The Fancy DR: 670cc Suzuki DR650 Supermoto

“Looks like a DR650, handles like a 125 supermoto.” -The Lurkshop

The Suzuki DR650 has been in continuous production since 1990, earning a reputation for go-anywhere ruggedness and reliability. The 640cc engine of the first-gen model featured dual counterbalance shafts to quell the big single vibrations, Suzuki’s Advanced Cooling System (SACS) to jet oil at internal hotspots, and no electric start — a dual-sport for the diehard rider.

In a 1990 Motorcyclist shootout, the big DR outperformed the Kawasaki KLR650 and Yamaha XT600 Ténéré both on the road and off:

“Power delivery was perfect. Suzuki’s 650 packs the strongest punch here at anything above idle… Though the KLR felt faster, powering through a gentle series of 80mph sweepers the DR650 opened a three-bike-length lead it never relinquished.” –Motorcyclist, 1990

The ’91 DR650S supermoto you see here comes from Ross Miller and the crew of the Lurkshop in Brooklyn, New York. Ross started the shop a little over a decade ago in a 333 square-foot space and has been working 80-hour weeks ever since.

“Didn’t ride my own bike for seven years just to build this thing and lived in the shop for three. Worth every second. We’re now in a 5000sqft spot here in Brooklyn working with my wonderful team Al, Ryan, Collin, and Zach.”

Today, the Lurkshop specializes in race prep, suspension setup, engine building, dyno work, restoration, and restomods like this “Fancy DR.” The impetus for the project came from the client, Peter Cooney, who wanted to refresh his DR and asked the fateful question:

“‘What would you do Ross?’ Then just kept saying yes. Perfect customer.” -Ross

This is the simply the raddest, baddest DR650 we’ve seen. It’s now 670cc with a high-comp piston, hot cam, ported head, 5-angle valve job, Yoshimura TMR flatslide carb, and GPR exhaust. All those mods are good for 54 rear wheel horsepower and 46 pound-feet of torque on the Lurkshop dyno — nearly 20 ponies more than stock, a 54% increase!

The inverted forks are from a DR-Z, rebuilt and revalved, with a 6-pot Beringer caliper and Aeronal disc — trick! The bike is riding on Galespeed forged wheels with super-sticky Dunlop Q5S rubber and a Hagon rear shock with hydraulic preload set up just for Peter.

The Lurkshop’s Alberto Jimenez took the lead on the project, pouring his sweat and blood into the build. The entire frame was powder-coated by Arcane Moto, while Volcano Industry did the custom seat. Custom graphics and refreshed bodywork emphasize the flashy 90s “radness” of the original, ensuring the bike looks as good as it goes.

“Our thing is every race bike is a show bike, not every show bike is. So function makes it for us and Peter.”

So how does this 670cc high-compression motard handle on the street? Like an absolute beast:

“It just keeps pulling. Rips the front wheel off the ground rolling off and on in 3rd and handles like a demon. Stops hard with one finger. Looks like a DR650, handles like a 125 supermoto. Everything is tight and fast.”

There’s just something innately cool about an air-cooled restomod built to hang with the modern bikes. While this “Fancy DR” might be a little flashy to be considered a sleeper, it could sure surprise an unsuspecting SuMo rider on a newer bike. Hats off to Peter, Ross, Alberto, and the whole Lurkshop crew behind the build.

Below is our full uncut interview with Ross from the Lurkshop, as well as more images courtesy of photographer Ryan Dausch.

DR670 Supermoto: Builder Interview

Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Ross Miller. Became a mechanic many moons ago so I could race, so far only got to two. Shoemaker’s shoes. Started the Lurkshop 11 years ago with 333 square foot and little tools.

Didn’t ride my own bike for seven years just to build this thing and lived in the shop for three. Worth every second. We’re now in a 5000sqft spot here in Brooklyn working with my wonderful team Al, Ryan, Collin, and Zach. We offer parking, communal benches, and access to a bunch of mechanics with decent know how. We specialize in race prep, suspension, engine building, dyno work, restoration, and resto-modding.

Our thing is sleepers. We love a bike that works better more than just looks better. We’re very lucky to have a lot of customers who take our approach. In our spare time we race a bunch of vintage motorcycles.

I started working on bikes when I was 22 so, 17 years now. 80 hours a week since then.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

1991 Suzuki DR650S.

• Why was this bike built?

We built the bike for Peter Cooney. A very rad dude who asked me the worst question, “What would you do Ross?” Then just kept saying yes. Perfect customer.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I have a joke when people ask me why not go buy a new Husky 450 sumo. Have you ever fought an old guy? No? Well, if you kick an old guy’s ass, you beat up an old dude. Now if you lose, you got your ass kicked by an old guy. Very satisfying.

Our thing is every race bike is a show bike, not every show bike is. So function makes it for us and Peter. We love supermoto. Peter wanted a refresh. And 17’s. Then forged wheels over spokes then said do your thing. I can build it ever faster, more cam, more compression, more timing, but I want it new, reliable, and powerful. So I cook the recipe to be that. Mixed with big brakes, mean in the turns, balanced, that’s the most fun. It’s just a fun bike.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

• Frame-up powder coat
• Hagon rear shock with hydraulic preload set up for customer
• DR-Z front end with custom steering stem.
• Forks rebuilt and revalved for customer.
• Galespeed forged wheels, rear machined for the DR swingarm
• Rear caliper bracket we designed for the 2-pot Beringer caliper
• 6-pot Beringer front caliper with Aeronal Beringer disc
• Dunlop Q5S sticky tires
• Rebuilt linkage
• 670cc hi comp piston
• Hipo cam
• Head is ported and completely rebuilt with 5 angle cut valves.
• Rest of motor refreshed with HD clutch.
• Programmable ignition for a curve we sorted on dyno
• Yoshimura TMR flatslide carb
• GPR exhaust
• Brembo RCS master cylinder
• Sidecovers and front fairing sorted with new graphics
• Music box that plays all your favorite anime themes when ignition is turned on
• Beauty custom seat by Volcano Industry

• Does the bike have a nickname?

The Fancy DR.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Our debbie downer dyno got us to 54 horses at the rear wheel and 46 foot pounds.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Cause of the cam it just keeps pulling. Rips the front wheel off the ground rolling off and on in 3rd and handles like a demon. Stops hard with one finger. Looks like a DR650, handles like a 125 supermoto. Everything is tight and fast.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

The motor is a gem. Usually we get the most from XR’s, the second Gen DR650 isn’t as nice as this first gen one and I’ve built a few of those.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Alberto Jimenez, my long time friend and shop mate took a huge lead in this. He poured his sweat into this thing. Collin Kelly for his design abilities for the custom brackets. Arcane powder coating, Beringer brakes, Andreani Suspension for their parts, Volcano Industry for the seat work and Peter for being the raddest customer.

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @thelurkshop
Facebook: @lurkshopnyc
Web: www.thelurkshop.com
Owner: @cooneyp3
Photography: Ryan Dausch