Calling all DR 650 owners past and present (again)...

[TW_rider]

Reading through some of the other forums around the 'net, and I'm curious if anyone here has ever experienced:
a) Loose or missing screws on the Neutral Sending Unit?
b) Grenaded engine caused by the infamous 3rd gear failure?
c) Grenaded top-end caused by the infamous absent clutch on the starter (earlier models)?

Just curious...

[Phoenix]

a) Never checked
b) No
c) No

2004 with 26K of abuse, drops and a couple of crashes.

[joker650]

99 dr 650
no
no
no

Leaky base gasket: YES
Broken wires in harness at head stock where it goes through retainer RH side of frame : YES

[eviljimbo]

2011 DR 650 cant say as I've only got 1100 KM on it so far

[LetItRoll]

had a 96 (first year se), put on over 50,00km only problem was leaky base gasket.

[tomcycle]

92 DR650 96 dr650

No
No
No
Leakey base gasket on the 96

[bkoz80]

2009

No
No
No

Bro's 2006

No
No
No

That being said I did put in slightly longer bolts with blue loctite on the NSU. It was too simple of a mod not to do.

[TW_rider]

This is odd...reading some of those other forums, you would think that these things are a daily occurrence.

[bkoz80]

This is odd...reading some of those other forums, you would think that these things are a daily occurrence.

Rant On:

Ah the joys of the internet. There are some amazing sources of information but it is also everybody's soap box.

Look at the KLR, guys make good money of its supposed issues (think Thermobob and Doohickey). There are alot of KLR's running around out there without these mods and they are just fine.

If you are interested in the DR go for it. Do not let the internet scare you off a great bike because of the tiny possibility it might have an issue. Every bike has issues.

And if you run the numbers the DR trans issues are what, 1 in 5000, 1 in 10000. The bike has been in production for 16 years. There are a lot of DR's out there.

And say the bolt of lightning hits you and you are one of the unlucky few with an issue. DR parts are cheap. And used spares are plentiful. You could put a used engine in for what BMW guys spend on rebuilding there rear drives ;-)

Rant OFF:

Seriously the DR is a very good 50/50 bike, maybe the best 50/50 bike on the market right now. They are reliable as a hammer, very very easy to work on, and very cheap to maintain.

[eviljimbo]

I agree but around here I have not heard of anyone having the issues that are always being pointed out. maybe they have been worked on and not reinstalled properly . or improperly maintained (ie bad oil ). I will continue riding mine with out warring about it till I split the cases, then I will look into the issue.

[bchunter]

1996 DR 650 (rode it like a rented mule for one year):

a) 10-10
b) 10-10
c) 10-10

Everything is a daily occurrence to a paranoid person.

[bkoz80]

My 2009 no, no and no
My bro's 2006 no, no and no

You look up any bike on the web and kind find all kinds of failures. KLR doohickey, drz stators, KTM oil transfer, BMW final drives and on and on.

The web is full of great info but it is everybody's soap box. You always hear of bike problems and rarely of how good a bike is.

You cannot go wrong with the DR. They are cheap, tough, and easy to maintain. One of the best 50/50 bikes, if not the best 50/50 bike.

[bkoz]

My 2009, no, no, no, and it has been rode very hard

My bro's 2006, no, no, no

The DR is a great bike. One of the best true 50/50 bikes, if not the best 50/50 bike right now. Its tough, easy to maintain and a great value.

And remember the net is full of bike issues. DRZ stators, KLR doohickey's, BMW final drives, KTM oil consumption and on and on.

Don't let a one in a million chance scare you away from a great bike.

[TW_rider]

Don't let a one in a million chance scare you away from a great bike.

I already bought my 2010 last year.
It's just kinda funny, you know...you go to these forums to get some advice for maintenance, and then you read all these horror stories and you start to wonder! Granted, this IS the internet...and its available to millions (if not billions) of people, so you're bound to hear some scary stuff.

Same thing when I bought a '97 Powerstroke earlier this year...after doing a bit of reading, I started having second (and third) thoughts!

I like my Suzuki...we haven't bonded like I have with my TW, but that's probably because I've had the TW longer and it was my first "real" bike...and we went through a lot together. I'm hoping to get to that stage with my DR soon.

