Suzuki DR650 Brutally Honest Review

Brutally honest review of my 2018 Suzuki DR650SE
*Don't miss the bonus tip at the end to save your iphone's camera stabilizer on the DR!*

Time stamps:

0:21 : Looks
0:39 : Engine
1:35 : Maintenance
2:36 : Reliability
3:05 : Features
3:18 : Comfort
4:12 : On the road
5:55 : Offroad Capability
6:14 : Value for money
6:47 : Fit & Finish
7:12 : Conclusion
7:43 : Specs
8:16 : Tip to save your iphone from vibration dammage
8:27 : Bonus power wheelie :)

Enjoy!

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Track: Santa Cruz — Land of Fire [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
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Track: Soulmates (Instrumental) — DayFox & BraveLion [Audio Library Release]
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[whitedrguy]

No complaints with my DRs, best bikes I have owned by a fair stretch.

I love the utilitarianism of the bike, I bought my first DR650 in 1998 as a replacement for a Kawasaki KLX 650, I worked as a motorcycle courier here in Melbourne Australia, then I quit the job in 2000, I clocked up 115, 000 klms on that bike.

In 2005 I started as a courier again so the obvious choice was another DR, 9 years and 490, 000 klms later I needed another one, so my current DR did another 275, 000 klms before I quit being a courier again, now I use it as my adventure bike, it currently has 316, 000 klms on the clock.

I also own a Yamaha T7 that I bought in 2020, basically as a more road bike but still capable dirt road touring bike, my go to bike is still my DR, at 5’9” and 62 years old the T7 is too big and heavy, the DR is perfect for me.

[Thebonesoftrees]

My 21 year old 3rd apprentice took a ride on my clapped up bored out old KLR in a parking lot. First gear sweaps around the lot last week, he got hooked. He has decided he wanteda bike This afternoon he called asking what to get, either 400 ninja, an old 750 honda twin, or an 08 nicely maintained 25'000km DR650.
I recommended the Suzuki, he watched reviews, talked to his parents. Tonight he called and he's bought the Suzuki.
We are on Vancouver Island, the perfect place for bushpigs, this year is gonna be a blast.
Cheers.

[jonwoodworker]

IMHO, the DR650 is easily in the top 10 best motorcycles ever made.

[MrPartyplopper]

As an former aircraft mechanic fanatic,
To be brutally honest.
The weld lines/curves and how it has been shaped through years of trial and error THIS is peak mechanical performance and redundancy at once.
Minimalistic, budgetfriendly, materialquality, size, performance wise and overall appearance and aerodynamics.
My fatherly instincts would go MAD if I had such a beautiful machine under my maintenance responsibility plan.

[bloodybonescomic]

My '98 DR 650 is a gem. I absolutely love it for those rough dirt roads. And I am 65 years old.

[Mariolucker]

I own 20 of these bikes. I use them on motorcycle tours on some of the toughest roads in Central Asia. Every half a year they work from 9 am to 6 pm, every day, every month like office employees. Some of them have passed the 100, 000 miles mark. They are still alive!) Of course this bike is not as popular as a KTM or a BMW. but he is a workhorse! I do not regret choosing this model.

[jensenmiller]

You forgot about the community. The DR seems to just attract nice people and it is reflected in the DR forums. Everyone's very nice, and very knowledgeable.

[ArturoEspinosaAldama]

I live in Mexico. Have traveled all over the country. This bike will take you anywhere, will get you out of any place, no matter how bad. Nothing like riding a bike that you know will overcome every possible obstacle, pot hole, speed bump, trail or river bed, and get you wherever you decided to go on a whim, or wherever the *** Google Maps decided to take you because you checked "No tolls" . Really, this bike will take care of you: it will do more than you may be willing to confront on a trip. That's priceless.

[kevinfieguth]

I love my basically stock DR650. It's an 06 but only had 940 miles on it. I lowered the foot pegs and rear shock. All I did to the kick stand is grind the stop back. At 67 years old, I enjoy the ride and can take any dirt roads I feel I want to explore. I added a National Cycle wind screen and a camera system. I added a luggage rack and bag brackets, also a 1.75 Fuel Pax tank that gives me over 5 gallons. Now after a 22 day adventure in Death Valley with my two sons I'm sold on the Bush Pig, and the Harleys are collecting dust, lol. Good review. Thanks.

[robleach]

I'm 66, I've had my 06 5 years and have put 50000km on it. It has never let me down, it keeps up well enough with riding buddies, KTM 790, Africa Twin and KLR. I ride mainly gravel roads. The DR suits my needs perfectly.

