Its a common thing to modify on the DR650. You just have to make sure that you don't leave the side stand down when you're taking off. Honestly though, I've done it a couple of times.. luckily to no ill effect.
Good tips. I've been wanting to take that switch off for a while but didn't really want to mess with it. Now that I see how easy it is I'll be doing that this week. Like the other tips as well.
+Mr2fast4uall Yep they are pretty much the same since 1996. There have been some minor engine mods ie:- cylinder base gasket, starter motor clutch, NSU screws switched to allan heads and counter shaft seal retainer fitted, oh of course the mandatory paint job annual update. Your 2015 will have all these updates. Ride safe and be careful cause the suspension is not good.
On pavement there are more appropriate bikes for long distance travel. If you intend traveling on dirt/gravel and doing some adventure riding then with a few modes the DR is ideal. First mode would be the seat! Its a shocker. I had the interior padding changed and can do 400+ klms no problems now.
Oops..sorry.. sent to wrong person, but your comment about the DR seat is spot on, like sitting on a timber railing & I also wouldn't use a gel seat... dead right again, turns into a hot water bottle in summer, not pleasant, totally agree about getting the seat re-foamed by an expert & what I will also suggest is an AirHawk seat as well, you will get a Homer Simpson groan of approval with 1 of those, my butt says trust me... cheers
Mate don't know where in Chile you could buy them but the ones I used are made in the USA..I've put the address in the video description. The material feels the same as "wet suit neopreme". Try your local motocross bike shop. Good luck.
Nice video, but side stand switch is a safety feature and really should not be tampered with. But I feel your pain as it has happened to me. My fix was to replace the spring. As for your other tips bravo my fellow biker :o)
You will find an electric wire running to your clutch lever, same deal, follow it back & disconnect & dummy up the connector as shown with the side stand to complete the circuit.
@@gsabella4 Bumping the starter switch while ignition switch on and bike in gear and clutch engaged will cause bike to leap forward unexpectedly is my concern. I’m clumsy like that!😂
Aaron. Not sure on the pre 96 dr's. I know they are a totally different beast but if you log into ADVrider/pre 96 Suzuki dr 650 forum you should get heaps of help their.
Easier fix for the sidestand switch issue.... just go up to the handlebar's clutch lever perch... there is a little cylindrical switch pushed into it. Underneath the little push-in switch is a tab... press the tab up with a thin screwdriver while gently pulling the switch out of the lever perch. VIOLA! It makes the bike think the clutch lever is always pulled in to the handlebar...therefore the sidestand safety system is disabled. Tape the switch to the handlebar or let it dangle if you like. To re-activate the sidestand safety system, just plug the little pin switch back into it's place.yep... easy. ;-)
I am buying a 1991 Dr650s next week. Will I have this same problem or was this feature put on later? I used to ride an 08 Zx6r so I am super excited to learn this new type of bike. Hear it is a beast. Kick start only sucks but I am young and can do it.
If I were you I'd stear clear of the gel seat. From what I've heard the comfort levels don't get much better if at all and they tend to soak and retain the suns heat. This will assure you get "monkey butt".If moneys tight then get an upholsterer to replace some of the hard foam in the stock seat. Good luck.
Bumping the starter switch while ignition switch on and bike in gear and clutch engaged will cause bike to leap forward unexpectedly is my concern. I’m clumsy like that!
would you recommend this bike for trips 50-230 miles i figure its cheaper to ride home from school and to girlfiriends than drive. im torn between the DR, and the KLR.
My mate has a DR650 (2009) and it vibrates on 3rd gear. He wants to fix this. Anyone know where he could find info on possible causes? He had a look on the wiki site but couldn't find info on the exact problem. He guesses it could be a loose nut inside the clutch basket. But wants more reading. He is thinking of also maybe replacing the whole clutch basket but that is quite expensive to do so he wants to avoid that if possible. Cheers.
Are all DR650 bikes oil cooled? I saw a few other videos and comments that said that the bikes in those particular videos were oil cooled, but the Suzuki website says that the new ones (2014-2016) are air cooled. Were there earlier models that were cooled differently than the new models, or is "Air cooled" just another ways of saying oil cooled?
My 14 dr650 died on me while on a trail..got jump started twice and still stalled while riding, ended up towing it back... Lights still work when I turn it on...but just wont start. Think its the battery?Going to have it checked tomorrow. Don't have a charger kit just yet. Advise would be helpful, thanks.
