Suzuki DR650SE
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DR650SE (2012) – This bike comes with alloy rims, straight pull spokes, an oil cooler, a rear shock that doesn't sag, dual spark plugs (good spark), a foam air filter (more effective than a paper one), a wide seat and a small headlight that puts out enough light to see by (but could be better). It has a solid subframe and weighs 166 Kg which is quite heavy for a… Read more
road/trail bike. Bikes in this class commonly range from 100-140 Kg making the DR650 at least 20 Kg heavier than it should be.
The tappets are adjusted by shims... which means fewer adjustments than the screw and locknut method.
The 525 chain is a compromise between the heavier 530 chains and the lighter 520 chains. A 525 chain lasts much longer (>20,000 km) than a 520 chain (~12,000 km) and needs less adjustment. With a chain oiler (Scottoiler) the chain will last over 40,000 km.
The small 13.1 L tank doesn't go far enough if you like riding. The mileage on this bike is pretty average at around 17 -19 km/L although many owners report 21 km/L. The engine is powerful but quite rough (slightly better balancing should be possible?). If you want power, this is one of the most powerful bikes you could buy in this class. An oil analysis on this bike showed excess copper (presumably bearings?). Adding some Xcelplus to the engine to reduce friction made it run much more smoothly, improved fuel efficiency and reduced wear by around 50 % (this means the tappets have never needed adjustment as the gap hasn't changed in 46,000 km).
This bike could have easily been a 600. The extra 50 cc is just for those who think bigger is better but is probably at least partially responsible for the extra weight.
Oil changes are every 6,000 km which simply reflects the high temperatures that an air-cooled engine runs at (roughly double that of a water-cooled engine). It's surprising that the oil cooler doesn't drop the engine temperature a bit more. Both sides of the engine get uncomfortably warm with normal use. Suzuki could easily run the oil through the frame or added a few extra fins to drop the temperature a bit more.
The standard front tyre (Trailwing aka Deathwing) was woeful and squirmed whenever you braked hard. Changed it to a Dunlop Trailmax which lasts a long time, grips the road well and brakes brilliantly.
The standard rear tyre was OK but wore out too quickly. Changing to a Mitas E07 roughly doubled tyre life (>20,000 km) while giving decent grip including in the dirt.
It would be nice to have air caps in the front forks as otherwise there is no way to adjust them (they tend to sag). It is very easy and cheap to add caps which is why it's surprising that the factory doesn't do it. The same goes for grease nipples why doesn't the factory add some? It's an easy job at the factory... but it's a hard one if you do it later.
One thing you miss is the tacho. A temperature gauge would be nice as these bikes being air-cooled run at roughly double (160~200 C) the temperature of a water-cooled bike (80~100 C). Xcelplus was used to reduce the temperature by 10~30 C.
The oil filter is an internal item. It would be nice if it came with an external spin-on filter.
There is no ABS option for this bike (mandated for 2021). As at least 30% of all m/c accidents involve a failure to brake properly this is a worthwhile addition that Suzuki ought to include. This is meant to become standard on all new bikes in the next few years. ABS is well worth any extra money and it's worth upgrading just to get it.
From 1996 onwards the models don't change much... although if you have the opportunity you ought to buy a later model because they've been incrementally improving problem areas. You won't realise what those areas are unless you run into a problem a few years down the track. The local dealers don't know about these small improvements as Suzuki doesn't seem to make much of an effort to notify anyone when things change.
Suzuki parts prices are quite reasonable for most items. Parts availability is very good for most items. The dealers are usually very helpful.
The Acerbis 26L tanks fit the Suzuki well and give it a range of about 500 km. A 30 L safari tank makes the front too heavy... so don't buy one.
A Unifilter foam (dual layer) filter gives improved air filtration if you intend to go somewhere very dusty (like the desert)... but the standard foam air filter should already be fairly good.
You'll start to appreciate a sheepskin if you do some long trips.
The standard spark plugs only last 12,000 km and are meant to be gapped every 6,000 km... so investing in a set of 50,000 km iridium plugs or Torque Master Extreme Spark plugs (>100,000 km) will save you a lot of time (the tank has to come off to change the plugs) and money.
The standard globe is OK... but if you invest in a high-output quartz halogen you can improve light output 50 % or more using the same amount of power. Haven't tried an LED headlight yet as they're hellishly expensive and it's not clear if they are any brighter than standard... although they do use a lot less power.
The standard flasher soon fails... so change it over for an electronic one N.B. Electronic flashers are compatible with LED indicators... whereas standard ones are not.
The indicators are fine... but it's not worth replacing them if you break them... just replace them with LED indicators which should be much cheaper (<$10 each?) and you won't have to worry about blowing any more globes?
Fork oil lasts a long time on this bike. An oil change was carried out at ~32,000 km (normally a 10,000 km job) and the oil still looked perfect. Just use ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) oil. ATF works better and is usually cheaper and easier to get than the specialist fork oils... most of which don't last as long.
The only thing to go wrong with this bike in 36,000 km is the cam chain tensioner gasket sprung a leak when the bike was fractionally overfilled with oil. It's an easy fix (about $3 for a gasket)... but it took ages to find the leak as oil was spraying upwards and dripping a long way away from the leak. The original gasket was installed minus gasket goo... the replacement was installed with a light smear of gasket goo... so it's unlikely to ever leak again even if overfilled.
