XR 650L vs DRZ 400

[coyotekilla]

Had both. Drz is a better dirt bike. Honda has the motor if your dual sporting includes highway speed

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Sifting through a handful of used bikes "locally". I really hate people who are AskHoles.....but I am turning into one. I am sorry. I realize I need 2-3 bikes.

I REALLY think I am getting sucked into the XR 650L world. I will check one out tomorrow.

Yet a Husky FE350 is pulling at my sock drawer money just the same. Husky is FI and looks well cared for. 120 total hours on a 4T.

Would that bike do EVERYTHING? Probably.

Will it spin 10,000 miles? Man....I just don't know. Would an XR 650L? I think 2, 3X that pretty easily.

Could I add a larger tank on an FE350 and do 100 mile Forest Service road rips? Probably. Only going 25-45 MPH.

#Torn

 

[solarshooter]

Sifting through a handful of used bikes "locally". I really hate people who are AskHoles.....but I am turning into one. I am sorry. I realize I need 2-3 bikes.

I REALLY think I am getting sucked into the XR 650L world. I will check one out tomorrow.

Yet a Husky FE350 is pulling at my sock drawer money just the same. Husky is FI and looks well cared for. 120 total hours on a 4T.

Would that bike do EVERYTHING? Probably.

Will it spin 10,000 miles? Man....I just don't know. Would an XR 650L? I think 2, 3X that pretty easily.

Could I add a larger tank on an FE350 and do 100 mile Forest Service road rips? Probably. Only going 25-45 MPH.

#Torn

I'm surprised you wouldn't just put some work/money into your XR400R. That's a much more capable bike than the 650...

Don't know what else to say here. I get the appeal of the XR650L on paper, but once you ride one you'll realize what it means to ride a bike with 30-40 year old design and tech.

Curious to hear your impressions if you end up going that route.

 

[Kelowna_Grizzly]

After not riding for 20+ years just picked up an XR650L. Fire roads and gravel have been a blast. Heavy bike on the tighter trails but doable and still fun. At 6' 3'' 230 pounds bike height and weight is not an issue. Will be bringing the bike for the upcoming Gila hunt to help get me into spots that were a bit to rough for my truck last year. Never packed a heavy (elk) load on a motorcycle. Lord willing, this fall will be the first. To answer your question I would recommend the XR 650L only if you are a big dude.

 

[Bluefish]

Sifting through a handful of used bikes "locally". I really hate people who are AskHoles.....but I am turning into one. I am sorry. I realize I need 2-3 bikes.

I REALLY think I am getting sucked into the XR 650L world. I will check one out tomorrow.

Yet a Husky FE350 is pulling at my sock drawer money just the same. Husky is FI and looks well cared for. 120 total hours on a 4T.

Would that bike do EVERYTHING? Probably.

Will it spin 10,000 miles? Man....I just don't know. Would an XR 650L? I think 2, 3X that pretty easily.

Could I add a larger tank on an FE350 and do 100 mile Forest Service road rips? Probably. Only going 25-45 MPH.

#Torn

Having owned a 350, they are not happy at highway speeds. Yes, they will run 80 mph, but have to spin pretty fast to maintain 55. For comparison my 400 exc easily would run 55.

 

[Mentholspliff]

Thats not much of a selling point IMO

Unless you factor in parts availability for the next 20yrs and idk if you’ve been paying much attention to the state of the world economy lately but that is and will be a huge factor in years to come. I see your name is 300 xcw, tpi? How do you like that lol. And from what you said earlier about how “you can tell a lot of people commenting haven’t ridden a bike in recent years” I’m 27 and have had several different bikes since I was 8yo and the xr is the only one I would trust my life with getting me home every damn time I swing my leg over it.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I see your name is 300 xcw, tpi? How do you like that lol.

The 300 was a carb bike and with the exception of the Estart, was a bomb proof bike. My 150 was TPI, it took some tinkering right outta the gate. After that was sorted out, it ran flawless. Really liked the suspension on that one. If buying another injected bike, I'd go for a TBI bike.

I’m 27 and have had several different bikes since I was 8yo and the xr is the only one I would trust my life with getting me home every damn time I swing my leg over it.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Had 2 strokes growing up but in the last ten years a xr650l,crf300l and crf450l.
I like them all.
Problem is after you race 2 strokes you never forget the smell and power.
I always compared everything to them and was just underwhelmed.
Except for the 450.
It was tuned down to be street legal but it was a legit machine.
I sold the 650l as it was heavy but would be great for fire roads,gravel and highway.
Dependable!
The 450l was mean,nimble and not something you want to lug around on.
Plus a lot more maintenance.
The 300l is tame,boring,but is overall the best bike for trails,road,reliblity.All it needs is a few suspension upgrades and push the start button and go.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

I think weight matters more than anything. I went with a ktm exc f 350 and think it's as good as it gets for your use case.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Well….this escalated quickly

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

120 hrs. Lowered. Headlight swap. Plated. Radiator guards. Great bark busters…..and a Rekluse

I just did 1.5 hrs.

