This vid was on our enduro channel way back in 2016. But now we have this adventure channel so we've moved it across. Feel free to watch it again! First time on our channel? Welcomel! In this age of social media influencers making money out of promoting crap, we are more critical of the manfufacturers than most and try to make objective useful vids... and occasionally some amusing stuff too. Check out our playlists below. Adventure bike & product reviews bit.ly/3DpEKxk Motorbike safety & protective gear bit.ly/3Dpb438 Motorbike setup bit.ly/3Dpb6rM DR650 project series bit.ly/3XOsPRK And finally our most popular videos... Best lightweight adventure bikes? ua-cam.com/video/lsorI76PBYc/v-deo.html Best midweight adventure bikes? ua-cam.com/video/LmhL_u8s8HA/v-deo.html The midlife crisis solution! ua-cam.com/video/LRQyEBY5YjQ/v-deo.html
In a KTM890 forum someone was asking about gearing, particularly smaller front sprockets, for tough terrain. I was trying to formulate my answer (Something like "What's the issue, I don't have any problem with slow sections or steep uphills?) when a respected forum member answered with a simple "Learn how to use the clutch". Nuff said.
As a xr650r owner with more money in mods into it than the bike was worth at any time: Please Honda get your shit together and get me a modern XR with 5000km oilchanges, fuel injection, e start, the CRF 450 suspension elements and a 6th gear. I'm willing to pay good money for a bike like that. Call it the CRF 650 X/L/XL/XR OR WATEVER. Just give it to me god damn. Call it the Gaylord MCFister for all I care, just build the bike....
Will never happen from Japan. How many years have riders been screaming this out. Not a sign of a Honda Dakar replica despite 2 wins. Suzuki /Kawasaki basket cases and why would Yamaha hurt T7 sales. Look to China or Indian Hero.
@@MrEtnorb yeah unfortunately... And 3 wins actually. The plan in 2012 wen they started to race in Dakar again was to sell a rally kit for the CRF 450 but that never happened...
Absolutely. I was 30 years out of off road riding, and when I got back into it, the first thing I looked for was the latest XR's - well wasn't I disappointed. I could not believe that they had done NOTHING with it. As for Suzuki, they have been laughing at/abusing/taking for granted the DR community for 20 years.
I’ve been saying the same thing. I loved my 650r. Eventually sold it and went wr450f and yz450fx. But still dream of a new xr650l with modern updates. I’d take a bike like that from Yamaha with the Raptor 700 engine as well (which is actually a 686cc). Just a big 650ish thumper with the updates. Don’t even care if it’s Yamaha or Honda. The t7 is cool but it’s too big.
@@crosstrainingadventure its got some mods, hoey suspension, 20 litre acerbis, rejetted, opened air box, staintune exhaust, sargent seat, the usual Dr stuff. 12,000kms.
🇦🇺😎👍I took your advice years ago and got the ultimate standard suspension upgrade up the Sunshine Coast , MPE I think. It’s very nimble now. I bombed the engine , replaced the entire exhaust and put a TM 40 carburettor on the Big DRasaurass… Changed the tank , foot pegs , everything else and gave the beast a big port job and a high compression piston …..oh my gord ! That was the 2016 model 🤣👍. But wait there’s more 🤣👍🏁2 years after I brought the 2016 model I grabbed another new DRasaurass in a 2019 model and guess what ? That one got the treatment as well. . Brother I’ve spent that much money on both of them this year I recon I could have purchased a new GSX 1000R…🤣🤣🤣👍🏁. Thanks for your enthusiasm back in 2016 because you changed my life forever and I haven’t stopped smiling since. True story….My best friend Alan Cannon put me onto your videos back in 2016 but sadly he passed away on 25 March 2017 from a massive heart attack age 56. He told me he met you on a ride at least once. He said you’re a nice guy … Anyhow great to see your videos again , keep upright 🇦🇺🏁, Big Trev.
I'm glad you mentioned the points that need a little attention on the G.O.A.T./bush pig, and not what I keep hearing people here in the states keep saying they want done to it! Fuel injection would just ruin the reliability in my opinion! That's what most here in the states think it needs.
My first off-road experience on my DR was at a trail system meant for side-by-sides and ATVs full of steep terrain covered in sharp jagged rocks. This was on stock suspension as a 290 lb man. Many lessons were learned that day.
