought were cheap and needed replacement?
I had 2 Tenere XT 660s from 2012 until 2017. Now have a 13 DR. lighter, handles the dirt better, rear end doesn't slide out under hard braking - this is a huge flaw IMO. And not to speak about how heavy the Ten is with a full tank. This is what eventually put me off of them.
Love my old bushpig.
Thank You ! Super Honest' got me looking in more ' Logically' affordable directions' 🇺🇸 👍
DRs are not in the same class of bikes as T7s. T7 is twice the HP and is twice as planted at speeds.
With that said I traded my T7 for a DR after one year and no regrets.
Twice the HP...until you big-bore and cam the DR for well under $1K.
Wow, I'm debating on adding either a dr650 or t7 to my built drz for more mellow rides. First time I've heard someone say they left the t7 for the dr650
@@thatoneguy2756 For a lot of pavement, the T700 is going to be more planted, smoother, and more powerful. The DR travels interstate pretty well for basically being a chunky dirtbike though.
I'd try to save money by buying a used DR and riding it until T700s become more available.
@@RKmndo the tenere 7 is easily found in my area new, so is the dr. Problem with dr650 is you have same cost in it as t7 by the time you get done with upgrades. That being said I avoid pavement at every chance so maybe the t7 isn't a good choice for me.
@@thatoneguy2756 If you're never hauling a passenger, the DR-Z could still be your best option. A 500 bigbore and hot cams could give you almost as much power as a T700, and a pumper carb with a wide-ratio gearset could give you plenty of gearspread for both crawling and slabbing.
A DR650 can be shaved down to 320lb curb, but that takes some money and work. You'd be lucky to shave a T700 under 400lb curb.
I don't miss EFI, personally. The ABS of the T700 would be nice for commuting though.
I have had a couple of DR650s, and they definitely have their pluses. The only thing they really need is to straighten out poor lean fueling.... which is horrible in the US, and some dirt tires and rim locks. Maybe some pegs. And good to go. However, after having owned a 690 SMC-R, I would definitely go with a 690 Enduro if I was considering a DR650 again, and could afford it. If I wanted some heavier metal, the 890 ADV R is a ridiculously good bike too, though with any KTM you just aren't going to get Japanese levels of product support and quality control. I love Yamaha as a brand, my favorite manufacturer, but I test rode a T7 demo bike and was not impressed... floaty on the highway and the engine was a dog.
Changed my mind on the T7. I bought a '24. I said the engine was a dog, and it is, compared to the MT09, MT10, and R1s, and KTMs that I had been riding - on the street. However, I have found the T7 engine is an absolute sweetheart on the dirt, and sufficient on the street for a bike of this type. The suspension is quite good too after dialing in the clickers.
As long as single track was not part of the equation or really nasty two track, I would take the T7 over the DR650 any day. Way more power, excellent fueling, way better ergonomics, longer legs, modern dash, and ABS. The only down side is the extra weight and the seat height, which really only matters on single track and really nasty two track.
I would like to see what upgrades you choose for the DR
Coming soon!
I bought my 3rd dr650 new 6 months ago...I was thinking about buying a Husky 701 or a KTM.....instead I bought the DR for $7300 out the door and spent another $6000 on upgrades...yes I now have a $13,000 dollar DR650....which is the price before taxes on the 701 and ktm....I have a bike with new suspension and many other mods and a 5 year warranty...not that I'll need the warranty though...because it's a Suzuki!
Yup! Your $13,000 DR650 is one of a kind and perfect for you! Well done! They are such a great bike! I will never be getting rid of mine!
Cheers!
I picked up a KTM 690 enduro r used with 4053 miles for $8000. It is in great shape and had a few mods already installed like larger foot pegs, taller risers and a rear rack. I’ve since added a yoshimura slip on, foam air filter and Rottweiler fueling dongle that has made a huge difference in sound and throttle response. There are lightly used ktm’s and husky’s out there if you search for them. Plus at 70+ horsepower and a great suspension there’s not many mods needed honestly
@@mikef3300 Wow Mike! Sounds like a great score on the 690! They are great bikes! Agree there are some great deals out there if one is lucky enough to find them. Congrats on the new bike and I know you will be enjoying the crap out of it!
