Are there any huge disadvantages with the older DR's, say a 1993? I ask as there is one for sale locally with very low miles for a fraction of the price of a new(er) one. From what I read, they are a bit heavier, but come with a larger tank, engine guard and some other stuff that would normally be added as aftermarket stuff to a newer bike anyway. There aren't many used Dr's around my area, KLR's either for that matter. Most everyone rides crotch rockets or cruisers, so not many DS bikes around.

I don't know the pre '97 DR's well

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I just hate to plunk down the cash for a new DR (about $7K up here). I'd rather someone else eats the depreciation on the bike than me. Who knows, if the bike is really weel suited to the type of riding I have planned, I don't mind upgrading to something newer, as it seems bikes depreciate to a certain point then hold their velue pretty well. I could likely sell an older bike for close to what I buy it for and feel better about buying new(er) if I know what I am getting into. While the info on this board is fantastic, it is no substitute for the real experience.

This is correct about used bike prices ... at least around here. DR's drop down to about US $2000 and stay there .... no matter how old they get and even condition doesn't seem to matter. Mind, there are "asking prices" and actual "selling prices".

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I have looked online at bikes for sale in the US and you are right about the prices. However, by the time I fgure the exhange rate (20%) plus, taxes, fees, etc. I am looking at about $5000 to get a bike up here. That is similar in price to what I would pay for a bike up here, when they are available. This 1993 I mention has about 3500 miles from new and could likely be had for something in the range of $2000. I will have to ask about the kick start part though.

Be patient, get the bike you want.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I've been debating this same question for the past few months.
First it was KLR vs DR. Then came in talk of the V Strom.
Then it became V Strom vs Versys.
I've owned suzuki's most of my life currently have two in my garage and i've always had a great experience. But the Kawi's have always seemed attractive albeit a tad temperamental.
Anyways back on topic a DR/KLR or a VStrom/Versys?
I reached my conclusion by going back to where it all started A globe.
I realized from past trips that after a fair amount of time on the road plain ol wilderness doesn't cut it. I need to be amazed by places and the people that live there. Well if ppl are there in all likelyhood there is some semblance of a trail or dirt track. Not forgetting that i want to truly enjoy tarred roads when i finally reach them after a few days on butt numbing, spirit crushing roads.
And thats why i chose the VStrom/Versys for the journey. Once that was done i have now settled on the VStrom for the following reasons
1. It's a Suzuki'
2. Touratech has gear for it, so plenty of people are going RTW on it. Which means dealers are stocking the parts or atleast the manuals. Plus you could run into someone who is riding one and knows a lil more than you do about your current problem.
3. It's been done.. so to on a KLR. Well that means it's the right bike for the trip. One that can do it.
4. If shit does go wrong on a RTW trip.. well ain't that the stuff of stories.
Happy Travels.


-- Four Wheels Move the Body, Two Wheels Move the Soul --

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\"Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow\"

Wrldtraver,
It seems that you have taken a logical approach in making your decision and that's good. Whatever you had decided on, it would have been able to do the job that you had asked. As has been said and proven several times over; it's not what you ride around the world on, but the fact that you have the desire, willingness and dream to do so and hence you will make it happen.
Enjoy your ride.
Daryll

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Central America, South America & Africa on DR650's - BLOG

My vote is for one you can walk away from, maybe a dr kitted out for <$4000 USD.

Had another one of those days today during which I was glad I brought my KLR and left the V-strom in my garage at home. Pavement is still fun, but when pavement mysteriously evaporates for hours at a time, leaving instead single lane tracks through landslides, mudholes, up and down ridiculous grades while dodging oncoming trucks, pedestrians and household pets.....

But I do miss the V-strom comfort. And if I succeed in persuading my g.f. to join me in Chile, so will she.

enjoy,

Mark

(Coban Guatemala. onwards towards Honduras, a.k.a. "#$%$&/(?=#$ Honduras, tomorrow)

Remy,

I have both a V-Strom and a DR650. Were I to take one on an extended journey away from first-world countries, I would select the DR650. A custom seat renders the bike as comfortable at the V-Strom, and the DR650 has additional advantages such as resistance to crash damage, simplicity, and ease of maintenance.

My stepson rode his DR650 from Colorado to Buenos Aires last year and was pleased with his choice of bike.

I bought a DR650 in Cape Town at the beginning of the year, best decision I ever made..
My girlfriend and I drove (2 up) 30,000kms on a 7 month trip up to Ethiopia and then back to Malawi.

I could spend hours writing about the DR's pros.

The bike's been across rivers in dugout canoes, I managed to get it onto the ferry to Zanzibar, no matter the terrain (I hate sand) it always made it.

There are a few must's before you set off though:
Corbin seat
Sheep skin
Mirror extenders
Larger tank
New horn
Replace rear shock, (Wilbers pro) although this is more a 2 up issue.

We managed 500/600km days (when we needed to) without any problems, I ran TKC 80's and didn't have a single puncture.

I'll stop now..

Remy, you seem to have disappeared from your own thread entirely...
Just wondering what bike you picked in the end, and how it faired on the journey. I did a circle route of South America on an XT600, and was quiet happy with how it held up. I'm now doing a North down to Central America on a Wee. Still in the states now, and the bike has held up well for me, up to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, and plenty other dirt roads, but I'm curious about what it will be like in Central America (if their speed-bumps are anything like the ones in South...).

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We're here for a good time, not a long time...
Mini-on-Tour

I have both the Wee and the DR.
The first 48,000 miles on the Wee strom was stone cold reliable with all my touring and travelling to CA and back. However, it developed a fuel pump/filter problem that i'm still diagnosing (too cheap to replace both )
That led me to wondering if at 50k miles i want to take the Wee on any more adventures around the world. The answer is no. If the fuel pump/filter were to fail, i dont have the mechanical chops to deal with it on the road.

My choice for future trips is the DR. I have been learning its internals slowly and am loving the bike now. With a few cheap mods, you have a very reliable and capable bike that any mechanic anywhere in the world can fix if you can't. Plus it is loads lighter and goes places where you wont take the Wee.

Travelingstrom had a pickup screen get clogged on his DL--caused all sorts of issues until it was properly diagnosed and fixed. I don't know the details, but I've been told that's a common problem and an easy fix. You might try contacting him.

Hope that helps.

Mark