Overall this is a very competent single-cylinder bike that shouldn't give you too much trouble if you look after it.
:-)
In-depth reviews
One of the best all round bkes ever made – I have had 3 of these, replacing each with a new one every few years. I've been riding nearly 50 years, don't drive a car and have owned over 60 bikes in my time, and to me the DR is one of the best bikes around. Unchanged since 1996 and with no known major problems other than a very few which have had serious 3rd gear failures, they are light,… Read more
robust, incredibly reliable and easy to maintain, and are a joy to handle on twisty roads. The engine has screw adjusted tappets and the air filter, oil filter and plugs are readily accessible so doing a service takes a matter of minutes. Over perhaps 80,000km on these I've averaged 4.8L/100km over every type of road in the country, including thousands of kilometres of dirt riding and I've never had any breakdowns, failures or other problems with any of them. Not even a blown globe.
I modified my first one with a Staintune exhaust and carb airbox and jetting mods and it did up power and lower the weight, but at some cost to fuel consumption and a lot more noise, and in the end I opted for the standard carb setup and a sightly modified stock exhaust, which is how I set up the other two. I also fitted different bars, a 20L Acerbis tank, 43T rear sprocket, Hepco & Becker rear rack and topbox, modified seat, Oxford heated grips and LED spotlights, and carried those parts over on subsequent DRs. I use the stock Trailwing tyre on the front and a Mitas E07 on the rear. The DR will sit on 115kmh on the highway without any problems and is surprisingly stable at speed for such a light bike, and once you've either got used to the original seat or replaced it, very long distances can be done in a day. They are also happy to plonk around in 1st gear in dirt as long as the revs are kept over 3000rpm. The engine is torquey, but doesn't pull much below 3000, and is in its real powerband between 4500 and 5500 rpm, where it becomes very smooth and has ample power on tap. (I also always have a large touring bike in the garage - BMW R1200, Kawasaki 1000, Bandit 1250 or similar, and the DR doesn't feel gutless after riding them.) I weigh about 80kg and the suspension has always been left on the settings it came from the factory as it works fine for me and soaks up potholed roads and moderate off-roading without any dramas.
There are no downsides to the DR, and having ridden its main opposition the KLR, the only benefits of the KLR are the huge standard fuel tank, slightly more comfortable seat and better wind protection, but at a cost of considerable weight and maintenance complexity. They also keep their resale value and are very quick to sell when the time comes. You'll never get bored with a DR, so buy one and put some fun back into your riding.
Simplicity at it's finest – Great bike, they haven't changed much over twenty years or so. As with most bikes they have a few niggly things that need modifying but that comes down to personal preference and what you plan on doing with it I suppose. For me it was the front suspension that dived hard under heavy front wheel braking but some heavier front springs and a set of… Read more
intiminators sorted that one out.
Original seat was replaced with a Sargeant Seat for those long days in the saddle.
The old Mikuni BST40 carburettor in the bike is probably not cutting edge technology as I think Noah used one on the arc so I replaced that with a Mikuni TM40.
The aftermarket industry is in overdrive for the DR650 with an endless supply of cheap accessories available for it and the bike is cheap to start with so a bit of customising can give you the perfect bike.
Have racked up over 40 thousand K's on mine with no probs, think I read somewhere someone had over 400,000!
I weigh 75kg and am 178cm and find the bike a perfect size as some of the other adventure touring bikes weigh well over 200kg unloaded and are just too heavy loaded and the going gets tough.
Air-cooled, carby, no high tech trickery on these girls keeps life pretty simple so it gives you the confidence to take it to those back-of-burke places with some confidence that old Billy-bob at Oodnadatta garage will have that spare watchamacallit in the back of the shed to get you going again.
I mainly ride dirt roads and tracks and avoid bitumen where possible and the DR fits my critique spot on.
Good luck with your choice, I'm happy with mine!
Great highway bike that doubles as a dirt bike – I got a black DR 650 SE. Rode it from adelaide to Darwin and out to kakadu and finke gorge track and oonadatta track and flinders ranges. Perfect bike for offroad and highway. I put a safari tank on it and it was sufficient for all without needing any spare tanks of fuel. Its a solid reliable bike that never let me down. Off course one needs to… Read more
find the right tyres. I chose Dunlop dual purpose. I also got a small custom windscreen for the front which made highway riding more pleasing. People complain about the seat stiffness. But wasn't issue for me. But my main concern was knowing about the dreaded neutral screw that comes loose in some bikes especially on corrigation.
I was going to take the screws out and drill a hole through them and connect with wire to stop such. But in the end i just got a magnetic sump plug and reminded myself that if the neutral light plays up. Don't start the bike!
Anyhow over 15000 km and not one single mechanic problem.
