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DR650 Pre '96 vs Post '96... DR650 Pre '96 vs Post '96...
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 14 Jan 2017
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DR650 Pre '96 vs Post '96...
Hi,

I've been lurking on Hubb for a while, reading and dreaming but now that my situation has come together and I'm almost ready for an adventure I figured I'd join up.

I'm pretty keen on getting hold of a DR650 for an indefinate RTW trip but as I'm in the UK and the imports are out of my price range I've been wondering about the pre '96 models as there are plenty around.

What's the deal with these, can they be upgraded for sensible money to be as trusty as the newer models? What are the differences between them?

Failing this approach, is there anywhere else in Europe with a good post '96 Dr650 secondhand market?

Last resort I will travel to US/AUZ and kick of the trip from there...

It was just some romantic notion I had of seeing England off in the mirrors.

Cheers.
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  #2  
Old 14 Jan 2017
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Post '96 is the way to go for a number of reasons:
1. Post '96 DR650 is still in production, parts world wide.
2. Post '96 has loads of owner and aftermarket support, Pre '96 has very little,
parts can be hard to find.
3. Most important ... post 96 is the better bike ... by far. Significant upgrades from earlier model.

Keep reading, research. The DR is not perfect, but close enough.
Buying in USA is, IMO, best alternative. You may find imported DR's in UK but fairly rare and a bit expensive. Old ones tend to be junk. Not worth the trouble.

California and Arizona have many DR's for sale every week ... prices can range from $2500 USD for older too $4500 USD for newish low mile example. A dealer can help get the bike registered in your name and get insurance.

You've picked the best (IMO) ADV bike made in the last 20 years. Learn it's ins and outs, do the proper upgrades and you'll travel an easy 65,000 miles trouble free in comfort.
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  #3  
Old 14 Jan 2017
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Ok great, that settles it... I appreciate the reply.

Now to pull my finger out and get this show on the road.
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  #4  
Old 15 Jan 2017
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Hi Danny

Welcome to the HUBB

Agree with Mollydog, I owned a 93 DR650 and have a 2009, totally different bike, I would buy an XT600/660 in the UK over getting the older style DR650 personally, the post 96 is way better. The US is a great place to buy a well kitted out DR for peanuts and where all of the add-ons can be bought, especially from Procycle fairly cheaply compared to buying stuff in Europe.

https://procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html


Buy as close to new DR650 as you can find, with a bigger tank an aftermarket seat - and preferably the suspension already sorted, you should be able to find a nearly new, low mileage DR for a good price.

@ Mollydog, its good to see you back here on the HUBB chug
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'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
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  #5  
Old 15 Jan 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post

@ Mollydog, its good to see you back here on the HUBB chug
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  #6  
Old 15 Jan 2017
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Cheers for that Griff.

There's a DR350 for sale atm not too far away which sent me off on a different tangent of perhaps going for something a little smaller but I'm not convinced by that particular bike... although I'm quite taken by a TTR250 near by.

Six hours at the screen and with square eyes and a fried brain makes me think I should stick with my gut.

Watch this space
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