Thoughts: it’s for sure a Cheat Code. The tight single track that is normally challenging and causes 1-3 tip overs per ride, lots of dabbing and a handful of stalls….hardly broke a sweat honestly.

This is almost like dirt biking for boys that like boys.

It’s honestly almost disappointing

Bike is WAY safer in every way. I am now just realizing I learned to ride Dinosaurs. And all I’ve ever ridden are Dinosaurs.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

To those who has responded and tried to help me out.....I appreciate your input. I REALLY loathe AskHoles that don't listen. Yet....here I am.

I do NOT envision this bike as a multi day backcountry exploration bike. My wife is VERY adamant to..." now go get the other bike tomorrow and sell some schist and pay yourself back. You just retired. What are you going to do with all your money? Leave it to ungrateful kids? F That. Spend some and enjoy"

Learning to ride on a KTM 450 EXC.....I still love the bike. Still have it. But always thought a newer, slimmed down, more modern 350 EXC would be the Grail bike. This Husky is the linkage suspension twin. Lots of tasteful mini mods.

One owner. SHE rode it until she got a Beta Xtrainer. This bike is a 2018. FI. It's sat for over 2 years as she got on the Beta. I didn't Fine Tooth Comb it. I am too ignorant to know what to really look for or how to test bearings, swing arms, etc.

Just did maybe 5 miles county road to single track. Several miles up top. Then 5 miles back. No real issues. I will start a new post on the Rekluse. I really don't know if I like it.

 

[mtnbound]

To those who has responded and tried to help me out.....I appreciate your input. I REALLY loathe AskHoles that don't listen. Yet....here I am.

I do NOT envision this bike as a multi day backcountry exploration bike. My wife is VERY adamant to..." now go get the other bike tomorrow and sell some schist and pay yourself back. You just retired. What are you going to do with all your money? Leave it to ungrateful kids? F That. Spend some and enjoy"

Learning to ride on a KTM 450 EXC.....I still love the bike. Still have it. But always thought a newer, slimmed down, more modern 350 EXC would be the Grail bike. This Husky is the linkage suspension twin. Lots of tasteful mini mods.

One owner. SHE rode it until she got a Beta Xtrainer. This bike is a 2018. FI. It's sat for over 2 years as she got on the Beta. I didn't Fine Tooth Comb it. I am too ignorant to know what to really look for or how to test bearings, swing arms, etc.

Just did maybe 5 miles county road to single track. Several miles up top. Then 5 miles back. No real issues. I will start a new post on the Rekluse. I really don't know if I like it.

That bike is capable of multi-day backcountry trips with little issue, but if the wife is saying go buy another bike, you, of course, have to be a good husband and listen to her.

 

[Baddog]

Get a seat concepts comfort seat for it. You’ll be happier on the longer days

 

[Bluefish]

120 hrs. Lowered. Headlight swap. Plated. Radiator guards. Great bark busters…..and a Rekluse

I just did 1.5 hrs.

Thoughts: it’s for sure a Cheat Code. The tight single track that is normally challenging and causes 1-3 tip overs per ride, lots of dabbing and a handful of stalls….hardly broke a sweat honestly.

This is almost like dirt biking for boys that like boys.

It’s honestly almost disappointing

Bike is WAY safer in every way. I am now just realizing I learned to ride Dinosaurs. And all I’ve ever ridden are Dinosaurs.

Dirt bikes really have got better over time. I really enjoyed my 350 and with a rekluse they are awesome. My 12’ really needed the rekluse. Without it, it was picky on having the right gear. Wrong gear and it would flame out. The rekluse stopped all that. Really made the bike a lot easier to ride. I also recently put a gen 4 in my bike and it’s a nice improvement over the 3. Hooks up quicker and harder, yet still releases. So seamless that you hardly know it’s there.

They do have a few down sides, first if you stop on a hill, the bike will roll. Not much of an issue for me, but my wife has more issues with it. Fix is a left hand rear brake. Second, it can disengage when going down hill if you get rpm’s too low. You just have to blip the throttle and it will hook up again. A bit counterintuitive for sure. I also realized that on a conventional clutch the bike would have just stalled. A new skill to learn. Third it won’t bump start. Not a big deal and if it is, just carry an Allen wrench so you can adjust the clutch to allow a bump start.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

^^ watched a few videos this morning. Learned the Bump Start Hack. Good to know.

Again, I only have 1.5 hrs on it. Simply very "New" to me. If adjusted properly....I should still be able to "Clutch Up" and lift a tire over logs and roots like a conventional?

Didn't seem to be as easy or responsive as a normal clutch last night. Bike peppy enough to do it throttle only in 2nd. But seems I will need some new technique for clutch ups.