Recent reviews
Reliable, Simple, Bulletproof Dual Sport Motorcycle – I purchased a Suzuki DR 650SE new in 2017 from the dealer. They are super reliable motorcycles, the most reliable bike ever made in my opinion as a mechanic. Air/oil cooled, Japanese made, single barrel Mikuni carburettor, single cylinder. Very simple set up that translates to extreme reliability, robust durability and a very usable every day… Read more
motorcycle. Good horse power for a dual sport, linear delivery. Starts first go every time as long as fuel is not stale. -3°C ambient cold start with full choke still starts first time. 47°C ambient hot start in the Australian outback starts first go. Easy and cheap to change oil yourself. Never had a break down in 11K km. Made the trip across the Australian outback from Eastern point Byron Bay NSW to Western point Steep point WA with no faults. I’m 6’2” and it suits my height, shorter riders may find it a little tall. The standard fuel tank is too small so I installed a 30L safari tank. The standard seat is uncomfortable after 30 mins. A windshield would be nice after crossing the Nullabor plain without one. It is not a sports bike but it will pull ahead of traffic and sit on 120kph all day and night with camping gear and panniers plus a 100kg rider. I’ve dropped mine in soft sand and it was an effort to pick up alone. The last year it’s been used as my commuter for work and has been a solid workhorse as always.
If you want a bike in dirt and mud aswell as highway and traffic that’s cheap and simple, this is the one. If you just want a dirt bike get something lighter and if you are staying on road only, probably buy something more road oriented. It’s a walk in both worlds type bike and remains the market King of simple, cheap, ultra reliable dual sport motorcycles.
I have 3 bikes. My DR650 will be with me forever even though some years I don't register it – I bought my 2008 model with 4,000 kms on it in 2011. I then rode it "as is" to the red centre via Broken Hill, Camerons Corner and Inamincka. This enabled me to work out what needed changing or modifying. Over the ensuing years I have modified my exhaust, airbox and put on a Mikuni double pumper carburettor. The bike has rear wheel horsepower of a… Read more
standard bike at the crank but, more importantly, there is immediate throttle response. Add heated grips, luggage side and rear racks, bar risers and a 22 litre Acerbis tank and then customise the front suspension (the rear can wait) with heavier oil and Intiminators (which also add a preload component) and the bike is now as if taylor-made. So yes, this bike can be enjoyed as is or can be a blank canvas for people ready and willing to put some effort into modifying it in stages to suit. If you're unwilling to or incapable of changing things out yourself and have the money to spend $25K on a lovely German toy that's great. But in my experience you'll not bond with a bike when the only input is the hand into the wallet for the card.
Good at most things – I write this in response to some who complain about it....suzuki has been selling this thing since last century (maybe even the one before...). It is a cheap bike that is tough, well built and reliable. It is in many ways outdated but that appears to add to the appeal. It is easy to work on, uncomplicated and predictable. I doubt there is more… Read more
info out there on any other dirt bike on how to improve or change just about every aspect of the bike.
Generally you do not have to do anything to it to ride within reason, but you will have to be sensible and keep the speed down. The rougher the terrain the more the 1970s suspension suffers, and you along with it, particularly the front end which cab ruin your wrists in short time.
But suspension problems can be solved, price depends on how far you want to go, about $1000 will get a pretty good set up, nothing that compares to a modern dirt or adventure bike but quiet ok.
In essence your $8500 bike usually ends up around $12000 or more when you add wider lowered foot pegs, handle bars (standard ones are made of cheese), bark busters, a seat that is not made for the purposes of torture, an exhaust that is not made of wrought iron, a proper fuel tank with decent range and other odd bits.
It still ends up being cost effective compared to the competition, and is still way lighter than any of the proper adventure bikes. It feels like a dirt bike and that it is, capable of adventure and rougher fire trails.
There simply is nothing else out there to compete, mine is 5 years old and been in the desert, the mountains and every where in between, worth buying, you bet.
Really about time suzuki did some cost effective updates, maybe some other manufacturer will come up with competition but none on the horizon
blown up gearbox – this a 3year bike with 38,000 km no sign is was going to destroy it self left me stuck in the bush miles from nowhere not good for a adv bike steer clear from them 2 off my mates have had the same problem at 10,000km and 19,000km. not happy Show details
If you could only own one bike – The DR650 is a great bike but it needs a few mods to make it an exceptional all rounder. 1 - chuck the standard seat away (the further away the better) 2 - chuck the standard muffler away (as above) 3 - 20 litre acerbis fuel tank 4 - carb rejet with procycle jetting kit plus mods to the carb & airbox as per Full Force Racing Video. (BETTER MPG… Read more
than stock set up + more power !!!!)
Sure the DR650 is a bit on the porky side and the suspension may need a bit of tweaking but it is the best adventure bike you can buy for the money - Basic & reliable with little to break when you fall off (which you will if you use it to get off the beaten track)
There is a good reason why the DR650 has legions of diehard fans.....
Love the bike – I bought the bike with 5000ks on the clock. I have now done 13000k. The bike does every thing I want it too for how I use it,which is more road than dirt. The bike sits on 100kmr without a problem.Also as I am getting older I wanted a more lighter bike with less maintenance and the DR is perfect. I service the bike myself. I still have the… Read more
standard tank on it and I get about 250km between fills depending how I ride it .Only vice is the seat it’s a bit hard on the backside but a lambs wool fixes that.Recomend the bike to any one.
