DR-650 vs DR-z400 - Which is better - What dual sport should you buy?
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- I love these bikes. They both have great things, they both have problems. I hope this video helps you pick the bike that is best for you.
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I'm 55, and went from a goldwing to a drz400s. And I've never been happier. Although we ride in the woods and trails of Maine and New Brunswick and love it alot !
I decided to get the DR650. In my dreams I'd do enough off-road riding to make the DRZ a better choice but in reality most of my riding is on bitumen and I'm glad I got the DR, it's a sweet bike. I just picked it up 2 weeks ago and I'm loving it. My last bike was a WR250 and much as I enjoyed riding it in the dirt I'm really appreciating the DR's extra power and acceleration on the road. Thanks for this excellent vid.
Thank you for you kind words and for watching. Hope you love your DR for years to come.
Good choice, it’s a good all rounder.
Are you still loving the DR650?
You still have it?
Got a Drz400sm about a month ago and couldn’t be happier. It’s not for long highway rides, but anything below 65 isn’t bad at all and it’s still small and light enough to have a TON of fun with off road. The 400 is TRULY a street legal dirt bike as opposed to an adventure bike.
I had a DR650 and plan to get another one. If I was looking to get a street legal dirt bike I would get the 400, but I'm looking for a true dual sport that can go on the old highways and forest service roads, around town, occasionally ride two up... the 650 is the way to go for anyone with that variety of riding in mind.
I went with the 2021 DR 650 . Absolutely love it.
Own the 650 best enduro ever... simple, robust, cheap, indestructible, very reliable oil cooled 4 valves engine. The SP46 has been released in 96 and is the same bike today... Love my DR.
Unfortunately you guys get pretty low spec DRZ400 models, as they no longer sell the E.
I have a KTM 1190R as well, but as a project I modified my DRZ to a 472 and it will sit on 120-130 kmh all day.
I have an Australian E, with full S subframe, FCR39 pumper carb, and higher lift/duration cams. It’s nothing like Nth America models. Bought one with only 1800km for A$1500. I increased power to 51 bhp by increasing bore/stroke to 472. I installed the ACT wide ratio so 5th gear is effectively 6th. Added a 28L Safari tank, and Barrett muffler. Put in firmer Eibach springs and revalved it. Everything done by me, so it wasn’t very expensive.
Now the bike performs very well on long trips with my Kriega OS bags and Touratech roll top. It performs great in technical terrain as first gear ratio remained stock, very low. Highway in overgeared 5th it’s 5200 rpm at 120 kmh. All day.
Sure, it’s no 1190r, but it’s a competent adventure bike for long camping trips, and it’s great offroad and easily picked up.
I looked at the DR650, but as I already have an 1190R the DR was basically a relatively big, relatively heavy, relatively under powered bike, so the DRZ400 was different enough with respect to weight...I only needed to increase power, improve gearing, and toughen suspension for adventure loads. It’s a great little adventure bike and bullet proof.
Hey, thanks for the input from down unda'. I lived in NSW for a couple years. Love it down there.
And thank you for sharing your adventure with bikes. I agree, it is great that you can tweak, customize and modify these bikes into whatever you want for relatively small cash. So good on ya'! And thank you for watching and sharing your comments.
Hi RR. I have the Oz E model too. I added the ACT gear set and I think it needs a bit more grunt to pull the higher 5th gear ratio. I thought about doing a big bore kit, but every time I do this mod, I have ended up selling the bike 12 months later. For me 5th is an over drive and I downshift to 4th when going up hills.
@@kymstock1852 Solution: gear down the sprockets. You will get a lower 1st gear for offroad and more power in 5th gear, while still keeping rpms to a reasonable level while cruising at speed.
Curious, how did you determine your valving? I know there is a website that helps calculate shim stacks. While others order through a suspension shop and get custom valving that way.
@@connor3288 I had the local suspension guru work it out. Previously I had another suspension shop work on it , but it was too stiff for adventure riding
They are both great bikes. I have the DRZ400 E. As mentioned the DRZ can be geared for the road 15/44 or 15/41 and for the dirt 14/44. Add a sheep skin over the seat and long trips on the road are achievable. I chose the DRZ because of its weight and better suspension. But you cant go wrong with either.
Moto Suzuki thanks for your comments. And I agree, the e model is fantastic. You may have noticed I went to a 14/47 fearing. Some may argue that it is too low, but it makes first more time mountain goat mode, it’s jerky, but makes going slow a lot easier and makes you learn better clutch control IMO. Since this bike is for my daughter, I felt this was perfect, but I suppose we will adjust the gearing once she has a few thousand miles on it and starts riding on the street. If I had to choose, I choose my DR, but I am lucky enough to have both. Thanks again!
Thanks for reviews. I have a 2009 Dr650 and it is a good balance for off road and on road. Off road it is a bit heavy but you get used to it as long as it is not the super technical stuff. People can ride in those conditions but I’m not there yet with this bike. I really enjoy its light and nimble feel especially coming off of my bigger heavier road only cruiser. Great for commuting and highway travel. I feel bit like a hooligan on that bike.
That is exactly how I feel sometimes. It is so much fun. Hope you get plenty of riding in this year, ride safe and thank you for watching and commenting.
Thats awsome youre giving the bike to your kids. I just got a 650. Its in the shop getting inspected. Im like chewing my fingers off waiting for it to get done. I cant wait!
Hope your DR is even half as awesome as mine. Thank you for your kind words and for watching.
I’ve been riding long and hard for fifty years but I’ve owned neither of these bikes. However, for a long time I’ve wanted an informed opinion about their differences - pros, cons and intended purposes. Well done; thanks!
Thank you very much for your kind words. It is always gratifying to hear I have helped in some small way. And thank you for watching and commenting.
This is real simple, they are both great bikes that run forever, and at a good price, especially used. If you mostly ride on the highway, with very little off road riding, the DR650 is for you. If you mostly want to ride off road with very little highway riding, the 400 is the way to go. The 650 is a tank off road, the 400 is great in the dirt.
Went through this decision late last year. Went with the DR650 for the reasons you mentioned. Air/oil cooled and low stressed engine while going 60-70mph on pavement.
Hey, thanks for the ditto. I just got back from a 250 mile trip around my local area and did a little fishing. The fishing stunk, so I got a lot of time in the saddle. Loved it so much.
Enjoy your DR.
@@advmedic7620 hey, we ran across this channel. We need to connect for some riding. We have 2 adv DRZ's, 1 DRZsm, and a T7 in our town that group ride's.
