A brand new 2012 DR650. Been thinking about it for a while, wanting something that is a little better on the highway but still can handle some dirt. Dropped into the dealership today to pick up an air filter, and saw this, at a really good discount because of being a 2012 and with 0% financing for 60 months. So it followed me home!

 

Also, no plans at this time to sell the KLX, so I'll still be hanging out here...

 

I've been thinking about trading my klx for that exact bike! How does she perform? Details man! DETAILS

 

Just got her today, and did about 60 miles, 15 of that on gravel. Really nice!!! The gearing is a lot higher than my KLX, most noticeable in first gear at low speed (my KLX has a 13 tooth sprocket, so lower than stock), and that will take some getting used to. I have some short trails on my own property (9 acres), and did a little bit of riding on them today, and almost dropped the bike on a hill climb the KLX would have walked up, mainly because I needed to take it at a much faster speed on the DR. So that will be a learning curve.

On the road, and on open gravel, it was awesome!

 

Does it pull harder on the road? Some people say the suspension is really super soft? I take it the weight difference is really noticable haha. Sorry for all the questions :P

 

Pulls way harder. First traffic light, I gave the same fistful of throttle I was accustomed to with the KLX, and almost got left behind by the bike - you have to really hang on if you get on it.

I don't really notice the suspension being softer, but I'm a lightweight at 135 lbs, and the bike suspension isn't broken in yet. I'm sure it will soften up a bit as it breaks in.

The weight difference was noticable when unloading it from the trailer, and moving it around in the driveway, but I can't really say I noticed it when riding it. Didn't do anything really technical with it though.