Hi Dan !!! - I am currently running a 16 tooth front sprocket and I love it. It's funny how everyone is a little different. THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 has so much freakin torque - It doesn't care at all. I will say with the taller gearing, I find that I am shifting less - And the mileage is around 50MPG (U.S.) and that's fine with me. Out here in the Arizona desert, depending on the terrain - 14, 15, or 16 tooth front sprockets all work well on the DR. That said, my longest trips my be 3 or 4 hours - and maybe a 100 miles (U.S.) - My biggest enemy is time, I don't have as much time for "me" as I'd like. Cheers & sorry for the long winded reply :-)
Hey Obi, Yes everyone is different and every riding environment is also different. Nice to hear it is working for you. That is very good mpg. I think we all have that problem with time! Thanks for watching and the comment, good for someone thinking of the upgrade to see someone who is running it with no problems!
We run 15-44 and think that it is the best setup for our style of riding. For our worst mod we'd have to say Danmoto exhaust, it was just way too loud to use. Got another 20cms of snow yesterday but it's melting pretty quick this time around. Waiting anxiously to be able to ride again, 6 months without riding will really test your sanity! Hope you two are having a great weekend!
That is the gearing i currently run and i agree its the best i have used! Ooo i don't like noisy exhausts either well over noisy nothing worse than a constant drone at highway speeds. Ouch, that is not good i am not sure i could handle that. Hopefully you will be riding soon!
Agree! I bought my bike 2nd hand and the FMF system sound amazing but just gets painful on long rides. What love to figure out which silencer would give me a quiet ride...
@@genomedia44 so far the quietest would be the titanium muffler off of a GSXR 1000. If you look it up there's plenty of forums that discuss it as to which one is best and from which year. You'll also need a custom mid pipe if you can't make one yourself. Good luck
I could not agree more. I fell for the hype many years ago, tried 16t front sprockets on both a DR650SE and a Kawasaki KLR650C. The KLR got away slightly better but the large step between 1st and 2nd gear felt even bigger. The experience I had with the DR650SE was pretty much the same you mentioned. The bike felt anaemic, I had to take even more care not to let the revs drop and end up with the engine just yanking on the chain. Accelerating and overtaking between 90km/h and 120km/h the bike felt like it had a power restriction and would not do much unless geared down into 4th or even 3rd. Both the KL650C and DR650SE used more fuel with the 16t front sprockets.
I went with the 16 tooth on my 84 Yamaha xt600 and wish I could go with a 17 or 18. I got almost 70 miles per gallon riding solo with about 50% of that trip off road, and I got over 60 miles per gallon on the same trip with a passenger on the back. It has the stock rear sprocket I can't remember how many teeth but I think 44, and RPM is still too high on the freeway Off-road with the stock gearing, first gear was solo it almost useless at least for southwest desert riding
I have a pre-96 Dr650. My worst MOD was to change oil and fill with synthetic oil. Clutch DID NOT LIKE it at all. So, I have to use ONLY non-synthetic oil (10w-40 4 stroke wet clutch, of course). Also interesting, this 'older' oil is difficult to buy anymore. so think ahead. I did MOD from 16 front to 15 front sprocket made a huge difference in the mountains area I live (10,500 ft elevation). Also, I put on a pumper TM40 carb, which is awesome.
Appreciate your honest experience feedback. I run stock, no need to change it works fine. But be good to know if others experienced the same as you Dan?
I had to remove the upper and lower chain rollers, the noise was really annoying. I suppose if you do a lot of heavy offroading they might make a difference but in general use they're just noisemakers.
Exhaust is going good, done around 10,000 kms with it. It pops Abit on decel which can be reduced by adjusting the carb which Pd has done to his own one. Not something I worried about. Much lighter than stock. Good value for money for sure. He has them for sale on trademe these days
Thank you so much, I was about to do the same mistake and I just find your video by accident because I was searching for another thing, I didnt get the last part, its better to leave it stock or raise to 15 in front?