Love it – This bike is fantastic to ride. Purchased one earlier this year. Love that it's simple to tinker around with too. Unlike other bikes, this one is easy to make any adjustments or repairs to. This bike has been ridden both on road and off. When riding on road once it reaches about 80 kilometres per hour it starts to get a bit reckless. This I have… Read more
attributed to it's dirt tyres. When off road this bike makes everything a breeze. Even beginner riders are able to test out and build skills off road without coming off. This bikes balance is fantastic considering it's height and weight.
Not just a motorbike. , forget dogs being mans bestfreind, your dog will come second to one of these – Very great motorcycle. 1. Cheap. You can pick a used one up very cheap. 2. Build any bike. They are a platform for a great adventure tourer, daily commute, heavy dirtbike, supermotard, tractor to tow a plough. 3. Lots and lots of ome and aftermarket parts and accessories. 4. Loves to wheelie. 5. Bulletproof Show details
Awesome bike. So good I bought two – I bought an 04 model and thrashed it unmercifully for 5 years. I still have it and it goes great. I crashed and drowned it but it always came back for more. I bought another 2012 model and put 40'000 km on it in 3 years. Solid, dependable and tough. I will buy another when I wear this one out. There is a great range of aftermarket accessories… Read more
available for them. If they fix the neutral sender unit issue and make the seat more comfortable it would be nearly perfect.
Find out how Suzuki DR650SE compares to other Learner Approved Bikes
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dr650se – used a courier bike 95,oookm no problem at all, great on fuel, long power range through gears, comfortable seat, front shockers alittle small , great all round bike , oil cooled and no water or radiator was a bonus less trouble, use the clutch and dont break gears dude and ride properly. couldnt say more about it. love to own another one . Show details
Suzuki DR opens many doors – Suzuki have been making the DR650 without many major changes for nearly 20 years. You would be forgiven for thinking that either, the bike is way old and something newer must be better or that after 20 years Suzuki have had all the time they need to refine this machine into the best the world will ever see. To get this out of the way early, the… Read more
bike uses components that are old (the almost superseded rod style fork dampers for example), and a number of niggles mean that Suzuki have not developed the DR into the best machine possible.
So why ride one? Straight out of the shop it can do dirt, and get to the forest without a trailer, it can do highway speeds with or without a pillion, it can run you to and from work, or quietly take you to the shop for bread and milk. It can do twisty roads, and is more than happy to do 100kmh all day on the way to your mates beach shack. It's just, well, not really perfect at any of them. So why buy it?
That the stock DR650SE it is not perfect is it's biggest asset. Let's say dirt is your thing, swap the trailwings for some knobbies on it, some hand guards, stiffen up the suspension, and you are ready to roost. Or if touring is for you, throw on a bigger fuel tank (30ltr plastic tank gets 600km range!), some luggage racks, and a wider softer seat (important) and all that sealed and unsealed expanse of road is yours.
Once you know what you want to do on the bike, I'll bet there are aftermarket mods that will turn the stock DR650SE into your own snorting paddock pig.
Bike mods, and what can be achieved, are the reason for this review, and where the age of the bike works in it's favour. People across the world have been playing with the bike for two decades and posting online. Turns out the internet is for cat photos, porn, and the Dr. There are many forums discussing problems, fixes, modifications, rides. There are videos showing how to wheelie the big dirt bike, how to set it up for a North-South trip down South America, or just the easy way to change a tyre.
If you haven't got a Dr. in you stable, read forums and watch the videos to see if the two of you are a match. If you already have a Dr. read the forums and watch the videos to see if giving your pony that stainless steel exhaust might improve your relationship. It is super unlikely that the stock bike will be exactly what you need.
My 2013 grey Dr. has gone through (is going through) this long term transformation and with each adjustment of the rear brake level height my favourite little pony gets better and better. At the moment it is somewhere between a forestry/fire trail explorer and a overnight tourer.
A side benefit, one I did not expect, was reawakening my sleeping garage mechanic. This bike is super easy to work on, once you get the courage to take off the side panels & seat, I bet you'll find fitting fuel tanks or lowered foot pegs is huge fun - it is for me.
If you are returning to riding after a 10 or 15 year break (anyone want to hear my about mid-life crisis?) you might be aiming for adventure on a BMW GS or to cruise on a Honda Goldwing. But in your quieter moments you may be daunted by the size and weight (and cost) of those fab machines. The Dr. is light enough to be manageable, powerful enough to grow into, and cheap enough to sit in the shed all winter while you are paying the loan off.
And, people are awesome. If you mention you ride a Dr. all sorts, people you'd not expect, will want to tell you their bike story. A quiet word of advice, most people are more interested in re-living their story than listen to you re-live yours. Do them a huge favor, just listen and enjoy their adventures.
I've had coffee with a pair of DR riders in a country town who were hunting forestry roads, and chatted with a Canadian at the top of Tasmanian's Ben Lomond who had hired his DR in Sydney and was going clockwise around Aust. There are at least 5 regular DR commuters in my town.
Suzuki's stock DR650SE is a great kick off point, just go on to make it yours.
Great Budget All Rounder – First off, if you are seriously considering a DR then Google it, don't go by reviews here. There is a huge amount of content about the DR on the internet - just search on YouTube. Secondly, you need to know a) what sort of rider you are - ability, aggressiveness, age,weight,height, strength etc and b) what sort of riding are you going to do.… Read more
Work this out before you even go looking at bikes.
