36654
New member
But, it was the question asked in the OP.
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But, it was the question asked in the OP.
I’ve ridden a dr650 around the White Rim and was glad to have the torque for the Hogback and sandy sections. Also had it over Imogene and again was glad for the power at higher elevations, where a Klr250 was not enough. I’ve ridden it over 400 miles in one day and yes, the stock seat is narrow but also flat so you can move around on it and are not locked into one position.
KenDittrick
Rocky Bow BMW Riders #197
Wow, at that price I would never pick at nits! I am pretty sure this bike would do in any case. I have briefly looked at lower displacement Suzuki's but they cost about $1000 CAD more (new) than the 650.
Wkoppa
Member
Apples and Oranges
I like my 310GS a lot but it does not work for me in deep sand. I like the 310GS enough that I plan on going on a long adventure like trip (if the wife waves the green flag) this year. The Haul Road is calling. But that does not make the GS a deep woods Michigan sand bike. Its the geometry of the bike holding it back. Lots of people ride the 650 DR but I don't see them out on the ORV trail I maintain. I rode for many years a DRZ 250 with a Baja Design kit. It worked well enough to ride 30 miles to the Jack Pine Enduro, ride the Jack Pine and ride home. But that bike is significantly lighter than a 650 DR. If the interested rider is tall enough, I would take a look at the G650X Challenge. Great bike for people tall enough. I kept on falling down because where I need to dab was just a little soft so I would fall down. i miss serious woods riding and happen to live in the middle of off-road heaven with a 500 mile off-road loop that covers the northern tip of the lower peninsula of Michigan. I have been thinking about the fuel injected KLX 250 that comes with a reasonable saddle height and is easily lowered. Additionally, I don't think you need the extra power for the woods when many times you are changing direction every 30 feet, but if you do, there seems to be some people with 300cc and 351cc big bore kits for the KLX. The bike comes with a wet weight of 305lbs which I think the 650DR comes in at 365lbs.
Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449
I like my 310GS a lot but it does not work for me in deep sand. I like the 310GS enough that I plan on going on a long adventure like trip (if the wife waves the green flag) this year. The Haul Road is calling. But that does not make the GS a deep woods Michigan sand bike. Its the geometry of the bike holding it back. Lots of people ride the 650 DR but I don't see them out on the ORV trail I maintain. I rode for many years a DRZ 250 with a Baja Design kit. It worked well enough to ride 30 miles to the Jack Pine Enduro, ride the Jack Pine and ride home. But that bike is significantly lighter than a 650 DR. If the interested rider is tall enough, I would take a look at the G650X Challenge. Great bike for people tall enough. I kept on falling down because where I need to dab was just a little soft so I would fall down. i miss serious woods riding and happen to live in the middle of off-road heaven with a 500 mile off-road loop that covers the northern tip of the lower peninsula of Michigan. I have been thinking about the fuel injected KLX 250 that comes with a reasonable saddle height and is easily lowered. Additionally, I don't think you need the extra power for the woods when many times you are changing direction every 30 feet, but if you do, there seems to be some people with 300cc and 351cc big bore kits for the KLX. The bike comes with a wet weight of 305lbs which I think the 650DR comes in at 365lbs.
Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449
shortythorne
shortythorne
I rode and owned a KLR 650 for years and they are great bikes, however too big (heavy) for me to enjoy. I just recently traded it for a Yamaha XT250 and I really like it. Yes it is tall but so light and flickable, I don't even notice. I just do the right or left slide off to get one foot down. I also like the weight and know that if alone I can pick the bike up if I drop it. Really takes the worry out of the equation for me, therefore much more enjoyable. I can ride 65-70 (if necessary) easily, but a larger person might find it unsuitable. I would not hesitate to ride this little bike anywhere. Lighter is ALWAYS better. I really like the looks of the 310 GS, but it just isn't right for me. This 250 has been around (or a version of it) for years, so I think all the bugs are worked out by now. One of the best m/c trades I've made. 
KenDittrick
Rocky Bow BMW Riders #197
I rode and owned a KLR 650 for years and they are great bikes, however too big (heavy) for me to enjoy. I just recently traded it for a Yamaha XT250 and I really like it. Yes it is tall but so light and flickable, I don't even notice. I just do the right or left slide off to get one foot down. I also like the weight and know that if alone I can pick the bike up if I drop it. Really takes the worry out of the equation for me, therefore much more enjoyable. I can ride 65-70 (if necessary) easily, but a larger person might find it unsuitable. I would not hesitate to ride this little bike anywhere. Lighter is ALWAYS better. I really like the looks of the 310 GS, but it just isn't right for me. This 250 has been around (or a version of it) for years, so I think all the bugs are worked out by now. One of the best m/c trades I've made.
