I don't know where you are hoping to purchase the bike but DR650s are very rare in Europe. I don't think they were ever sold here.

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You are right, there is not a plethora here, but they seem to be around. Here are two I found for example:

a 93' model with 18,000 kilometers on it
https://www.milanuncios.com/motos-de...-253443212.htm

And a 96' model with 15,000 on it
https://www.milanuncios.com/motos-de...-257692960.htm

Which raises another question (I dont have much experience buying older bikes). How many kilometers would a bike need to have on it before you would overlook it as an option? And if the kilommters are low, but its just an old bike (like these ones...over 20 years), does the age really matter so much?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-DR...QAAOSw7UJbIYkK

I've seen DR650s doing 100,000kms+ in Australia NZ and USA before having to do anything like engine rebuilds. The thing I would be concerned about is the good alround condition. Bikes can sit doing nothing for years and things start to perish like carb rubbers and wiring looms. The wiring loom on my 2005 DRZ400 needs totally replacing, and my TT600RE 2004 bike the wiring loom is starting to crumble.

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Good to know. Good news is my budget way exceeds the pricetag of these bikes so I could just have all new wiring done

After reading this I read all these old posts on the Hubb & AdvRider about carbies vs. EFI...maybe it is a case of being afraid of what I don't know...but Im still a bit afraid. Not something that would completely put me off on it but I still think I prefer a carburetor.

I think I am mostly hung up on extra 30kilos of weight, which is not chump change. A more comfortable seat on the 650 isnt really gonna weigh much more (I know it still probably wouldnt be as comfortable as the CB500 seat), neither will putting in a good LED bulb, and others seem to think the 650 has a decent subframe already. As for the extra power, its just not something I feel I need. The only reason I still consider the CB500x is comfort, and fuel consumption. And you the other thing Im still wrestling with is the RR upgrade and which to go for. Im small as I said, 1.73m, and skin and bones, so with the extra weight of this bike I would at least like to have my feet flat on the ground or close to it. So @JMo what are your thoughts on which kit? I know the level one does not raise the seat, but does it really make much of a difference?

Anyways, perhaps your right, its worth jumping on one and giving it a ride.

Super good to know, thanks

All good to know. I found this seat that people seem to like https://goo.gl/gibS9j And this one is funny, seems would probably be pretty nice especially for a passenger, unfortunately the one review it got was pretty bad https://goo.gl/bH7nXU

Anyways, point is there seem to be options out there to make the seat more comfortable.

And yea, as for suspension, Ill have plenty of budget leftover if I do decide to go with the DR650...and if I do I might ping you for some specific advice on that.

Funny, never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they are selling any. Probably not something that I would seriously consider but its always nice to see totally new ideas. Thanks for thinking outside the box

BTW....I just had to share this in case any of you hadn't already seen it

https://goo.gl/JxKPQn

Funny thing, on paper it actually fits a lot of what I am looking for....that being said I already rode an Enfield from India to Spain and can say once was enough

I don't expect to come across any overlanders on one of these things any time soon but its still a funny novelty.

"Funny Novelty" is exact right!

There is a member here from India (I believe lives in the states now) who spent time on the Himalayan and wrote about it maybe 6 months or year ago.

Very critical review. I would not expect the bike to do well in mud ... TIP ... the DR650 or CB500X won't do it well either!

But the reality is the Enfield fails in numerous important areas. I would avoid like the plague.

If you read the forums I linked for you you'll find at least 6 seat choices.

A German guy on the DR Riders forum recently joined. He talked about his DR650 just recently bought ... it's a nice one and he says they ARE around in Germany. read the thread.
Who Knew? Check it out:

https://drriders.com/hola-folks-t22376.html

Thanks I hadnt found that forum yet, could come in handy. I also hadn't really given serious thought to looking on Ebay if I do indeed go with a DR, but I guess there's no reason not to. I'd be a good excuse to be able to ride it back home

I agree also...the point about pillion comfort is not to be understated. I'm trying to keep that in mind

I guess I'm not sure what serious off road is to other riders, probably more serious that what I am used to. But I can say I did some pretty tough muddy/snowy roads in Kyrgyzstan, and the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan (Wakhan valley route) all fully loaded and with a passenger...on a 1979 Royal Enfield without a single modification to enhance it's performance. I also did about 6000km two-up fully loaded in Mongolia, about 4,000 of it off road, on a 150cc bike. I guess just to make the point that it can all be done at 120lbs AND with horrible machines, not because I am a great rider, but because A.) both those bikes were super low which gave me better control B.) Neither was excessively heavy, and C.) I take it pretty easy

But yes, seat height is definitely important in my case...so is weight. But maybe seat height even moreso, so guess that's a plus one for the CB500x.

Anyways, I've got it narrowed down to these two, which I feel is a great accomplishment. So as you have all prescribed Im gonna try and ride some.

BTW @JM0, I watched some of Juans videos...including the one where he and you compare the level 1 to level 2 RR kit...helpful. Thanks.

Hi Momo, I think one of the best pieces of advice you've received so far was from Walkabout:

Currently you are scrutinising every little specification detail, rather than looking at the bigger picture...

You say you need a bike for 'touring' with some off-road use, and fundamentally with a passenger.

With the greatest of respect, if you're 120lbs and 1.73m, I can't see how you're going to be riding any bike two-up, with luggage, over anything that you might consider 'serious' off-road - so you need to focus on where the two of you will be riding primarily, which is on paved and rough dirt roads.

Without diverting back into spec comparisons too deeply, consider the DR650 has a seat that is three inches higher than the CB500X - again, if you're short[er] and not particularly strong, then the weight of two people and their luggage sitting higher is going to have far more effect on how many times you drop your bike than the actual overall weight... and if you don't drop it in the first place, then you won't need to pick it up of course!

Sure you can always lower a DR650 - but then you've just removed the only potential advantage it does have over a stock CB off-road, ground clearance and suspension travel...

Unfortunately, if you are a shorter rider and not overly strong, then that is always going to be at odds with more dirt-orientated dual-sport design bikes... and something that is a little closer to the ground (ie. a more street-derived/orientated ADV bike), would seem to be a more appropriate choice - which is why I suggested the CB500X (with the LEVEL 1 standard travel/seat-height suspension), the RR engine guard and some decent tyres - basically exactly the same set up that Lisa (in the photo I posted previously) has:


photo. you don't need the Scorpion exhaust, but it saves a bunch of weight and looks/sounds kewl ;o)

For info. Juan Browne (who has a lot of CB500X videos on YouTube) is also around your height, and has no problem riding his LEVEL 2 (+2" travel) bike, but he is an experienced off-road rider, and only ever rides solo...


I'd suggest if you're looking to move things forward now, then consider joining a dedicated forum for the two bikes you have in mind - and ask more specific questions [based on your personal requirements] from owners there, and I'm sure there will be a lot of answers to questions you may have, posted there already.

I'd then seriously get a ride on examples of the bikes on your short-list, and with your passenger too - as Walkabout suggests, do not discount this element as it will be an intrinsic part of how any future trips are going to be enjoyed.

Finally, if the bike you do end up with doesn't turn out to be ideal for what you want, sell it and buy something else... it's only a bike at the end of the day.

Hope that helps...

Jx

I agree with Jenny, get test rides if you can! And try it two up! Only way to know for sure!