Thanks for the comparison. It’s nice to see them ridden back to back. I’m interested in both, but leaning towards the 650.
Hope you get the chance own one or both of them soon. They both are likely endangered, especially given the announcement from Kawasaki and the new KLR. Although a EFI DRZ and DR are exciting, the additional 2 or 3 thousand in cost is not.
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Here in Australia these bike are still very popular to buy new, they have a great reputation for reliability when out in the bush. The DR650 is the second highest selling ADV bike in Australia in 2020 (only knocked from the no1 spot by the new Tenere 700) and my local suzuki dealer (the largest in my state) told me they sell 2-3 DRZ400E's each week!
Really, I didn't know the E model was still available anywhere. It is remarkable how popular the DR still is after 24 years in it's current form. Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@advmedic7620 It seems absolutely crazy that the DR650 is still one of the best values in dualsport bikes. A large part of that is due to the long production run and the aftermarket support from people like Vince Strang, Jesse at Keintech, and Jeff at Procycle. Their wares have helped significantly to keep the DR relevant, even as bikes like the CRF450L, Tenere 700, TE610/630, 690E, etc. have hit the market.
The '96-present DR may just need EFI to keep soldiering on as a dealer offering. Possibly ABS too, depending on country.
Yes well said guys I'll soon be in the market for a DR/DRZ in Oz and can't wait 🥳 Though a 6th gear for the DRZ would bury the competition and many bikes above and below it before EFI and ABS surely?
Nice ride and review !👍 I'm gonna stick with my 1978 suzuki PE 175 until I can make this hard decision between the Dr 650 and DRZ400 ?
I own a 2018 DR. It's a brick but super stable. Feels great on tarmac. Although it's heavy the offroad characteristics aren't bad. Tight single tracks maybe not ideal but anything else you gotta love the tremendous low end torque. If you're riding forest roads it's great because getting to them is nice. Reaching the ground was important to me and why I went DR vs DRZ. Dropped a tooth up front and it's perfect now. Still plenty for highway but lower in 1st for dirt. Love the simpleness of air cooled engine. Don't mind carburetor since it's easier to mod and work on. I live at 4,900 feet but take it up to 8-9,000 frequently in the summer with no problems. As far as offroad capability it has a lot to do with the rider. Watch Brandtagone's channel where he takes it places I don't have enough nerve to. Or, Barry from down under...these guys thrash their DR's sometimes like they were 125 MX's. Overall, you really can't go wrong with either bike and I sometimes wish I had a DRZ for the weight. My son put cogent suspension on his DR and it's a completely new & different bike now offroad. Cheers and thanks for the fun channel.
Hey Dalen, thank you for you comments and kind words. I think if I had to choose one, it would be the DR for the riding I do. Also, if I had the choice, I would love a dozen or so purpose built machines. Since I would like to stay married and still ride as much as possible, the DR is my answer. Keep on ridin', I hope we provide more content that is particularly applicable to you and your needs.
First gear seems a bit tall on my stock DR650. Is first gear just as tall on stock DRZ400?
Yes, fairly tall, but not as bad as the DR. I geared my DR-Z down a little, which helped a lot, but it made it a little jumpy and took some getting used to. I have never found the taller gearing to be a problem unless I am riding with others and want to pace with them, mainly an issue when I am riding with my kids on smaller bikes.
Thank you again for your comments.
Great video and comparison of these two fantastic bikes!! Thank you much! I have a 2003 DRZ400S with a lot of Mods, and I LOVE IT!! That is my choice... Sent your link to a couple of buddy’s who are looking to getting something sometime. I sent them your link because you did a great objective comparison. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing my content. I hope to be able to do a similar video with other competing bikes, perhaps I will have the time and ability once we overcome the pandemic.
I just got myself a drz 400 s (2000 and stock) and so far i am very satisfied, but i am kind of interested in what kind of mods you have (and which ones you would really recommend)
Lego BlockBrecher I ride the Shenandoah 500 every year and have noticed the difference with every mod listed here. I have done the 3X3 air box mod; Carb mod and a Jet Kit for 3000 - 4000 feet above sea level; full FMF Power Core 4 stainless Steel exhaust with expansion chamber in header piece; larger foot pegs, LED headlight, 14 sprocket front and 45 sprocket back and installed the Advanced Clutch Technology’s “100WRSZ1” Wide Ratio Gear kit for the transmission (better lower end and better top end); Thumper Talk Case protectors, Ricochet thick aluminum Bash Plate, Aluminum Radiator guards; Accerbis Hand guards; Scotts steering damper kit; 1 1/2 handle bar risers; ?? Can’t remember brand spark enhancer (helps prevent flame out at low rpm chugging); Clark 3.9 gallon gas tank; Dunlop D606 tires front and rear with 3mm Heavy Duty Tubes; increased wire size from rectifier to battery for better (higher voltage and amperage) charging; Seat Concepts (1 inch lowering) full seat (complete replacement for original seat; chopped the rear fender length and moved the low reflector up on the rear fender (looks much better); LED rear brake light bulb (much brighter than original bulb). There may be more, but those are the main Mods I’ve done. Oh, I have a kick start kit to add too, but have not taken time to get that installed yet...
Check this out for the WR gear kit thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1228866-act-wide-ratio-gears-feedback/
Great review really informative I have a DR650 that I have completely converted supermoto living in the keys I have to drive at least 50 miles before I can get to any dirt Also I have always wondered why they do not offer the DR650 as a supermoto from factory
Here is what is amazing, I was in the Keys just last week and I am pretty sure I saw your SM, sweet bike!! What a small world. Loved the keys by the way.
I think that the main reason they didn't do the 650 in an SM is perhaps because of the motor and setup of the bike. The DR-z is certainly a great SM bike, and it rev's much higher, closer to a sport bike, whereas the DR is so much more of a slow and torque heavy beast. The weight and suspension (or lack thereof) are also a consideration. How does your ride? Did you do some suspension work on it?
Thank you for your comments and for watching.
Great review! Really informative. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share it.
Thank you very much for your kind words, and thanks for watching.
Just bought myself a new Drz400sm I love it
Bought one this past Saturday! 2018 with .1 miles on it. Love the bike man!
Congrats, I love the SM and would love to have one, or to convert mine. We'll see, that might be next winters project.
Thank you for the comments. Enjoy your bike!
I just bought a brand new 2020 DRZ400s. The best color scheme year. Man, I love it!!!!
