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Suzuki DR650SE (page 3 of 3)
Pros
Impressive 644cc engine capacity
Good for long-distance rides
Cons
Expensive for a LAMS Bike
Seat is on the high side
KillerRooster
- 2 reviews
- 5 likes
Excellent
This bike does it all. I had a KTM950Adv before but found it unmanagable riding in soft or loose conditions with it loaded up. The DR650 on the other hand simply handle whatever comes its way. Just comepleted a 5,500km trip through the Queensland and South Australia outback including the Simpson Desert and the bike was superb. Never been happier.
Steady performer. Bullet-proof motor. Fantastic all rounder.
Seat - too hard and narrow as a dual-sport tourer. Lights. Tank capacity (sorted out with 30litre Safari Tank - gives 650+km range)
robert-pr17800
- 2 reviews
- 3 likes
Excellent
I did several trips on bitumen to WA and NT. Sometimes in 46degree heat. Never missed a beat. Will cruise at 120kph all day. I didn't get on well on badly corrugated roads though.
Never gave me scrap of trouble over 15000km.
Seat is hard for an old bloke - an Airhawk fixed that.
Other Trail Bikes
Good
Endearing! People grow to love their DR650's. Only competition in this price range is the Kwaka KLR 650 but it's heavy and bulky in comparison.
Cheap as chips to buy, cheap to run. Relatively nimble off-road. Grunty on-road performance.
Hard seat is a real pain. Soggy suspension and lack of wind protection. These can all be remedied(at a price)
Find out how Suzuki DR650SE compares to other Trail Bikes
Know better, choose better.
Questions & Answers
old FTasked
Hilux1369asked
Hi what type of oil do I use in my DR650SE 2010 mod?
3 answers
I use Penrite HPR Diesel 15 15W/50 Semi Synth in all my bikes. The 10L drums are often on special at Supercheap too.
Depends on the climate/riding conditions and what sort of money you want to spend on oil. Check out manufacturer JASO or API oil spec for your bike and try googling the dr650.zenseeker webpage for a wealth of informative info. I have got nearly 50 thousand on mine and have had no problems using Motul 5100 and Penrite MC 4stroke 10W40 ester based oils. Have also used Penrite MC 10W40 full synthetic in it when it comes on special and roughly 5000km between oil changes.
DON'T use ordinary car engine oils with friction modifiers in them as they can cause havoc with the wet clutch in the DR and you should have no problems.
Gulf western syn-x 3000, 10w40 semi synthetic works fine in a dr650 , or any wet clutch motorcycle , there are no friction modifiers in it , and you can pick it up on special for as low as $15.00 for 5 lts .
Dudeasked
Can I be a little over the high mark on oil inspection window?
1 answer
I personally wouldn't go over the high mark. But remember to have the bike perfectly straight to read it correctly. If it's only over by 1 or 2 mm, then it won't matter. But 5 or more mm over could cause issues with power and seals. Eventually causing leaks and oil burn. It will also create more fuel consumption as engine works harder in a higher than recommended level of oil. The same reason oil viscosity should be a manufacturer specifications.
So remember that it's actually ok to have a engine at halfway fill level. But check the oil 10 minutes after a ride. As need to know warm levels. Usually it's similar to cold but not always.
My DR650 was always at 3/4 or just below full line. I would lean it up against a wall to point it was about to fall off the wall.
Also I always added moreys or similar oil stabilizer. 25%. Supposed to help prevent wear on cold starts but I used it because hot weather here is over 40 Celsius.
Another great addition is to get oil temp gauge or temp gauge to the engine block. I was amazed at times how hot it seemed to get. Especially on 40 plus days with just air cooled engine! !
I loved the dr650. But sold it for more light weight bike because had too many river crossings by myself and picking it up was just getting too hard
Details
Engine
The Suzuki DR650SE features a fairly powerful 644cc engine capacity, which is close to the maximum number allowed by LAMS - 650cc. If you’re looking for a powerful LAMS bike with fast acceleration, this Suzuki motorcycle is likely to be an appealing option.
Price
On the flipside, the $9, 490 starting price tag for the DR650SE is considerably higher than many other LAMS bikes that are designed exclusively for on-road use. If you do choose to buy this bike, it’s probably going to be more worth it to keep it as your regular bike, even after you've progressed from your learner permit and P’s to your full license.
Points of Praise
- The simple yet effectively built engine allows the DR650SE durability, and it endures well over long-distance trips, including in the Aussie outback
- While the price seems expensive compared to on-road motorcycles, reviewers often cited it as cheap - compared to dirt bikes that are made solely to travel off-road.
- This was described by reviewers as the best compromise between an on-road and off-road bike. If your riding is divided pretty evenly between urban areas and unsealed roads, this DR motorcycle is a winner.
Points to consider
- While the seat height can be lowered by 40mm from its original position, reviewers pointed out that this still may be a little high for shorter riders.
- Many reviewers mentioned making modifications, however you likely won’t be able to do this as a LAMS rider.
Category | Trail Bikes and Learner Approved Bikes |
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Engine Capacity | 644cc |
Release date | May 2007 |
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