Hi newbie here...

[Dr650rs]

Just joined and thought I'd say a little introduction so...
I got directed here from another forum I frequent, as I recently (well last October) bought a dr650rs as a winter hack/daily runabout. I'm hoping to find someone else who owns or at least owned 1 of these, as it seem most people had the dr big. Just want some general info on things to watch out for, best way to ride it etc etc it's a whole world away from all my previous rides (riding since I was 16, now im 22, starting with an aprilia rx50 then a chopped gsx250, a 650 dragstar, a Harley sportster 883 and now a buell xb12r, still got the 250, dragstar and buell)

Are they any upgrades I should do to make it run smoother?

[el vencejo]

Welcome  
Mine's a Honda 644 (and an XB9R), but there are lots of DR experts around here...
Be prepared for advice, p*ss taking and bar-room type discussions.  

[andy230]

Hello mate

I have a US import 1990, kickstart only, DR650S.  No fairing on it, some pics here -->

http://www.thumperclub.com/drupal/node/349?index=16&set=photogallery7&direction=f

http://www.thumperclub.com/drupal/node/349?index=17&set=photogallery7&direction=f

Just want some general info on things to watch out for

Frame rot?  My engine now holds the frame together.

My sprocket bearings got chewed, that was expensive.  

My shock burst, that was dear too...  It only lasted two years, was original OEM Suzuki just before I got it.  

And the new clutch wasn't that cheap either- both sets of plates,

Fork seals, but thats par for the course on any bike.  

Mine doesn't like the wet, and (I think) goes on to one plug.  But am *******ed if I can find the cause.  Replaced plugs, caps, coil, wrapped the loom in polythene everything.  But it never actually stops running.... (touch wood)  keeps going and (As long as I keep fixing it!) will not die.  

The side stand needs a bigger foot on it, the OEM can rotted thru (thus I got it cheap),  it burns a bit of oil too....

the ignition lock is rather worn, and it is a noisy rattly, ratty old nail!!  I love it.....

My MOT tester doesn't do his job very well, but I suspect if he did I may not still run it!

best way to ride it

Like you nicked it?!    They do handle *very* well.  Lumpy bastard low down, keep it revving, especially pulling off the lights.

Are they any upgrades I should do to make it run smoother?

Freewheel more??  Mine is horribly lumpy, and I don't know anyone else with one (Simon maybe?)

I do love it tho, it is a great winter bike.  Enjoy it!  I always think that maybe any given journey will be its last, but it keeps going.  Needs new tyres now...

andy

[Dr650rs]

Hmm well that doesn't sound too good for the sort of low maintenance abused hack I wanted lol

Got some rust on the swingarm, and a few chips and patches on the frame I should probably deal with soon, and I get the feeling the clutch is on the way out, doesn't bite til the levers right out, also got 2 slow punctures and a small oil leak lol all on a budget of £30 for the next month lol

Thanks though, I'm slowly getting used to the power delivery and sound, (sounded wrong for the 1st few weeks being used to v-twins)

[guest7]

I rode my brother's DR650RS last week (it used to belong to club member Simon Morgan), it ran well and yes it is a bit lumpy, but that's fine.

I found one quirk is the high top gear, you have to be doing 70mph+ to pull it. This is probably what gave Simon such good fuel consumption on his various rides to the Elefant and Dragon rallies.

I thought it was a really nice, good-handling bike

GC

[guest868]

Not had a 650, but had two 600s. I love em.
Oh and hello.

[Ian]

Hi Dr650rs, Welcome to the club. I think youll enjoy the forums, people will help you before they hinder you. Im into SRX`s and just bought another one last week (albeit in pieces). Hope you enjoy being here

Ian

[steveD]

Hi and welcome. I had the DR750 and the thing is to forget that it is a Thumper. These engines like to rev and anything below 3000rpm will feel very snatchy, jerky and give little or no response to throttle demand.
They handle really well and cornering can be done at silly speeds, it's just the height when cornering right when you meet a car coming the other way you feel as though you are going to head but it!
These machines rust well so keep a tin of touch up handy and keep at it. Watch the banjo on the oil cooler.

My bike is now with another member and must have about 60K miles on the engine and I recon it would still out drag my new Xt660Z Tenere.

[themoudie]

Aye DR750rs,

Welcome and as SteveD says and I've said to spannermonkey91's thread, give it some throttle! It isn't your 883 and never will be. Welcome to the leather arm chair with sagging suspension and the 'comfy' look. You'll not notice the spring poking through with a good dose of vibe 'numb bum'! 

Go canny and enjoy the beasties.

My regards, Bill.

[Dr650rs]

Well, I've just been out on my 1st pleasure ride on it (only really been to work and back before) and I have to say it goes quite well and gives this strange hooligan kinda feeling, just feels like you could pop the front wheel up and go anywhere, have been kinda doubting my judgement at buying it since I got it, thought I'd gone a bit loopy and practical. But it's actually quite alot of fun!

And to whoever said about mpg I dont know what I'm actually getting to the gallon but I think I've only filled up 3 times since I bought it in October! Far better than my weekly fill on the buell!

[andy230]

Hmm well that doesn't sound too good for the sort of low maintenance abused hack I wanted lol

Naaah, dont worry mate, I got mine for a 150 quid, and have done 17,000 miles on it.  probably why I have done a fair bit of spannering.  Mostly in london, in the show and salt and shit.  But I have done a few hundred miles in a day on it, no worries.

None of the things I describe would actually have stopped it running.  And only the shock made it unridable- but only because I didn't feel safe, not because I couldn't make it go !

(boing- boing- boing!)

Most are just routine things, that I wanted to sort.  And I've never been inside the motor (yet), which says something.

enjoy!

a

[Dr650rs]

Ah right not so bad then, think I'm gonna need new chain and sprockets soon as a few of the links are very stiff, is there a certain type I should choose? Also how do you find the engine braking? I'm used to closing the throttle and slowing down but the dr feels like riding me dragstar or sportster with the choke out all the time?

Sorry for all the questions, but I've not found anyone else with a 650.


Ps has yours got pillion footrests? Haven't got any on mine and not sure if it's meant to have some or not? Would be handy if it is possible to get some?

[andy230]

Hi,

I got my chain and sprokets kit from www.wemoto.com.  Looking back thru my emails it was :

520x114 link chain, comes separated with spring link and rivet link, sprockets as standard are front 16, rear 42. Kit is of all standard parts.
thanks
www.wemoto.com

> Make: Suzuki
> Model: DR650 SP41A
> Year: 1991
> Country: UK
>
> hi, I am looking for a C&S kit for my 91 Suzuki DR650 SP41A.  Re. your item
> "DR 650 RL/RM (SP41A) (90-91) Chain and Sprocket Kit Izumi @ 74.54"

I suppose their prices are quite good for a decent O-ring chain.....       !!

Normally closing the throttle gives good engine braking for me...  In fact, probably better than the rubbish stoppers!!

And yes, I have pillion footrests.  But remember mine is a US import  -->

http://www.thumperclub.com/drupal/node/349?index=16&set=photogallery7&direction=f

Bolt on tubular efforts, but I know some others (Especially the RS's?) have silver cast jobs....  But i think they still bolt on.  note- your frame may not be the same as my 1991 model.

cheers

a

[guest7]

My brother has got some DR650RS spares, including (iirc) footrest hangers

GC

[johnr]

dont use iris chains, my dr big destroyed one in a couple of hundred miles, broken sideplates all over it, iris didnt want to know.