The DR is what it is - it does not pretend to be anything - it has many strengths and many weaknesses so do your research and get up to speed on them so you don't end up like the moaners giving it an undeserved 1 or 2 stars - that is a reflection on them, not the DR. It is an old design with old tech - air cooled and carburetor but that is also it's strength as it is simple, reliable and cheap to run and repair and they don't tend to get stolen like KTM's and the like.
STOCK - as a stock bike the DR is ideal for commuting, fire trails and light off road. The tank is small and the suspension does wallow but if you want to commute and play around a bit on the weekends the DR is ideal.
It is NOT a competitor to a KTM (or similar). Apart from the massive price differential you buy a KTM because you want race like performance and handling or because you realise you are too up yourself to buy a DR. I know people who have sold their KTM and got a DR because the KTM performance was too peaky for them and they preferred and enjoyed the more relaxed nature of the DR. Others have moved up to a KTM because they ant improved performance.
If you want to do more than fire trails and light off roads you will need to get the credit card out and start modifying - there are many many videos and articles about this. Many people buy a new DR and start modifying straight away. Common mods are;
- larger tank if you head into the bush for a few days. If you just do day trips standard is fine
- exhaust for more power and less weight, standard does the job fine though
- suspension - essential if seriously off roading
- seat - standard seat is hard and narrow
The mods list goes on and on and that is the great thing about the DR, you can buy it and modify it bit by bit as your confidence builds and you venture more and more off road, or not. I know guys with standard bikes who take them further into the rough stuff than guys on modified bikes - most is about the rider.
If you are a lighter person and want to do a lot of off road the DR is heavy so you may want to look at 250's or 400's. IF you are short you can get lowering links and lower seats.
If you want to do mostly rough dirt rides don't get the DR, a smaller, lighter more off road focused bike will be better for you. The big dilemma many DR buyers face is DR650 or DRZ400? If you plan to do mostly off road then go the DRZ, if you plan more road miles then the DR650. Ride both, talk to owners and make your choice. If the DRZ had a 6 speed gear box there would be a lot more of them and less DR650's sold.
The DR is a cheap entry bike into the adventure market. It is capable offroad and can rack up kilometres on road. It is a budget dual sport.
It is a compromise bike - I'd love a 250 dirt bike and I'd love a 900+ road bike but I can have both so the DR does it all. I'd love it to be lighter and more nimble in the dirt (and easier to pick up) but it is heavy, I'd love it to be more comfortable on the road but it's a 650 single with knobbies. It bridges the gap for me and many others well and does it in a way that people become very fond of their DR's.
The DR's biggest benefit is price. Cost to buy is low and cost to maintain is low. There is nothing that is as reliable as a DR that compares in cost price and maintenance costs. It is easy to own and you don't need to feel guilty if you are not using it. Most owners do their own servicing, I do oil and filter every 2000km but I do a lot of dirt, you'd stretch it out if you were on the road. Valves 8-10km, others go longer.
At the end of the day the rider makes most of the difference. I've out ridden guys on KTM's and even guys on the road on their fancy sports bikes. People tend to 'over-buy' bikes eg buy a Yamaha R1 when it's performance is well well beyond them. You can buy a Ducati or R1 and talk it up but if you don't have the skills or personality to brake late and lean low then it is wasted, and embarrassing when a guy on a dual sport passes you. Same with a KTM, you can spend $15k + but if you just ride road, fire trails and light off road you not using it at capacity and just spending more on maintenance and depreciation than you need.
THE DR650 IS IDEAL FOR
- commuting if you want the upright tall view
- light off roading
- budget conscious
- performance conservative people
- adventure riding - loading up and heading to the bush
- people who like to add on and modify over time
- laid back middle aged guys who want to get out of the house
NOT IDEAL FOR
- people wanting a rip snorting off road beast
- short - light people - it is heavy
- image conscious folk worried about what people will think of them
- 'Long way rounders" - people who in their mind want to conquer the world on an over weight, overloaded massive bike that restricts them to the paths most travelled
- dirt oriented folk
I love my modified DR650 but if I was buying tomorrow I'd look at a 450 now because the DR has re-inspired my love of dirt and I'd go for something lighter. However, I do love throwing a leg over and hitting the road in search of dirt and the DR keeps me within 'safer limits' so I don't get serious injuries.
Horses for courses, do you research, work out what you want and take a punt. The DR is a starter bike for many, it gets them in the game and from there they start to work out what they really want eg more road oriented, more dirt oriented or more power. There are lots of great used DR's for sale from $3-$6k buy one of these and if you don't like it sell it on, you won't lose too much and you'll work out if a DR is for you or you want something different.
Whatever you decide, just do it, get a bike and get out there.
Fooled by good reviews – Bought a 2015 dr after reading mostly good reviews but quickly realized that this was not the bike for me. Dual purpose? Not really, high speed wobbles at highway speeds around 100 km/hr, tiny fuel tank and extremely uncomfortable seat. As for off road this bike is basically useless, front forks bottom out on anything more aggressive than… Read more
washboard (210lb rider) stock tires are useless off-road and without lowering the foot pegs and adding bar risers this bike is very cramped and very uncomfortable while standing/riding 5' 11" rider. If you are expecting to pay $6500 for a ready to ride bike you will be sorry. I don't doubt this is a strong bike mechanically and I like the old school style but be prepared to dish out a couple $$$$ to make this a decent ride.
