My ideal middleweight DS bike ("DRZ500"?)

[RedWolf]

The moment you go EFI everything changes.

I think the XR650R is closer to what you need as a base.
Stock it weighs 138kg and produces 45KW
Even if you do the unthinkable and convert to electric start it'll still weigh well under 150kg
Add a 22l tank; some wind protection and voila.
Cheap to run; cheap to farkle.


Dry weight (absolute maximum): 150kg CHECK
- Fuel capacity: +- 16 litres (350km?) CHECK
- Power: 45hp? CHECK
- Top speed: 150 km/h? CHECK
- Suspension: normal front telesopic fork (USD not required?) and rear mono-shock (no tennis ball!) CHECK
  -- Something like the DRZ400, with progressive fork springs
- Brakes: Discs all-round, no ABS CHECK
- Frame: Strong, but lightweight Grin CHECK
  -- NB: proper subframe capable of carrying luggage, plus the occasional pillion. Not required to carry pillion (especially not luggage + pillion) for extended periods. CHECK
- Luggage: strong tail-rack, with mounting points for top-box; optional pannier racks & panniers CHECK
- Wheels: spoked; 21 inch front, 17 rear CHECK
- Final drive: chain CHECK
- Protection (standard):
  -- proper alu bash-plate CHECK
  -- proper crash bars must add but not necessary for the XR
  -- proper hand guards easy  remedy
  -- indicators out of the way CHECK
- Wind protection: well-designed medium-height screen
- Seat: streamlined, but comfortable (say halfway between Dakar and X-Challenge Grin) nothing that cannot be fixed
  -- Pillion-capable, but not a prime focus
- Clocks: 2x analog: speed, rpm; fuel guage; odometer CHECK ex fuel gauge
- Other (standard):
  -- Wide offroad footpegs CHECK
  -- Under-seat toolset capable of (at least) a tyre-change CHECK
  -- Exhaust that doesn't sound like my Dakar's CHECKCHECK

Is that rear wheel HP - I thought it put out more than that?

That's kilowatts, dont know the exact hp, probably around 56 hp

[RedWolf]

What's the diff between the XR650R and the L?

The L was only made between 93 and 97 so quite old
It's 10kg heavier than the current R which is mainly due to the electric starter and battery.
The suspension is more like the XR600 (43mm vs 46mm shock, less travel; on the rear it's almost 30mm difference)

Also, does the R have a proper subframe for carrying stuff?

Yes - there's plenty options available for rear racks and the like

The R has proably twice the power of the L....

[growweblaar]

Service intervals?

[letsgofishing]

Without getting into a XR/DRZ debate, my ideal DS bike would be a 450DRZ with a 6-spd gearbox. It shouldn't be too difficult to make the current RM-Z450 more "reliable" - (longer service intervals) - it currently puts out around 56hp.
The DRZ400 checks all your requirement boxes except the following:

tank size
bash plate
hand guards (what bike has proper ones fitted anyway?)
screen (ditto)
seat (re-upholster)
fuel guage
under-seat toolset (put a tool roll in your tank bag)

Cost of the above: R5k or less

[letsgofishing]

The moment you go EFI everything changes.

I think the XR650R is closer to what you need as a base.
Stock it weighs 138kg and produces 45KW
Even if you do the unthinkable and convert to electric start it'll still weigh well under 150kg
Add a 22l tank; some wind protection and voila.
Cheap to run; cheap to farkle.


Dry weight (absolute maximum): 150kg CHECK
- Fuel capacity: +- 16 litres (350km?) CHECK
- Power: 45hp? CHECK
- Top speed: 150 km/h? CHECK
- Suspension: normal front telesopic fork (USD not required?) and rear mono-shock (no tennis ball!) CHECK
  -- Something like the DRZ400, with progressive fork springs
- Brakes: Discs all-round, no ABS CHECK
- Frame: Strong, but lightweight Grin CHECK
  -- NB: proper subframe capable of carrying luggage, plus the occasional pillion. Not required to carry pillion (especially not luggage + pillion) for extended periods. CHECK
- Luggage: strong tail-rack, with mounting points for top-box; optional pannier racks & panniers CHECK
- Wheels: spoked; 21 inch front, 17 rear CHECK
- Final drive: chain CHECK
- Protection (standard):
  -- proper alu bash-plate CHECK
  -- proper crash bars must add but not necessary for the XR
  -- proper hand guards easy  remedy
  -- indicators out of the way CHECK
- Wind protection: well-designed medium-height screen
- Seat: streamlined, but comfortable (say halfway between Dakar and X-Challenge Grin) nothing that cannot be fixed
  -- Pillion-capable, but not a prime focus
- Clocks: 2x analog: speed, rpm; fuel guage; odometer CHECK ex fuel gauge
- Other (standard):
  -- Wide offroad footpegs CHECK
  -- Under-seat toolset capable of (at least) a tyre-change CHECK
  -- Exhaust that doesn't sound like my Dakar's CHECKCHECK

Is that rear wheel HP - I thought it put out more than that?

