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**squiggy** · 09-08-2008, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by newride View Post

Hey all,
I was thinking of upgrading my Ninja 250 to get a DR 650. Any one own one of these? I was looking at the Kawi KLR 650 but it has too many bugs with the upgrades.

Any thoughts would be great.

While I don't own one, I have been researching it quite a lot over a Adventure Riders, and Thumper Talk. Between the two, I would get the DR650. If I could spend a bit more, I would get either the Husqvarna TE610 or the new KTM 690 Enduro.

Adventure Riders has (now) an 1100 page, over 16,000 post thread on the DR650. There is a lot of info there. It is specific to the 1997 and newer bike, as opposed to the 1996 and older.

The DR650 is viewed as a more dirt/trail worthy and the KLR as more road/freeway worthy.

When you say the KLR has too many bugs, do you mean the 2008 model?

The research I've done regarding the KLR shows that it has issues with the "doohickey" and oil burning at freeway speeds.

**chinto** · 09-08-2008, 12:59 PM

only thoughts on the DR650 that I have are "I want one".

**newride** · 09-08-2008, 12:59 PM

Yes, I went on the KLR site this morning and noticed that alot of the 2008 KLR riders have their bikes in the shop. Heat gauge, burns to much oil, can't remember the other issues, but it seemed not good.
The DR seems to do pretty well. It is Air cooled and I like that over the KLR's water cooling. I like simple.
Thanks for the link.

**Dan Dubeau** · 09-08-2008, 01:00 PM

I'm stuck on the DR, or the strom 650 (or 1000) as my next mount to replace the katana. Thought I had it narrowed down to the dr, until I rode the strom 1000 on saturday. Now I don't know what to get anymore. Tack another zero on the end of my bank acount balance and I'd get both

It would be nice to have the better dirt capabilities of the dr, but I'm quite positive I could ride that strom for days without stopping. At this point it's pretty much a coin flip depending on what deals present themselves, but I highly doubt i'll be riding the kat next spring.

If you'd like to do more offroad exploring, and backroads touring, than you can't go wrong with the dr. Another point though, is you say you ride a ninja 250 right now. Did you pick the 250 because it physically fit you better than other bikes, or did you pick it for another reason. I only ask because there will be a very noticable difference in seat height between the two, and if you're tiny, the dr will be very awkward to ride. specially if you take it offroad, in tighter stuff.

**newride** · 09-08-2008, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by Dan Dubeau View Post

I'm stuck on the DR, or the strom 650 (or 1000) as my next mount to replace the katana. Thought I had it narrowed

If you'd like to do more offroad exploring, and backroads touring, than you can't go wrong with the dr. Another point though, is you say you ride a ninja 250 right now. Did you pick the 250 because it physically fit you better than other bikes, or did you pick it for another reason. I only ask because there will be a very noticable difference in seat height between the two, and if you're tiny, the dr will be very awkward to ride. specially if you take it offroad, in tighter stuff.

I got the 250 because it was fun...........that is it.
Been riding for over 23 years so I am no newbie. I took the 250 in the woods recently (even crossed a river) and it was so light, it was no problem. I wont not do that again though.

I have sat on the 2008 Kawi KLR and I was on the balls of my feet.
After I sold my trail bike at 14, I have always wanted the option of being able to sneak into the woods on my bike.
The 250 is really fun! The engine is solid, but it is a cheaply made bike (already stripped 2 bolts on it, not my fault!

) that can really blow around on the highway at times.
We will see, I just paid it off and I am in no hurry. I still have my 900cc BMW as well.

**Dan Dubeau** · 09-08-2008, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by newride View Post

I got the 250 because it was fun...........that is it.
Been riding for over 23 years so I am no newbie. I took the 250 in the woods recently (even crossed a river) and it was so light, it was no problem. I wont not do that again though.

I have sat on the 2008 Kawi KLR and I was on the balls of my feet.
After I sold my trail bike at 14, I have always wanted the option of being able to sneak into the woods on my bike.
The 250 is really fun! The engine is solid, but it is a cheaply made bike (already stripped 2 bolts on it, not my fault!