Brand new 2015 DR650 review – Just clocked 1200 klms and put bike in for its first service. I complained about a bad rattling, clanging and banging noise when the bike was under load or with two up. The dealership said it was normal. I have owned motorcycles all my life and I have never heard noises come from a bike like that before. I was worried that the bike was faulty. I… Read more
would not recommend purchasing this motorcycle. Its down right embarrassing riding down the street rattling and clanging and banging like that.
Trial run – Just bought a new 2015 DR as well. Still running in (220k) but a bit if pinging and tapping at cruising speed (60-80ks). Is that normal? Great bike but sometimes noisy and not sure if that is normal i.e the sounds. I love the DR but not good enough to know the right or wrong noises.
Be Aware Of Gearbox Issues – 2007 DR650 35,000 km (failed August 2015) Bearing and/or 3rd gear failure, this can and has destroyed engines. Not restricted to any particular year model and no specific kilometers. No recall or gearbox upgrade notification to date. Bike forums listing bikes affected worldwide. Great motor with a hand grenade gearbox - reliability issue. … Read more
Repair cost high.
I will require confirmation this issue has been addressed before considering to repair or replacement my bike.
To date no response from Suzuki Australia.
UPDATE: Received response from Suzuki Australia (late 2015) which in short said " See your local Suzuki Dealer Parts & Service Department".
Local Dealer advised, gear and bearing part numbers had not changed, therefore no change to parts.
Replacing bike, not a Suzuki.
Simply the best – I bought a brand spankers 2015 one about 5 months ago, and am very, very happy with it. The secondhand ones were too close to the new price of $8K on the road, so I went for the new option. She's quick on the road, and more than capable off road. I've lowered the gearing a bit, via a smaller front sprocket; but will have to go further with a… Read more
larger rear and a new chain set. I will convert to the more common chain size at that time too. A split shift gearbox would make these the perfect bike, but maybe just another set of wheels/sprockets and chain will have to do. It's easy and intuitive to work on. The oil changes are simple, and the bike is very old school simple.
The stock seat is as hard as a rock, but that can be changed according to ones budget. A sheep skin is saving me for the time being. Same with the exhaust and power options etc.
I'm sticking with bog stock at the moment, as it's like stealth mode out in the bush, but will upgrade next year to something louder with a carburettor/air intake fix at the same time. Their about 43 HP stock, but 55 HP is easily achieved, and if you want a lot more than that, get a much bigger, heavier and more expensive bike.
These iconic chook-chasers have stood the test of time, and have a huge following both here and overseas. Great aftermarket parts and support via a few different forums etc.
Get out there, and have fun.
July 2016; I've fitted a softer seat, and louder pipe. A small fly-screen and a 12 volt outlet. I'm still happy with the bike, and will probably keep it until I can't ride a bike anymore. It's just so easy to own, and fun to ride.
Ready for Adventure – What a versatile motorcycle. Have recently purchased a brand new 2015 DR650SE with the free Enduro pack that Suzuki presently has on offer. I have also had the optional lowering kit fitted to make it more user friendly for all our family. Quite a light bike for a 650cc which makes it easy to ride as a commuter and still very happy to cruise at the… Read more
legal speed limit on open roads. Changes in the future - perhaps the seat which is a little hard and also a larger tank for longer trips out west. This bike is a keeper!
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very impressed with the style and power – Love this ride. Easy to control on road off road. Highly recommended to anyone who wants a cheap easy to maintain motorcycle.
Never ever again – One of the bike that I used without enjoying it. Uncomfortable highway riding, seat uncomfortable. Engine doesn't have the punch, power not enough for me. Being a 650 engine it should me more powerful. The bike is not stable on the road after 110kms starts wobbling. During small windy days found that the bike shakes. Not economical with the fuel consumption. Good points: Good on country off road use. Suspensions good and the look of the bike.
this is the only motor cycle I've ever had that I'll buy again if it gets destroyed – I've had 10 bikes since 2001 and liked most of them very much. Current road bike is a 2014 Vstrom 1000 ABS which shares a stable with my DR650. The DR is the bike I'll always keep. When you modify a bike to suit you it's as if it becomes a "friend". A great commuter, fabulous dirt/gravel road bike and with proper mods a very capable sealed road… Read more · 2
handler.
My bike has a big bore header/free flow muffler but NO jet changes since I didn't want to compromise economy or range. With a 45 tooth rear sprocket it averages 23 kilometers per litre on my trips which include as much dirt road as I can find and a self imposed speed limit of about 105kmh (65mph) genuine.
Rear spring is uprated for my loaded weight, front spring has Ricoh Intiminators and 5W oil. The added Intiminators actually preload the standard springs and takes away the softness - so braking and corner control is better.