Stock over here is a 15 tooth. 15/42 is what mine came as stock. I was running a mix of that then 14/42 when I went off the road. I now run 15/44 which is almost between them and I like that the best
Yep that's what I did. Only reason for me is my dealer couldn't source a 44 rear in 525. I haven't noticed much difference and expect to get the same mileage as I got out of stock one
I have gone back to a 15 front and 41 rear. I was running 43 on rear with the 15 on front, which is great off-road but was revving too much at 115 kph on road. The DR650 would of been better with a 6th gear.
Interesting that would be similar to the 16t front. I am running 15/44 currently and its the best i have ran for the riding i do. Do you notice a drop in fuel economy with the 41 rear?
@@MOTODANS my NZ 2013 model came with 15, 41. I haven't range checked the fuel with 15, 41 . I always Run 15 always up front for bigger circle for chain life. I had a 43 on rear which is perfect. I just replaced with all new DID 110 link VX3 gold xring chain. 15th JT on front and new 41 JT just because everything else is new, bearings etc. The 43 was perfect for tight stuff, too much RPM when doing decent road speeds I found, I sometimes ride with road bikes consistently doing 120kpm and the 43 rear gave 160kph top speed but even at 120 is still up in the revs if held for hours. My bike may be a bit lighter than yours though. 20lt tank and I tend to lighten it where I can, minimalist lol. I live near Oxford if you are keen to mission some time.
@@Kyleesler Sounds like you sit a lot faster than i do! Haha. I wouldn't do above 115 on mine as you say revving to high generally sit 110 is quite comfortable. Cool not to far then would be keen for a ride at some point
You use more fuel at low revs with single cylinders. Higher rpm and reduce chugging on engine. Smaller boom at more frequency better than bigger booms less frequent
I changed recently to 44 rear which is somewhere between the stock and a 14t front which i used to switch. Really great for my use. Haha, yes i can understand that i never understood those! Bet it made a right mess!
Fascinating ! I installed a Scottoiler when I bought my DR650 new. Once I had found the correct setting for it, it was great - my original chain and sprockets lasted 96,000km! 👍
Wow, well if that isn't evidence that they work I don't know what is. I got 33000 from my stock set and thought that was really good. Thanks for sharing!
Sorry Feller .... At 2:17 that's why folks could care less about your modifications to a perfect from the factory Suzuki DR 650 when ya cut in line . 👎
Thanks for watching, filtering is perfectly legal and safe. Much safer than trying to overtake slow moving vehicle on the twisty roads. I am glad you are happy with your bike stock but most people aren't, the dr650 would be one of the most modified bikes around which is why it is so loved it can be made to suit everyone's needs.
@@MOTODANS Cutting in line is what it is ...... Suzuki hit the ball out of the park on the DR650 ! 👍 On all the modifications .... Is this a Suzuki corporation problem or did riders somehow forget how to ride a motorcycle ?
I disagree it was a filtering move. Well we obviously do very different riding, I am pleased the stock bike is great for your riding but for what I need it wasn't. I am assuming you still use the stock tyres that Suzuki selected for the bike and the stock suspension also?
@@MOTODANS Still have the stock front Trail wing but had to replace the rear tire last week . Went with a Metzler Sahara 3 as it was pretty close to the Trail Wing tread pattern . The stock suspension is in place and works great ! No complaints on this bike . All ya have to do is hop on and ride .👍
Hi Dan !!! - I am currently running a 16 tooth front sprocket and I love it. It's funny how everyone is a little different. THE MIGHTY SUZUKI DR 650 has so much freakin torque - It doesn't care at all. I will say with the taller gearing, I find that I am shifting less - And the mileage is around 50MPG (U.S.) and that's fine with me. Out here in the Arizona desert, depending on the terrain - 14, 15, or 16 tooth front sprockets all work well on the DR. That said, my longest trips my be 3 or 4 hours - and maybe a 100 miles (U.S.) - My biggest enemy is time, I don't have as much time for "me" as I'd like.
Cheers & sorry for the long winded reply :-)
Hey Obi, Yes everyone is different and every riding environment is also different. Nice to hear it is working for you. That is very good mpg. I think we all have that problem with time!
Thanks for watching and the comment, good for someone thinking of the upgrade to see someone who is running it with no problems!
