A tale of two test-rides

[garyboy]

.. and 10kg lighter than my crf250 Rally

.. and `slightly` more power

looks really nice ..
enjoy

[phil_h]

I sooo miss my 701. I'm blown away by what I've been able to do on the 500s, and am in the middle of getting an 'iceman yeti' with rallymoto on the 890, and really enjoying its power and soundtrack, until I have to pick it up...
Good prices on the 700es just now...

[Thedktor]

Nice one Richard, we will need some more pics

They are quite unique bikes, I have the 701 of course. For such a capable off-road bike the power on the road is very entertaining though it makes rear tyre choice tricky!

Interestingly, despite this being the best proper dual-sport bike the DRZ-400 is the best dual-sport bike being slimmer and lighter for off-road while still capable of buzzing along at 70+. Having said that the DR350 is of course the best dual-sport bike being lower and lighter again, with a lovely torquey engine and perfect gear ratios.

All good fun.

[Tonibe63]

The best dual sport bike I owned was my CCM644ds ......... Suzuki air cooled engine, 55bhp, electric start, 14 litre tank, WP suspension, brembo brakes, 140kg weight, enduro and supermoto wheels ........ we've not progressed much in 20 years

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

If my 404DS had had 6 wide-spaced gears and an airbox instead of a lawn mower clippings collector, it would still be in my garage!
If I hadn't stupidly sold it and got a poorly-assembled collection of parts with a Husqvarna sticker, the DR350S would still be in my garage. I was totally blinded by the spec sheet on the Husky...it was a fantastic bike on paper, but so unreliable.

[mechanic]

SAME. I bought a new TE511. Killer spec. But in over 50+ years of bikes, easily the bike that gave me most trouble. Warranty was no help. Never did bottom it. Had to put it out to the trade after a couple of years.

[Thedktor]

The best dual sport bike I owned was my CCM644ds ......... Suzuki air cooled engine, 55bhp, electric start, 14 litre tank, WP suspension, brembo brakes, 140kg weight, enduro and supermoto wheels ........ we've not progressed much in 20 years

Yes good call, and if one or a DR650 had turned up in recent years I would have grabbed it. The 701 has got quite a lot more power but whether you really need it is another question....

[Thedktor]

If my 404DS had had 6 wide-spaced gears and an airbox instead of a lawn mower clippings collector, it would still be in my garage!
If I hadn't stupidly sold it and got a poorly-assembled collection of parts with a Husqvarna sticker, the DR350S would still be in my garage. I was totally blinded by the spec sheet on the Husky...it was a fantastic bike on paper, but so unreliable.

Taking one point, on my DRZ I run street gearing so it will do 70 or 80 without blowing up and it still has better (lower) ratios off-road than the 701. So the 5-speed works for me though it is a compromise.

As for the Husky TE610e, what a great bike, with an engine that would chug at low revs yet fly along the road with a proper wide ratio 6sp. My father ran one for some years without major issue, but having worked in the Husky shop I am well aware of some design issues

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Out on it today doing last-minute Xmas cards around the rural roads of W.Devon & E.Cornwall. Very sure-footed on slippery, muddy tarmac, and easy to ride. Feels like it would easily pull higher gearing if it was road-only...pulls away in second without fuss.
Easy to clean afterwards as well, as the rear fuel tank means there are no underseat mud-traps.

[phil_h]

I pulled the pin on an ex-demo es700. Couldnt resist the price. Currently throwing spanners at it getting it rally-prepped