It kinda made me feel like a
country boy, visiting the big
city for the first time.
But don’t be fooled, although the DR was
designed in the late 80s and the majority of
that design has remained the same ever since,
it can still match it with the newer kids on the
block, especially on the dirt. This is where the
DR shines, as you might expect, putting in a
strong performance over and above the much
newer and, in comparison, ‘high-tech’ V-Strom
650. Sure, they’re different tools and you should
always choose the right tool for the job.
I spent a fair bit of initial my time aboard
the DR on State Highway 2. One streak of
tarmac, stretching from Wellington, up
through the Remutakas, carving a track
through the Wairarapa and beyond.
On the road the DR felt solid, dependable,
nimble through traffic, but lacked the get up
and go to really take advantage of gaps which
36 KIWI RIDER
the V-Strom was making look easy with its pair
of pistons, rather than the DR’s single large
piston. It kinda made me feel like a country
boy, visiting the big city for the first time.
Heading out of Wellington and up through the
Remutakas, the DR defiantly kept up, but that
single piston struggled to generate the top end
acceleration I have come to rely on, from riding
much newer bikes. Passing on the open road has
to be initiated as a planned manoeuvre; catch
the draft, line it up and then slingshot past. If I’m
honest, although the DR can do open roads with
ease, straight stretches of tarmac and 100km/h
speed limits are not where the DR should be
spending its time, it’s just not at home. And,
apart from the engine, the seat is a very long
way from what I would describe as “all day
comfortable”, and the lack of wind protection