Suzuki DR650 Review: Dual Sport Motorcycling in its PUREST Form

The Suzuki DR650 is the great grandaddy of pretty much all of our current dual sport and adventure motorcycles. This thing has existed virtually unchanged for 30 years, a feat not many motorcycles still on showroom floors can claim? But why has it continued to persist as the quintessential dual sport motorcycle? There's just something special about this bike that still has people asking "should I buy a Suzuki DR650" even after 3 decades and some change.

Huge thanks to the gang at South Pacific Powersports in Albany Oregon for letting me borrow this Suzuki DR 650 for an extended test ride and review. Check out their website here: http://www.southpacificautosales.com

I said in my 2024 DR650 test ride video that the transmission on this bike is unique and it always feels like you're simultaneously in the wrong gear and in the right one. The DR650 is like that overall.
It’s not QUITE what you need for any given situation, but given the right amount of finesse it can succeed at just about anything you need it to, whether it’s made for it or not.

It’s the ultimate distillation of everything dual sport. Which makes sense because most of our modern dual sport and adventure bikes were born from its DNA.

I say confidence inspiring a lot (catchphrase!) but this might be the most confidence inspiring bike of all time. The DR is easy to ride and handle thanks to low seat height and relatively light weight.
It's easy to work on because the technology in this bike was invented by Fred Flintstone.
You’re confident taking the DR650 places and doing dumb stuff on it because it’s cheap and easy to fix and/or find replacement parts. It’s the ultimate tabula rasa for creating the adventure platform of your dreams and the parts and know how exist in the massive community to help even the most inexperienced rider and mechanic make it happen.

It’s like a time machine that takes you back to a time when riding was simpler. Just you and the machine. No computers intervening or giving you information. No fancy readouts or ECU automatically adjusting to changing conditions. It’s dual sport motorcycling in its purest, simplest, and most dangerous form.

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Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.