suzuki dr 650 rse

**niels** · #1 10 Feb 2005

hi,
me again. questions about bikes. i start to find more and more on ebay..
i read quiet a lot on this forum but i didt realy find some stuff concerning this bike. it looks that its not so popular. why? it looks good (suspension and everything), has quiet a lot (enough) power..
how is it offroad?
i saw you can lower the bike ( i am only 1.68m,5'6"-for you english guys)but have some experience driving my yamaha ttr250 (925mm seathight)...
any info on this one
more then welcome
greetz
niels
ps bikes is from '95

**Matt595** · #2 11 Feb 2005

I heard cylinder ovalises quickly on old zuks 650.
Though zuks 650 98 -> are said excellent in reliability, their cylinder is directly aluminium bored + Niquasil treated= good thermical characeristics= low wear + life lenght, compression, oil consumption etc.
For 3000€ you can get one,
personally I go XT he he!

Matt

**ekaphoto** · #3 11 Feb 2005

I have heard good things about the DR. It is supposed to be one of the better off road bike of the 650 dual sport class. Also for shorter riders it can be lowered. Iris and Trudy made a round the world trip on two of them. Search on the site for more info. Yes there are better bikes off road, but for all around for a smaller statured rider it is an exellant choice. Remember the rider is more important than the bike. Also sit on and ride several diffrent bikes before you buy one if possable. Everyone has diffrent needs, builds, abilites and tast, so get what YOU like, not what everyone else likes.

**niels** · #4 11 Feb 2005

thanks guys, i look into it..
greetz
searching niels

**beddhist** · #5 11 Feb 2005

Stick to the SE model (SP46). See Trui's earlier post. Harder to find, though.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

**ekaphoto** · #6 12 Feb 2005

Niles,

I found a link describing the Diffrent models of DR650. Here in the US the se model is the only one they sell now that I know of.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/DR-series/DR650.shtml

And a short but good review from Australia.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/dr650.htm

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John

[This message has been edited by ekaphoto (edited 11 February 2005).]

**Matt595** · #7 12 Feb 2005

One other good point of the SE is its weight.
Bad point is the hard seat,

Matt

**Gipper** · #8 8 Mar 2005

Hi
I would steer clear of the RSE model, you are limited the 20 litre tank and heavy fairing the older engine is not so good and sometimes chews its cam followers.

Stick with the unfaired later SE model 95 on and you wont go far wrong - better engine and no heavy fairing - so you get a choice of plastic fuel tanks, the suspension is a little better too.

Cheers
Grif