+Attila Szabo Very bad idea. I know a man missing 3 fingers because he got his hand caught in a rotating chain like that... it went all around the rear sprocket, crushing the 3 fingers straight off. NEVER service a chain while using engine power. Get the rear wheel off the ground and spin it by hand while lubing. All you'll need is to get "pinched" once in there and you'll realize that by doing it by hand you just saved....... your hand.
+Nick X I appreciate your advice, and can see where you are coming from, but my hand is never near the chain, would be quite a freak accident if it'd get caught. There is almost no load on the chain so it snapping, wrapping around my hand and pulling it in is highly unlikely. I use a spray with a straw, and usually someone else is holding the bike, though on occasion i do it alone. I wouldn't advise doing it alone without a center stand though, you might just end up under the bike. I always check for solid ground under the sidestand and then it's all about balance, holding it so that if it tips over, it tips to the other side and nothing happens, the engine dies. I hold it firmly in case it tips, so that it doesn't go forward and off the stand. But yes, that situation is one that comes with safety instructions and an "I told you so" label. Who needs 10 fingers anyway?
+Attila Szabo Just to be clear, the chain didn't snap on him and pull his hand in... his hand got too close to the sprocket and just flat got pulled in during normal chain/sprocket rotation. Grisly.Anyway, the call is always yours, and I pray you never have a "horror story. ;-) Ride well!
Hi! Picked up a dr650 rs, and I'm having troubles on the side stad, it is slowly bending, and my bike is starting to fall. Does anybody have experience with that? Is is something that happens on stock dr side stands? Or am I just unlucky?
+Brecht Melotte I have never heard of any-one having this problem before. The stand that comes with the bike should be able to cope with a lot more weight than just the bike. Has some one put a home made one on ? Enjoy the ride.
+Mothership Videos Nope, I couldn't fix it. It is still leaning so far over that I can't get on the bike properly to kick it anymore... And it is a stock model side stand
that way one can forget the sidestand, I WAS ALMOST KILLED BECAUSE OF THAT, in 1986 my GT250 had no switch or any other safty device on the stand. So beware mates!
The DR will do that sort of travel with ease but if you have to sit on the standard seat you will be crippled with monkey butt. Havn't ridden the KLR so can't really comment on that. See if you can bludge a test ride on both bikes and then make up your mind. Both bikes will have their pro's and cons. Good luck.
Eliminate the goofy switch altogether.. That is the amateur cement head way of fixing the problem. Obviously the kick stand spring needs replacing but this tool wouldn't figure that out
Just crazy Suzuki didn't do these tests in testing. Thanks for helping us out.
Its a common thing to modify on the DR650. You just have to make sure that you don't leave the side stand down when you're taking off. Honestly though, I've done it a couple of times.. luckily to no ill effect.
Good tips. I've been wanting to take that switch off for a while but didn't really want to mess with it. Now that I see how easy it is I'll be doing that this week. Like the other tips as well.
I just bought a new 2015 and it's oil cooled. did a side by side comparison with a friend's 2003 and they are exactly the same.
+Mr2fast4uall Yep they are pretty much the same since 1996. There have been some minor engine mods ie:- cylinder base gasket, starter motor clutch, NSU screws switched to allan heads and counter shaft seal retainer fitted, oh of course the mandatory paint job annual update. Your 2015 will have all these updates. Ride safe and be careful cause the suspension is not good.
Great tips mate! Greetings fron Joburg, South Africa. The winters get sub zero here so I'll make that oil filter screen!
adventurecraig Thanks for the comments. We don't get temps that low but cold enough to warrant the screen. Been watching the cricket?
Don't rub it in mate!!
Bonza, just realised why my commuter VL250 dies now and then. I checked the stand switch and HELLO, the side stand spring had weakened. Cheers Bro.
I don't think you can to far wrong with the DR. It's good value for money in my opinion. Hope it all goes well.
Excellent. Thanks for posting these tips.
On pavement there are more appropriate bikes for long distance travel. If you intend traveling on dirt/gravel and doing some adventure riding then with a few modes the DR is ideal. First mode would be the seat! Its a shocker. I had the interior padding changed and can do 400+ klms no problems now.
Nice video thanks for the tips ill be disconnecting side stand switch for sure!!
Thanks for the kind words. Ride safe.
Thank you VERY much.
APPRECIATED.
No worries Terry thanks for commenting and ride safe.