I just drove my DR650 home. I'm so happy. I can supermoto it out and throw the knobbies back on, the Acerbus tank and tusk packs, then travel. I'll end up buying a DRZ later but, for now, Bush Pig Babay!!
I couldn't agree more. They make a great pair, but if I had to choose, it was be my pig all day long. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Very useful information, tired of traffic in the city and also trying to upgrade from my cl350 old ‘70 Honda… got the dr 750 on mind, thanks for sharing both of you bikes!.
I love my dr 650 I have a ktm 500 but the dr is just a smooth beast I still dust my buddys on there 250s they say its to heavy i say no your just not strong enough great review
Thank you for your comments and for watching. I completely agree. I have rode with many other types of dirt bikes, and although I am not a great rider, I keep up and even smoke many bikes worth $10+.
I bought a drz 400sm first! Then I purchased a dr650. For exactly the same reasons ( better on the long trips ). I ended up with an extra set of rims for the SM that I run TKC80's on for off road.A perfect match. I really like the simplicity of both machines. Had enough of the tech bikes.My son & I can go out & play in the dirt or carve some corners on the street.Best of both worlds. Less costs for repairs that are inevitable when dropped. Thanks for posting
Thank you for your kind comments. Hope you continue to love your machines as I do.
Just caught this vid - very helpful. I really want a lighter Adv bike and the DRZ400 is high on my list. I’ve seen some owners who use them, as you said, as both an Adv bike and a super moto by just swapping out tires. The 400 dry weight is just 290 pounds. With a full 4 gal safari gas tank, it would be 315. That’s 150 pounds less than my current bike
Probably the best comparison video out there for these bikes. Excellent video!! Very good narration that compares and contrasts. I ultimately purchased the DR650 and extremely happy with it. Probably has a bit more power than I expected, but getting use to her.
Hope you love your DR. Mine has treated me so well, I am so excited for another summer on her. And thank you so much for your kind words.
Great video. I've owned a DR650 and now have a DRZ400sm. I like the way the 650 makes/delivers power more than the 400, but the SM's overall package just works better for me.
It is a hard choice between the two. Glad to hear you were able to find the one that suits your needs. Thank you for watching and commenting.
So what is it a out the 400sm that you like better? For science?
@@iShowUnusualBehavior The ergos are better for me on the 400sm. I also don't do nearly any OHV stuff anymore, so I just hoon around town.
@@smashedgyro ahh makes sense, thanks
Great to hear a comparison from an owner of both bikes. I can't help but wonder if it would be fun to have 2 bikes more different from eachother. Like maybe the dr650 and a small light 250 for trail days. Not that I am judging since I own the xr650r (street legal) and xr400r (dirt) hahahaha. Ride on!!
I have something like that in mind. I was thinking a little more extreme, say my son's TT-R90 vs the DR or DR-Z. Would that be of interest to anyone???? Thank you also for commenting and watching.
I went with the DR650
For a couple reasons.
As a larger rider the 650 holds more weight. And as an older rider the seat height is lower and easier to deal with. Very happy with the power. It's not that quick but seems to do ok.
I live in a small town with lots of dirt roads nearby. Even my house is on a dirt road. So I don't ride my 1500cc touring bike anymore. This bike doesn't feel heavy until you have to pick it up if you fall off it.
Thank you for the comments and for watching. I hope you love your DR like I do. I have since gotten rid of the DR-Z, although I do miss it sometimes. Glad to hear you get to ride something as great as the DR, and I am working very diligently toward living on a dirt road. Seems ideal to me.
Thanks for this video!! I'm still undecided on whether I'm going to buy the DRZ or the DR. Such a tough call because I want to do long highway drives but I also want a nimble bike for urban/trail riding!
Long highway, I would definitely do the DR, but I feel your pain on trying to decide. I have never felt that comfortable over 55mph on the DR-z. It just feels too light, although I know many do and are very happy. Thank you for your kind words though, and and for watching. I hope this video and the others I have on the channel may have helped.
Strip weight from a DR. Procycle stripped one to 320lb curb, which is similar to the DR-Z400S.
Had a DR350, loved it. Now I have a DR650, love it also. It’s heavier for sure. Only down fall in my opinion.
I agree, I would love about 70 lbs less, however, that would likely take away some of the greatness of the DR650
@@advmedic7620 You can shave 10kg/~20lbs or even a little more by removing or replacing certain components, and they're already much lighter than the KLR650.
Youd have to be a magician to save 70lbs, that would make it lighter than the DRZ hahah
Easy Choice for me. Drz400s all the way.
Have had the Dr 650 since 2015 No Regrets
Even though it shakes a little bit, your idea to mount a camera on the corner so that you can turn to the audience in editing later, is a good idea.
I have a DR650.
I like to race lil 4 bangers, sometimes I win, sometimes it's even.
My only real complaint is an obvious one...no wind protection.
They are both great bikes but the air cooled old school simple DR650 wins my vote.
I've had a DR 650 -92, and now one of my bikes are a DRZ 400 S. In comparisson of those two, the DRZ is way better, but before 1996, DR 650 was very simple, and the suspension was a joke, especially in front. So if anyone are looking to buy a DR 650, don't go older than 1996, as alot of improvements came that year.
What i really like about the DRZ, as opposed to the DR, is that it's greatly customizable, and it's relatively light. On the DR 650, there isn't much that can be done on the engine, or it's characteristics besides aftermarket exhaust and jetting. On the DRZ I have a 440 big bore kit, Keihin FCR carb, hot rod cams, and a Yoshimura full exhaust, and it really moves compared to stock setup. I have somewhere around 50 hp, and the internal compononents can take it, no problem, as they are the same as the ones in the more powerful DRZ 400 E. Right now I'm installing the ACT wide gear ratio kit, to get it more long haul friendly, and make better use of that extra power...looking forward to test that when it's warm enough to start riding again.
The DR has several mods available to change the power feel....cam, 790 big-bore, hi-comp piston, big-valve head, carbing, snorkelectomy, header, muffs, header weld buzz, sprocket change, tranny gear change, tire size change, etc
@@RKmndo , When I owned it 11 years ago, there wasn't much that could be done on the 1992 model. I know there is more mods for model 1996 and forward, also the suspension and frame is completely different. So yes, you are correct. Downside, it's still quite a heavy bike. Heavy bikes have their charm, as of being more calm and actually less of a challenge to control when sliding out the rear wheel in corners on gravel roads and long range stuff, but less fun when you ride with buddies with lighter bike, trying to follow them up a narrow, gnarly trail, or sand and mud. That's why I drifted towards lighter and more nimble bikes, like the DRZ.
