HI all – OLD Bull Trailriders

This topic contains 9 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by Mick D 13 years, 2 months ago.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

Author

Posts
January 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm #100941

Kent Duncan
Member

Hi all, new here and just looking around and doing some research and also reading everyone’s ride reports, i love em.
I’m 35 and been riding for the last 21 years on and off, previous bikes were TY175B, Z1000 (76 model), XR 250, XR 400, XR 600 and a Grizzly 700 (if that counts).
I live in Darwin and at present am looking at doing some ADVing around the country, just not sure what bike i want to go for.
Have narrowed my options down to either XT660Z, XR650R or DR650SE, just cant make up my mind.
The Tenere is ideal for what i want to do and this would be my first choice (like the XT1200Z too :whistle: ), i also like the XR as i have owned a couple previously and do like the Honda’s, i also like the DR’s due to their price and have also read quite a few ride reports that people have done on them, I have never owned a Suzuki before though. What is the difference between a DR650SE and a DR650Z?

Any suggestions/ advice that anyone can give me will be gladly taken on board.

Look forward to hearing your opinions and advice, thanks for having me.

Cheers,
Kent

January 17, 2012 at 5:46 pm #214659

Mick D
Member

Gday Zoro, thanks for the intro. You won me purely with the mention of the XR’s!! I currently own a XR650R set up for trail riding as opposed to ADV. Out of the 3 bikes you mentioned the XR would be my last choice for long distance ADV riding, although the XR650 is a very capable bike for the job, I think the other 2 bikes are better suited for ADV.
You could set up a very trick DR650 for about what it cost to buy the base model Tenere though. A few guys on here could give you a better idea about that, as they have built a project DR650 last year.
Just wait for them to find your intro and they will tell you alll about it.
Again thanks for the intro and welcome to OBT.
Cheers
Mick

January 17, 2012 at 10:39 pm #214663

Steve
Member

Gday Zoro (cool name)Welcome to obt. I to used to have a Xr650 great bike will do anything,but the dickheads at hondar stoped making them.
So suzuki IS king with the mighty VSTROM they are the best allrounder.
This should get a bite.

January 17, 2012 at 10:54 pm #214684

Mick D
Member

Vstrom? Hahahhaa I only know a few blokes that have or had them. Bent foot pegs, fairings falling off, and incredibly slow up Plomer road. (even with a good rider at the helm). Sorry Toes, there are better adv bikes on market. There’s a bite, LOL

January 18, 2012 at 12:03 am #214660

Greg
Member

Go the Tenere better open terrain bike than the DR and will do all the other stuff the DR will as well. DR is cheaper but you get what you pay for. With an adventure bike it’s not about the money Mick. The DR s don’t seem to be as bullet proof as first thought from what we have been seeing lately, can back that statement up if need be. I own a Tenere and thought about replacing it for a DR but not now for no amount or money, I have built both and ridden both, not as much on the DR of course

( reckon two new Terenes will appear he soon replacing two DRs, as two of our punters update watch this space)

TB

January 18, 2012 at 1:41 am #214661

Kent Duncan
Member

Thanks for the responses guys, all good info.
TB, i really do like the Tenere and have been following your ride reports etc.
I also read the post on the DR650 ADV build which sort of swung me towards them as well.
Although a couple of issues that have arisen with regards to both were-

Tenere- Cush drive issues (which i guess has been addressed/ modd’d and i’m sure a replacement setup (possibly nolothane) will eventually come on the market) and fuel injection/ ECU’s- if something fails its going to be harder to diagnose in the bush as opposed to a carb’d bike.

DR- Plastic oil pump drive (is there a metal version available?) and have read on other forums/ RR’s of the CDI dying although not very common.

TB, you’re right, you do get what you pay for and with my ADVing (around the country) being on my own my biggest fear is unreliability.

Mick, why would you not do the ADVing on the XR? Is it a comfort issue? This is why it was not my first choice. The reliability/ trust i have in the XR is why it was in front of the DR.

January 18, 2012 at 8:13 am #214710

Greg
Member

Service intervals would be my problem with the XR, I have a XR650 also, not only oil changes but wheel brgs etc as they only have a two bearing rear hub and bearing life is limited. Comfort would be a thought as well, don’t get me wrong I love my XR more then my Tenere but not for long distance ADV riding. As far as servicing goes the Tenere has 10k service intervals, not that you would do 10k between services or I wouldn’t but the option is there if you know what I mean. With the Cush rubbers well I don’t know because most people are getting 15k or so out of them it’s Nick and I that only get 4k :huh:

Try taking a DR and a Tenere for an hours ride before you buy one or the other that will sort it I reckon

TB

January 18, 2012 at 12:39 pm #214662

Stephen Pauline
Member

Mick,

I don’t know where you heard the stories about Vstrom issues.

I’m on the biggest (stromtrooper) forum there is for them.

The Wee-Strom is super reliable and very capable as an all rounder.

But it depends on what the individual rider needs in a bike.

V-Strom, Tenere, DR650 would be my three top picks.

Strom for 80/20 tar & two up, Tenere660 50/50 & two up, DR650 30/70 & solo.

February 2, 2012 at 11:35 pm #214722

Glenn
Member

Glenn, 44yo male returned rider 1 year ago, 2008 Suzuki Drz 400e and 2000 model Honda xr 650r that I am fixing up

Front rim damaged, Throttle tube needs replacing, RH footpeg stuffed and frame holes elongated, plastics all powdery and faded and a bitch to start. ps I love the button start on the drz

Any help on the footpeg repair would be good

February 3, 2012 at 8:44 am #215358

Mick D
Member

Gday Glennboy, welcome to OBT, post your issues with the XR in the Honda section and the XR crew will be all over it with offers of help. Where are you located mate?
Cheers
MIck
Author

Posts

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.