Oops..sorry.. sent to wrong person, but your comment about the DR seat is spot on, like sitting on a timber railing & I also wouldn't use a gel seat... dead right again, turns into a hot water bottle in summer, not pleasant, totally agree about getting the seat re-foamed by an expert & what I will also suggest is an AirHawk seat as well, you will get a Homer Simpson groan of approval with 1 of those, my butt says trust me... cheers
Seat concepts. You'll love it. Cheap too
I went for so long with the switch connected that it just became a habit to flick the side stand up. So I,ve had no worries. Thanks for commenting.
thanks.great tips. cheers Tony. NZ
Mate don't know where in Chile you could buy them but the ones I used are made in the USA..I've put the address in the video description. The material feels the same as "wet suit neopreme". Try your local motocross bike shop. Good luck.
You can do from the kick switch ,antiteafh switch , just place hiden switch
+whitebear26 Thats a great idea. Thanks for the TIP. Ride safe.
Nice video, but side stand switch is a safety feature and really should not be tampered with. But I feel your pain as it has happened to me. My fix was to replace the spring. As for your other tips bravo my fellow biker :o)
You will find an electric wire running to your clutch lever, same deal, follow it back & disconnect & dummy up the connector as shown with the side stand to complete the circuit.
You should do each tip as a seperate video with an appropriate title so that you end up with a series of specific short instructional vids.
I like the side stand switch feature. Would probably hurt myself or someone if it was disconnected.
how and why? lol
@@gsabella4 Bumping the starter switch while ignition switch on and bike in gear and clutch engaged will cause bike to leap forward unexpectedly is my concern. I’m clumsy like that!😂
Aaron. Not sure on the pre 96 dr's. I know they are a totally different beast but if you log into ADVrider/pre 96 Suzuki dr 650 forum you should get heaps of help their.
Cheers, thanks for commenting
Easier fix for the sidestand switch issue.... just go up to the handlebar's clutch lever perch... there is a little cylindrical switch pushed into it. Underneath the little push-in switch is a tab... press the tab up with a thin screwdriver while gently pulling the switch out of the lever perch. VIOLA! It makes the bike think the clutch lever is always pulled in to the handlebar...therefore the sidestand safety system is disabled. Tape the switch to the handlebar or let it dangle if you like. To re-activate the sidestand safety system, just plug the little pin switch back into it's place.yep... easy. ;-)
+Nick X Even better.
@@MothershipVideos
.
Or you could just put a new spring on your side stand so it wouldn't bounce up and down.
Already had two. Ride safe Mr War Hammer.
When you’re on that advinture trup! Pure Kiwi!
Thanks for watching mate. Ride safe.
Good stuff thanks 👍
Thanks for watching/commenting Graham.
Did the same safety trick on my lawn tractor seat lol damn thing.......
I am buying a 1991 Dr650s next week. Will I have this same problem or was this feature put on later? I used to ride an 08 Zx6r so I am super excited to learn this new type of bike. Hear it is a beast. Kick start only sucks but I am young and can do it.
Cool. 160k on a DR. Wicked
If I were you I'd stear clear of the gel seat. From what I've heard the comfort levels don't get much better if at all and they tend to soak and retain the suns heat. This will assure you get "monkey butt".If moneys tight then get an upholsterer to replace some of the hard foam in the stock seat. Good luck.
Bumping the starter switch while ignition switch on and bike in gear and clutch engaged will cause bike to leap forward unexpectedly is my concern. I’m clumsy like that!
Just be careful mate. Ride safe.
1st mod remove the sidestand switch completely and throw it in the bin unnecessary weight and more of a safety issue than leaving the sidestand down.
🤘🏻 🌟 🤘
would you recommend this bike for trips 50-230 miles i figure its cheaper to ride home from school and to girlfiriends than drive. im torn between the DR, and the KLR.
thanks mate ! from a french frog !
My mate has a DR650 (2009) and it vibrates on 3rd gear. He wants to fix this. Anyone know where he could find info on possible causes? He had a look on the wiki site but couldn't find info on the exact problem. He guesses it could be a loose nut inside the clutch basket. But wants more reading. He is thinking of also maybe replacing the whole clutch basket but that is quite expensive to do so he wants to avoid that if possible. Cheers.
Wolfe-Dog Pet Channel has he checked swingarm bushes
Hi, sorry me english;
Whats is in the fork protectors, the black rubber? where I can find? thanks very much.
nice tips, from chile.
Are all DR650 bikes oil cooled? I saw a few other videos and comments that said that the bikes in those particular videos were oil cooled, but the Suzuki website says that the new ones (2014-2016) are air cooled. Were there earlier models that were cooled differently than the new models, or is "Air cooled" just another ways of saying oil cooled?
