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DR 650SE. What do you think? DR 650SE. What do you think?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 16 Jan 2010
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DR 650SE. What do you think?
Been wanting to by a bike to travel throughout Europe and i'm really thinking about doing it on a dr650.

I've found this one. Suzuki DR 650SE, , For Sale | UKBike Motorbike Classifieds

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter. Be most grateful.

Cheers ears
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  #2  
Old 16 Jan 2010
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Looks & sounds OK, a bit pricey, but I suppose its from a Trader.

Go have a look - make sure its stone cold then get it started & "look & listen!"

Should get it for £1500 or less. Good luck.
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  #3  
Old 17 Jan 2010
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I've got a DR650 and it's awesome... 43,000 km never missed a beat.

Not very fast, but super reliable and easy to live with...

Check out the DR650 thread for mods.

Specific things to look for:

Leaky base gasket, leaky cam chain tensioner. upper chain roller. Have a look that there isn't a gaping hole in the frame where the chain roller used to be. (feel the frame just above the chain)

The original bars are very soft so replace them if you are planning to drop the bike.

Remember air cooled singles need lots of oil changes with quality oil.

Good luck -
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  #4  
Old 20 Jan 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyboris View Post
Been wanting to by a bike to travel throughout Europe and i'm really thinking about doing it on a dr650.

I've found this one. Suzuki DR 650SE, , For Sale | UKBike Motorbike Classifieds

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter. Be most grateful.

Cheers ears
The DR is a great bike. Too bad they are so rare in the UK, overpriced, older and high mileage. That one you found may claim 12k miles but I seriously doubt that for a 1997 bike. Somebodies disconnected the speedo cable most likely. The DR motor is typically good for about 40K miles before needing attention.

Still, for touring Europe I'd pick a nice twin or in-line four. Something smooth that handles well on wet roads, can be packed up easily and gets good fuel economy. Any DR650 you get will need a better seat. The standard one is impossible. Also, carrying luggage will require a bit of fiddling in order to not set fire to your bags.

Don't know your budget but I'd look around a bit and see what you can afford. If you were going to Africa or S. America I'd say jump on the DR, kit it out and go. But for Europe there are better, more comfortable choices for not much more money. Best of luck.
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Old 20 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by Mickey D View Post
The DR motor is typically good for about 40K miles before needing attention.
That applies to the pre-SE models, i.e. before 1997. The SE lasts a lot longer. Mine is approaching 190k and still uses hardly any oil.

Other than that I would second what has been suggested above: get a nice road bike for Europe.
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Old 21 Jan 2010
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190K kms! That has to be a world record! I would contact Suzuki, maybe they'll put you in an Ad campaign and give you a free bike like HD did with Peter Forwood!

Congrats mate, that is serious distance! Most folks think it's all the bike but IMO, the owner and how he cares for the bike makes huge difference!
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Old 21 Jan 2010
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[QUOTE=

The original bars are very soft so replace them if you are planning to drop the bike.

Remember air cooled singles need lots of oil changes with quality oil.

Good luck -[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your knowledge.

What do you mean by dropping the bike?

How often is 'lots of oil changes' and which oil would you say to choose?
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Old 21 Jan 2010
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Stand next to your bike while it's not on side stand and hold it upright using the handlebars - and then let go....

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyboris View Post
What do you mean by dropping the bike?
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Old 23 Jan 2010
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about the oil changes, a more frequent change than stated in the manual might be advisable if you run it hard, with lots of luggage in hot, rough conditions. say 2/3 or half what the manual says.

so if a problem develops, at least you cannot blame yourself for not changing oil frequently (enough). doubt if there's a real technical reason for it when touring (traveling) though.

sanderd.
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Old 24 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by MikeS View Post
Stand next to your bike while it's not on side stand and hold it upright using the handlebars - and then let go....

That made me chuckle
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Old 25 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by jimmyboris View Post
Thanks for your knowledge. What do you mean by dropping the bike? How often is 'lots of oil changes' and which oil would you say to choose?
All Air/Oil cooled motors really benefit from Synthetic oil. Does not need be moto $$$ specific $$$ Syn oil, Syn car oil is fine. In cool weather 3000 to 4000 miles is about right. In hot weather, around 3000 miles should be OK. If you can't find good synthetic, then shorter intervals may be a wise move. (like 1000 to 2000 miles depending)

The DR650 is easy on oil, unlike Honda singles like the XR's, XL's (Dominators). Some air cooled Honda's tear oil up quickly, as they run a lot hotter. (No oil coolers on some) The DR oiling system is quite good. Read up on it "SACS"
Keep valves in spec, NSU bolts tight, don't bang shifts and you are good for over 40K, as noted here, many have gone much further.
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