Easy- buy both like I did! :)
It sure makes it easier if you have both. Thank you for the comments.
Even I am feeling the same
Have a 2016 DR650 and it's hard to beat, maybe a little heavier but that weight is a plus on the road and if you do the mods from Cross Training Adventure channel it really wakes this bike up because those guys have it sorted out and with so much aftermarket accessories you wont know where to start. Some don't like carbs but to me that is a plus not having to fool with the computer after do all the engine mod. This bike is a tinkerers dream from the smallest thing the whole way up to big bore kits. Pro Cycle has just about anything you can think of for this machine.
The Dr 650 was first made in 1990. The best money you can spend on the 650 is suspension and seat.
Myself no replacement for displacement, can always go with the big 790cc kit as well. Lol.
04 DRZ400 and love it. I sat on a DR 650 at the dealer, seat sucked, but felt more my size although I haven't ridden one yet.
Great to hear you love your DR-Z. Both of these bikes have some give and take, but I love them both. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Thank you for your time.
Absolutely my pleasure. And thank you for watching.
I love my DR650, I am an older rider but love off road riding. I also own/ride a KTM 1290R super adventure for long trips and gravel roads. I want a lighter bike and after watching hundreds of reviews, I think I am set on a KTM EXC-F 350, at 107.5kg (237lbs)
I want your selection so much. What a great setup. I need about 12 bikes, but if I had to pick 3, those would be it. Thanks for commenting and watching.
@@advmedic7620 Thanks. The 1290R is a spectacular ride with ridiculous power and goes most places and distances with ease. My main bike around my property is 750 King Quad, I wouldn't be without it. Never stop riding. Cheers
I have a DR 650, a DL 650 and had a DRZ 400. Love the DR and DL but sold the DRZ and bought a KTM 450 EXC. Much happier with the KTM. It is much better on and off road than the DRZ. DR has 31K on it and DL 43k. All still run great and have no plans of selling any of them. If I could only have 1 bike it would be the DR. Of my 47 yrs of riding and over 35 bikes the DR has given me the best memories.
Don’t forget about the DR350. Most underrated ADV/dual sport bikes and about half the price. The 98&99’s have e-start a 6 speed trans and the suspension for those 2 years are supposed to be better than the 1st gen drz400 suspension. I think mine is about 300 lbs wet with 25,000 miles.
That's awesome, I didn't know all that about the 350. I wish more were available on the market, or better yet, they still made them. Thank you for commenting and watching.
Since I already have a big road bike I went with the DRZ400S. Most of my riding will be local or I'll truck the bike to different locations to ride the area with. If I could only have one bike, it would likely be the DR650. I'm not sure how many more years they will continue to make both these bike but I hope it's a good long time.
I'm a DRZ400e owner and have two sets of tires/wheels. One is knobbies and a big sprocket, the other a moderate dual sport tire. I find I use the dual sport tires w the road sprocket. I don't do technical off road but a lot of gravel/dirt roads. Only problem w this is that you have to feather the clutch up to 7-10 mph. It's annoying even on pavement but if you are doing over 50 mph, it's worth it in noise, ride quality, mpg, and less vibration. My only problem is that my back aches on 100 mile days and Im not sure it's the DRZ.
Great comparison. My only point would be your road/dirt ratios and it really semantics they are built Dualsports and if we add others in to this comparison I would put
DRZ at 20:80
DR at 35:65
Add something like KLR for 50:50
Awesome 2 bike comparison.
Check out Everides dualsport comparison.
KLR at 40
Russ Paton thanks for your thought. I found that the ratios are both subjective and open to a lot of interpretation. I have seen everide, RyanF9 and many others thoughts. Thought I would throw my opinions into the wind as it seems there is little new stuff coming out on these bikes. I hope the focus on helping people understand the difference came through. Perhaps I should do an in depth review of both bikes, we will see. Thanks again for watching and sharing.
Great comparison. Thanks 👍
So a DRZ 550 would be the best of both worlds!
If you've done any trail riding you can literally just look at the bikes next to each other and know which is better *for the kinds of trails you intend to ride*.
Thanks for the response! It’s exactly as I figured. Bigger displacement for grunt but no power on top because it’s air cooled. You can’t predict engine heat on an air cooled so they back down the timing. I was more interested in the physical size differences. Thanks!
No worries, luckily my channel is small enough at this point that I can respond and comment. Physically, there is very little difference as far as I can tel, but they do carry their mass very different. So got to spend some time in the saddle to feel and see what I mean.
Glad I can help, and I hope to have some vids up soon. Time is a bit of an issue right now. But I bought ANOTHER BIKE. Can't to start some content on it as well.
A hotter cam, carbing mods, and exhaust can wake up the DR650 at higher revs. A big-bore kit bumps up power throughout the rev range.
Excellent video.
I don't own either Suzuki but I'm always thinking about trading my KLX 300 DS for a bit bigger bike. The KLX is fun, like a mountain bike with an engine but the overall use is limited since it is so smal, light, and under 400cc.
Great Video! Appreciated your thoughts in these bikes.
Thank you for the kind comments and for watching.
I had the dri had the drz and hugely regretted it.
I was geared to low for the road and the seat was terribly uncomfortable.
The oil filter was tiny and collapsed and clogged.
I wish I got the 650. It's a forever bike and I would still have it.
I bought a dr650 brand new on 07. I've been riding off road since 1983 so i thought I'd try some adventure riding.. After much research and deliberation I settled on it over the klr since my friend had a klr I figured the Dr was a little more dirt worthy. Anyway Pros... I thought the 650 had a good top speed on the street I'd would do 105 mph on the freeway. It was also nimble and maneuverable through traffic. Cons...the seat would become very uncomfortable after 45 minutes anything after that I didn't wanted to ride it. The front suspension was non adjustable in any way and I thought it didn't match the rear shock which was adjustable for compression rebound and sag. Again i felt the front would wash out on turns I felt if it could softened a bit it might have better manners off road. I also felt that the jetting was off as it wouldn't idle very well and had a annoying hunt to the idle. Also the stock tank was a bit small it would do about 120 miles which I expected a bit more. Maybe I am a bit tough on it and could have improved my perceived shortcomings by buying aftermarket fixes. After about 5000 miles I sold it. I own a dr350 trail bike now and love it.
Love to hear that you found a bike that suits you. I agree with much of you comments, and it would be great if all the issues with dual sports were fixed at the factory, but that is why the CRF450L is 10K. And it still needs help in the comfort department. Enjoy your trail bike. Happy ridin'!!