CrispyBacon Yeah from 96 they are all oil/air cooled. They seem to dissipate the heat real well. Ride safe
how do you feel about long distance riding on this bike? thinkin about gettin one myself
can you make a video on how to lowering the seat height please thanks!
If I've got some time I'll do it at some stage. If you can get your hands on a work-shop manual it goes through the process step by step.
thanks appreciate it
My 14 dr650 died on me while on a trail..got jump started twice and still stalled while riding, ended up towing it back... Lights still work when I turn it on...but just wont start. Think its the battery?Going to have it checked tomorrow. Don't have a charger kit just yet. Advise would be helpful, thanks.
It might well be the side/kick stand switch. Sometimes they just die. You could also look at the clutch safety switch behind the head light cowl.
how about installing a stiffer spring so the kick stand is stable?
One solution, but that dosn't help if the switch craps out.
yep
Why not put a heavier spring on the stand?? Good luck when your stand is down & you left it in gear & start....
i like to lube my chain while i hold the bike on the sidestand and spray the chain while it's in gear, spinning. lazy man's way
Attila Szabo No, not lazy, sensible for even coverage, esp after a run to warm the chain up. Like minded.
+Attila Szabo Very bad idea. I know a man missing 3 fingers because he got his hand caught in a rotating chain like that... it went all around the rear sprocket, crushing the 3 fingers straight off. NEVER service a chain while using engine power. Get the rear wheel off the ground and spin it by hand while lubing. All you'll need is to get "pinched" once in there and you'll realize that by doing it by hand you just saved....... your hand.
+Nick X I appreciate your advice, and can see where you are coming from, but my hand is never near the chain, would be quite a freak accident if it'd get caught. There is almost no load on the chain so it snapping, wrapping around my hand and pulling it in is highly unlikely. I use a spray with a straw, and usually someone else is holding the bike, though on occasion i do it alone. I wouldn't advise doing it alone without a center stand though, you might just end up under the bike. I always check for solid ground under the sidestand and then it's all about balance, holding it so that if it tips over, it tips to the other side and nothing happens, the engine dies. I hold it firmly in case it tips, so that it doesn't go forward and off the stand. But yes, that situation is one that comes with safety instructions and an "I told you so" label. Who needs 10 fingers anyway?
+Attila Szabo Just to be clear, the chain didn't snap on him and pull his hand in... his hand got too close to the sprocket and just flat got pulled in during normal chain/sprocket rotation. Grisly.Anyway, the call is always yours, and I pray you never have a "horror story. ;-) Ride well!
Hi! Picked up a dr650 rs, and I'm having troubles on the side stad, it is slowly bending, and my bike is starting to fall.
Does anybody have experience with that? Is is something that happens on stock dr side stands? Or am I just unlucky?
+Brecht Melotte I have never heard of any-one having this problem before. The stand that comes with the bike should be able to cope with a lot more weight than just the bike. Has some one put a home made one on ? Enjoy the ride.
+Mothership Videos Took a closer look; the side stand is missing a nut, so I think I found what caused the problem :D
+Mothership Videos Nope, I couldn't fix it. It is still leaning so far over that I can't get on the bike properly to kick it anymore...
And it is a stock model side stand
The side stand must be made of the same quality material that the handle bars are made from.....spagehetti !
Hay mate you couldn't do a video on how to over ride having to pull the clutch in to start could you ,
You’re a real daredevil aren’t you?!
"Don't chop anything. It is barbaric!" lol
Ride safe mate.
Good idea. Bit late now I suppose?
that way one can forget the sidestand, I WAS ALMOST KILLED BECAUSE OF THAT, in 1986 my GT250 had no switch or any other safty device on the stand. So beware mates!
Done
The DR will do that sort of travel with ease but if you have to sit on the standard seat you will be crippled with monkey butt. Havn't ridden the KLR so can't really comment on that. See if you can bludge a test ride on both bikes and then make up your mind. Both bikes will have their pro's and cons. Good luck.
Eliminate the goofy switch altogether.. That is the amateur cement head way of fixing the problem. Obviously the kick stand spring needs replacing but this tool wouldn't figure that out
Thanks for watching Bill...ride safe.
LOL barbaric I'd be, cut the wires twist and shrink wrap, and put the socket in the tool bag! Yea I'm barbaric hehehe
What ever works Shaun
Be careful on that thing. Don't want you getting run over!!
That kid prolly thinks Grandpa is the bomb :)
Yeah or throw it in a drawer maybe?! Ride safe .
lol
HaHa yeah poor misguided child.