goodbye...

[shrike]

First I am writing in the technical forum because that's where i always asked my questions and wanted to thank those who helped me when I had questions about the Bandit. It is gone so I am bidding you guys farewell. This was it :




And this is what I got instead



Now I can go EVERYWHERE!
Compared to the Bandit it's slow, brakes are bad and the seat is HARD!!!.  But I love the lightweight and the thumper under the seat!

So once again a big thanks and take care guys and girls!!!

[txbanditrydr]

What???   Didn't we solve your wheel problem quick enough???      

   on the new ride....  Enjoy it and ride safe.   

[shrike]

You were always fast answering. It was a pending sale when I asked the question about the wheel. I was preparing the bike for the new owner, new brake pads, air filter, chain adjustment.

I wanted to get back to that kind of bikes so I can travel anywhere. It's been 3 years I'd like to go to Labrador and the Bandit wasn't the best bike for that and I did not want to destroy it either.

Be safe

[Red01]

That garage looks big enough to handle a Bandit AND a DR... 

[shrike]

the garage might be big enough but not the wallet unfortunately. I loved the Bandit but the Dr is more versatile. It can take me more places without being to expensive on tickets!

[TAPnTX]

I had a DR 650, it was a nice bike. be sure to visit KienTech Engineering Jesse is a good guy and can give you lots of tips on getting the most out of that beast. He also carries all the upgrade items for the DR 650.

 

Todd

[Red01]

the garage might be big enough but not the wallet unfortunately. I loved the Bandit but the Dr is more versatile. It can take me more places without being to expensive on tickets!

I know what you mean... I skirted the affordability thing by buying a used XR650L. There's usually plenty of low mile used dual sports of that type around.  Given bikes like the DR650, KLR650 & XR650L go for well over a decade without any significant changes, you can usually pick up an older one someone has barely ridden (maybe even put a few choice mods on it) and save a bundle.  Then still keep the big road burner for those times when it fits the bill.

How do you like the DR compared to the KLR's you've had?  I was leaning more towards a DR myself, but when I fell into the deal on the Honda, I couldn't pass it up - even if all I was gonna do was turn around and sell it.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Congratulations on the change and hope it works for you. For a heavy dual sport the DR650 probably provides a more stable street and highway ride then the DRZ400 although not as off road capable IMHO. I have struggled with what 650 Dual sport to buy that is both highway and Baja capable and I keep coming back to the XR650R. Not hard to plate at least here in AZ and box stock ready for any off road environment. All the other 650's seem to be a bit heavy and out of shape for serious off road application IMHO. But if your only going to hit the slick fire roads and not the river beds, the DR650 will do nicely compared to any Bandit that for sure.

[shrike]

I am not a hardcore offroader. I just wanted to have the possibility to go anywhere. I do like to go sometimes (but too seldom unfortunately) in some trails.  If I would have been able to have two bikes I would have kept the Bandit and got a DRZ400. But as I can only keep one bike I think the DR fits nicely the bill to do everything and is a lot of fun in the city, very tossable. The XR650R is way more expensive I think and am not sure it's street legal, by the way do they still make them? Because I wanted to buy new.Also from what  heard the XR650R requires more maintenance or at least oil changes more often. I know it's a more race oriented engine which makes a lot more power but I was looking at something simpler.
I also plan on going to Labrador maybe next year so I did not want to destroy the Bandit on those roads.

[Red01]

The US Honda site still shows the XR650R as available - but only as a leftover '07.  You're right, the R isn't street-legal off the showroom floor.  I don't know how it is up there in the Provinces, but here in the States, getting one plated varies wildly on what state you have to deal with.  As Gunner indicates, it's not too hard in AZ (you can even plate a quad there), but in my state (WA), it is not possible anymore.  Earlier this week, during our PNW Banditfest ride through WA, ID & MT, I spotted quads and lighted dirt bikes with plates in ID & MT, so it is apparently easier in those states, too.

[shrike]

I think it's impossible to plate a motorcycle that wasn't built to be onroad. It used to be easy a few years though. There were a few KX500's around but now they changed the rules.
Anyways I like the DR. I think it's very confidence inspiring. Today was the first time ever I dragged  the tip of my boot on a bike. The peg almost touched the ground.

[CWO4GUNNER]

I know Yamaha has stepped up in a big way introducing street versions of there off road race WR & YZ stock, with the new street duel sport WR250X & WR250R. And of course we all know KTM has there off road race 450 line up street legal now. All that is left is for some one to introduce a 650 with race quality suspension, aluminum frame and for goodness sakes already, water cooled engine, maybe EFI. But I don't think it is going to happen for the 650 unless it can cross over from the off road world and there are few of them and no JP versions and no one will invest in a street only bike that is truly off road capable. For all the other that have made the cross over the manufacturing investment was minimal compared to a whole new bike. For me a 650 single that I am going to pay thousands for has got to have at least 50HP and weigh less then 300 pounds. So I still have my sights on the XR650R. But Im in the same boat as you and must consider giving up one bike for another I don't really need and its hard for me to think about selling my CRF450X, talk about off road capability, but it is unhappy on the road way and truly out of its element even though I have it plated street legal.

[shrike]

I don't know much about real offroad bikes. The CRF is really not in its element onroad? The engine must be pretty powerful, probably more than the DR650. Do you feel that way about it because the transmission is really dirt oriented, meaning too short for road use? The WR250 is a really nice bike but I wish it had at least a 400 cc engine. I know the 250 cc engine is pretty strong but to have one bike only I would wish something with more torque.
I was looking at the Husqvarna TE610 too a bit but once again, just like the KTM I think I think it's too exotic and it requires more maintenance with higher costs and much less dealerships if ever you need to buy parts while traveling.
Giving up a bike is a tough choice I know, but if you have more fun with the new bike that's what matters in the end.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well like you said if your going to be sticking mostly to well established trails and fire roads with no obstacles like logs, rocks, or deep sand to contend with, the DR650 is all you need and certainly more capable off road then the new heavier KLR. One of the important elements for practical on road use is weight and wheel size (moto size much better then dirt) and 300 pounds seems to be the minimal weight that can be tolerate for highway speed with respect to wind gust and passing trucks. Town and city almost any weight works. Like the Bandit which can be stretched to it limits in on road application from sport to touring and do it well. Id like to buy an all around everyday 650 that can take me to the stores as well as that deep canyon to explore some unchartered trails around logs, rocks and deep sand.
    Everyone that I have met that  bought a DR650 as an alternative or replacement to there larger street bike loves it as it is much easier to get out of the garage, handle in town and better on gas. I certainly wish I had one for those purposes alone. And of course who can resist Suzuki yellow

[shrike]

This year (2009) they even have a white one if I am not mistaken. I know it's not suzuki's colour but it looks very nice. I don't regret getting the DR and having to sell the Bandit. I don't mind the lower power level, the low end torque suits me very well. I know I will miss the Bandit on the highway but I wasn't skilled enough to take fully advantage of its power and brakes. You are right the DR being lighter will get tossed around a bit on a windy highway. But I think it will be less than the KLR I had even if it's a bit lighter.
But if I can ever afford two bikes another Bandit will be on my list.