Bike has heated grips, power socket, small home made screen, pannier racks and rear rack, centre stand, and the latest addition is Heidenau K60 Scout tyres. Long wearing and the best compromise tyre I've had - well worth the expense
So good i bought a second one – Bought my first dr 650 new in 2012 love it so much i talked the wife into getting her bike licence now have a 2014 with all the specs love these bikes
Not the bike for me – The DR650 has a reputation for endurance and reliability, this may be the case, but I found it to be uncomfortable with poor handling....the front mudgaurd wobbles at medium to high speed which was annoying. the tanks abit small... the seat is thin and hard. Its got really good power and torque... actually a bit much for me. I really didnt like thik bike. looks goid
Best bang for buck on the market – I've owned my DR for a bit over 2 years now, having 'traded down' from a really nice VStrom 650. I changed bikes because all my mates had a variety of dirt bikes and although the VStrom looks like it can do dirt, it is not set up for off road use and is way too heavy to leave the bitumen (220kg). I bought the DR without even test riding one and… Read more
on pick up day I approached it for my first ride with a little apprehension. To make a short story of it, the first ride home was a dream ( the dealer wasn't though), and I have come to appreciate all of the little DR's attributes.
Plenty of low down torque, wonderful, compliant suspension, quick steering and good handling are where it all starts. Other benefits are a good lighting system, great stoppers and an easy riding position.
I added a fantastic Eagle screen which smoothed things out well at higher speeds. Air is kept off my chest and hits the top of the helmet. No buffeting (unlike the Strom) and not much noise. I also,fitted a great bash plate, bought an Andy Strapz AA bag which packs a surprising amount of gear and all is nearly complete.
Everybody seems to complain about the seat, and yes, it I is as hard as lump of cast iron. I found that two hours was pretty much the max time you could sit on it before it started to rip your internals out. A very easy fix is to buy a lambs wool cover from the Good Wool shop at Berry (they ship world wide). I ordered mine on Tuesday and it was delivered Friday! I can (and have) ride all day without issue. For some reason you can ride in really heavy rain and the wool hardly gets wet! Highly recommended accessory.
Alas, my dirt bike owning mates have all either sold their bikes or moved onto road bikes so My dirt days are over. I'll keep the DR because it is just so good. I'm going to prepare it for a more road bias and do some touring on it, it's just that good. Weight, price and fun Too quiet
18 month review – The DR 650 has been a great commuter and wicked at hard pack dirt/gravel track exploring. I haven't had 1 speeding fine as theDR is a bike you can have a ball on just thumping around the side streets/twisties/dirt without having to hit 200 kph to get your thrills. It's easy to do most the maintenance yourself, everything is on YouTube or… Read more
drriders.com and It is very satisfying tinkering and knowing the job has been done right. The Staintune pipe works a treat as it not only increases power it makes riding a lot safer as it's hard not to hear it!...squeezing the 55cm width of the bike (excluding bars as they usually fit over most car mirrors) in between traffic ensures you are generally through to the front in traffic. Swapping the front sprocket (15 to 14) was rewarding with an extra 7% torque and doesn't affect the top end as the bike pulls better in 4th and a lot better in 5th making good use of the extra torque. I also fitted a TM40 pumper carb from Procycle which makes the front wheel sometimes feel as if it is being pulled up by a crane...we'll almost!...big improved fuelling at take off, no surging and no lag whatsoever...very e.f.i like. I have a Mitas E-07 rear and will go for an E-09 Dakar front which will reduce the marble/loose feel the trail wings gave (downhill) on the gravel tracks-this probably due to suspension not dialled in so will get that done next along with bars/bash plate/bark busters before taking it seriously off-road. Now that I have found the dirt the DR is shining awesomely as weekday commuter and weekend trail blaster. Adaptability, balanced chassis, bulletproof, FUN, cheap parts, easy maintenance, fun to Farkle and keep improving a good thing! Seat, surging, stock pipe too quiet.
Great Bike – I have owned this DR 650se motorbike for two years so far, in these two years nothing has gone wrong except for a speedo cable at 2500klms, The bike has plenty of power stock standard, the exhaust noise is very quiet so it wont be a police magnet, great machine on or off road, very good lighting system, gets about 200klms a tank then reserve, uses… Read more
no oil, standard tyres are good, A warranty of two years with unlimited klms.
Now the problems, the fuel tank could be a bit larger as 200klms is not good enough for a Duel sport bike, In Australia the miles seem to go by quickly, and the fuel bowsers are not where you want them, but I live with it as there are heaps of good with the bike.
The seat, if you call it a seat, more like a bit of 4x2 timber, narrow, hard, very bad design, junk. If you want to ride a DR650se for any longer than 50klms you will be in pain, for a Duel sport bike the seat is shameful for Suzuki, you will need to get the seat re-done by a seat repairer, $350.00 will get a perfect one (I can recommend one if needed)
Suzuki will not cover any cables in the warranty, like I found out with the speedo cable, read the fine print in the warranty section before you buy.
All in all the DR650se is a very good bike and after my seat was re-done, I am very happy with the DR, I would and have recommended the DR650se, to date three people have bought a DR on my recommendation and are vey happy with them.
A GREAT MOTORBIKE, would be a five star bike, but the rock hard thin seat ate one star, so only four stars from me. Price, Waranty, Quiet, Enough Power for highway use. Seat, Seat, That very hard seat, Should have a larger fuel tank.