That's kilowatts, dont know the exact hp, probably around 56 hp

Sorry, can't find my glasses!

[RedWolf]

The R is a desert racing machine and is water cooled, has won the Baja 1000 several times... The L is the dual purpose version and is air cooled. The service interval on the R is depending on how hard you ride it. I change oil and oil filter every 1500km, +- R250. But I know of guys who change every 6000km, so it depends. I feel more comfortable with changing more often, doesn't cost a lot of money,... so why not? Only other thing to service is the air filter, I clean and lube after every ride (maybe every second ride, depending on the conditions)

[MrBig]

The moment you go EFI everything changes.

I think the XR650R is closer to what you need as a base.
Stock it weighs 138kg and produces 45KW
Even if you do the unthinkable and convert to electric start it'll still weigh well under 150kg
Add a 22l tank; some wind protection and voila.
Cheap to run; cheap to farkle.


Dry weight (absolute maximum): 150kg CHECK
- Fuel capacity: +- 16 litres (350km?) CHECK
- Power: 45hp? CHECK
- Top speed: 150 km/h? CHECK
- Suspension: normal front telesopic fork (USD not required?) and rear mono-shock (no tennis ball!) CHECK
  -- Something like the DRZ400, with progressive fork springs
- Brakes: Discs all-round, no ABS CHECK
- Frame: Strong, but lightweight Grin CHECK
  -- NB: proper subframe capable of carrying luggage, plus the occasional pillion. Not required to carry pillion (especially not luggage + pillion) for extended periods. CHECK
- Luggage: strong tail-rack, with mounting points for top-box; optional pannier racks & panniers CHECK
- Wheels: spoked; 21 inch front, 17 rear CHECK
- Final drive: chain CHECK
- Protection (standard):
  -- proper alu bash-plate CHECK
  -- proper crash bars must add but not necessary for the XR
  -- proper hand guards easy  remedy
  -- indicators out of the way CHECK
- Wind protection: well-designed medium-height screen
- Seat: streamlined, but comfortable (say halfway between Dakar and X-Challenge Grin) nothing that cannot be fixed
  -- Pillion-capable, but not a prime focus
- Clocks: 2x analog: speed, rpm; fuel guage; odometer CHECK ex fuel gauge
- Other (standard):
  -- Wide offroad footpegs CHECK
  -- Under-seat toolset capable of (at least) a tyre-change CHECK
  -- Exhaust that doesn't sound like my Dakar's CHECKCHECK

Is that rear wheel HP - I thought it put out more than that?

That's kilowatts, dont know the exact hp, probably around 56 hp

Sorry, can't find my glasses!

It's 60.35 HP and as far as I know the R is the same.

[Goose]

So you are looking for a modern day XT 500.

 

[Bus]

It's 60.35 HP and as far as I know the R is the same.

That's HP at the crank though... And def not the L...

Rear wheel HP is more in the 52-55HP region for uncorked R...

The clincher on the XR is the torque though...

I will take torque over HP any day... 

[Rolf]

The R is a desert racing machine and is water cooled, has won the Baja 1000 several times... The L is the dual purpose version and is air cooled. The service interval on the R is depending on how hard you ride it. I change oil and oil filter every 1500km, +- R250. But I know of guys who change every 6000km, so it depends. I feel more comfortable with changing more often, doesn't cost a lot of money,... so why not? Only other thing to service is the air filter, I clean and lube after every ride (maybe every second ride, depending on the conditions)

Thats the other advantage of the DRZ - Suzuki oil filter costs R70 

[RedWolf]

oil filter on the xr is R80 and oil the rest...

[growweblaar]

What is the service interval on the DRZ?

[mtbbiker]

DRZ Books says every 6000km, I change oil and filters every 3000km

[Rolf]

oil filter on the xr is R80 and oil the rest...

From the service intervals and filter prices it seems the DR-Z and XR has very similar running costs.  I expected the XR to be much more expensive.

[Beserker]

With decent screen and seat, how comfortable is an XR650R on the highway? Does it not shake the botox out of your forehead?

Less vibration than a KTM640...

[Beserker]

Yep, mtb, I think maybe you're right: 18in rear


Herms, that Rally Twin thing is AWESOME . I want one now! It's a 500cc twin . With Ohlins suspension, KTM hubs and Excel rims. Wooooooooooooo!

Have you seen the price?  You can get an XR650, a Hilux for the luggage, and have some spare to finance a trip..

[Beserker]

It's 60.35 HP and as far as I know the R is the same.

Whoa...Dynoed, uncorked etc..it makes 52 hp...on the rear wheel, which should translate to the above @ crank

[Beserker]

It's 60.35 HP and as far as I know the R is the same.

I will take torque over HP any day... 

Me and StrokeHer had ours dynoed on the same day...the XR makes as much torque at idle as the DR at top...StrokeHer has subsequently upgraded to Red.

[growweblaar]

 

[Beserker]

Or....