"If you're going to start this, you have to be strong on your feet"
Suzuki DR650 is no small off-roader, quite the opposite. In the 600 class, it is probably one of the largest, with solid ground clearance and a high seat height. "The only thing I have to complain about is that it lacks an electric start, because it requires a strong pedal to start it," says Svein Hellegaard, pointing to the kick starter. He bought the Suzuki so that he could take a trip on the forest roads in the area around Aurskog, but before that was possible it had to undergo an extensive restoration. It took time because parts for the DR600 are not easy to find.
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Suzuki was established in Japan in 1909, and made its first motorized two-wheeler, the “Power Free E” with a 36 cc engine in 1952. The factory is known, among other things, for its production of small and later medium-heavy and heavy motorcycles with 2-stroke engines. Suzuki is also one of the few motorcycle manufacturers that has mass-produced motorcycles with a Wankel engine. The first off-road models were so-called “scramblers”. These were street bikes, with a high-mounted exhaust system and cross-handlebars. Over time, these were further developed in the direction of more cross-like models, as we know off-roaders of recent times. The first pure off-road models from Suzuki were the TS 250 and TS 400, both with a 2-stroke engine. Towards the end of the 1970s, the 2-strokes were replaced by the more fuel-efficient 4-strokes. The TS series was thus replaced by the SP series, which, among other things, offered customers a tasty 400-cubic meter. When the SP series was to be renewed, the DR series saw the light of day.
Suzuki DR600 for military purposes and for civilian use
It is worth mentioning that when Tempo was phased out of the Norwegian Armed Forces in 1994, the contract went to Suzuki , after 9 suppliers had submitted their offers in the tender round. Suzuki was chosen on the basis that they were easy to service, proved robust when driving hard in the terrain, and at the same time that the driving characteristics on asphalt surfaces were good.
DR350 and DR650
Suzuki supplied both the DR 350 and the DR 650S-RE, and 80 bikes were purchased, divided between the two models. The military version had a special headlight for glare, and a top box for transporting documents and small items. Today, this model is mainly used by the MP (military police).
A DR in poor condition
In civilian life, the DR600Dakar is a rarer bird, but we found a nice and clean example at Aurskog. However, it wasn't like that when Svein Hellegaard came across it. He had bought himself a lot of work, to put it mildly. Fortunately, the man is not shy of work, quite the opposite. Svein has restored the Suzuki, and the work has been demanding, to say the least, both in terms of obtaining the necessary parts, and last but not least the time spent.
DR in the shadow of Yamaha's XT
The DR series was somewhat overshadowed by Yamaha's XT model, and sold far fewer copies. The availability of used parts and spare parts has therefore been a limiting factor. For Svein, it has been absolutely crucial to restore the bike to the condition it was in when it was new. Svein's bike is a 600Dakar. This is rarer than the S model, and parts availability has been lagging behind. Svein has therefore had to resort to some parts from the S model to recreate the bike. Many parts, especially plastic components, have taken a lot of time, but as the saying goes; "he who looks will find", and that is what he has done.
Perfect result
The result, we dare say, without exaggeration, is an old DR that looks like new. Svein can rightly say he is satisfied with an off-roader that is nice to drive, and that works well regardless of whether it rolls on gravel or asphalt. When asked if the Suzuki has any weak points, he answers bluntly: "If I were to point out anything negative, it would have to be the lack of electric start, because you have to be strong in your right leg to start the end-dunker."
Technical data Suzuki DR600Dakar, 1986 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 4-stroke, ohc
Displacement: 589 cc
Power: 44 hp
Carburetor: Mikuni VM38SS
Compression: 8.5:1
Torque: 49.5 Nm at 5000 rpm.
No. of gears: 5
Electrical system: 12 volts
Start: kick
Front tires: 100/80-21
Rear tires: 130/80-17
Tank: 21 liters
Weight: 136 kg (dry)
Top speed: 180 km/h
