Once a girl makes up her mind...
 

After much ado (head scratching, asking every forum, making pros and cons lists and many, many sleepless nights), I've decided to flog my KTM Duke II and get a DR650 (hopefully 03 or newer) for my SOLO trip from London to Jhb.

Damn - if you know how long it takes a girl to make up her mind about something -- and then to be hit with this DIRE situation: NO DR650s IN THE UK?!!

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE BRITS???!!!

I'm now completely depressed. It took me MONTHS to finally make the decision to get rid of the KTM (long story, sentimental value etc. etc. ) - AND NOW I CANT GET THE BIKE I WANT???!!!


NO! No! No! [Stamping feet and clenching fists!] This can't be.


(I have thought about reversing the trip - from South Africa to UK - can buy the DR in Joburg... but the thought of going UP, instead of DOWN... well - it just doesn't feel right - and us girls have a sense about this!) : ) PLUS - it will give me no time to ride the bike and to love it...


PS = the DRZ400 (available in UK) is nice - but it looks a bit like a sissy bike. And I'm not sure it will make it...

Honestly you would be better off on something like the DRZ400 and it would make it.
if you have your hart set on the DR650 why not consider the CCM 650 it used the same overweight outdated motor but at least they put it in a outdated and overweight frame!!

You really want to look for a bike lighter and more capable than the DR650 there is not a single thing to say good about those bikes they are way outdated.

Really?? Even the new models?? WHY? I thought they were good because:

a) Simple mechanics (even for a girl) - freely available parts - bush mechanic proof

b) Robust and reliable

c) Lighter than the XT and all the other beasts like the BMW and KTM Adventure

Before my Duke, I rode (and still own) a DR600 - 89 model. The BEASTLY kickstart variety. And although I thrashed it on the local quarries and even risked life and limb on the moto-x track - I did come unstuck once, cos it fell on top of me - and I couldn't budge it and I had to wait for hubby to recover from the laughter, before coming to rescue me, (Then again, I've dropped hubby's GSXR600 on myself too - and couldn't budge either. But he doesn't know about THAT incident :cursing: )

HOWEVER - I believe they are now much, much lighter?

Is the 400 not just too small?

Could you give me a few POINTS that are better about the DRZ400, than the DR650SE??

Please?

Outdated? Who cares?! Provided parts are avalible, reliablity is good and performance is adequate .. why the need to buy/have the 'latest and greatest'? In fact you are better off with a time proven design rather than the unproven new model. Think BMW R80G/S ...

---- Having gotten rid of that ..

The DRZ400 .. should do the job .. it will be a little lighter . look up the specks .. It can suffer from broken cam chain .. carry a spare .. or don't ride it like a hire bike. I've toured on a 175 (in my younger days ) .. so a 400 should be fine. The 400 has better suspension .. but that is about it .. You'd need to look at the rear frame strength to compare to the 650 rear frame ..

---- How about a second hand 650? Are they avalible? (Assumeing you still want the 650)

Germany is probably the easiest to find a DR650SE. Try motoscout24.de and mobile.de. You probably know this by now, but don't touch anything older than the SP46 model and beware of the engine grenade.

There is a self-proclaimed DR specialist in Germany (dr-big-shop.de) where you will get all the accessories you need plus advice. He sells 520 chain kits with just about any ratio you want. (And he disagrees with Mollydog on the 525 chain life.) I run 15/45 on mine and I have a spare 14 tooth front sprocket for tracks and other slow stuff (India and Pakistan, for example). Even so, first gear is still too tall. I get about 30000 - 60000km out of a chain. Try to improve the chain guard, it's abysmal and the seat.

There is one here
Bretton Motorcycles
I have no affiliation or knowledge of the seller:thumbup1:



Trophymick

Ebay - but can't be the right price
 

There is a virtually new one on ebay as well, but it is "suspiciously" cheap with a buy it now type of pricing.

Seek and ye shall find, but at that price there is something very wrong with it, or they have no idea about bike prices.

Thanks everyone - you've been soooo helpful!

Mollydog - wow! The most comprehensive comparison I could ask for -- what a brilliant resource you are! Thank you very much!

NOT that it helped me make up my mind. DANG!:confused1: :confused1:


HOWEVER - at least I can make an informed decision. I'll TEST a DRZ before making the final decision - but if the seat discomfort is anything like the Duke II... I'll pass!

Since my only fear with the DR650 is picking it up - I'll simply have to PRACTICE till I can do it.

I learnt how to kick start my DR600 (I'm still in therapy over THAT experience)...
so I can damn well learn to pick up a heavy bike.:clap:

Yes. I asked about 525, but he has trouble sourcing them with non-standard ratios. Haven't found any myself, either. Anyway, yes, I run 520 DID VM chain and the last lot of sprockets I got off him are JT. He doesn't so much as sell kits as individual parts, so you make up your own ratio.

I think AFAM make alternative ratios in 525, but I haven't been able to buy them anywhere.

Gmfpfh! (Is that how you spell a disdainful snort?)

Hubby is my all time super-hero-bike-whisperer-mechanic, coach and riding companion (when its not raining).

HOWEVER - every time I drop the bike, he instantly transforms into a stupid-woman-rides-her-bike-like-shes-doing-shopping-and-then-still-drops-it type creature.

So it really is good for my ego and my marriage, if I don't have to beg him for assistance.

Also - he fractured his spine in crash 2 yrs ago - car hit him from behind. So he's got metalwork going on.. and doesn't do much off roading any more. (Just comes and shouts at me on the track if I 'ride like a girl')

: ) I love him to bits, really! : )

Sissy Bike!
 

Oh get off it!! That bike is shienier than ANYTHING I've ever owned, let alone after having owned it for 3 years!

Now I'm even MORE convinced its a sissy (or :wheelchair:) bike!

:biggrin::biggrin: ONLY KIDDING !:biggrin: :biggrin:I 'm just taking the mickey - quite a fab bike, honestly.

Hello
Here is the link of Linda who travelled the world on a DR650.
She also passed through Istanbul and visited our club.
With her troll on the front fender she has completed her tour.

Home

You can contact her for more info.

I also remember reading about bunch british bikers with DR350s toruing the world.
They did manage to finish. The article was published in the "BIKE" magazine
several years back. From that perspective I would consider the DR400
as a serious alternative.

Regards

Wow! Very impressive. Thanks. I'm thinking.

Again.

Dl650
 

I just wondered if you have considered the V-Strom 650.:scooter:
I have had dirt bikes and raced motocross and trail ridden on same, standing up most of the time but when it came to long distance on road those saddles are too hard.:eek3:
The V-Strom is a road bike that will do light off road will go a fair distance on a tank full (22 ltrs) and is comfortable. Plenty of accessories available and can be made more dirt worthy.
I am 5ft 8in and get both feet on the ground.

Cheers
Ian:thumbup1:

Got the same dilemma, would like a DR650 but hard to get in the UK. Have you seriously considered an XT600E. You can buy new ones for around £3200 in the UK. More accessories available for them than DR650.
Doesn't seem to be any major differences between them and I am trusting one for a RTW Tour.