Your reply is informative not at all long winded I have the DR 800 yet to ride
We run 15-44 and think that it is the best setup for our style of riding. For our worst mod we'd have to say Danmoto exhaust, it was just way too loud to use. Got another 20cms of snow yesterday but it's melting pretty quick this time around. Waiting anxiously to be able to ride again, 6 months without riding will really test your sanity! Hope you two are having a great weekend!
That is the gearing i currently run and i agree its the best i have used! Ooo i don't like noisy exhausts either well over noisy nothing worse than a constant drone at highway speeds.
Ouch, that is not good i am not sure i could handle that. Hopefully you will be riding soon!
Agree! I bought my bike 2nd hand and the FMF system sound amazing but just gets painful on long rides. What love to figure out which silencer would give me a quiet ride...
@@genomedia44 so far the quietest would be the titanium muffler off of a GSXR 1000. If you look it up there's plenty of forums that discuss it as to which one is best and from which year. You'll also need a custom mid pipe if you can't make one yourself. Good luck
@@Sum4Seb I've heard rumours. Didn't think a gsxr would be that quiet. I'll check it out thanks
@@genomedia44 this is the one you want. Gives you a good idea for sound. ua-cam.com/video/CVFG63cMdFg/v-deo.html
I could not agree more. I fell for the hype many years ago, tried 16t front sprockets on both a DR650SE and a Kawasaki KLR650C. The KLR got away slightly better but the large step between 1st and 2nd gear felt even bigger.
The experience I had with the DR650SE was pretty much the same you mentioned. The bike felt anaemic, I had to take even more care not to let the revs drop and end up with the engine just yanking on the chain.
Accelerating and overtaking between 90km/h and 120km/h the bike felt like it had a power restriction and would not do much unless geared down into 4th or even 3rd.
Both the KL650C and DR650SE used more fuel with the 16t front sprockets.
I went with the 16 tooth on my 84 Yamaha xt600 and wish I could go with a 17 or 18. I got almost 70 miles per gallon riding solo with about 50% of that trip off road, and I got over 60 miles per gallon on the same trip with a passenger on the back.
It has the stock rear sprocket I can't remember how many teeth but I think 44, and RPM is still too high on the freeway
Off-road with the stock gearing, first gear was solo it almost useless at least for southwest desert riding
I have a pre-96 Dr650. My worst MOD was to change oil and fill with synthetic oil. Clutch DID NOT LIKE it at all. So, I have to use ONLY non-synthetic oil (10w-40 4 stroke wet clutch, of course). Also interesting, this 'older' oil is difficult to buy anymore. so think ahead. I did MOD from 16 front to 15 front sprocket made a huge difference in the mountains area I live (10,500 ft elevation). Also, I put on a pumper TM40 carb, which is awesome.
Appreciate your honest experience feedback. I run stock, no need to change it works fine. But be good to know if others experienced the same as you Dan?
Thanks for watching, yes interesting to see others experience. I see Obi wan commented below he loves his 16t
I had to remove the upper and lower chain rollers, the noise was really annoying. I suppose if you do a lot of heavy offroading they might make a difference but in general use they're just noisemakers.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks for watching!
HAHA that traffic light in the Buller Gorge
Hi dan, how’s the pd exhaust going? Thinking of getting one myself, cheers
Exhaust is going good, done around 10,000 kms with it. It pops Abit on decel which can be reduced by adjusting the carb which Pd has done to his own one. Not something I worried about. Much lighter than stock. Good value for money for sure. He has them for sale on trademe these days
Thank you so much, I was about to do the same mistake and I just find your video by accident because I was searching for another thing, I didnt get the last part, its better to leave it stock or raise to 15 in front?
Stock over here is a 15 tooth. 15/42 is what mine came as stock. I was running a mix of that then 14/42 when I went off the road. I now run 15/44 which is almost between them and I like that the best
@@MOTODANS cool, what do you think about changing for 520 chains/sprocket, they are a bit lighter and easier to find if it breaks in the road.