Cheers!
Where did you buy that headlight assembly.
Love you´re thoughts about oldschool thumpers. But you forget about something. The yamaha xt 600 2kf from -87-89. Mine is at 100 000 km now and still ticking. Same hp, lighter and bullet proof like a tank.
I'm with you, I don't need a fancy bling bike. Not saying they aren't impressive but for me I love the dr. I also had a drz and have a vstrom and ridden both off road. People told me the dr is heavy but I find the lower height over the drz makes it feel lighter. Dr is in between both bikes.
I agree. The DR just looks so cool. I'm not a biased DR200 owner at all.
What fender is that?
Lol so I see your points and they are yourse and your opinions are valid. But being a Tenere owner I disagree. I was actually working on my Tenre review for the channel this week or next. I also like the dr650 but man the sound, the power, the flickability all makes me love the T7. You have to actually take the T7 for a few rides and you would see some advantages there.
I got my DR a 2017 6000k all the mods $8000. As for 40kilo weight difference, to put that into perspective, that is 2 bags of cement weight comparison. Imagine picking up 2 cement bags and carrying them 100 yards. I'm 60y/o I'd be fucked after that. A big difference lifting a dropped machine. Liquid cooled is nice but show me any water jacketed machine that does not corrode on the inside after yrs of opperation. Keep it simple people. If it aaint broke don't fix it.
Aussie Farmer Wow, same here. Same age and same year DR with low k's, haha. Yes, dropped mine a few times and easy to pick up, no damage and away you go. I'm a small guy and dealing with a larger dual purpose bike would be harder, especially where I want to take it. I like the fact I can play with it (don't we all) and set it up how I like and still come out thousands cheaper than other more "modern" machines. All the elsewhere mentioned prehistoric parts are bonuses in my book, like carbies, air cooled, no computers, etc....
Are you building that dash board from your own ideas or did you see that somewhere ?
Basically my own layout and feature ideas. All onto the Lynx shell dashboard
Goodday you might be close in cost after the mods to the DR try taking the Super t down the hill. not that hard good luck with the DR stay safe
I noticed the quality control for the Suzuki Dr 650. It’s totally different from my triumphs. The Hinckley are so far better in paint and finish.
If you clicked on this vid,you already know the answer.😆. I was just thinking about giving my high km bush pig some love and rego,that's been sitting in the shed for a year. Now I've watched a few vids,im going to.👍.
Nice: Straight forward comments - cheers mate!
I like that look of the Dr650 too
People choose the DRsix-fiddy because the apocalypse will happen.😂
Guzzis are reliable. I fell once and the asphalt got problems. And as an ex owner of xt550 yamaha for 13 years you couldn't break it.
you know, T7 riders don't have to ask if they bike will last, they know. So they can focus on important things in life like the matching helmet ;-)
It's a single for one thing. That's before watching this. I'm all for simplicity. Air cooled is what you want. It's been around since 1990, not 1996. It was a replacement for the DR600. It's great it's still available new in Australia. I always wanted a DR600 in the '80s when I had an XT500E. If I lived in Australia, I'd buy a DR650 over a T7.
Interesting video.
Spot On Mate! You really hit all of the key points on why the DR650 is superior to the T7. I was in the same place 2 years ago when I was anxiously looking forward to purchasing a Tenere and the more research I did, the better the DR650 came out ahead. My Brother OBI- WAN had a lot to do with it also! I would add a couple of things also: Fuel injected motors usually have a higher-octane fuel requirement than a single cylinder carbureted bike. You can damn near piss in the DR's tank and it will run. This is a big deal if you are somewhere out and about and do not have the option of high octane fuel. Electronic fuel pumps are also very vulnerable to failure due to heat and fuel that is not highly filtered. Great video and I just subbed!
Cheers!
Good points DOC650, Simplicity and reliability are not something that can be added to a T700. The T700's best attribute, is hopefully it will show the Japanese manufactures that we as consumers want more and will line up with cash for better suspension, 6 speeds, and light weight.
@@verbalwidget7267 Yup! There are some things that can be worked on!
haven't watched your video yet, but I sold my t7 and kept my Dr.