[pandytbox]

I love my DR. It is my 2nd. I laughed when you displayed the feature list. Very detailed.

[danielc]

I got 2, 000 miles already on my new 2022 DR 650. I personally like the outdated design and looks of the DR 650. Coming from a WR 450F, there's no more 12 hours oil changes, $1, 000 top end replacements, and no more fuel injection problems to worry about. With the DR 650's under-stressed 644cc engine, with proper maintenance and use, I foresee the DR 650's engine to lasting along time before any major problems or overhauls. I don't like awkward pressers the rubber mounted foot pegs puts on my feet while standing and the stock bar height is a little too low. Solid mounted foot pegs and bar raisers will fix these things. Eventually I'd like to lace a 18" rim to the rear hub of my DR 650 for better tire choices. The DR 650's 17" rear wheel is hard to find tires for.

[tomkruze]

I’ve owned my DR for 11 years. 12, 000 miles and it has 3 thousand when I bought it. I’ve done Nothing but, brakes and tires plus carb rebuild and stiffer shock (240lbs). The bike is indestructible!!! Best thing bike or car I’ve ever owned. I ride on weekends year round in Georgia USA. I’m seriously thinking of buying a second (New) just to keep (barn Queen). They Just don’t build things like the DR anyone. Get one Now while you still can.

[PrimoStracciatella]

I bought a used XR650L because it was priced right, my first enduro ever. Liked it and installed a K&N air filter and an aftermarket muffler, put some holes in the side covers to let it breathe.
Then I got a DR650SE and felt as if it was just right the way it was. Lots of usable power down low, it felt stronger than the Honda with the mods.
I used it mainly on the road, to go to work, and for short rides. I still remember it fondly but forgot lots of other bikes I've owned.

[keithmoule]

Very interesting summary, thank you. I have the UK's DR650 engine equipped CCM 644. Had two of them, with the second bike taken to 710cc by myself and oh my, what a transformation! With the reliability of the DR engine, up-specced Brembo brakes, Renthal 'bars and WP suspension (with the WP PDS linkage-less rear shock) it is an iteration of the DR and a much underrated bike but which suits me down to the ground. As you say, so simple to work on in the field but then I've never had a moment's unreliability from it. Coming up 18 years of ownership and no intention of letting it

[mikeh.]

I love my DR. I did like the soft springs on the road but i off road too so i had to put springs and valves in the forks and stiffen the rear. Still rides great and handles better. As far as a carb goes for 20 or 30 dollars i have mine running as good or better than any bike out there. Fuel injected you will have to find someone to change programming send the ecu out hope it isnt lost in the mail and hope the hack you send it to knows what they are doing just to get it ridable. I am happy with the carb. I really enjoy the DR. It makes me smile everytime i get on it

[Oddman]

It's absolutely the most entertaining bike I've ever had. Mine has survived mudholes, hail, historic flooding, falling from tailgates onto the road, and a pontiac.

I bought my 2009 DR650 back in 2013, from a family member who bought it new. It's had a rough life, and one good drowning in a mudhole. It had a few mods, but didn't really run that well, but I rode it for several years without any big issues. It finally got to the point where it was really hard to start, and I ended up rebuilding the top end, with a high compression piston and oversize valves. It already had a full exhaust and a TM40, this along with the work I did means I have to run a 16 tooth sprocket not to keep the engine RPM down, but to keep me from standing the bike up at stoplights. I also upgraded the springs on mine (I'm about 225) and it made a huge difference in the bike.

[thilomauz]

I own the direct successor of the DR, the glorious Freewind, with the same engine. It's a bit more street oriented but still quite capable offroad, but has more loading capacity. And I can completely and wholeheartedly sign where it says "Fun. Fun. Fun."

[lshort]

Good review! I did the factory lowering AND added Soupy's lowering links to my '17 DR. Had to cut and reweld the kickstand. Acerbis 5.3 tank and Dirtracks pannier racks with soft luggage, Parabellum windscreen. Now I can flat foot the bike with my 30 inch inseam. Gravel and dirt roads are my limit at my age, (70) and the Bush Pig is perfect for my needs. IF I were still doing deep woods riding, I'd get another XT250 for the reliability and low weight.

[dune]

The DR650 is a bike for those who just want to ride and not wrench. Never put more maintenance free miles on any other bike I've owned and I've put the DR through the ringer. Simpson Desert, Tanami, NSW divide, Robe to Beachport. The fact it's so inexpensive also make you more likely to ride it hard and it just keeps surprising with it's resilience to abuse.