Skyrider Freeman

9 hours ago, XTreme said:

Where did you find out about us......because we've only been going for 10 months? Was it on Facebook?

Duckduckgo* searched 'adventure motorcycle forum'. 3rd match. 

* Privacy browser for anyone that doesn't know. 

3 minutes ago, glitch_oz said:

Ok, that doesn't work out.

As easy = fun, the DR is a serious contender then. Bolt on some crash bars and Barkbusters plus pannier frames and there is just about nothing  (and no expensive Tupperware) to get busted when dropping it.

Which in itself creates a whole new freedom.

Also, the Strom is quite top-heavy, which makes for some extra-work in slow-going/ dirt.

Another must-have for the DR is a ~20l aftermarket tank, don't get suckered into the 30l Safari tank, they're more a liability than an asset.

 

Cool, thanks for the tips. I'd already googled the safari tank and didn't realise there's an inbetweener. 

Regards going from a DL to a DR650. When I bought my DL, I'd just come off an SV650 so was really impressed with how manoeuvrable the DL felt, but yes still quite a big bike. That's why the DR650 has me interested with the significant weight drop and bike set up. 

Hi all, 

Thanks for the welcome. Definitely not a Bruce, Bruce, but I could hum a few bars... 

4 hours ago, glitch_oz said:

Since you're in Oz....and maybe somewhere near Melbourne.....you're welcome to take my Husky TR650  for a spin.

(it's a sort of re-badged BMW G650GS, a modern take on the KLR/DR).

The singles are "chuggers", the twins are "spinners", one pulls the torque at low rpm, the other needs revs (and potential wheel-spin from that...exactly what you don't want on the dirt)

For mainly HWY  and long-distance work take another DL (we've had 7 of them since 2002...1000s and 650s)

for ADV-riding/ backroads travel/ gravel_dirt  etc  and multi-purpose apps (where hp is rather a liability past a certain point) take a single.

Thanks for the offer but I'm actually in Sydney so that's not going to work. 

I commute heaps in the city which both bikes are great for, I'm kinda interested in how the significantly lighter DR would ride though. 

I had my first Strom out on a ride through some pretty rough fire trails and 4wd tracks. It did OK but it definitely wasn't easy or as good a fit as I'd imagine the DR would be.

At this stage I'm still deciding on what's going to be the predominant mode of operation. 

Thanks for everyone's contributions. 

Hi,

I know this subject is a common one but I'd like to know if someone can explain this in riding experience terms. 

I'm on the lookout for a new mount and I've owned a DL650 before so know its performance. I've always been perplexed by the fact that thumpers such as the DR650 and KLR650 being the same displacement as the DL, have almost half the power yet similar torque ratings, albeit at different rpm. 

I've been mainly considering buying another DL but like the DR from the reviews I've read. What I'd like to know since I haven't gotten around to riding a DR, in actual felt experience, how do these specs play out. 

Thanks.