The idler gear is one of the few plastic components in the DR650 that can significantly impact engine performance if it fails or breaks.
This gear is crucial for driving the oil pump, which ensures proper oil circulation throughout the engine. In the absence of this component, complete engine failure may occur. While the idler gear is not frequently cited as a common failure point in the DR650 engine, failures have been reported, typically manifesting as either a fractured gear or stripped teeth.
During inspection, it is essential to check for any cracks, chipped areas, or missing teeth on the idler gear. Replacing the gear is a straightforward procedure, and it is advisable to do so while the clutch side case cover is already removed for other maintenance tasks, such as NSU screw replacements or clutch hub bushing replacements.
This component is a Genuine Suzuki part.