It is blank slate but often ends up costing more than a 10k bike to improve all of it's short comings. Ask me how I know. I went with a KTM 790 and couldn't go back if I could only own one bike. But after suspension, brakes, seat, gas tank foot pegs, handlebars and risers adding heated grips and power to the handle bars, luggage racks headlight and on and on and on for the mighty DR. I basically could just turn the key on the KTM and ride. The T7 would be similar. But then after you fix it's short comings in the suspension and protection department you are at KTM pricing. If your going to put 100k on the same bike get the yamaha. The DR still required more maintenance than I thought for only 9k miles besides oil changes. I've changed the oil once in 9k on the KTM and otherwise haven't turn a wrench on it. Of course not everyone is that lucky with KTM. ymmv. Fuel Injection doesn't fail often enough to say a carb is more reliable. It is easier to fix but you are way more likely to have carb issues before you will FI issues. I've been stranded by carb off road and on road every time I've ever been stranded. I've never been stranded by fuel injection. But no doubt it def checks a lot of boxes for a lot of folks but I just don't think bullet proof is one of those compared to the yammi for instance.
Just bought a new DR650, very tall bike, I'm six foot and the bike is still tall, had to lower it quite a bit. Other than that the bike is great.
I could have bought any bike I wanted, I chose the DR, I've had everything else. A lot to be said for simple after most of the bikes I've owned.
Are you me in disguise? 😁 Simple, cheap, and (relatively) light weight. Exactly why I bought my DR. I couldn't imagine dropping an expensive bike and not crying. The DR? End over end and still good! I find the DR heavy enough, and have had to remove luggage to be able to pick it back up. Much harder to remove bike bits to get it lighter. Fast? Ha! No, but plenty fast enough to lose your licence in Australia. I had an R100GS years ago, when they were only 200kg or so dry. Way too big and heavy for me.
Plus, it's fun to leave the big fellas behind, standing on their pegs on easy dirt, while I just get on with it. 🤣
If only Suzuki could do a little tweak on this bike (or its brother DRZ400) by replacing carburetor to EFI to make it EURO5 compatible, just like what Kawie did to KLR. they could instantly create a best budget friendly replacement of KTM 690 and a strong competitor of T7. Don't know why they did not this simple job.
Good video. Like the delivery.
Sort of like "I caught you rummaging around in my car, looking for shit to steal. Don't bother denying it, rather,
convince me it's not best to just shoot you. Convince me I should let you live." kind of delivery. Nice.
1. Agree.
2. Agree.
3. Not so much. If you had the extra cash for the Tenere, you probably have the cash for matching gear and a pool boy to wash it after each ride. Maybe he will wash your bike, too.
4. TOTALLY AGREE!
5. Yes. The ground clearance and the suspension travel are nearly identical, but the DR doesn't bring an extra 100 pounds to the trail with it. I do ride a DL1000AL8 off-road, but not like I ride a DR off-road. 340 compared to 600 pounds. The V-Strom is a workout.
6. No. It should be about ergonomics, not pretty.
The two real things that are different between an ADV and a Dual Sport are:
A. Dual sports usually are 5 gears, not 6. The DR has a really nice low end and a huge gap between 3-4 and 4-5 so you get that highway speed, but don't lose the low end for a hill climb.
B. Dual sports are usually reusable sponge foam air filters, ADVs are paper. Get an ADV's air filter wet and its done. Get an oiled foam filter wet and you shake or squeeze the water out. (If you sucked water, you have to pull the plug out to drain it in either case, but most ADVs are twins, so you are pulling two plugs on them). And your paper filter is literally a wet paper bag.
Thanks! - I haven't actually caught anyone trying to steal shit from my car but I'll take your word for it lol
If you want a dirt bike, buy a dr, if you want a motorcycle, get the t7. Remember though, real men drive dirt bikes.
Right, exactly, the DR is basically just a very big, old school dirt bike. I love mine and have been riding it on mountain trails in Colorado for over a decade, and I don't want anything else, it's perfect for that kind of stuff.
I’ve got a yz and a T7 best of both worlds
just bought a used dr last fall for $2800 usdollars. just put 3500 miles on it and its pretty swell.
