Suzuki Dr650 Review

Used Buyer Review

The DR650 is one of those rare motorcycles that's genuinely hard to kill. Suzuki's been building this thing since 1990 with minimal changes, which sounds like a criticism but absolutely isn't — it means the platform is sorted, parts are cheap, and every mechanic on earth knows how to work on one. You're buying proven simplicity, not outdated technology. Check the carburetor slide diaphragm on any used example — it cracks and kills throttle response. Also verify the front fork seals and look for a proper jetting kit if it's been running lean at altitude. Previous owners either loved these bikes as workhorse adventure tools or thrashed them on trails without a second thought. Inspect the subframe for cracks, check whether it's been dropped (crash bars are your friend here), and look for aftermarket suspension — the stock stuff is genuinely soft for anything beyond pavement. A properly sorted used DR650 with a few sensible upgrades is arguably better than stock new.