XR 650L vs DRZ 400

[Jesse Jaymes]

Like the term "Overlanding" I think Adventure Bike is dumb. I have a dirt bike sickness. I am constantly trolling for bikes. I am somewhere between Novice and Intermediate rider. My "need" is very straight forward.

I have literally thousands of miles of USFS roads to ride and explore at the end of my driveway. That and shuttling myself on rafting float trips. I envision 90% dirt roads and trails and 10% pavement.

For sure wont be a new bike.

MacGruder Corridor very close to me. As are a plethora of very cool Idaho into Montana rides that are both way faster and way less punishment on my trucks.

Need bulletproof reliability. Central Idaho solo, BFE riding. Fly rod and tripod to roam and scout and explore. Possible overnights, but geesh...I see so many YT vids of many poor bikes loaded down with 80 lbs of schittt. Lightweight hammock and summer bag with a JetBoil? Ideal. 4 week BDR kit? Pass.

I was dead set on XR 650L. Missed a handful of just not having my $$$ in hand and pulled from the bank. I've watch countless hours of vids on Mods.

Enter the DRZ400. On factory scales I think it's 30lbs lighter? And that's before either bike stripped of factory non essentials. But the last part that really intrigued me is a report of the DRZ feeling "so much more light and nimble" vs the 650L.

I test road a mid 2000s DRZ a few years ago. Just a mile or two down the road, through a subdivision and back to the seller. Thought it was a pig, very boring and simply not for me. I've not yet swung a leg over a 650L.

Knowing the Honda is air cooled vs the Suzuki being liquid cooled......is there a "clear" winner between these two above simple popular opinion?

Think both are 5 speed bikes with a carb. If you were 90% dirt with some possible trails and rough 2 tracks....does a stripped DRZ feel THAT MUCH more like a dirt bike?

 

[Taudisio]

Like the term "Overlanding" I think Adventure Bike is dumb. I have a dirt bike sickness. I am constantly trolling for bikes. I am somewhere between Novice and Intermediate rider. My "need" is very straight forward.

I have literally thousands of miles of USFS roads to ride and explore at the end of my driveway. That and shuttling myself on rafting float trips. I envision 90% dirt roads and trails and 10% pavement.

For sure wont be a new bike.

MacGruder Corridor very close to me. As are a plethora of very cool Idaho into Montana rides that are both way faster and way less punishment on my trucks.

Need bulletproof reliability. Central Idaho solo, BFE riding. Fly rod and tripod to roam and scout and explore. Possible overnights, but geesh...I see so many YT vids of many poor bikes loaded down with 80 lbs of schittt. Lightweight hammock and summer bag with a JetBoil? Ideal. 4 week BDR kit? Pass.

I was dead set on XR 650L. Missed a handful of just not having my $$$ in hand and pulled from the bank. I've watch countless hours of vids on Mods.

Enter the DRZ400. On factory scales I think it's 30lbs lighter? And that's before either bike stripped of factory non essentials. But the last part that really intrigued me is a report of the DRZ feeling "so much more light and nimble" vs the 650L.

I test road a mid 2000s DRZ a few years ago. Just a mile or two down the road, through a subdivision and back to the seller. Thought it was a pig, very boring and simply not for me. I've not yet swung a leg over a 650L.

Knowing the Honda is air cooled vs the Suzuki being liquid cooled......is there a "clear" winner between these two above simple popular opinion?

Think both are 5 speed bikes with a carb. If you were 90% dirt with some possible trails and rough 2 tracks....does a stripped DRZ feel THAT MUCH more like a dirt bike?

Tagging in to see real world experiences.
I don’t have experience on either of those bikes. I have heard the xr has a very high seat height.

I was in the same boat as you, miles and miles of dirt roads right off the driveway. I sold a street bike because of the kids, so a dual sport with a top speed of 75ish mph was an easy sell to the wife. I picked up the klx300. I have a blast out scouting and save a ton on gas. I would not put it into the same league as the bigger bikes you are looking at, but for 55mph zones and any off-roading I want, it is a perfect match. I have been watching the dr650 and xr650’s in the classifieds even though I know I’ll push them on the pavement.

 

[Steve300xcw]

If you were 90% dirt with some possible trails and rough 2 tracks....does a stripped DRZ feel THAT MUCH more like a dirt bike?

dirt what? Mainly dirt road?


The bigger heavier bikes really come into their own at speed. If I was looking at 650's, I'd want a 650R. If I was throwing a bike around I'd take the 400 as its somethin like 30lbs lighter and thats huge!

Personally. If I wanted a bike to shred backroads and go make poor decisions on. Id be looking at a 500/501 or a tenere

 

[solarshooter]

I've had a bunch of XRs and ridden some DRZs. They are all fat pigs with terrible suspension and brakes, and not much power. I think I'd get a CRF300F if I wanted a trail bike these days. Peppy EFI motor, E start, 6 speed, decent suspension and brakes, 100lbs lighter than an XR and lower CG. Easy to plate, probably fine to ride in the boonies as is.

We could have a Rokslide style debate on displacement, but suffice it to say most people should be riding a smaller bike and learning proper technique.

 

[Steve300xcw]

most people should be riding a smaller bike and learning proper technique.

Lotta truth to that. Hard to make yourself do that though

Still...For eating up back road, and still having some bottom end snort, I dont want to be on a lil bike that'll be wound out all the time

 

[solarshooter]

Lotta truth to that. Hard to make yourself do that though

Still...For eating up back road, and still having some bottom end snort, I dont want to be on a lil bike that'll be wound out all the time

The newer EFI 250F and 300F motors are pretty stout. And most people aren't cruising faster than 20-30, at least not responsibly haha. I love ripping fire roads on my 300XC as much as the next guy but it's a good way to get into a head on collision with a jeep or SxS doing 30 the other way...

Should add the XR650L is really not that much power. Lot's of torque but it does not rev at all, just makes more noise and vibration. Add to that the bad suspension and breaks and I would definitely be faster on the CRF. And I'm a big guy, 6'3" 270lbs. The XR bars, pegs, tires, and gearing also suck out of the box and need changing.

 

[Steve300xcw]

See IMO 2strokes on the road just suck. I hate it