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| Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA > MotorcycleUSA.com! > Bike Reviews > 2008 650 Dual-Sport Challenge | Forum Quick Jump
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GAJ
Registered Member
      
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 4763
| Posted 9/8/2008 10:18 AM (GMT -8) |   | What I don't know about dirt riding would fill a book the size of the San Francisco phone book, but I was surprised with how competitive, and dirt cheap, the Suzuki is.
Thx for the education. | | Back to Top | | |
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tigerowner_ut
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2007
Total Posts : 7
| Posted 9/8/2008 11:43 AM (GMT -8) | | Windscreen - $100
Tank - $200
Seat - $300
DR is now superior both on and off road.
Add a fully adjustable Cogent Dynamics shock, Gold Valve Emulators and springs for the forks and the KLR is begging for mercy.
Add, a Skid plate protection luggage of your choice and you are still lighter than a KLR.
A KLR may be debatably better from the showroom but the DR can be made to fit what you want your bike to be for a few bucks.
The unfortunate fact though is that there are better Dual Sports out there from Yamaha, Aprilia, and others that have not found their way to our shores. | | Back to Top | | |
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designeraccd
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2003
Total Posts : 38
| Posted 9/8/2008 12:18 PM (GMT -8) | | | I tried both of these thumpers before settling on the "ancient" DR. I only ride mine on pavement so I put Avon street rubber on her. Personally I liked the "feel" of the DR better, especially the responsive motor. To address the pain inducing issue of the laughable stock saddle I first put on a Corbin, but now have an even better Renazco saddle. I do not slip and slide all over the saddle with every throttle movement on the Renazco, unlike the Corbin.
The suspension is a wee bit of the soft/mushy side, but acceptable on the street. The "horn", like most bikes is pathetic. Brakes are just adequate given the low power output of the motor. However, given her flat torque curve, she is a willing performer and even the way I ride fuel mileage is reasonable.
Of all the street singles I've had over the years this Suzook has worked out very well; glad I bought her. Also, she makes for an interesting counterpoint, so to speak, to my other licensed bike: '06 Yamaha FJR 1300! DFO Image Attachment :
13NOV07sm.jpg 136KB (image/pjpeg)This image has been viewed 119 time(s). | | | |
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bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler
Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038
| Posted 9/8/2008 3:17 PM (GMT -8) | | I participated in this test and like the DR better, but the KLR was sooooooo much more comfortable and does everything well, with a great range... touring, street riding, plus a trekking out on the occasional logging roads.
I had a lot more fun on the DR in the dirt and loved it on the street, but I could see going to the dealer to buy a DR and coming home with a KLR knowing you'd ride it more and because it's so damn practical. | | Back to Top | | |
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Mojav
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2008
Total Posts : 28
| Posted 9/9/2008 8:07 PM (GMT -8) | | I have modded my 05 DR650 - MT40 flatslide, Racetech forks, Cogent shock, D606, IMS 5 gal tank, 520 conversion. It's dirt performance is in a completely different world from when it was stock. It easily exceeds the stock DRZ400S I owned before it. I defy anyone (remotely near my skill, or at least mostly sane) to take a new KLR, modded or not, where I go. And with the IMS tank I get a safe 200 dualsport miles range.
I do HATE HATE HATE the seat.
But there are good options for that - Corbin and Renazco. There are several wind screens available from small to huge, racks galore, boxes, bags, whatever
For the person willing to do a little work and spend some money the DR can at least match the KLR on the road, and it's vastly superior offroad.
