Australian DR 650 1995 or 2003?
 

I'm moving to Oz shortly and have put some feelers out for a new bike over there. One has come back with a couple of potential bikes for me:

A 1995 DR 650 R (white) with kickstart and 16,000 Kms ($3,000AU). It looks very nice but it looks like the R model made from 1993.

650suzuki001.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

or

A 2003 DR 650 SE (yellow) with electric start with only 6,000 kms. ($5,000AU). Not seen a pic yet but have asked for some.

I've only seen a pic of the 1995 bike which although looks very tidy, but aren't the earlier ones about 25kgs heavier than the post 96 ones and weren't there some base gasket issues? I take it the later models with have both kickstart and electric start?

I'm thinking I'd be better spending the extra cash and getting the newer model but if the 95 one is actually a 96, I think I'd go for that instead.

Any thoughts??

Yes, that is an old one in the pic. I have an SE and from what I have read it's the only one I would ever consider, too many issues with the older ones, as well as more weight. Mine has now 123000 km and still not using any oil.

Base gaskets were fixed a few years ago and after the '99 model no engine grenade prob's, either.

The SE was sold from '96 onwards, chassis number starts with SP46 (the model code). No kick start.

Cheers Beddhist. That's what I suspected. So is $5,000Au a fair price for a 2003?

So of the two, I guess I should go for the 2003 model but are the older ones (ie pre '96) really that bad??