@@advmedic7620 thanks man and great videos btw.
New subscriber here - thanks for the great vid
I've a Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT edition ABS sport bike. I love the bike for relatively short runs, mainly because my palms hurt after awhile. So, I've been thinking about the DR650, which I imagine (haven't compared the HP yet) is more powerful and comfortable for longer rides, especially with my club. Noticed that the DR650 weighs the same as my Ninja, so no problem there,
QUESTION: What is the riding position of the DR650? Upright? Foot pegs straight down or forward? Please advise - need a new toy to purchase (partly) with my upcoming stimulus check.
Thanks!
Kawasaki Kid ( Well, a " kid" that just reached his 75th birthday)
Hey, thanks for the question. Unfortunately I have not ridden a Ninja, but It is definitely an upright seated position on the DR. Very similar to most dual sport bikes, and a lot of supermoto bikes. The pegs are in a strange position stock, and most go for a down and back for better ergonomics but this is just for comfort, either position could still be considered pegs straight down. I did this, and it makes a huge difference. I did a quick video on the JNS foot-peg mounts and you can find it on my channel.
As for comfort, dual sport bikes are not ever comfortable stock. They always need some work like larger footpegs, handlebars, wind protection, seat upgrades (or dead sheep) and other items to be comfortable. So it is very possible to find a bike like mine, very lightly used for less than $2K that already has a lot of this done to it. Unless you have the 6K for the bike and 2K for comfort mods.
I hope that helps, feel free to contact me with more questions. And thank you again for watching.
I am deciding between the two, I'm 6'5" 250lbs
DR650 fuel consumption with heavy load 7 liters /100km (medium fuel tank volume for DR on the market is 12 liters) on the road. Its too much. In offroad/mountains it can increase to 11+ liters/100km. Of course you can install something like Acerbis 24 liters (5.3 gallons) but in this case total weight your DR will be about 200kg (220-240kg with your equipment), high center of gravity (badly affects in offroad), and still low fuel range (For me. From Siberia. With love)
:)
Great video! I'm a Drz owner and lover. But I'm considering a second bike for longer touring. Dr is an option. But I might go SV650.
DL650 uses same engine as SV650. I'd also consider Tenere 700, Tiger 800, or F800GS.
The DR650 is also perfectly capable of touring long distances. It's simpler though, and tighter for a passenger.
Nice video and review. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words and for watching.
These are completely different bikes and every comparison video says the same, they are both great bikes but the DR650 does better on the highway and the DRZ400 in the dirt. If that doesn't underscore that we are comparing apples with oranges here.
Love both my DR650’s
I so glad. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Good video. I enjoyed it and learned from it.
One thing......you were misleading on the cooling system for the 650. Yes, it does in fact have an oil cooling system, but the 400 does as well. The 400 also has water cooling but the 650 also has air cooling. Those fins on the engine are not for decoration.
Is the speedometer on your 400 broke? While you were riding, there was a big zero shown in the middle of the speedometer and it never went away.
I'd love to have the DR650, but in my area they closed off all of the trails because idiots abused their welcome. So now it's only street bikes for me. I miss dirt bike riding. I have considered getting the Suzuki 400 super motor. The only thing that stops me is the fuel tank size. If they'd up it to 3.5 gallons, I'd consider getting one. I'd also love to see them put a 6 speed wide ratio transmission in the bike. That would give me plenty of low end performance and still make it a valuable little touring bike.
Barry
That is a good point, sorry I am not as complete, detailed or frankly good at talking off the cuff like this.
Yes the DR-Z still needs a bit of work, one of which is a non-working speedo, I'll be fixing that soon.
I agree the 400 and the 650 could use a 6th gear. But then if they did that it would have to be fuel injected, have a bunch of other things to make them even heavier and cost of 10k. I think I like them cheap. And for the SM, great bike, just buy one and get a larger tank for it, they are really good.
Barry Kery
As old as the DRZ series is, there is a lot of aftermarket support.... you can easily switch tanks on the things... I believe I saw an aftermarket tank for the DRZ that was about six and a half gallons; if that doesn’t get you to the next gas station, I don’t know what will (it’ll probably get you to a trail as well).
Great Job!
The DR is better in everything . I wish they would bring back the DR 350r back . For me the DRZ powerband not as good as the DR is . And with a lower seat height will do better for the beginners or novice riders . Belive me 40 pds difference is no big deal picking up the 1st 3×s . Im looking at trail bikes not dirt bikes mind-set . So owning a DRZ I would lean towards the DR 650 for what Im looking for .
Great review . Thank you
Thank you for watching and commenting.
the stock seats on my 2000 dr 650 was very uncomfortable and after a couple of hours of riding i could hardly walk. Everybody i know says that has the dr 650 seat is terrible for any long rides and to buy a aftermarket one. I went with a seat concepts and couldn't be any happier.
Funny enough, I have a custom seat that is way better than stock, but just yesterday I bought a used seat concepts, I totally agree, my back side will thank me. Great comments and thank you for watching.
Seat concept for Dr is a must. Best mod by far, and my Dr is fully moded.
The dr650 with upgraded wp forks and shock I do like better than my Drz400
I have seriously thought that would very much be worth the investment. The forks on mine are quite good, but that would really transform the machine I think. Thanks for sharing and watching.
I think stock dr650 forks are damping rod type? If thats true they are NOT good ;
That is correct, they will never be brilliant, but they are serviceable with the right mods. It is a 400 lbs bike, that is cheap as dirt and easy to maintain. So its a get what you pay for kind of deal. We all just need to be independently wealthy with a wife that approves us having 2 dozen bikes perfectly suited to all riding conditions. Then we are golden.
Thank you for commenting and watching.
How much does the front and rear suspension upgrade cost? Tried to find good info on fork swaps but cant, which is why i want a drz400 instead.
@@connor3288 I put Ricor racing cartridges from Procycle. $199. It's amazing how much better the front feels. It absorbs sharp bumps like they're not there, plus the front end dive is like half of what it was. Highly recommended.
Where are you in UT? Don't see a Wasatch front. Owned 2 drz-e models but they felt too short bodied for me. Looking at a dr650 and at 66 yo think I would prefer it at this point. Thanks for the vid.
I appreciate the comparison and it helped me make the decision that the Yamaha xt225 is the better choice between these two. Haha. It's funny that in comparisons between the DRZ 400 and the wr250r, the 250 is to the 400 what you describe the 400 to be to the 650. Also, I don't see the DRZ400 as a kid's bike, it's even taller than the 650. The TTR 125 with the smaller Wheels seems like more of a kid's bike to me! And then you could afford one for each of the kids, and get them the tire wheels later and just keep saving the money to spend on gear and riding.