Had a DR650 for 15+ years. Great bike with a few mods! Once I even rode it in an enduro. It almost killed me by end of the day. But I wasnt last in my class, passed a couple people on long difficult hill climbs
Exactly! The challenge is what makes it fun! If you wanted something easy just ride around in a carpark for a while. This is one of the reasons I sold my 300 2 stroke enduro bike and got a MX 450 for enduro. The 300 made everything too easy
Just getting into the dual sport at the ripe age of 50 and picking up my 2024 DR next week. Coming from the street and cruiser bikes for over 10 years, I'm looking to expand and change things up... but still keeping my GSAX S1000GT of course. I've researched the hell out of the DR and there is a mega cult following and excited to get started. The DR. Bush Pig is the ultimate "Jack of all Trades" and when I had my V-Strom 1000, I know that a lot of what this bike can be pushed to do is, skilsl.... there will be limitations of what a bike can do of course but the skill that some guys have can take a Harley into the woods... lol. Gonna keep it stock for the first year, learn how to ride off-road and then enter the dark path of mods will begin.... Amazing videos and I'm a new Subscriber from Montreal, Canada.
way way back in the day a guy in our crew had a Kawisaki KLR 600. It was a very basic dual sport. had a heaslite but no massive foo foo fairing. I remember it being a pretty capable off toad bike. I rode it a couple times but was always anxious to get back on my PE 250 that weighed 4 or 5 thousand pounds less
Anyone calling a DR650 rider stupid for riding it on difficult trails are stupid themselves. I can get my DR almost anywhere my 250XC can go, just not as easy. And don't count Suzuki out, they introduced a new line of 800 twins two yrs ago. One being the 800DE, which is the most underrated new motorcycle to come out the last 5 years. Suzuki just introduced a DRZ4S, yet to be tested. So, could the little yellow company give us a DR7S? I'm a lifelong Suzuki hater and Honda fan boy. However, my DR650 and 800DE are everything I expect them to be....yes, they both need tweaks, but what bike doesn't. Thanks for yet another great DR650 video, Barry.
I could say how much I enjoyed this video and agree with almost everything you said. But this is the internet and I am compelled to focus on the one thing I disagree with. The DR does not need a 6 speed. It just needs the proper ratios in it's 5 speed. I have the wide ratio transmission from Procycle and while it is pricey the benefits are totally worth it in my opinion.
Excellent video, as always. I am with you, if only as you said, Suzuki would bring out a new model or Honda would bring back the XR650 the world would be a better place. Ride safe guys, Cheers
What sprockets you running Barry? Its the one thing that frustrates me with the DR. Standard gearing too high for gnarly single track, if you drop the gearing to something reasonable, its too buzzy at 100km/h. Most would say its not meant for single track but I too am Australian, don't tell me what to do!! I am currently running 13/44 which is great in the tight stuff. I go to 15/44 if there is any amount of open road planned for the ride.
Just stock, I've never bothered with trying any changes. I think with all the hard enduro riding I get so used to slipping the clutch I just do it all the time on the DR. 😊
Agreed. I've been disappointed in the Japanese brands as of late. It looks like China is going to steal the pot unfortunately. I hope they get their crap together. Yamaha did great with the T7, the next frontier is the best ever dual sport bike. We will see how the new drz400 fairs but they screwed the pooch not putting a 6th gear in just from a spec sheet sales perspective. They could nail the gear ratios but the drooling "all bikes need 6 gears" crowd are many and they are legion.
This vid was on our enduro channel way back in 2016. But now we have this adventure channel so we've moved it across. Feel free to watch it again!
First time on our channel? Welcomel! In this age of social media influencers making money out of promoting crap, we are more critical of the manfufacturers than most and try to make objective useful vids... and occasionally some amusing stuff too. Check out our playlists below.
Adventure bike & product reviews bit.ly/3DpEKxk
Motorbike safety & protective gear bit.ly/3Dpb438
Motorbike setup bit.ly/3Dpb6rM
DR650 project series bit.ly/3XOsPRK
And finally our most popular videos...
Best lightweight adventure bikes? ua-cam.com/video/lsorI76PBYc/v-deo.html
Best midweight adventure bikes? ua-cam.com/video/LmhL_u8s8HA/v-deo.html
The midlife crisis solution! ua-cam.com/video/LRQyEBY5YjQ/v-deo.html
All hail the mighty Bush Pig. Press that secret Tractor Mode button and you now have a 2 wheeled version of a Unimog
Turbo tractor!
Rider skill makes a huge difference.
I agree, that’s what it is all about in reality, that’s what makes it so good, it’s not about anything but self development.
In a KTM890 forum someone was asking about gearing, particularly smaller front sprockets, for tough terrain. I was trying to formulate my answer (Something like "What's the issue, I don't have any problem with slow sections or steep uphills?) when a respected forum member answered with a simple "Learn how to use the clutch". Nuff said.
