the xt 600 is air cooled mate

XR600E. Rode one all over south America. It's a budget bike. Very simple.. Will do ANYTHING.. A bit lighter than the DR so I believe . More 'trail' than the DR650. However it's got crap budget suspension and it doesn't like going over 65mph.

DR650SE (post 96). Never owned one but travelled with people with them.. Faster on the road and engine has a balancer making it smoother.. A bit heavier though. Also a great bike.

I think I'd rather have the DR650SE if those were the only choice.


Given the choice in that 'range' though...

I'd have a Honda XR650L....

Oh, I do......

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Crossing S. America on your XT is certainly gives major cred for the strength and reliability of the bike.
I think both bikes (DR and XT) are basic budget bikes. The difference is that the DR650SE got a total, 100% re-make in 1996. Oddly, the "new" DR had less HP than previous gen, but was a bit lighter weight and MUCH stronger (new frame).

Most important up grade the DR got was the Suzuki SACS Air/Oil cooling system, developed for their racing GSXR's of that era. I have never heard of a DR650SE overheating or sustaining damage from heat or oil break down. The Oil cooler on the DR is mounted out of the way with a factory guard protecting it. The system provides two oil pumps, one specifically to squirt oil jets up under the piston to cool the head. IT WORKS!

The balancer equipped DR is quite smooth for a big single. You can easily cruise comfortably at 75 mph ... for 10 hours a day in required. Done it. The motor is "loafing" at that RPM.
Top speed is about 95 to 100 mph.

The XT's, AFAIK, never got major upgrades since 1990 or so. They are simply air cooled (don't think they have an oil cooler??). The XT-E was discontinued in 2004. Importation to US of the XT600E stopped in '95 (I think?) I rode one in Baja in the late 80's and found it better than the '87 Honda XL600R I was on. (more stable, easier in deep sand)

The DR650SE is actually lighter weight than the XT600E ... at least according to supplied OEM DRY weight figures.

Suzuki list DR650SE at 324 lbs.DRY (147 kgs.) the XT is listed at 343 lbs. (155 kgs.) The XT weights vary year to year, most list it heavier if you go back into the 1990's. True wet weight of the DR650SE is 367 lbs.(166 kgs) with full 3.4 US gal. tank. True wet weight of XT? Dunno ... but thinking it's very close to the DR?

Couple other things that put the DR out front of the XT are Forks and swing arm. The KYB 43mm damper rod fork on the DR have potential. But it's BIG size means it's not half bad just swapping in heavier springs. Mine has Race Tech emulators and is stellar.

Same with the swing arm. The BIG beefy ALU swing arm on the DR means good handling both ON and OFF road. Better stability, traction and durability. Not sure if XT swing arm is steel or ALU ??? ... but it looks quite spindly compared to DR Alu swing arm ... clearly from an earlier time.

The DR is not free of some problems. The big one is the rare failure of 3rd gear, which can take out the whole motor. This is rare but has happened.
(about 1% of bikes) Wheel bearings also need to be watched. That's about it.

Like any bike it needs suspension help. Also needs a "real" seat and better lighting. Wheels are strong as Hell, frame and sub frame too with very few documented failures. Many thousands of DR's out there NOW with over 50,000 miles and climbing.

Aftermarket support is now stronger than ever for this bike. Used bike prices have risen but good used, low mileage examples ... from 2004 to 2010 can be found in the $3000 to $4000 USD range. Not bad really.

Typical set up for DR650 for travel:

I'm getting confused, its an age thing

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

no worries as long as you can ride a bike you are still in good health

Originally Posted by kentfallen
The Yamaha XT600 is THE most widely used budget RTW trial bike on earth. Anyone who states otherwise is talking kak

So nice to see my langauge being used on the otherside of the ball

Cheers boere!

Old XT's rule, must give the DR some credit

I have riden a xt600 RTW and traveled with DRs they are both strong reliable bikes. Basically it's down to were you live and what is available . Just get the best condition low mile bike you can and they will both do the job

I am going to angree with you.You are right!

I search for an XT and a DR here in Greece.I find a lot of XTs but only 4-5 DRs.
A lot of parts here in my country for the XT but not much for the DR.
So, i choose to buy an XT.

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3mountainsadventure

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...distance-40838

thread started by me on 14 Feb 2009.

We are very close komsi, and nearly have the same market.

I also decided to buy an XT600E (2003)

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Just fit my alu cases to get an idea how the xt is gonna look like!





I think is ok!

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3mountainsadventure

Without trying to sound like the harbinger of doom... I think like most other people (me included), who have fitted big cases to small dirt bikes; you will end up regretting it.. And eventually swapping them for smaller, lighter soft bags.

The bikes are just too small and the weight too unbalanced for such luggage. They handle like utter crap on the road and off-road, an utter nightmare. Especially on a bike like the XT600 which has VERY poor quality suspension to start with.

Add the fact that you've just added two massive wind break sails to the side of a 38bhp bike and now you're riding an old donkey.

I recommend filling them up (realistically) and then adding the rest of your luggage and testing it properly.. Then beg, borrow or steal some soft bags and try again. Maybe you will get on just fine with them. Best to know now then on your trip.

I put £1000 of Metal Mules on my XT600E... They didn't last long. Replaced with £100 soft bags which were better in EVERY way.


Anyway... Just my 2p worth. Not trying to start a hard Vs soft debate..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I love my XT600, and I have done all the mods to make it great. It is strong and fun to ride and carries anything I want. However the DR is a great bike too, and I want one next for this reason and this reason only. You cant get XT's new anymore. If you buy an XT you are gonna have to repair it because they are all years old and have done lots of miles. And getting aftermarket products, like luggage racks etc is harder(I'm not saying it cant be done, but your options are reduced) The DR(especially here in OZ) has loads of current aftermarket stuff, and they easy to come by. When my XT finally gives up I wanna break it down and rebuild it beautiful like they do in Greece. But I'll get a DR for everyday riding. My 2 cents.

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^^ Sorry, when I said you cant get them new, I meant the aircooled one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTR2...2-HPZyLvmXbHCA

Here is a vid of me and the missus riding from Brisbane to Sydney last Christmas. Ive got the old OZ army luggage rack (from the 91 model) which I custom fit to the last model(96 onwards)

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Here is that Army rack on the XT. It looks heavy but isnt too bad. Holds things better than any other rack I've tried for the XT.

DSC05241.jpg
DSC05242.jpg

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

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Have to agree. My mate just bought an XT600E last week. I think a great deal for 2k, but he's been complaining about exactly this. And reduced options generally relate to less competition and higher costs

But luckily he's good at manufacturing, and can kit it out as he wants.

But apart from Acerbis, doesn't seem like there's much options out there for an aftermarket fuel tank. Wish there was a 30l Safari tank... But couple hundred $$ for 6 liter of fuel extra seems a bit steep

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Squily