I am glad I could help, albeit in a strange way?? The XT225 is a fantastically reliable bike, as is the newer XT250. Not what I would choose for myself, but I can appreciate how easy they are to ride they literally are un-killable. Yes, the DR-Z is definitely not a kids bike, but I got the DR-Z for my daughter who is 6' 1", and very athletic and has been riding for a lot of years. We have since sold the DR-Z because she likes riding my DR-650 better.
Hope you love your bike, and get a ton of riding out of it. And thank you for watching and commenting.
@@advmedic7620 seeing how capable of the DRZ and DR 650 are I realize that for the mild trails that I'm riding my tw200 is still adequate and the xt225 that a friend of mine has likewise. The DRZ it's just too tall and the dr650 unnecessarily heavy they're both capable of much more than I need.
@@papatorr3669 Those are great points. And I still love to jump on my TW200 when the trails get real technical, slow or just plain crazy. I hate picking up my DR650 and avoid dropping it at all costs, although I am not good enough to make that "I never drop my DR". Thank you again for your thoughts, comments and for watching.
@@advmedic7620 That's crazy! You have a two dual purpose standard bearers and still keep a TW200? I have a TW200, for life, me thinks!
When looking to upgrade from an old DRz400e, i thought that the DR650 would be a perfect choice for me. I went to look at a reasonably new DR650 with a pumper carb and some really expensive and quality mods, and on first inspection, even started negotiating a price.
But when i rode the DR650, i was completely let down. It pulled hard, but somehow felt gutless and no comparison to the instant power of my DRZ400e. I popped the clutch in 1st gear to pull a mini wheelie, but it ran out of rev range as soon as the wheel lifted, no chance of wheelie in 2nd gear, (even popping the clutch - My DRZ will power wheelie in second no problems). 100kph no problem, but otherwise it felt lame and underwhelming.
I really thought this would be the bike for me, but I have never been so disappointed in a bike before.
I had a 650 and it was GUTLESS beyond it's torque band!!.......torque was So fun, but absolutely ZERO passing power on highway!! My drz400 has crappy highway "gearing"......but when you yank the gas, it Jets hard after 65mph!!......my 650 was dead in the water after 65mph.
@@94SexyStang get procycle carb kit. My Dr dynoed at 44 Hp and 42 ft lbs @ the wheel. No prob whatsoever passing on the highway. Supermoto front fender helps too. The stock fender was grabbing a lot of air on highway
Good ride and talk👍
Thanks for a great video. One question. If you were going on a BDR which bike would you take?
12:24 omg it's the train from GTA5
Like my 2000 Y model drz same as the k series, kickstart engine for off road, they have much more power than the s sm models. Then a 18 dr650 for the highway.
Thank you for watching and commenting. Glad you like them. I have not heard of a Y model, I will have to take a look.
Thank you for putting in the time on this video. Such clear and concise descriptions of both bikes.
This video will live on theough the ages.
I have been struggling with this question. Having a 30" inseam, the DR is a lot easier to lower without adversely affecting the suspension, (there is a second mounting hole on the rear shock, and the spring and spacer can be reversed in the front). I live in the Southwest so not a lot of single track through the woods here. If the DRZ was lower that would be my choice. It would be nice if the Japanese brought back the 350's.
I have about a 31" inseam and I can flat foot my lowered DR650. However, after a short month or two of riding, I would like to restore the bike to the greater height because I was simply better at balancing the bike and didn't have an issue with tip toe or sliding a butt cheek to one side. Also, I had the ability to lower the DR-Z (actually bought the lowering links) but decided to try without. It was sometimes an issue, but this was rare, and as my skill increased on the bike became a non-issue. Now no bike, no matter the height is an issue because I have learned to compensate for my short stature and wimpy muscles with good body position and getting to know my bike.
I hope that helps, but in my opinion, riding skills are far more important that seat height. It was an big issue when I started, and I understand your problem, I hope this helps to alleviate that fear. You gain a lot by using these bikes' suspension to their full effect.
I appreciate you making this comment and watching, perhaps I will get time soon to make a little video about it. In the meantime, I did make a couple on lowering the bike. Hope they help.
@@advmedic7620 I bought a DR650 Yesterday. balls of my feet with the stock seat. Good enough for me. At one time I had a DRZ400. I didn't ride it much because on road it was a pain at stop lights and sometimes backing into a parking space.
The DRZ400 "missing 6th gear" is a fallacy. I can cruise easily in 5th gear at 70mph. I can top out at 95 mph in the same gear. I can also pass a vehicle like a boss in 5th gear when cruising at 65-70mph. My only gripe is my ass is always sore and the gas tank is too small, and with bad fuel consumption.
It seems a 50lb diff. I haven`t picked a bike since my cb750 (about 500lbs) I dropped my c50 (619lbs) but had help picking it up.
Hey ADV. Are both speedometers not working?
Nice review.
Thank you for the comment
The DR650 wins hands down. But you can't really compare these bikes. The DR650 is a real dual purpose bike (a term used before Honda created the term "dual sport" for their failed line of NX bikes) with an air cooled engine, carburetor, and a reasonable seat height. It's not as good as a 1979 Honda XL500S, but then nothing made these days is, or ever will be again. Basically it is the best dual purpose bike of it's size you can buy today.
The DRZ400 is it's exact opposite. While the DR650 is like a tractor, with tons of torque and is also simple and easy to work on, the DRZ is a super high tech, high performance off road sport bike, totally unsuitable for traditional dual purpose riding. The engine is peaky, makes most of it's power at redline, the seat is so tall you need a ladder to even get on it, it is liquid cooled, and worst of all, it has failure prone EFI, which makes it unreliable and nearly impossible to work on. It wants to be an MX bike, but doesn't quite make it. What it is, is a bike without a purpose. It is way to complicated and doesn't do anything well. It does work fairly well in it's supermoto form, except it has tube type tires and no centerstand, so when you have a flat tire you are stranded. The DR650 at least has an aftermarket centerstand available. Put tubeless tires, a centerstand, and lower the seat on the supermoto version, and it would at least serve some kind of purpose.
I am sorry, but I disagree, and perhaps you are not familiar with the DRZ400 which isn't high tech, is not EFI, and is extremely reliable to name a few. I do appreciate your comments, but the DRZ400 is, like the DR650 one of the best dual sport bikes of all time.
