DR800 anyone ?

**siggsy** · #1 22 Jun 2005

trott bikes in england have a 1989 (i think) dr800 up for grabs...an italian import...

im not to clued up, so i was wondering if anyone would recommend this machine or not ?

has it a grin factor as i naivly imagine it will ? did they have a reputation for unreliabily ? etc etc

thanks in advance peeps

**Neilio** · #2 22 Jun 2005

Never heard much about the dr800 either good or bad, but I'd make sure it's a good starter as an 800cc single could be a real pig to fire up by kick or bump.

**JonStobbs** · #3 23 Jun 2005

Hi.
As far as i know the 800 is the best of the DR bigs.I had a 750 a while ago and all the faults that are normally associated with that,have been ironed out by the time the 800 came on the market.So,yes if it looks in good nick and starts well,i'd be tempted....

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Just going for a short ride on my bike....

**Muno** · #4 12 Jul 2005

I can recommend the DR800 very much. I traveled 28000 km in Southamerica without a single problem. And if there would be one, you can fix it your self because it is built so simple. I sold my Suzuki in Paraguay after the trip but buyed exactly the same again in Switzerland because of the reliability.

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http://www.motorbike-tours.ch/Fotoseite.php

**Megamoto** · #5 30 Apr 2006

I know this is a bit late but..........

I've a DR800, 1998 thats done about 30,000 miles. I've had it from new and travelled all over the UK and around Cyprus on it.

It's had luggage and a Scottoiler from new, (if you have a chain driven bike get a Scottoiler, it is the best bit of kit ever, my first OE set of C&S lasted 25,000 miles).

Out in Cyprus I Motarded it. New rims laced to OE hubs and a set of Diablos, big grin all day long. (The 17" front has the odo reading fast however ,if you halve the Kmh you get Mph. On a 110 mile road trip I was only half a mile out from a friends reading on his Tiger, good enough for me.)

To see all that I've had done have a look at

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/gar...hicle&vid=3258

Also have a look at this if you want to go off road.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ighlight=dr800

**Matt595** · #6 7 May 2006

Hello there,

It's late !
I'm back in Europe and am currently looking for a new bike..I'm also considering the DR big 800.
Some things make me hesitate;
1' the filter is a paper one, not cleanable and fine desert sand could penetrate and also suck into cylinder, foam is better but not available for DR.
2'..the chain is a not quick linked..so you have to dismount the swingarm just to change it, it can take a long long.. too long time ! That is a weak point in my opinion.
3' a guy told me that the camchain sliders gets worn, when they brake off, camchain loses tension and the result is engine brake, he change them every
50 000 kms to feel secure, but would a traveller have time and money to do that kind of work?
4' the same guy also had a problem with valve pusher, surface treatment went off then the metal was quickly spinned away by camshaft, I saw a picture and it looks horrible.
5' the fuel tank gets "catalysed" with micro fisures, because of vibrations and starts leaking.

This is quite scary stuff for the serious traveller, my old ténéré had none of this.
So true or not?

Cheers,

Matt

**Daves** · #7 10 Jul 2006

I've just got a 1990 DR800. i found it second had. it in mint condition can with under 20,000 miles from new, been sat in a garage of 6 years and not ridden, came with colour coded hard panniers, uprated seat, heated grips and crash bars. i'd had a XT600 tenere and while it quick and has god a the smile factor that you hoped for it not really that much quicker. i paid £850 which i think is a winner!

i bought it for some touring on unmade roads and some green lane action, which it seems to handle well is although 1st seems a tall for the lanes;

does any one know if you can get a shoter gear for first for the DR800?

blessings
dave

**beddhist** · #8 11 Jul 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt595

2'..the chain is a not quick linked..so you have to dismount the swingarm just to change it, it can take a long long.. too long time ! That is a weak point in my opinion.

You can put any type link in a new chain. My DR650SE has no link, but the new chain has. Rivet, screw or clip, take your pick.

Of course, some people say that on big bikes, especially big singles, one should only use endless chains for safety reasons. No idea how valid this is.

**lecap** · #9 21 Jul 2006

The endless chain story is nonsense to get you into the workshop. If a link is fitted correctly it is exactly as strong as the rest of the chain and won't fail.
Some high quality chains only come endless or with riveting links (for example DID X-Ring) or alternatively you have to fit the very good and safe screw links.
Never fit an old link into a new chain and never mix chains and links of different manufacturers (except aftermarket screw links specially designed to fit a specific manufacturers chains). Although having the same external dimensions the chains of different manufacturers often differ in internal measurements.

The best way is to get a quality chain tool like the one DID sells for their chains. This is overkill if you only do your own bike as you get a good nomber of screw links for the same money.