) that can really blow around on the highway at times.
We will see, I just paid it off and I am in no hurry. I still have my 900cc BMW as well.

Ah, My bad. Wasn't trying to offend. You should do fine on the DR then for seat height.

I had a hell of a time getting on the strom 1000 with full hardbag setup. I had to stand facing front lift my leg perpendicular to my side, and sort of side step, hop, and jump to get my right leg over

should be an olympic event. It was also a new bike, so I was trying not to boot scuff anything. if it were mine I'm sure i'll kick the bags everytime i got on and off

**squiggy** · 09-08-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by newride View Post

Yes, I went on the KLR site this morning and noticed that alot of the 2008 KLR riders have their bikes in the shop. Heat gauge, burns to much oil, can't remember the other issues, but it seemed not good.

The DR seems to do pretty well. It is Air cooled and I like that over the KLR's water cooling. I like simple.

Thanks for the link.

Having an air/oil cooled engine another reson the DR650 is a good choice. No hoses or radiator to leak out on the trail. They also have the same screw and lock nut valve adjusters that the, at least my 2001, Katana's have.

There's enough aftermarket support for luggage, crash bars, windshields, fuel tanks, seats, susupension upgrades, etc. to be a worthy dual sport bike.

**newride** · 09-08-2008, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by Dan Dubeau View Post

Ah, My bad. Wasn't trying to offend. You should do fine on the DR then for seat height.

I had a hell of a time getting on the strom 1000 with full hardbag setup. I had to stand facing front lift my leg perpendicular to my side, and sort of side step, hop, and jump to get my right leg over

should be an olympic event. It was also a new bike, so I was trying not to boot scuff anything. if it were mine I'm sure i'll kick the bags everytime i got on and off

No worries man,
I just also checked out the Honda XR 650. waaaaay to tall even at 5'8.
The dealer did not have a DR 650 on the lot.

**erickdan** · 09-08-2008, 03:26 PM

Whats the difference between the DR and DRZ?

**squiggy** · 09-08-2008, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by erickdan View Post

Whats the difference between the DR and DRZ?

The DR650 is a dual sport bike that you can take from two track/dirt trails to the interstate.

The DRZ400S is a smaller, lighter dual sport. A bit more limited on the street, relatively speaking, but better in the dirt because of the lightweight.

The DRZ400SM is Suzuki's Supermotard street bike.

**newride** · 09-09-2008, 01:31 PM

Argh, just found out the DR 650 is going up $200.00 for 09. Not sutre if there are any upgrades eother.

**squiggy** · 09-09-2008, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by newride View Post

Argh, just found out the DR 650 is going up $200.00 for 09. Not sutre if there are any upgrades eother.

As far as I know there are no new improvements except for the new white color which actually looks pretty cool in person.

Personaly, I would look at used ones in either Craigslist or on Adventure Riders fleemarket. Unless financing is an issue.

Sometimes you can find ones where some have already added extras that you might have added.

**newride** · 09-10-2008, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by squiggy View Post

As far as I know there are no new improvements except for the new white color which actually looks pretty cool in person.

Personaly, I would look at used ones in either Craigslist or on Adventure Riders fleemarket. Unless financing is an issue.

Sometimes you can find ones where some have already added extras that you might have added.

yeah,
Good idea. I like extras. I have also seen a few 2006 XR 650's for good money in Craigslist and you just can't go wrong with a Honda.
Hmm, life if full of decisions.

**Helmet_Hair** · 09-10-2008, 11:16 PM

I have a DR 350. I love the bike. It's nearly perfect (not in the looks department, but functionally). I can go almost anywhere with it, from quick freeway blasts, to deep single-track woods. It gets nearly 70 mpg on the highway, I can easily wheelie or stoppie on it, I can pick it up off the ground if it drops, nothing usually breaks if it does drop, I can sling it around tight parking lots like a bicycle, I can ride on the worst maintained roads the city has to offer in relative comfort, I do all my own maintenance, I can mount my own tires (which by the way are not much more than about $120 a pair), and it takes up very little space in the garage.

I can imagine the 650 is just as useful.

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