The DR is a heavy bike but nothing like the F650GS Dakar I had for a while. There were a couple of times, staring up at the sky with that big pig pinning me down to the ground, that I vowed to never take a 400+ pound bike off road again. Post Edited (Mojav) : 9/10/2008 4:18:18 AM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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ebfoster
Registered Member
Date Joined Sep 2008
Total Posts : 1
| Posted 9/9/2008 11:14 PM (GMT -8) | | | Hey there, I live in Oregon and have had a few dirt bikes. Living a few miles down a logging road and a 15 mile commute, I went shopping for a dual sport to ride to work. First I bought a new 2004 KLR650 based on how well it performed on a road test ride, it really felt very nimble! As I rode more I noticed that gravel roads were scary as it was difficult to keep the front tire from sliding out (with the stock tires). On the trails it was a handful compared to any real dirt bike, mostly due to weight, soft forks and traction. I fell over twice and found myself struggling to get out from under... But I really enjoyed it on the twisty paved sections.. I got ~300 miles per tank for 2000 miles. I sold it and recently bought a stock 2006 DR650... It is also very nimble on the road. The seat requires me to stand up every 20 minutes or so to "recover", but it is slowly getting better. On gravel roads with the stock tires, it feels more predictable than the KLR and drifts rather than washing out. I dropped 1 tooth on the front sprocket to make it easier to ride in first, and it still goes 80 easily. I still get 160 miles per tank. Both bikes really need dirt tires to ride dirt or gravel! I have ridden a few 150 - 200 mile loops that include 75% paved and 25% unpaved roads with a bit of trail thrown in and both are a blast, with the DR favored on the gravel and dirt.... I am a bit surprised you all picked the KLR as the "winner" after all the trail riding. But Thanks for the compare. | | Back to Top | | |
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louemc
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
| Posted 9/10/2008 1:26 PM (GMT -8) | |
ebfoster said...
Hey there, I live in Oregon and have had a few dirt bikes. Living a few miles down a logging road and a 15 mile commute, I went shopping for a dual sport to ride to work. First I bought a new 2004 KLR650 based on how well it performed on a road test ride, it really felt very nimble! As I rode more I noticed that gravel roads were scary as it was difficult to keep the front tire from sliding out (with the stock tires). On the trails it was a handful compared to any real dirt bike, mostly due to weight, soft forks and traction. I fell over twice and found myself struggling to get out from under... But I really enjoyed it on the twisty paved sections.. I got ~300 miles per tank for 2000 miles. I sold it and recently bought a stock 2006 DR650... It is also very nimble on the road. The seat requires me to stand up every 20 minutes or so to "recover", but it is slowly getting better. On gravel roads with the stock tires, it feels more predictable than the KLR and drifts rather than washing out. I dropped 1 tooth on the front sprocket to make it easier to ride in first, and it still goes 80 easily. I still get 160 miles per tank. Both bikes really need dirt tires to ride dirt or gravel! I have ridden a few 150 - 200 mile loops that include 75% paved and 25% unpaved roads with a bit of trail thrown in and both are a blast, with the DR favored on the gravel and dirt.... I am a bit surprised you all picked the KLR as the "winner" after all the trail riding. But Thanks for the compare.
Welcome to MCUSA ebfoster,
I haven't riden either bike, but.... I've always like Suzuki suspension better than the other big fours, so what you said sounded right to me.
Where in Oregon do you do your logging road riding? If it is anywhere around Scappose or Tillamook or Battle Ground Washington, I might have riden the same place.
Focus the forces, Be The Force | | Back to Top | | |
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Jon Neet
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 10
| Posted 9/10/2008 8:18 PM (GMT -8) | | I should add here that its the 2008 KLR650 that have the heavy oil use problem. My 2005 with 13,000 miles uses none between changes. Mines been quite reliable too, and I commute every day rain,shine,cold,whatever.
jon | | Back to Top | | |
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gotdurt
Registered Member
Date Joined Sep 2008
Total Posts : 1
| Posted 9/11/2008 10:34 AM (GMT -8) | | S.A.M650L said...I have an XR650L that I've heavily modified. I had to put a ton of bucks into it to create a workable seat height, lighter weight, decent tires, better fuel range, and nicer lighter exhaust. The DR is so much cheaper and a great platform it is almost laughable! Like others have said, it wouldn't take much $$ to give it those things it needed to put it on top in this battle. The money spent on those items would still make it cheaper than a stock XR's msrp at the dealership. Let's face it, the KLR is used 90% of the time as a street/adventure mount. Suzuki's V-strom 650 fills that role nicely since both bikes stay on the street most of the time. Throw a set of Avon Gripsters on the DR and you'll have a street mount that's a total hoot. It would even look tougher with a set of black 17 inch excel rims and sport bike tires. Now that's smiles per miles!! 