Although I do appreciate your comments and your love of the DR650, perhaps watch the video a little closer and these specs will be stated, and of course you could watching any of the the thousands of other reviews and specs on the DRZ. They haven't changed much since 2000.
In any case, glad you found the DR650 a great bike, I love mine and have since sold the DRZ. Thanks again for your support.
You literally have no clue about the DRZ. I respect everyone's opinion, but you have none of the real facts correct about the DRZ. It's absolutely like you are talking about a totally different bike. A tall seat is the only thing you are right about. Everything else is so off base it's actually funny.
Summary: Do you ride more highway or dirt? Highway/Dirt Ratio: DR650 60/40; DRZ400 40/60. The 650 is better for highway; the 400 is better for dirt.
DRZ400 is more fun
I love that description... "Fun" It encompasses every bike I have ever ridden. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Great video, I have a klr now, used to have a dr350se and an 1150gs.. Dumb question, what jacket and gloves are you wearing in this video ?
I have a Fieldsheer Adventure Jacket. It isn't made anymore as far as I know. But the new version is called the HiPro. If you like a cheap and functional jacket I recommend it. But I do wish I would have waited and got at Rev'it or Klim jacket. The zippers are cheap and it doesn't fit as well as I like. I also wish it had 3DO armor.
My gloves are Rev'it Sand 3 gloves. Absolutely love them. Make sure to size up, at least one if not two sizes.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ADV Medic .. thanks for the quick reply..Also I’m now suscribed👍🏼
@@matthewnadler7521 Thank you very much. Hope you enjoy the channel and my upcoming videos.
I don’t understand having two bikes that are that close to each other.
I own a DR. Since 2008 it has done everything I asked of it.
I failed to see huge problems. I view the very idea is bogus.
Thanks for the video. And where is mainly the weight difference between the two bikes? In the engine?
The DR engine is chunky. Procycle stripped a DR to 320lb though, which is similar to the DR-Z400S.
Start with a Ti GSXR1000 muff and a Li battery.
Remove helmet lock, passenger pegs, grab handles, and bar-end weights.
Swap on Tail Tidy, plastic tank/cap, DRC rear fender/taillight, real handguards, 2-finger levers, FAR mirrors, 520 chain and 15/44 or 14/41 sprockets, adhesive reflectors, threadlocked setscrew for upper chainroller, and LED strips for signals. Many people also swap to aluminum bars and pegs. Some swap the internal fork spacers with PVC.
I use a minimal OEM skid. Plastic skids are also now available.
Isn't this Precipice?
Are you in Calgary bud? Greetings from the North (Fort St John) 1990 dr650
No, Wyoming, I love Calgary though. Beautiful area. I would love to visit one day. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Funny I actually thought the same thing.
Does anyone know if this comparison also applies to the DR600? I know the 650 is more modern but they seem fairly similar, apart from kickstart etc
I chose the 400!.....my terrain is very narrow and technical.....the 650 would start to get Bear'ish for me.....I prefer that snappy hooligan feel of the 400, easier to wheelie and jump. Gotta pick what's best you Your terrain and needs in a realistic way.
I own a drz400e and I have heard other riders complain it has a top heavy feel, I too experience this and was curious if a lowered dr650 feels as top heavy as the 400? I don't mind a heavier bike if the weight is down low.
Great job. In your opinion, what is an ideal bike for around the world adventure?
Round the world, I would have to say it depends a lot on your route and how much dirt your going to do. Both the DR and DR-z have been round the world by many. I think you have to be very dedicated to do this on any true dual sport because you compromise a lot on comfort on long stretches of highway and your luggage capacity can be limiting. I would prefer the adventure class for this, but you can't do really tough trails with ADV bikes.
But if I was doing a lot of off road and wanted to tackle some difficult trails DR650, WR250, CRF450L, KTM 500, Husq 701 but those all have some serious problems to consider, comfort on highway, fuel range, as well as parts and maintenance concerns for the Honda, KTM and Husq parts and higher maintenance.
I would seriously look at the KTM 790, the BMW GS1250 ADV or even the GS800 ADV. There are many others that have their strong suite, I don't love the KTM just as a brand for reliability, although that is getting a lot better. And both the KTM and BMW have issues getting parts in remote areas of the world.
I am sorry if I am not so definite on a bike but the bike selection is a very difficult decision as NO bike is perfect at everything.
The bottom line is, for me if I wanted to go round the world and do it mostly on dirt, especially through Africa, Australia, India and Siberia I would go cheap on the DR650 and take a lot longer time and not try and do hundreds of miles a day.
If I was doing more roads, less dirt and wanted to go toward an adventure bike, I think at this point the KTM 790 would be my ride, but it would be a near thing compared to the BMW.
Here is the clincher for me, if I could do the more on road option with mainly fire roads or gravel and could be assured that the off road stuff wouldn't get to bad, I love, LOVE LOOOOOVVVVE the Indian FTR1200 and would sell my kidneys and maybe a few toes for it. It is my next bike, although I am buying it as a commuter and because it looks so amazing, it is a bike that would be a high contender for me personally, although it doesn't really fit in this question, it is something to consider.
I hope that helps, sorry, that was a long answer.
@@advmedic7620 Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is greatly appreciated.
@@mahmoudshojai431 Anytime
i have to respectfully disagree on the planted part. the DRZ feels far more planted on the trail and on the road than the dr650 IN MY OPINION. both of mine are also modified.
I can do 75 mph on the drz400 with knobbies on the freeway no problem. The dr 650 feels very light in the front wheel to be compared to the DRZ. Im 190 pounds 5'10"
Thank you for watching with enough attention to disagree. It warms my heart to know that someone does that. As I am sure you are aware, how "planted" a bike feels has mostly to do with setup, tuning, tires, and of course suspension. So I think you can make them feel better or worse depending on what you do.
My DR650 is heavily modified and the suspension could not be considered anything like stock. I have customized my valving, springs, oil and updated added some adjustability to the front which makes it very different from stock. The DR-Z felt fine off road, which it is mostly intended for, so I have left it for now. I will likely get board and dive into it soon, or sell the bike. We will see.
Thank you again for watching and commenting. Very much appreciate you!!!
When I got my 03 Dr it was stock. I agree that at highway speed it used to feel not very stable. Things you can do:
1. Get decent tire. I got Shinko 705. Good tire, cheap, but doesn't last very long. I'd say 4500 miles average, did I say it was cheap? $70
2. Ditch the stock front fender, get something shorter and narrower. The stock grabs a lot of air at speed.
3. Get Ricor racing fork inserts. $199 from Procycle.
Problem solved. 95 mph on highway all day long
Did I mention Seat concept saddle? A must for DR
DON'T buy the DR650...I've never seen a bike with SO MANY issues, right out of the crate!
