Suzuki DR BIG compared to Africa Twin

[photographicsafaris]

Hiya figured that this was about the best place to post this kind of query.

Ive always admired the Suzuki DR600 and also the Africa Twin, so wondered how they compared with equal sized motors.

Obviously the Single DR BIG in either 750 or 800 guise is a bit more rattly, but is it lighter, more economical and better for off road sections of a longer journey than a twin?

I am assuming that there are benefits to the twins, but what are they?

Anyone owned both bikes?

In terms of reliability - simplicity and economy. Is a single better than a twin of equal capacity?

I have an XT 600 tenere and a BMW 1150, so I have an idea of the differences given twins and singles of differing power, and personally I am happy with the single in terms of vibrations, it just lacks some oomph which the extra 550 cc gives you.
But the XT does hold its own.

Cheers G

[raymo]

Hiya figured that this was about the best place to post this kind of query.

Ive always admired the Suzuki DR600 and also the Africa Twin, so wondered how they compared with equal sized motors.

Obviously the Single DR BIG in either 750 or 800 guise is a bit more rattly, but is it lighter, more economical and better for off road sections of a longer journey than a twin?

I am assuming that there are benefits to the twins, but what are they?

Anyone owned both bikes?

In terms of reliability - simplicity and economy. Is a single better than a twin of equal capacity?

I have an XT 600 tenere and a BMW 1150, so I have an idea of the differences given twins and singles of differing power, and personally I am happy with the single in terms of vibrations, it just lacks some oomph which the extra 550 cc gives you.
But the XT does hold its own.

Cheers G

Hi G,
I have a DR600, and its 60-70kg lighter than the Transalp and Africa twin.

The single is more offroad bias , and can do more real tight rough stuff than the ALP & AT but it can not cruise all day at 90+ then do the business ( I guess the bike can but the rider would be well shaken ).

The DR 600 is kick start the 650 is more refined with electric start. the DR BIGs are a good tool but very large, not ridden one but look TA & ALP sized with non of v twin advantages..


The V Twins are water cooled and not oil air cooled like the DRs, the engines are bullet proof ( the DR lump is good too), and even though the DR has ballance shafts the Vtwins are much smoother.

if you are touring the AT TA is more comfortable, though folk have gone around the world on DR350s ( mondo enduro ) as well as 600s & 650s.

The DRs are simple to maintain being oil air cooled singles, and you can fit small front wheeks and a big back tyre and have some supermoto fun too.

I love both the DR600 & the 600 Alp I have, they are both good at what they do, and are both dual sports, but with an overlap, with the DR more off road biased.

hope that helps

Ray

[Buggles]

Hi There,

I have a DR800 BIG, and I love it to bits!

It's been shown a lot of love by the previous owner: tuned engine, K&N airfilter, crash bars, custom toolbox, heated grips.

It's got about 25% more HP than standard and goes like stink! It's heavy, at 200kg dry, it's a b*tch to lift if you drop it.

It's got loads of power, especially at the low revs.

It's not really made for long distances, I've done 300+ kilometre days on her, but it's a hard, narrow saddle, and the bike is a bit thumpy.

The 800, and the 750 even more so, is quite rare... But if you see one, give it a shot. I'm never selling this bike, in fact, next year, I'm powdercoating the frame!

Best,

JB

[Broomster]

I used to have a DR650 and loved that. Always wanted the 800 as they looked so different from anything else. Even back then in the early 90's they were like rocking horse sh*t but that big single was just the nuts. Always wondered if you could get that engine in the 650 frame ????

[AlanH]

I nearly swapped one for an XBR500 I had. I didn't go through with the deal in the end as, after swapping for a few days on trial, I decided the XBR was a far better bike on the town courier circuit.

Just as well as I later found out the DR800 had outstanding HP and the bloke was trying to work a fast one. I later found out he torched it and tried to claim on the insurance only to find out he was third party only

Anyway - back on topic - I think the AT is a more rounded bike but the DR800 has a certain charm.

[Benjemon]

I have an Africa Twin and my old man has a DR 650 RS, i have to say i prefer my twin to the DR but the single does give all that torque a trail bike should have. You do feel like your thrashing the DR on fast roads sometimes when the Africa Twin cruises nice.

All in all wouldnt swop my twin!

