Hopped on my new-to-me 2003 Suzuki DR650 for a first spin. The bike needs some work, but I was grinning ear to ear on this first ride. How does it compare to my R1250GSA? Watch and find out!
I’m 6’ with a 30” inseam and 225 lbs. and dropped mine to the lower setting. I never have issues with bottoming out and the ability to get my feet on the ground off-road riding is a lot more confidence inspiring.
Glad to know it doesn't bottom easily. I'm 5'6" with a 31" inseam (and only 125#). I'm going to keep it high for now and see how it feels. Maybe I'll lower it in the future. I used to ride a YZ125 in the woods and that thing was way taller. The tall DR makes my R1250GS feel low, which is a huge plus.
A few more things to work on (new chain and sprockets are on the way and I've gotta pull the clutch and check it), then I'll bring it up to the mountains... can't wait!!
I just fixed a slipping clutch, leaking fork seals, bad front wheel bearings, re-jetted the carbs and have it running pretty good. New chain and sprockets coming on Tuesday, THEN I'll take it out on the highway.
I've never ridden a DRZ400, but I considered buying one instead of the DR650. I went with the DR because I've got an hour of 70MPH highway to get to the dirt and I thought the DR would handle that better.
I have owned both - for your commute absolutely the DR650 - way better gearing for that commute and a better road bike. If you want to do mostly offroad, the DRZ400 is about 50 lbs lighter and is the one you want (note the seat height is even higher than the DR650). The DRZ400 gearing is close together for offroad, but it runs high rpm in the top gear and not suitable for what you want. My 2 cents. I had a DR650 - sold it & bought a DRZ400 - then sold that and went back to the DR650, all over about 5 years. Both great bikes. DR650 is air-oil cooled, no radiator to worry about/maintain/puncture on the trails, but again, the DRZ400 way better on trails.
@@ronny-drz I'm leaning on Dr650 so that I do the maintenance, I'm tired of spending on valve adjustments. My Honda/KTM dealer talked me out of both lineups yesterday. My Honda has been down a week waiting for a part, and commuting in a 6.4L HEMI daily gets old.
Definitely DR650 for that commute. Like previous poster I’ve owned both and the DR beats the DRZ on the highway. May need suspension work depending on your expectations.