NSU...must be repaired or the mounting screws loosen and fall into the engine...can happen ANY time. My 2010 was loose within 10,000 kms
While you're fixing a factory-flaw in the NSU, make sure to tighten the Primary reduction gear crank nut that also likes to walk off without warning.
Oh, and good luck in removing the gasket on the side cover. Suzuki must think it's necessary to glue them into place because I've never seen a gasket that is so difficult to remove. You'll need to use chemical gasket-remover.
Upper chain roller MUST be removed or it will get broken off by the chain and take a chunk of frame with it.
Dry steering-head bearings...Suzuki likes to cheap out on the grease that is necessary to make bearings function properly.
Countershaft seal is prone to popping out...aftermarket fixes are available, another example of the poor engineering that went into this model.
The stock carb is junk, most owners end up installing pumper carbs or modding the hell out of the stock one to make it bearable. In stock form, it was a misery to ride because of the surging. The o-rings that "seal" the float assembly have a tendency to melt away, causing the bowl to overfill all the way back to the airbox. This happened to me within 6 months of owning it...and I use nothing but ethanol-free gas.
Exhaust flange weld...not a huge issue but it shows the kind of quality control that happens at the factory.
If you get a '98 or '99...pray that you don't have any kickback when you shut the engine off, or the starter reduction gear will break the left case half.
Be VERY vigilant about maintaining the cush drive...if there is too much play in the rubbers, it can destroy the bearing carrier and seize the rear wheel solid.
3rd gear detonation...that's right, third gear can self-destruct without warning...usually grenading the entire engine in the process. This can happen regardless of how well you treat your bike; you're out riding one day and bang!
3rd gear circlip prone to shattering...which leads me to believe that this might even be the reason behind the 3rd gear issue. Many owners (myself included) have found fragments of this clip stuck to the magnetic drain plug, during an oil change. Without the magnetic plug, the shards are left to float freely throughout the engine. If the circlip disintegrates entirely, then 3rd gear is able to move horizontally along its shaft...right into the other spinning gears. Apparently, this was attributed to a shipment of sub-standard circlips but once again shows the shameful disregard Suzuki has for its final product.
Stock suspension is pitiful...stock seat is painful...stock tank is too small.
If you buy one...prepare to spend a couple of thousand extra, to address these horrific flaws in what could be a decent bike.
I will never buy another Suzuki.
Sounds like you had a rough time with yours. My personal opinion is that these are amazing, reliable and easy to work on bikes that are very cheap to fix, upgrade and customize. I would be very interested to hear what bike you do like. Do you mind sharing? Also could you talk a bit about your story with the DR?
Many of the points you make are good, there are some definite problems from the factory, especially in the older bikes.
Thank you for watching and commenting.
@@advmedic7620 When I started out....I had a Honda CT90. Reliable as a hammer...but the "geek" factor was off the charts, so I upgraded to a TW200.
I rode that Yamaha alone...two up...for over 40,000 kms without a hiccup, other than having to replace the pulse coil about ½ way through all of that.
Oh Yeah...I also had to replace the pulse coil on the DR...with less than 10,000 km on the clock.
After I sold the CT, I bought my 2010 DR650 from the showroom...brand new. After break-in, I moved to synthetic oil for the rest of its life...all
@klr649 I had to deal with 90% of the stuff I listed, so if that is considered talking out of one's ass.....
So, NO...you're wrong...but I imagine that happens a lot.
@klr649 No harm, no foul....stay safe out there!
So, did you fix the NSU issue. It's easy. I have an 03 Dr with 48 k hard miles on it, spent literally days in third gear on trails. Never a problem. Don't know what the issue is with the gasket, mine never gave me a problem. It's as bulletproof bike as any out there.
The DR650 isn't actually all that hard to pick up.
Do you have any experience with the small DR 350? If so, how does it compare?
Because I own a DR350SE and I'm thinking about upgrading to one of those two :)
I have only ridden the DR350 twice, both of those were highly modified, worked hard and put away wet for decades and were a ton of fun. Think of it like a lighter version of the 650, they have more torque than you'd expect, better suspension than they deserve and overall a great package. But they do have their problems. I still prefer the DR-z, but if you can find a cheap 350 that still runs well, buy it, you'll love it.
@@advmedic7620 I already have one :)
It runs well and is partly modified with better shocks and an Arrow Exhaust. I like it Offroad but on the highway it's not the greatest.
So I thought about the DRZ or the DR650 as an Upgrade maybe. But I don't know if it's really that much better to be worth the price and selling that old DR 😅
Well, maybe I can find someone that has one and I can go on a test ride. Anyway, thank you for your reply :)
I hope this video is helpful for your adventure and dual sport people. I love these bikes, and they just seem to get better every time I ride them. Please leave any comments you can on your opinions regarding these bikes and other excellent dual sports. There are many, and we all play the game of trying to find the right bike to suit our needs. Please feel free to ask any questions, I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I want both bikes. I have the DR650, but would love to have something nimble and reliable as the DRZ400.
Indeed, I think I really would like about 2 dozen bikes, all purpose built for the kinds of riding I like to do. But for now, 2 will have to be it.
ADV Medic hi I’ve been looking at both of these bikes but not sure which is best to get and they all seem to be quite old in the UK 🇬🇧 but from what I’ve seen there is only about 5pounds difference between these bikes is that right ? I’m not sure where I’m going yet but am thinking of Africa, so would the Drz400cc be a better bike ? Thank you very much for this review it’s helped me out a lot take care 👍🏼
@@derricksinfield6477 well, it depends on what you mean by 5 pounds. If your talking weight, that would not be right. Stock the weight is claimed to be about 320 lbs for the DRZ400, and 367 on the DR650. However, that will change drastically depending on mods and such. My DR650 sits about 410 lbs with it loaded with my luggage and a full tank of gas. My DRZ400 is about 330 lbs loaded with all my essential gear. So if weight is an issue, the DRZ is the way to go, its amazing what a difference that 50 pounds or so make off road. But on road it also makes a huge difference, so if you mostly off road, I would go with the DRZ. However, keep in mind, the comfort of the DR is in my opinion a bit better for long days in the saddle. But again that greatly depends upon how you mod the bikes.
Thank you again for watching and commenting.
ADV Medic that’s great advice mate thank you and take care 👍🏼