Thanks for this - yes I think the BMW is the best looking bike as well. Weight is my major concern. Yes, I could lift any of these bikes but I really think being lighter and easy to ride is what I am looking for. I have no plans to sell my RT which will be my primary long distance machine.
I rode a DR 650 for 12,000 km from Lima to Ushuaia on probably 30% gravel roads. It is a stone axe that gets the job done. I used a Corbin seat and a small windshield/fairing. Over sized gas tank is recommended. It is truly a bullet proof bike with regular maintenance. A little challenge with performance with alternating between high altitudes and sea level riding. Someone with more mechanical abilities could easily overcome that issue.
Biggest challenge on that trip with a smaller bike is the wind in Patagonia.
Others have used the DR650 for some serious riding.
https://advrider.com/lucy-vs-the-am...utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=01_09_2020
Biggest challenge on that trip with a smaller bike is the wind in Patagonia.
Others have used the DR650 for some serious riding.
https://advrider.com/lucy-vs-the-am...utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=01_09_2020
Visian
look out!!!
KTM/Husqvarna have the 690/701... lots of world-tourists on those.
Personally, I think the older F650 singles are also an exceptional choice. (Rotax motor)
I have a G650 Xchallenge that runs and runs and runs.... (Rotax motor)
There is a bike called CCM in the UK that gets rave reviews.
The now-discontinued KLR, as you mention, is another good-ish choice.
KenDittrick
Rocky Bow BMW Riders #197
Great info from Lucy. She has the weight at 324 lbs which might be an older bike. The specs now say 366.
KTMs etc. are waaay out of the price range for me.
KTMs etc. are waaay out of the price range for me.
skibum69
slave to gravity
I've done a little time on a DR and have many friends with them, as previously stated old technology and tons of aftermarket support. I had fun when I was on one but I was missing my KTM. Like the KLR its days may be numbered in the new world of emission control. I haven't spent time on a 310 but it has plenty going for it. Jenny Morgan took one and did a long term flog on it and wrote an excellent RR detailing how it worked for her. She's a very experienced offload racer and rider and she knows what she's talking about. Here's a link to her RR: https://advrider.com/f/threads/beemer-beemer-chicken-deener.1294883/
The 500 class is definitely more offload capable, I have a KTM 525 that goes very nicely and I've had it over 100mph no problem. That being said in the 650 class the KTM 640 Adventure is still considered one of the best adventure machines ever built and I have to say I love mine. Too bad the last production run was 2006.
This is one awesome do anything machine. It's my favourite that has seen heavy offload and long tours and everything in between.
The 500 class is definitely more offload capable, I have a KTM 525 that goes very nicely and I've had it over 100mph no problem. That being said in the 650 class the KTM 640 Adventure is still considered one of the best adventure machines ever built and I have to say I love mine. Too bad the last production run was 2006.
This is one awesome do anything machine. It's my favourite that has seen heavy offload and long tours and everything in between.
Great bike, no doubt. But man does that thing vibrate.
No first hand experience, but reading about it that seems to be the consensus by those who’ve reviewed this model. I really like the looks of that KTM, though.
Was there ever a twin-cylinder version?
The 690 was much better. Unobtrusive up to about 75 mph.
The new 790 is a twin but I'm getting off topic here and I don't want to break my new year's resolution.
skibum69
slave to gravity
I don't find mine vibrates a whole lot, must have been built on a Wednesday. As for the 690 it was never built as an Adventure bike so it needed some farkling to make it worthy for that application. I don't know enough about the 790 to comment but there's a new 300 Adventure coming down the pipe which should be very interesting and worth looking at compared to the 310GS. Time to expand your horizons and go google that to put up against the DR and 310.
I was supposed to take my 525 to Siberia/Mongolia/stans this summer but 2 months turning into 4 months just wasn't an option for me. It definitely offloads better than the 640 and is a lot lighter. I've toured 2up on the 640 but not an option on this little beast.
I was supposed to take my 525 to Siberia/Mongolia/stans this summer but 2 months turning into 4 months just wasn't an option for me. It definitely offloads better than the 640 and is a lot lighter. I've toured 2up on the 640 but not an option on this little beast.