The suzuki DR200SE is a smaller displacement dual-sport that would make a great beginner motorcycle. It feels at home on the surface streets, or in the dirt with a robust engine with enough torque to get you over the hills or out of dangerous traffic!
The Engine and Transmission
The DR200SE is packing a 200cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine that is ideal for tearing around surface streets or forest trails. The transmission is geared pretty low which is great for learning, you won't be traveling 20-30mph in first gear like you would with some other sport bikes! The lower gear sets will also give you lots of time to practice shifting, although you will have to do it by the sound of the engine as this bike doesn't include a tachometer with the instrument cluster. This bike is definitely not a freeway motorcycle either, in fact most people say that 55mph is the highest speed you can achieve while remaining somewhat comfortable and stable on the bike. It tops out at around 90mph, but you would need balls of steel to wring it out that much!
Tires
The tires on this motorcycle are decent for stock, but they will limit you if you plan on riding a lot in the mud and sand. They just don't give the type of traction you will need. On dirt trails it is a different story as this bike really grips and becomes a lot of fun. If this is your first motorcycle and you are buying it to learn on the street then you won't be disappointed in the least, this bike was made for tooling around town.
Street Legal Fun
It is 100% street legal with a license plate holder, turn signals and mirrors. Dual sports are generally pretty tough and this little bike is no exception, dropping it at low speeds which is a common beginner mistake won't cause any major damage to the bike. The DR200SE comes in at a slim 249 pounds dry, which make low speed manuvers with really easy compared to a larger sportbike. The light weight can be a double edged sword when traveling at higher speeds as you tend to get blown around more by the wind. As I said before, this bike isn't made for high speeds, it is very comfortable at around 30-50mph which is great for zipping to the store or around a campsite.
One more quick little point, this moto gets phenomenal gas mileage! Most people report getting around 70-80mpg easy, and with the price $3,949.00 MRSP this is a great entry level motorcycle for the street or for the dirt. I definitely wouldn't mind having this bike in my stable.
Pros:
Lightweight at only 249lbs
Geared low for climbing hills and low speed turns
Fantastic gas mileage
Electric start makes it easy to just press a button and go!
Cons:
Low gearing limits top speed
Tires aren't great for the mud and sand
Specs:
MSRP: $3,949.00
Displacement: 199cc
Engine: 4-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder, Twin Dome Combustion Chamber
Fuel System: Mikuni BST31
Ignition: Digital / CDI
Transmission: 5-speed
Seat Height: 31.9 in. (810 mm)
Length: 84.6 in. (2,150 mm)
Width: 31.7 in. (805 mm)
Ground Clearance: 10.2 in. (260 mm)
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gal. (13 l) CA model: 3.3 gal. (12.5 l)
Front Suspension: Telescopic, oil damped
Rear Suspension: Oil damped, adjustable preload
Front Brakes: Single hydraulic disc
Rear Brakes: Mechanical drum
Front Tire: 70/100-21 44P
Rear Tire: 100/90-18 56P
Enjoy the content of Best Beginner Motorcycles? Donate a couple bucks to keep it going!
* * *
Dirt
My son has this bike and he really loves it. I started him off on a 125cc, but after a few months he was begging to move up so I got him the DR200SE. The funny thing is I'm using the bike almost as much as he is! This thing is a blast, but I definitely agree you should upgrade to some knobbies as soon as possible, it makes it oh so much fun in the dirt!
The suzuki DR200 is a
The suzuki DR200 is a perfect bike for people who live on a farm that is a way out of town on a bad dirt road.Whilst on the farm it performs superbly and has plenty of grunt to handle mud, sand and hills etc.It also copes suprisingly well on urban roads and has the acceleration to get out of a tight spot in the traffic.It's economy just sums it up with an easy 70 mpg.
What do you think
hey anybody that has this bike would you get back to me im a 14 year old kid about to turn 15 so i need a bike that well go off road and i can take on the town and every once in a while the high way Is this the best bike for me
New rider weighing in at 105
New rider weighing in at 105 lbs soaking wet. The DR200 might be my giant upgrade from a 49cc scooter. Little concerned about "stability on the highway" as it'll mostly be a back & forth to work vehicle. Any thoughts?
Not a good highway bike but excellent for everything else.
It just may be the best beginner's bike out there. Regardless of skill level though, it's just a fun bike to ride; period. However...
Yes it will do 55mph just fine but its light weight and lack of fairings makes it a bit sketchy at highway speeds and susceptible to wind gusts and turbulence from big 18-wheelers. I wouldn't do long road trips on the highway on it but a half hour on a freeway is fine. Just stay in the slow lane, stay tucked, and be weary of turbulence by big semi tractor trailers!
For city and urban commuting, this motorcycle is the best regardless of your riding level. It is really comfy to ride like sitting on a couch.
It is so easy to handle at low speeds, and stop-and-go traffic, that once you're used to it you will probably be able to keep it balanced at almost a complete stop by revving the engine. You don't have to worry about tipping the bike doing low speed turns because it's so light that you can just put your foot down. Pity that guy on the 900cc sportbike stuck in the traffic with you...he may have a faster, more powerful, more expensive bike but it's not helping him now and he's hurting while you're laughing!
Also, if you can't find a parking space then just tuck it in a back alley somewhere!
Even if you never take the DR200SE off-road, its suspension will give you a nice ride in the city by soaking up potholes, speed bumps, railroad tracks, rocks and gravel.
I wouldn't recommend it for Clydesdales but it's a lot of fun for the rest.
Conclusion, it is not the ideal everyday highway/freeway bike. It is the ideal city bike.
2008 DR200se
I bought this bike as my second "learner" to join my 2007 Ninja 500R. I love this little Suzuki. It's so easy to handle, so forgiving, and so much fun. I wish I had purchased it first. In a lot of reviews, the DR200 has been described as an excellent confidence-builder, and they are 100% correct in that. It's an easy bike to ride: easy to move around, very responsive to slight rider input, and takes a beating. I even took it on the highway and was surprised at how easily it reached 100 kms/hr (62.5 MPH). There was a bit of shaking from wind turbulence, but it was certainly easy to manage and not scary at all.
Although the seating position takes some getting used, especially if you're more used to sportbikes, it is generally comfortable. I found my lower back and butt became sore after a while, so frequent stops to stretch out are recommended. I loved the fact that the high seating position allowed for an excellent view of traffic/roads far ahead, though. That said, the pay-off for a bit of soreness is worth it!
Post new comment