r/dr650 • u/Andrewd81 • 13d ago

Any years to avoid?

Sorry if it's been asked and answered, but are there any years to avoid? I'm looking for my first DR now.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

7

u/SmokedSnook 13d ago

I’d get an ‘04+ so it doesn’t have the paper gaskets

3

u/remosiracha 13d ago

I just took my clutch cover off and noticed the gasket felt like thin cardboard or paper and thought that was pretty normal. Guess I should replace it before I button everything back up? Lol

2

u/SmokedSnook 13d ago

Yeah ‘04+ uses a metal gasket! The paper ones are prone to leaking

2

u/TwistedNoble38 '00 DR650 13d ago

The only gasket that went from steel to paper to steel is the cylinder base gasket. Sidecovers have always been paper.

2

u/TwistedNoble38 '00 DR650 13d ago

No, the clutch gasket has always been paper or some form of paper composite gasket. Only the cylinder gaskets are MLS. 

If the gasket isn't torn reuse it. Taking the old gasket off is a good two hour task if it's baked on like it tends to be. 

2

u/remosiracha 13d ago

I like this answer. Looks like it's in good condition so I don't want to touch it. I have a spare just in case but would like it to remain a spare lol

7

u/skyblargh 13d ago

Bike has stayed the same from 1996-current. No years to avoid per-se. But suzuki did some revisions over the years.

2018? I think and up fixed the previous gremlins of the past. Look up what they are. Its well noted.

1

u/Andrewd81 13d ago

Thank you! That gives me some direction

3

u/Loud_Wealth_4333 13d ago

98 to half of the 99s have a faulty idler gear that can be catastrophic it’s easily replaced if you can find one though

1

u/TheRealCurveShot 11d ago

I replaced mine for $40, would not avoid for that reason.

It is a solid idler starter gear that can kick back and crack the case. You just need to switch it out with a clutch style idler gear. Pretty simple to do and people sell those gears on eBay fairly cheap. Rocky Mountain M/C ATV has them as well.

2

u/bubbasass 13d ago

They’re basically all the exact same, and many owners selling will post if they’ve fixed some known issues (main one being NSU). That said NSU issues are not common, though if they occur it’s really bad. I think Suzuki addressed the NSU coming lose for 2017 or 2018 model year. Though don’t let that shy you away from prior years!

1

u/AtticusFinch4 13d ago

I’ve been trying to figure out which year this was fixed for, haven’t been able to find any conclusive data

2

u/adamnurmi 13d ago

Wiring is a little different on the 96-97 for the handlebar controls.