Only available in Europe secondhand at quite a premium!
aftermarket exhaust, headlight and turn signals saves about 15kg
I was going to buy a used T700. WAS. Instead, I purchased a mint, used DR650, farkled the Hell out of it, then bought a mint, used 2013 Triumph Trophy SE...and still had money left over (compared to what used T700's cost...if you can find one) lol. As much as I would have enjoyed a T700, I know I enjoy having those two bikes far more.
They never took the Yamaha XT660 to the US… I would so buy one
i am running a cb125x in kenya to not stand out, Next time, I will stand out a little bit :)
The t7 has one of the most reliable engines out there
I came back home after being deployed, rode my bicycle to my storage unit, cranked my 14 Stryker up, and drove it home. Dead ass reliable! I hope the same reliability for my DR
So does the dr650....
The yamaha CP2 will go down as one of the most iconic engines ever. That being said, the DR has been proven for 30 years.
Bro the whole DR Is More reliable AND even if brokes It Is super Easy to fix, just saying as a DR AND Tener owner i can assure if i were in a remote place with no dealers close i'll take the DR for sure 😊
I totally agree with you. I've
had my DR 650 18 years and it's my first choice over my 650 V Strom, 790 KTM and 450 EXC for my overall best bike.
I've got a very well setup DR that I'll probably keep forever. It's not the greatest bike in the world- it's heavy, underpowered, and cheaply built compared to euro bikes. But....as everyone else says, it's a great blank slate to build your own adventure bike, and it's simple to work on and reliable.
I really like the price and weight of the DR650. By the time you upgrade everything it sure gets close to what you pay for a T7. Right now, used DR650s are going for the same price used as they are new (minus PID).
There are no really good front fork upgrades that bring the DR650 into the same league as the T7. There is a reason why the T7 is becoming the new favorite by many for RTW trips.
The FFRC fork plex valves would make the front as good or better than T7 forks. Both ends of the DR are pathetic standard but quite good with $1000 spent.
@@MrEtnorb does the valve have rebound and compression dampening? I know some of the after market upgrades for the T7 include front fork preload adjustment as well.
@@thehoelzels6316 not sure but it transformed my bike from fork bottoming and potentially going over the bars. Look up Plex valve from full force racing components. I didn’t even need new springs and I carry a load.
@@MrEtnorb Ricor racing fork inserts for $199 solved the front end issues. I bet I can hang with any T700 off-road. On road it's a different story. My Dr runs out of steam at 100 mph. But it will cruise at 85 all day long
@@Andriig75 yes, I thought my DR was a bit gutless on the highways. But I installed the Procycle US 790 kit with TM40 carb. What a difference. 50% increase in rear wheel Hp, it could run with a 690 on the highway and had huge grunt.
I was in totally the same view and almost went and bought a T7. But, watching reviews, along with all the good points there are also some bad too. In the end I thought for the cost of a new T7 I can almost get myself 2 bikes that will be the best of both worlds, so I bought a used low km KTM 1090 Adventure R and for more serious off road and smaller bike will be the Honda CRF300 Rally. I am seriously considering a DR650 too for a bit more power and similar weight to the Honda. I think the Yamaha will be a good bike but its over hyped and the KTM is frickin awesome and similar weight to the T7
good choice!
See my comment above, or below.... :-)
What's the other bike you mention? Moto something? Can't understand the sudden change of accent
Moto Guzzi - My last bike that I sold to buy the DR was a V7r
I agree with your thoughts on the DR. Bang for buck the DR wins eveytime. I went to one of the launch events for the T7 and they were taking pre-orders for them at $15700 ish. They already had a selection of OEM accesroies made for them which easily add over $1k is you opted for a few of the necessary ones. This was a pre-covid time and the Husky 701 was around but you also had to spend 40-50% more than its cost just to get it with a rally type cockpit and the fuel range. The T7 is actually 208kg wet weight before you add anything. Will be interesting to see what Aprilia's Tuareg 660 comes to the showroom floor at compared to a T7 and the Tuareg has alot more fruit on it than a T7.
Yeh but it is a Triumph. Reliability?