I would reduce the recommendation of the Suzuki DR 650 to the later (after 1996) SE model. They are bulletproof and very simple to service. The coated aluminium barrel / piston combo is good for well over 100000 km (I have two around that mileage and they are both fine and don't use oil).
They have (very rarely) problems with the tensioner of the timing chain (I saw the same problem once on a GS 500 which uses the same tensioner) If the engine starts rattling replace the tensioner. (Don't wait until the chain snaps). A said very rarely.
Some DR650SE develop a funny noise from the starter when the engine fires and overruns the starter. This is absolutely harmless but a good argument to push the price. I had this on 2 out of 6 of my DR's. Starts around 10 or 15000. Never fixed it and never caused anything (one of the bikes is on 104000)
The DR 650 SE can even cope with occasional abuse by idiots (in my case as hired bikes) and takes most crashes with no or next to no damage.
The earlier DR's are a lot heavier and inferior looking at suspensions and brakes and the engines give lots more trouble than the SE.
The fuel range with the original 14l tank is not sufficient but you can get long range conversions (or jerrycans)
|