Yep that's what I did. Only reason for me is my dealer couldn't source a 44 rear in 525. I haven't noticed much difference and expect to get the same mileage as I got out of stock one
I have gone back to a 15 front and 41 rear. I was running 43 on rear with the 15 on front, which is great off-road but was revving too much at 115 kph on road. The DR650 would of been better with a 6th gear.
Interesting that would be similar to the 16t front. I am running 15/44 currently and its the best i have ran for the riding i do. Do you notice a drop in fuel economy with the 41 rear?
@@MOTODANS my NZ 2013 model came with 15, 41. I haven't range checked the fuel with 15, 41 . I always Run 15 always up front for bigger circle for chain life. I had a 43 on rear which is perfect. I just replaced with all new DID 110 link VX3 gold xring chain. 15th JT on front and new 41 JT just because everything else is new, bearings etc. The 43 was perfect for tight stuff, too much RPM when doing decent road speeds I found, I sometimes ride with road bikes consistently doing 120kpm and the 43 rear gave 160kph top speed but even at 120 is still up in the revs if held for hours. My bike may be a bit lighter than yours though. 20lt tank and I tend to lighten it where I can, minimalist lol. I live near Oxford if you are keen to mission some time.
@@Kyleesler Sounds like you sit a lot faster than i do! Haha. I wouldn't do above 115 on mine as you say revving to high generally sit 110 is quite comfortable. Cool not to far then would be keen for a ride at some point
@@MOTODANS speedo over reads, GPS is a lot less. Mine over reads I stay legal or near enough😅
@@Kyleesler Haha, yes i always have the gps on and usually go off that
14 front here ... good off-road...fine for secondary hiways around here
You use more fuel at low revs with single cylinders. Higher rpm and reduce chugging on engine. Smaller boom at more frequency better than bigger booms less frequent
Thanks Dan🙏
Cheers Greg👍
That's good to know 👍
Cheers for watching Peter!
I'm running 15' 43,
Offroad: 14X42 or 43
Onroad: 15X38,39 or 40.
Interesting. I'm running stock sprocks. My worst mod would have to be a chain oiler lol😂 complete waste of time and just flung gooey oil everywhere 🫣😜
I changed recently to 44 rear which is somewhere between the stock and a 14t front which i used to switch. Really great for my use.
Haha, yes i can understand that i never understood those! Bet it made a right mess!
Fascinating ! I installed a Scottoiler when I bought my DR650 new. Once I had found the correct setting for it, it was great - my original chain and sprockets lasted 96,000km! 👍
Wow, well if that isn't evidence that they work I don't know what is. I got 33000 from my stock set and thought that was really good. Thanks for sharing!
wow thaat eerily looks like lake Hawea, lake Wanaka New Zealand.
Lake Pukaki!
@@MOTODANS Beautiful place, i miss it alot. Fergburger from Queenstown!
Sure is, for me Mrs Ferg bakery next door is my go to! The pies are awesome!
Sorry Feller .... At 2:17 that's why folks could care less about your modifications to a perfect from the factory Suzuki DR 650 when ya cut in line . 👎
Thanks for watching, filtering is perfectly legal and safe. Much safer than trying to overtake slow moving vehicle on the twisty roads. I am glad you are happy with your bike stock but most people aren't, the dr650 would be one of the most modified bikes around which is why it is so loved it can be made to suit everyone's needs.
@@MOTODANS Cutting in line is what it is ...... Suzuki hit the ball out of the park on the DR650 ! 👍 On all the modifications .... Is this a Suzuki corporation problem or did riders somehow forget how to ride a motorcycle ?
I disagree it was a filtering move. Well we obviously do very different riding, I am pleased the stock bike is great for your riding but for what I need it wasn't. I am assuming you still use the stock tyres that Suzuki selected for the bike and the stock suspension also?
@@MOTODANS Still have the stock front Trail wing but had to replace the rear tire last week .
Went with a Metzler Sahara 3 as it was pretty close to the Trail Wing tread pattern .
The stock suspension is in place and works great !
No complaints on this bike . All ya have to do is hop on and ride .👍
Good to hear👍 Haven't tried those tyres they do look a little more chunky than stock. Interesting to see how they wear