DR650

Carl Howell · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 May 2008 Karma :

How much power does a DR650 make? I'm on my restriction and read somewhere earlier that they make 34 at the wheel. I think this would be ok if I got caught (I know its unlikely) as a slack chain could make 1 hp difference or I could just blame the dyno lol.

What are they like performance wise? I'm not after one so I can be getting the top speed all the time (I've never been over 70 on my DT) but the better the top speed, the easier it cruises at 70 - 80. What's the acceleration like? I'm used to my DT at the moment and its great fun to ride but I'm always slipping the clutch so think one of these would be better. I could get a 350 but my Dads got one of them and their quite expensive.

What are they like off road. I know there abit heavy but I'm sure it would be better than my peaky DT.

Thanks, Carl

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Google tells me they make 43bhp.

The chances of it ever getting tested are slim. But if you get caught it's 'riding other than in accordance with your licence'. And possibly no insurance.

It's a risk a lot of us take. Whether you do is up to you.

Consider a 250 traily for instance. My KLR is under 33bhp, and I doubt it's much slower in the real world, and certainly the difference in weight will help off-road.

Gaz

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

I agree with Gazdaman...which is hardly surprising since we both own Kawasaki 250 trailies!

Mine is a 1980 KLX250...4 stroke, weighs 102kg dry, has either 21 or 23 bhp (depends on the source material you are reading from), does 72 flat out, cruises along happily at 55 - 60 and would probably get me from lands end to john a groats were I to try it.

It may not be enough for you though in terms of top speed. Have you considered a KLE500? I think it's pretty easy to restrict them to 33bhp as they share the same parallel twin engine as the er-5 (50bhp)..which is a de-tuned version of the 60 bhp GPZ500S.

When I had my GPZ a friend had one also...same year as mine (95) but his was restricted and mine wasn't. Tbh on the 0-60 sprint he wasn't far behind...it's just his stopped at 95 whereas mine went round to an indicated 125 (on a disused runway of course officer)! Now, I'm not saying that a KLE will do 125mph as they are a totally different style of bike to the GPZ but I reckon they would do around 90 - 95.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

DR650 should make a bit more than 33hp, but not much.

Could look at making a restricter on a dyno.

The DR350 is definitely worth considering - can't see them being much cheaper than the DR650. Also the DR600, which is a bit less powerful than the 650, but also nearer the weight of the 350.

If your budget stretches to it, look at the DRZ-400 as well - the S version is around about a 'real' 33hp at the rear wheel.