Suzuki DR650

We get a lot of mail in this joint, most of it from riders who want a new bike but don't know which one. The majority of these blokes are returning to bikes after 'being away' for one reason or another - wife, kids, sex, mortgage, you know the story - then when all those are gone they can have fun again and they write to us.

When we're answering these 'which bike?' queries, we try to find out what sort of riding the writer is likely to be doing, and how often. We had a letter during the compilation of this issue from a bloke who intended to use his new bike as a freeway tourer and a trail bike "with a bit of Ulysses stuff thrown in". He wanted a bike that'd do everything and he wanted a 400cc four-stroke. We told him to buy the new Gas Gas Pampera, or at least have a look at one before he rode or bought anything else, because that bike has everything going for it right now, including a retail price lower than that of the Suzuki DR-Z400. And it's a better bike, And it handles better and stops better and steers better, blah, blah blah ...

We don't know what that fella finally did, but if he'd been after a big bore four-stroke - anything over 500cc - his task would have been even more difficult. The big bore four-stroke class is raging right now and there's some pretty exotic machinery in there, all of it from Europe. KTM, TM and Husqvarna all have whumper thumpers, but none of them is cheap, and that's the rub. What if you're not cashed up; you don't want to keep up with some nutter on an MV Agusta when you wobble off on your Ulysses caper; and what if you want a big, reliable bike but you don't want to spend more than 10 grand on it?

Now there's a problem that separates the boys from their toys. Moola! Some of us have it and some of us don't. And you can count on one finger the over-500cc bikes available for less than 10 grand. Every 450 four-stroke is over that mark and so are the latest high performance 250s. Some of the latest two-strokes are less than 10,000 bucks, and represent very good value for money, but there's not much left in the bag if you're after a bargain in whumper thumpers.

Unless of course you do the smart thing and take a look at the Suzuki DR650. People bag or overlook the Suzuki, even people who should know better, because it lacks all the latest buttons and levers and never was and never will be a race bike. But the DR is probably the best value for money in the dirt bike market. Suzuki's suggested RRP on this jigger is $7690. If you're looking for a sub-$10,000 sled, you've found it.

GOOD REASONS FOR BUYING A DR650

It's cheap: And not only sub-10 grand but sub-$8000.

It's reliable: If you're looking for a bike like the DR650, you're obviously not looking for a bike with the latest liquid-cooled, high revving, rebuild-the-top-end-every-weekend kind of motor. Good. Because you won't get it. This engine doesn't have the latest of anything, and it won't ignite your nerve ends with acceleration, but unquestionably it's a hard-wearing dual sport bike with a great reputation for reliability. 

In early 1996-97 models the base gasket and countershaft seals gave some problems but over the years these were rectified. As well known Suzuki dealer Vince Strang told us: "If you maintain the DR well there's no reason you shouldn't see 50,000 kays before she needs top-end work".

It's popular: You don't hear much about DR650s because they're not sexy, but if you ask a few questions you'll find out just how popular they are. If Suzuki Australia could get more they'd sell more. One dealer told us the DR650 is continually on back order. In other words, he can't enough of them.

What does that tell you? That the DR is still relevant to riders who need a good dual purpose mount for a reasonable price.

It's not fat and heavy: Big name dual sport starships like the KTM 640 or 950, and the BMW 1200GS, are fast and flash, but have you noticed something?: they're awfully big and very expensive.

Take the KTM 640 Dual Sport for example. This bike costs twice as much as the DR650 ($14,395 plus ORC).

Yes the KTM is big, chunky and flash. It's also unwieldy to the point of being cumbersome. It generates an astonishing amount of mechanical noise and it vibrates enough to re-route every artery in your body. Fall under a BMW 1200GS and you call road service. Fall under a KTM 640 and all the ambos will find after half an hour of relentless vibration is a puddle of goo and it's you; human Yo-Go.

It's cheaply improved: There's not much you can't do with a Suzuki DR650, and when you start with such a low base price, adding a few mods doesn't blow the budget. Here's where to start:

So don't be talked into something you can't ride, or that's too expensive or too big and fat or, by someone's estimation, 'uncool'. This bike is great value for money and drop-dead bulletproof if you look after it.