If you spend much time off road, hang on to the XRL. I've spent the past 4 years trying to make my DR more like the XRL I had before it, and it still falls short. The XR650L does everything that the DR does well, and then some. I, however, didn't mind the extra height of the 'L (even though I'm only 5-10/ 31" inseam), and more appreciated the extra 3" of ground clearance and 2" of suspension travel that it afforded, not to mention the 18 rear wheel, more adjustable suspension with better damping, easier maintenance, better aftermarket, etc, etc... | | Back to Top | | |
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Ace!
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 159
| Posted 9/11/2008 1:25 PM (GMT -8) | | | | |
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KilLeR650
Registered Member
Date Joined Sep 2008
Total Posts : 1
| Posted 9/12/2008 11:11 AM (GMT -8) | | | I Ride a 2002 KLR throughout Utah. I am more concerned with how I get to the places I want to see than whether I can moto the whoops. The overall comfort and capability I get for the price makes it the vehicle of choice. I have to admit that the fun I have carving mountain roads is amazing. My sport bike riding friend comments on how often he scrapes his pegs following me. I have plenty of room to pack out the bike for extended trips. I haven't had to add anything but have changed to Avon Gripsters. Who cares what logo your t-shirt displays or decal you have in the rear window. Get one and go have the fun these bikes are intended for. | | Back to Top | | |
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eparks11
Registered Member
Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 117
| Posted 1/31/2009 10:24 AM (GMT -8) | | I was sitting here reading through all the Dual Sport & Adventure Touring comparo's and I couldn't help but think that you guys should really widen your scope and do a comparo that mixes the best of both. Dual Sport/Adv Riding is such a weird category it's hard to choose one bike to do it all. I personally decided on a KTM 990 Adv, but it wasn't an easy choice. The reason it wasn't an easy choice was mainly due to after market farkles. Unlike sportbikes I don't know a single person that has left their DS bike stock. Due to the after market mods I honestly considered (and test rode some) all of the following bikes:
- Kawasaki KLR 650
- Suzuki DR650
- Suzuki V-Strom 650
- KTM 690 Enduro
- KTM 990 Adventure
- BMW F800 GS
- Husqvarna TE 610
That may sound like an eclectic group that shouldn't compete against each other, but that's exactly what they do thanks to the after market. The KLR, KTM 990, & F800 are pretty much ready to go as is (well, after a tire change and a few minor mods), but when you take into consideration that you can buy something like a DR650, then spend $200 on a larger fuel tank, $150 on a new speedo, $300 for a better seat, $70 on a windscreen, and a few easy performance mods such as jetting and you'll have a bike that can do virtually everything an F800GS can do (Just look at the numerous threads on ADV Rider for proof). The same goes for the Husky and KTM 690 although those two will cost more.
I know you guys can't test modified bikes, but when comparing these I think you should put more weight into potential each has as a platform. I mean damn, I've seen pics of a Vstrom flying through the air off of dirt jumps after suspension mods and being fitted with a set of Conti TKC80's. However in stock form you'd never think it could do it.
Speaking of tires, that makes a huge difference on these bikes. Is there any way you guys can fit each bike with the same tire to even the playing field when doing the comparos?
Finally, as far as your price/value rankings go; call around some local dealers and get some actual real world prices to list along side MSRP. I didn't think I could afford a 990 ADV because of its $14k MSRP, but if you check around you'll see you can get one out the door for $11,500. I found the opposite to be true for the F800GS. MSRP is listed at $10,500 on their site, but dealers were all asking $12k+.Post Edited (eparks11) : 1/31/2009 6:41:02 PM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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