Jetting with FMF powercore slip-on muffler – I recently purchased a 2012 DR650SE & was wondering if anyone out there can tell me how to set my carburettor for a FMF powercore 4 slip-on. I couldn't believe the weight difference & the power is phenomenal compared to stock. Its running slightly rich & if anyone could help it would be much appreciated. PS if your looking for one of the funnest… Read more
most reliable bikes don't look any further than the DR650SE...
Happy riding people. Reliable, good price, easy to maintain & such a fun bike on & off road Suspension & stock muffler
Change of thinking – My last ride was a Honda VFR750. I bought the DR due to being forced back onto my 'L's' long story...and being a bit of a torque fiend and all the reviews said it was good bang for buck. To be honest I thought the DR was a little underpowered. This all changed today when I had my 1000 K service and included a staintune exhaust. This has… Read more · 1
transformed this bike. I was honestly ashamed of the bike before, now it sounds like a harley and has great road presence. Suzuki should make these things stock, wasn't cheap at around $1000 but now the DR has grown up and is a real blast to thump around on. Farkle up! Fun Factor Noise, My wife's Janome had a deeper growl.
Excellent – After 30 years without a bike I and 2 mates bought 3 DR650's new in 2007. We are very happy with the bikes and have had many great trips, and some spills. We have been hard on these bikes and they love it. Initially the clutches needed adjusting as they were set too fine and started to slip. On the road they will sit on 110kmh (GPS) all day and… Read more · 2
TS at about 140kmh (GPS) with 14T and loaded. In the bush they will run all day and be ready for the next tough day. If you fall off you can be pretty certain of getting back on and continuing where you left off without serious damage. They can handle all that is thrown at them. They are heavy in soft sand, but sitting back and giving it curry it planes fairly well (Over 50kmh). At home I regularly ride between Bunbury and Binningup along the beach. They have power to burn on most surfaces.
Done Pt Culver 1300 km, Charles peak 1100km, and Holland track etc through Cave hill and Burra rock 900km on 3 seperate trips. On one of these trips we had to ride about 30 km through thick virgin bush using bikes as bash machines because Hema maps were wrong and we did not have enough fuel for backtracking. (we followed GPS maps after track disappeared). Over 10,000km each bike now.
Only problems we have had were starter motor failed due to high pressure water spraying, choke cable seized and replaced with carby mount choke, broken speedo cables from bush and branches, broken mirrors and flashers, and replaced handlebar weights.
We change our engine oil and filter on average every 3000km and clean air cleaner every 2nd day when on the tracks etc.
We are buying progressive fork springs tighten the soft front end.
Additions are :
1) GPS for remote and desert work
2) Engine and frame bash plates.
3) Back wheel changed to 18".
4) Rear carriers for spares and compressor and first aid water etc.
5) Front sprocket to 14T.
6) Screens installed to reduce windage, rain and bulldust on riders and controls (radios and GPS etc).
If you are after a bike that will get you there this bike is excellent for the money. (Put trail tires on before you hit the bush. I came off 3 times before I learnt.) 1) Cheap to buy2) Cheap to run3) Very few problems.4) Good power5) Good handling6) Can idle through desert and dense scrub for a long time without overheating. 1) First gear is too high for the bush if you are in a tight slow or steep area, even with 14 T front sprocket. On the road it is good and came out with 15T.2) The suspension is very soft if you are over 100kg. 2 of us are 120 KG.3) The 17" back tire is not so common in remote areas.4) Although governed it needs a tacho.5) In scrub the oil cooler is exposed to branch damage etc.6) Ground clearance is low so we installed engine bash plates as the frames were denting because of bottoming on rocks.7) Bark busters are totally inadequate in real bush.8) Supplied tires are not meant for the bush. They were 80/20 I think.9) Speedo is out by 10 kmh at 110kmh GPS. Shows 120 kmh.10) Too heavy to wheel stand without dropping the clutch. Sometimes it is needed in bush to break branches across the tracks if they are not on the ground.
Just keeps going!!! – Have just purchased my 2012 DR 650 and have to say it is better than I expected. Today I did 400 plus Kim's on it and I am just running her in.... It got better ever 10 Kim's. By the end of today's ride I had total confidence in the bike and my purchase. I have previously ridden Harley Davidsons so this is a leap of faith. Boy am I impressed. My… Read more · 2
partner still rides a Wide Glide, let me tell you though the twisty bits I had the edge!!! Have had the bike lowers but am still going to get a low seat. Power delivery is much better than I expected. Very happy!!! Will make some changes like seat, mirrors, bark busters etc... Will keep you updated, over 220kms before I hit reserve. Easy to ride, inexpensive, easy to modify, cheap to insure and run. Hard seat and high seat height.
DR 650 09 MODEL A WINNER – This would have to be one the of the all time best buys on the market basic reliable bullet proof motor , it can cruise all day on 75mph without any issue, its simple to maintain and wont cost you a fortune for parts, in fact its very hard to fault the DR650 the only add on it requires are a quality seat or even suzuki gel seat is a 100%… Read more · 1
improvement on the original and a decent screen up front eagle screen in australia make a quality screen for the DR , Add them 2 items and you have a top bike that will go anywhere on or off road and with the correct maintenance will last you many many years if your after a quality big thumper you cant go past the suzuki dr650 probaly the best buy in motorycling today quality build , proven reliable, stronge motor , cheap to maintain factory seat not up to the job
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