DR base gaskets?
 

Hi all. Looking at one of the rare(?) DR650's here in the UK,it's a '01-model year so wondering just how prevalent base gasket problems are on this model year (rectified in '04?). Experienced users suggest some are ok and i realise that a lot depends on how the bikes' been treated, any experiences folks?:mchappy:

My ex g/f has a '97 model that has been abused and I have a '99 with over 110000km, been on some rough tracks. Neither of them has leaked so far. I'm not worried about it and don't carry a spare gaket.

Ta for the info, folks. The bike's a real low-miler (<4000miles!),going for a great price and previously bought with the intention of O'landing but plans shelved.So now i'm looking at it... I've been doing some heavy-duty umming/ahhing as to buying in the States but the whole registration/address-thing is an issue as i don't have access to friends/family over there so shipping feelers are out and about! To be honest i hear about the gasket issue on the various US dual-purpose sites but no specific threads on the problem seem to be on the Hubb, which is encouraging!:mchappy:

Hi Mollydog. I'm hopefully going to see pics of the beast tomorrow and then decide whether to view it in the flesh. I don't actually need a bike until next spring when i kit it out and ship it, but these bikes are uncommon here in Blighty so when a sweet one comes up i'll have a good luck as ,invariably, there'll not be one available when i need it! But i'm still contemplating buying out there if at all possible to save on the (not inconsiderable) shipping costs.Decisions, decisions...:mchappy:

FWIW, our '00 DR650 has the original base gasket and has never leaked a drop...

I think the popping base gasket might be due to pushing the bikes hard in very hot conditions.
One of my 6 DR's is still on the original one. It's a 2001 with 35000km. Has been as far as Dar but was always treated nicely.
All the other five popped foot gaskets at some time. Four bikes of totally different mileage (between 10000 and 80000) within a few hundred to very few thousand kms after a group of Japanese hooligans rode them through the Kunene.

Hmmm, all useful info people! Hopefully going to check out the bike this weekend. As i'm a "mechanically sympathetic" rider i.e. not in the habit of revving the nuts off engines, then this may not be such an issue (fingers/arms/legs all crossed:cool4:)