As a xr650r owner with more money in mods into it than the bike was worth at any time: Please Honda get your shit together and get me a modern XR with 5000km oilchanges, fuel injection, e start, the CRF 450 suspension elements and a 6th gear. I'm willing to pay good money for a bike like that. Call it the CRF 650 X/L/XL/XR OR WATEVER. Just give it to me god damn. Call it the Gaylord MCFister for all I care, just build the bike....
😂😂absolutely agree
Will never happen from Japan. How many years have riders been screaming this out. Not a sign of a Honda Dakar replica despite 2 wins. Suzuki /Kawasaki basket cases and why would Yamaha hurt T7 sales. Look to China or Indian Hero.
@@MrEtnorb yeah unfortunately... And 3 wins actually. The plan in 2012 wen they started to race in Dakar again was to sell a rally kit for the CRF 450 but that never happened...
Absolutely. I was 30 years out of off road riding, and when I got back into it, the first thing I looked for was the latest XR's - well wasn't I disappointed. I could not believe that they had done NOTHING with it. As for Suzuki, they have been laughing at/abusing/taking for granted the DR community for 20 years.
I’ve been saying the same thing. I loved my 650r. Eventually sold it and went wr450f and yz450fx. But still dream of a new xr650l with modern updates. I’d take a bike like that from Yamaha with the Raptor 700 engine as well (which is actually a 686cc). Just a big 650ish thumper with the updates. Don’t even care if it’s Yamaha or Honda. The t7 is cool but it’s too big.
epic riding. i wish i could still ride like that. i have finally joined the DR650 club tho 😁
Great to hear! Is it dead stock or does it have a pile of mods already?
@@crosstrainingadventure its got some mods, hoey suspension, 20 litre acerbis, rejetted, opened air box, staintune exhaust, sargent seat, the usual Dr stuff. 12,000kms.
Rain makes everything harder. Enjoyed watching from the comfort of my warm-ish home! Keep up the great work Barry!
😎👍
🇦🇺😎👍I took your advice years ago and got the ultimate standard suspension upgrade up the Sunshine Coast , MPE I think. It’s very nimble now. I bombed the engine , replaced the entire exhaust and put a TM 40 carburettor on the Big DRasaurass… Changed the tank , foot pegs , everything else and gave the beast a big port job and a high compression piston …..oh my gord ! That was the 2016 model 🤣👍. But wait there’s more 🤣👍🏁2 years after I brought the 2016 model I grabbed another new DRasaurass in a 2019 model and guess what ? That one got the treatment as well. . Brother I’ve spent that much money on both of them this year I recon I could have purchased a new GSX 1000R…🤣🤣🤣👍🏁. Thanks for your enthusiasm back in 2016 because you changed my life forever and I haven’t stopped smiling since. True story….My best friend Alan Cannon put me onto your videos back in 2016 but sadly he passed away on 25 March 2017 from a massive heart attack age 56. He told me he met you on a ride at least once. He said you’re a nice guy … Anyhow great to see your videos again , keep upright 🇦🇺🏁, Big Trev.
I’m very happy that both the DR and Honda’s XR650L are still available in the US. Enjoy them while you can friends!
Agreed!
I'm glad you mentioned the points that need a little attention on the G.O.A.T./bush pig, and not what I keep hearing people here in the states keep saying they want done to it! Fuel injection would just ruin the reliability in my opinion! That's what most here in the states think it needs.
I think there's something satisfying about using a tool that's not exactly designed for that purpose and getting the job done.
Yeah it's not for everyone but some of us get our jollies that way lol
My first off-road experience on my DR was at a trail system meant for side-by-sides and ATVs full of steep terrain covered in sharp jagged rocks. This was on stock suspension as a 290 lb man. Many lessons were learned that day.
My hibernating 1976 XT500 enjoyed this video.
😂
Had a DR650 for 15+ years. Great bike with a few mods!
Once I even rode it in an enduro. It almost killed me by end of the day. But I wasnt last in my class, passed a couple people on long difficult hill climbs
That big piston just seems to force the rear wheel to find traction on climbs!
Exactly! The challenge is what makes it fun! If you wanted something easy just ride around in a carpark for a while. This is one of the reasons I sold my 300 2 stroke enduro bike and got a MX 450 for enduro. The 300 made everything too easy
Just getting into the dual sport at the ripe age of 50 and picking up my 2024 DR next week. Coming from the street and cruiser bikes for over 10 years, I'm looking to expand and change things up... but still keeping my GSAX S1000GT of course.
I've researched the hell out of the DR and there is a mega cult following and excited to get started. The DR. Bush Pig is the ultimate "Jack of all Trades" and when I had my V-Strom 1000, I know that a lot of what this bike can be pushed to do is, skilsl.... there will be limitations of what a bike can do of course but the skill that some guys have can take a Harley into the woods... lol.
