This bike does it all

I've ridden dual sports (we used to call them enduros back in the good old days) since 1975. The appeal of a dual sport motorcycle to me is that I can leave my driveway on two wheels, have a great time taking back roads to the mountains, then spend a few hours riding dirt and still make it home for... dinner. No trailers needed!

Some people say dual sports are not good at street or dirt, but I disagree. My Suzuki DR650 is an excellent street bike - light, manueverable, great in the twisties, fast enough to out-accelerate any car I have ever come across, very comfortable to ride all day (once I put a corbin seat on it), reliable as an anvil and gets really good gas mileage (averaging 56 mpg over the last 12,000 miles).

Off road, as long as you remember this is not a 200 pound dirt bike, it does fine. I have taken the DR on rocky, rutted goat paths, through very deep water crossings, gravel, dirt, mud, sand - you name it. I have never gotten stuck and I ride off road a lot.

The only modification that was absolutely necessary was a corbin seat. The stocker is a motocross style seat that feels like a wooden plank after about 35 miles. The Corbin is good for 350 mile days and transformed the bike.

I have also added bark busters, skid plate, aluminum bars, heated grips and a few other farkles to personalize my DR.

The only problem I have had with my DR in the 3 years I have owned it is the huge, DOT mandated stock tailight assembly cracked at about 10,000 miles. I replaced it myself with a DRZ250 unit which is much better looking.

The bike is an absolute joy to ride, no matter if I am riding it down to the post office or taking a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is truly a do-it-all machine!





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Luv my DR

I have owned my 2006 DR650SE since Nov 2006. I have replaced the following OEM parts: tank, seat, handlebars, and grips. They were replaced with an IMS 4.9 Gal tank, a fly aluminum handlebar; scott grips, and the optional Siuzuki gel seat. I have also added a luggage rack, skid plate, mirror extensi...ons, soft-sided saddle bags, a Renthal gold anodized 520 chain, Sunline front (15T) and read (43T) sprokets, and Dunlop dualsport D606 tires. Have almost 16000 miles and really enjoy this bike; bothg on and off road. Plan to start doing some AMA dualsport rides. Front tires last about 7500 miles, and the rear ones last about 4500 miles. This is my sixth Suzuki Dualspaort/dual purpose/on-off road motorcyle; and my third thumper. Although this 650 is only 40 lbs lighter than a GSXR 750, it handles very well off road. Mt next upgrades will be on the suspension; front and rear. After all the mileage, the OEM parts are pretty worn out. Read Full Review

I love the 06' DR

I actually purchased this DR 650 used because I got a good buy on it. I also own a 2005 KLR 650. When I got the bike home, went over it and hit the road for a long test ride. I was very impressed from my first time on the bike. It seems a hundred pounds lighter than my KLR and handles unbelievable i...n comparison to the heavy KLR. The factory suspension is quite good for me (I weigh 255 lbs.) and it has a good torque range for the street and off-road. If I hadn't put so much money into getting my KLR Trans Am Trail ready with lots of mods, I would be selling the KLR to ride the DR. I was that impressed with it. It's agile and light handling and so far, has been a great motorcycle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing my Kaw, It has been VERY reliable and a real workhorse. I just like the off-road feeling and quickness of the Suzuki DR. Read Full Review