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Great Bike

This bike is great for running errands around town, commuting and limited touring. Many mods available to extend the range, improve comfort (seat is fairly hard) and boost performance.



Street handling is far better than I expected. A blast in the twistys, even with stock tires. You will get all... you want in the corners, at sane street speeds, with this one. I've been riding for 20 years, this is not my first bike but certainly the most fun of the lot.

Brakes are above average. I added a braided steel front brake line which improved feel substantially.

The engine really comes alive by 1000 miles. MPG is 45 mpg blasting around town and short freeway trips. Plenty of power for this class.

My off roading has been limited, mostly gravel/fire roads and improved trails. The bike is a bit heavy when pushed hard here but with common sense and care, makes for a great adventure/sightseeing ride. A more aggressive tire if you ride a lot of dirt would help.

The current (08) DR 650 has been unchanged for many years but should not be overlooked if you are shopping this category. Read Full Review