Following our power mods on the DR650? This is a guide to various GSXR exhausts you can fit, and also how to make your own mid-pipe to fit it. You can see the first episode in the DR650 adventure bike series here: [ Ссылка ]
CHEAP AUSTRALIAN MID-PIPE FOR GSXR! The guys who sell Screamin Demon exhausts for the DR650 say they will sell the mid-pipe separately for AUD180. Bargain! We don't know how far it will push the exhaust to the rear though. Let us know: [ Ссылка ]
A stock DR650 is a very uninspiring bike - gutless, crap suspension and heavy. But now the engine has been derestricted, FFRC have worked their magic on the suspension, and it's time to pit the DR650 against some dirt bikes. It's hard work, but this DR650 is actually fun. The weight makes you really focus on your technique. And things like pivot turns in rocky terrain insist you get the technique right, or it just ain't gonna happen. Anything technical is complicated by the very high gearing. First gear on the DR650 is the equivalent of third gear on many dirt bikes so there's plenty of clutch slipping to get the big bushpig over obstacles. While the DR650 does finally have some knobby tyres, they are the hard compound Dunlop D606s which aren't known for being good in the dirt. And to make things worse, I forgot to get the GSXR exhaust on a Suzuki DR650, and rim locks installed so the air pressure has to stay over 20PSI or the tyres will slip on the rims. It makes finding traction an interesting exercise, especially on hill climbs. And once you get stuck in a rut on the DR650, there is no bouncing out of it the way you can on a dirt bike... you are usually trapped in it till the end. It also reinforces the fact that we usually put way too much emphasis on bling, or tyres, or suspension or the type of bike we are riding. Yes those things can make a difference, but in the long run it's far more important to learn the skills. Those of you familiar with Chris Birch will know he's been racing a KTM 1190 in enduros. Crazy? Yes but I can see why he's enjoying it. There is nothing like a GSXR exhaust on a Suzuki DR650, and huge lump of metal between your legs to make you focus, pick good lines, use your body positioning and get your technique right. And the buzz of getting a big bike through some tough terrain is awesome. Having said that, the DR650 modifications we've made to the DR650 have transformed the beast into a much better bike. If you are interested, watch our DR650 project bike series over on our adventure riding channel. So there you have it. Many of you asked to see the DR650 on some of our tracks, and the big girl will probably feature a few more times too. Long live heavy metal. Oh and remember if you become a supporter you can access four extra ride vids each month. All for the cost of a cup of coffee. As we mentioned in the first vid, the DR650 is a brilliant budget bike to transform into the sort of beast you want, once you work on a few major design issues. The major problems? The springs are way too soft for most riders unless you are 75kg or less (165lb). The forks are the ancient rod design, have no damping adjustment, and virtually no damping either. And the dual rate fork springs are far too soft for too far into stroke before the stiffer part of the spring comes into action. The big one is suspension. If you are a featherweight and riding nothing harder than smooth dirt roads, you will find the stock setup okay, but the problem of course is the moment you are in trouble it won't be doing you any favours until you get the GSXR exhaust on your DR650. The front end dives badly under panic braking, and if you run off the road it will bounce you like a trampoline in the rough stuff. Or any caffeinated beverage. And far cheaper than a cocktail. It was very interesting to even see the dirt bikes occasionally make mistakes when the DR was having no problems. But it was often the other way around too. You quickly learn to respect the extra weight of the DR650 in sections like this that are hard enough on the dirt bikes. It's a bike that gives a whole new meaning to heavy metal with this GSXR exhaust mod on your DR650.

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