[Doctor Big]

I`ve not owned an AT but I`ve owned over twenty DR`s over the years, and still have a fleet of six DR 750/800`s.
I used a DR 600 for green laning or many years, and though it was fairly crude by modern standards, it had so much low down grunt it embarrassed all the modern stuff in deep mud. About 136kg iirc. Mind you, on the road it soon ran out of steam at 80+ mph and vibrated quite badly at that speed. It also had a criminally inefficient front brake.
My DR 350 was a brilliant off road bike and only weighed 115kg, but again ran out of steam over 70mph
The 650 was about 15kg heavier than the 600 but had much better suspension and brakes and was reasonably capable off road
Not sure I would want to take a 179kg DR 750 off road, but I know quite a few people that do. The 800 is about 20kg heavier and comparable in weight to the AT. The 750/800 is much smoother than the 600/650 and will cruise all day at 80-90mph. Massive twin petrol tanks give it a range of over 300 miles. A few months ago I rode my 800 down to the south of Spain and back, about 4000 miles in two weeks, and my bum was fine.
I think the DR`s are better off road than the AT, which I`m sure is a better mile muncher. Still, it doesn`t matter what big trailie you ride, it`s all good fun.

[boboneleg]

I`ve not owned an AT but I`ve owned over twenty DR`s over the years, and still have a fleet of six DR 750/800`s.
I used a DR 600 for green laning or many years, and though it was fairly crude by modern standards, it had so much low down grunt it embarrassed all the modern stuff in deep mud. About 136kg iirc. Mind you, on the road it soon ran out of steam at 80+ mph and vibrated quite badly at that speed. It also had a criminally inefficient front brake.
My DR 350 was a brilliant off road bike and only weighed 115kg, but again ran out of steam over 70mph
The 650 was about 15kg heavier than the 600 but had much better suspension and brakes and was reasonably capable off road
Not sure I would want to take a 179kg DR 750 off road, but I know quite a few people that do. The 800 is about 20kg heavier and comparable in weight to the AT. The 750/800 is much smoother than the 600/650 and will cruise all day at 80-90mph. Massive twin petrol tanks give it a range of over 300 miles. A few months ago I rode my 800 down to the south of Spain and back, about 4000 miles in two weeks, and my bum was fine.


I think the DR`s are better off road than the AT, which I`m sure is a better mile muncher. Still, it doesn`t matter what big trailie you ride, it`s all good fun.

Want to buy another 600? I have a 'project' that I've done a lot of work on but have too many other things to do to get it finished.

Bob

[raymo]

love my DR600

its been tweaked.. ( Wonoff SS headers and some carb work by the previous owner and now has a black powder coated frame , rather than the beat up blue, with 650 frictions plates in the clutch required to take the additional grunt )

Got a brand new rear shock & Tank from Robinsons Foundry, for a good price, as they were selling old stock off.. And a spare carb.. So sorted spares wise for the mo.

Anything above 70+ mph and you know it’s a big single.. Numb nuts syndrome..

The front brake on the 600 is appalling; the actual piston is some sort of plastic!! Have fitted a Brembo Calliper and braided hose.. so its functional now.. Got 17” SM style wheels and a fork brace for it too J

The DRs are bullet proof, oil/air cooled, 4 valve twin spark plug combustion chamber,
( one 4 “ piston!! ), they are narrow and can take a beating, the 600 is light too and its minor weaknesess can be addressed :- some folk drop a 650 front end in, so you get a better brake and beefier forks..

The DRs can and have toured well ( mondo enduro used the 350s ), my 600 has the 19lt tank giving it a 200+ mile tank range …

Pussy button start would be nice , but I have mastered the kick start so no probs there, as it starts first big swinging kick.

As said it will tour but it’s a solo machine and not a motorway, toll road, autoban muncher.. A & B roads to get there and very capable offroad.. and you can pick it up on your own J

The Transalp and AT are less off road bias.. but when it comes to 80+ mph touring speeds, I know where I want my arse to be after a few hours J

So get both J)

[Doctor Big]

Thanks for your most kind offer but I`ll have to decline it I`m afraid.
My right thigh is held together with a 15 inch titanium rod and a bunch of screws and I wouldn`t like to have to test out its shear strength again. I`ve already broken one rod, necessitating a replacement and the concomitant lengthy stay in hospital and subsequent recuperation, and I really don`t fancy a repeat of that.
Ever eaten hospital food?....................ugh!