Gonna keep it stock for the first year, learn how to ride off-road and then enter the dark path of mods will begin....
Amazing videos and I'm a new Subscriber from Montreal, Canada.
I'm sure you will love the cochon de bois de tabarnak!
@@crosstrainingadventure 🤣mI know I will! Thx mate!
You just proved how good the 606 actually are.
way way back in the day a guy in our crew had a Kawisaki KLR 600. It was a very basic dual sport. had a heaslite but no massive foo foo fairing. I remember it being a pretty capable off toad bike. I rode it a couple times but was always anxious to get back on my PE 250 that weighed 4 or 5 thousand pounds less
I love it !!! Awesome as always
Many wise words always spoken on this channel, Thankyou.
Our pleasure!
Anyone calling a DR650 rider stupid for riding it on difficult trails are stupid themselves. I can get my DR almost anywhere my 250XC can go, just not as easy. And don't count Suzuki out, they introduced a new line of 800 twins two yrs ago. One being the 800DE, which is the most underrated new motorcycle to come out the last 5 years. Suzuki just introduced a DRZ4S, yet to be tested. So, could the little yellow company give us a DR7S? I'm a lifelong Suzuki hater and Honda fan boy. However, my DR650 and 800DE are everything I expect them to be....yes, they both need tweaks, but what bike doesn't. Thanks for yet another great DR650 video, Barry.
Are you in Europe or USA?
@timcoppinger3373 USA and do East Coast woods riding, not that easy open desert stuff.
@@jonwoodworker just wondering, we have not got those models.
@timcoppinger3373 I understand the DR650 and DRZ4S isn't out yet. But the 800DE should be available if that is the kind of bike you're looking for.
@ I’m ok on my wr 450s and my drz 400e , both modified for off road gnarly stuff, sounds interesting the 800 though.
I could say how much I enjoyed this video and agree with almost everything you said. But this is the internet and I am compelled to focus on the one thing I disagree with. The DR does not need a 6 speed. It just needs the proper ratios in it's 5 speed. I have the wide ratio transmission from Procycle and while it is pricey the benefits are totally worth it in my opinion.
Gotta love the Mighty DR 650!
Not power make you winner but torque
Amen
Excellent video, as always. I am with you, if only as you said, Suzuki would bring out a new model or Honda would bring back the XR650 the world would be a better place. Ride safe guys, Cheers
When you got an australian fashion farmer on top of the bush pig you can do anything in style for miles🤘
I always ran michelin t63's on MY DR and it was nasty on rough single track. But then again my first bike was an 83 XL600R
Love it!
Happy (late) new year!
All the best for 2025!
Man you are a bawss. I need to work on my clutch skills.
What it lacks in agility it can make up for with momentum.
😂
It certainly gives the brakes a workout lol
Hello from uruguay! Great videos !
Did you try the cf moto 450?
Yes, review vid coming soon!
Down Under we call it the bush pig
In the states , we call it this sage Hog...
( Well I
Do I live in nevada usa)
😂👍
Skills 😎👍
thanks
What sprockets you running Barry? Its the one thing that frustrates me with the DR. Standard gearing too high for gnarly single track, if you drop the gearing to something reasonable, its too buzzy at 100km/h. Most would say its not meant for single track but I too am Australian, don't tell me what to do!! I am currently running 13/44 which is great in the tight stuff. I go to 15/44 if there is any amount of open road planned for the ride.
Just stock, I've never bothered with trying any changes. I think with all the hard enduro riding I get so used to slipping the clutch I just do it all the time on the DR. 😊
@@crosstrainingadventure That's impressive doing that ride with standard gearing! Your clutch control must excellent! Something for me to work on.
Where was this, Barry?
Filmed a long time ago but I think it was Glasshouse Mountains.
@@crosstrainingadventure could have been last week with the weather around SEQLD lately...
What gearing do you run on your DR?
Always stock. And just slip the clutch a lot.
Imagine a CRF450R or a 650R...
😍
I’ll say this, it would be a smart move by Suzuki to listen to your ideas for that bike, I’m 100% sure I would be marketable!
Agreed. I've been disappointed in the Japanese brands as of late. It looks like China is going to steal the pot unfortunately. I hope they get their crap together. Yamaha did great with the T7, the next frontier is the best ever dual sport bike. We will see how the new drz400 fairs but they screwed the pooch not putting a 6th gear in just from a spec sheet sales perspective. They could nail the gear ratios but the drooling "all bikes need 6 gears" crowd are many and they are legion.
100%
The big ole black tractor lol. If only the DR had a anodized fuel cap. I imagine all your viewers would be pregnant !!
😂