DR650 bad year / better year
 

I think that will be preparing a DR650 for long trip , is there any better or bad year or are they the same ( like the KLR650)

Thanks

Think that is all covered on the FAQ on the Yahoo DR650 Group.

Basically there are

Bad cylinder base gaskets ..
Bad starter motor drives

And latest rumour; loose neutral switch mounting screws .. inside the motor, behind the clutch basket.

The starter thing, IIRC, is for '98-'99 bikes.
I haven't seen much other than a few rumors/suggestions regarding the neutral switch thingy, although it has gotten some attention - a good thing. Mine was OK when checked a few thousand ago.

IIRC, the cylinder base gasket was changed to a diffenrent type in mid-year '03. Some, but not all, pre-'03 models have had some leaks. I haven't read where a leak on these models was serious enough to stop the bike.

Your '96 was the first year of the DR650 redesign and it should serve you well.