[pittiepride]

I already bought my 2010 last year.
It's just kinda funny, you know...you go to these forums to get some advice for maintenance, and then you read all these horror stories and you start to wonder! Granted, this IS the internet...and its available to millions (if not billions) of people, so you're bound to hear some scary stuff.

Same thing when I bought a '97 Powerstroke earlier this year...after doing a bit of reading, I started having second (and third) thoughts!

I like my Suzuki...we haven't bonded like I have with my TW, but that's probably because I've had the TW longer and it was my first "real" bike...and we went through a lot together. I'm hoping to get to that stage with my DR soon.

2000 DR 650, 36000+km, no no and no also.. My bike definitely gets worked and she's never even given me more than a hiccup, ditto for my wife's 96 DR 350. Best bikes I've ever owned.

As to the powerstroke, nice choice. Don't doubt the 7.3, with a few minor mods they're fun and reliable. Not advertising for other sites, but check out powerstrokearmy.com for some great info on your truck.

Cheers!

[joker650]

Bypass the kick stand switch....remove the snorkel in the air box....get an adjustable needle for the carb unless ur mechanical then u can cheet by adding a small washer under the clip to raise the needle about 1/16-1/8th of an inch). Usually the clip is non adjustable on the DR650.

I was cheep and did this to the pipe.Flowed better and was a little louder

If I was to do it again I would install a spark arrestor also.....still might.

[TW_rider]

Already did the ProCycle jet kit (what a difference!) which also involved removing the snorkel. The PC kit includes an adjustable needle with a better taper, as well as three jets...depending on your altitude(s) and exhaust type.
Haven't done the kick-stand switch yet, but have done a dozen or so other mods...

Reading that other forum tonight and ANOTHER one chimed in about finding the screws on his NSU loose to the point of falling out...!

[bkoz]

Already did the ProCycle jet kit (what a difference!) which also involved removing the snorkel. The PC kit includes an adjustable needle with a better taper, as well as three jets...depending on your altitude(s) and exhaust type.
Haven't done the kick-stand switch yet, but have done a dozen or so other mods...

Reading that other forum tonight and ANOTHER one chimed in about finding the screws on his NSU loose to the point of falling out...!

If you are worried about your NSU screws why not check them?? There are some how to's on the net. It is a very simple job. No worse than installing new clutch plates.

I have checked the screws on my 09 and my bro's 06 and they were not loose. I did install slightly longer screws with loctite.

I will be checking another friends NSU screws this fall. I could take a look at yours at the same time.

[TW_rider]

If you are worried about your NSU screws why not check them?? There are some how to's on the net. It is a very simple job. No worse than installing new clutch plates.

I have checked the screws on my 09 and my bro's 06 and they were not loose. I did install slightly longer screws with loctite.

I will be checking another friends NSU screws this fall. I could take a look at yours at the same time.

Thanks for the offer.
I have a new clutch-cover gasket waiting downstairs, for me to do this job. It's one of those things that will be forever gnawing in the back of my mind until it's done, so I just decided to do it...and get riding! But I was curious if anyone on this board ever experienced those three problems that I listed.

All I need is some decent weather, since I have to work outside.

[bkoz]

Thanks for the offer.
I have a new clutch-cover gasket waiting downstairs, for me to do this job. It's one of those things that will be forever gnawing in the back of my mind until it's done, so I just decided to do it...and get riding! But I was curious if anyone on this board ever experienced those three problems that I listed.

All I need is some decent weather, since I have to work outside.

It not surprising that there hasn't been anybody locally with the 3 issues you listed.

The starter torque limiter was only an issue for 1.5 model years 98 and some 99's.

The NSU screws are a simple fix that DR owners usually take care of promptly.

And I truly believe that the 3rd gear problems can be avoided. Run a magnetic oil plug and monitor closely for excessive metal flakes. Use a quality oil and filter and change on schedule. Pay attention to any pronounced whining in 3rd gear. And don't overheat the bike. I think that's why so many Aussies have tranny issues is because of the oil being broken down by overheating.

If you have any questions while doing your NSU screws PM me.

[eviljimbo]

Heyjoker650 how much weight came off the exhaust can when you removed all the guts of it? how much of a differnce did it make? in power / noise