DRZ400 or DR650?

[alan hopkins]

Got a great road bike I want to keep but need a bike for adventuring further afield than Europe so which is it?Sure it's been asked before and answered comprehensively so point me to it or send answers and opinion please!

[Bucket1960]

Look up ^^^^^^^ hover over 'gear up'

then we will see you back here in a month or so after you're done reading

there will be questions from the peanut gallery & we expect answers.....correct or not no matter

good luck with the research

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

Got a great road bike I want to keep but need a bike for adventuring further afield than Europe so which is it?Sure it's been asked before and answered comprehensively so point me to it or send answers and opinion please!

I suspect that there is already plenty of discussion of these two bikes within the HUBB, but not necessarily in comparison with each other.

If you say a bit about why you are considering just these two Suzukis then that might generate some new information.

For me, it comes down to neither of them is currently marketed in the UK and haven't been for quite a while now - one more than t'other (air cooled then water cooled); so you are immediately in the hands of the second hand market and who ever wants to sell one or other of them - that can be frustrating.

[Gipper]

Yes, if you can put more detail into the question, we can give you a better answer, if you are riding it hardcore off road or all asphalt, what sort of rider are you, do you like to ride fast or slow? how long/far is your trip and how much do you want to spend....unless you are importing a new DR650, they are getting long in the tooth in the UK, in stock trim they are not very good, pretty much everything on them needs changing, unless you like riding uncomfortable bikes.

[Walkabout]

It's weird I know, but there has been more discussion of the two bikes that interest you in another thread - the one about the CCM GP450 in the "other bike tech" sub forum.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...7-6#post500486

Funny old world.

[electric_monk]

The Search button is your friend, it will turn up enough info to keep you reading for weeks.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by electric_monk

The Search button is your friend, it will turn up enough info to keep you reading for weeks.

And of course you could lose months reading the BIG threads on these bikes over on ADV Rider.

the DR650 thread - ADVrider

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227340

Both threads above are massive ... and plenty of ad lib comparos between the two within them. But really TOO MUCH INFORMATION to possibly digest.
I'd sign on then ASK specific questions. Try to find guys who have owned/traveled on BOTH bikes. (and who are not insane )

I've owned 3 DR650's, a DRZ400E and ridden and done very long tours with buddies riding DRZ400S. ALL my buddies who previously owned DRZ400S (3 or 4 guys) have now sold them on. Some bought a DR650 instead, some bought a "real" dirt bike, some got a bigger twin or whatever. One buddy still has his E model ... but here in USA ... that is an OFF ROAD ONLY model, not road legal. Some put "kits" on them ... but in my experience riding my E model in Baja (no legalities required there) the E was a miserable street bike and tough to pack luggage onto.

As has been mentioned, to offer relevant comparisons more info needed regards to what your intentions are:
sort of riding? long or short trips? Fully loaded? Day or Weekend trips? RTW? One week, 3 months or 1 year on the road?

There are also several outstanding Ride Reports by riders of BOTH DRZ and DR650.

Jammin Jay
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ght=DR650+Baja

Jedi Master (Adam) ... started on a F650 Dakar, finished up on a DR650, then switched again to a DRZ400S. One of the best reports/pics of anything on ADV Rider. A+

South America
Trails of South America (PtI)... a photo journal - ADVrider
North America
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ght=jedimaster
Air Borne Andy
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ght=DR650+Baja

DRZ
All The Way West - RTW on a DRZ 400 - ADVrider
DRZ 400 as an Adventure Tourer - ADVrider
DRZ 400 PICTURE Thread - ADVrider
Long distance review of my DRZ400s - DR-Z 400 - ThumperTalk

[Big Yellow Tractor]

This may not be too relevant but when I was trying to decide on a travel bike I got some weight and power figures. Don't know where I got the info; it's on a post-it stuck on my pooter

DR650 43bhp 147kg
DRZ S 40bhp 133kg
DRZ E 48bhp 119kg
KTM 690 66bhp 139kg
Tenere 47bhp 183kg

I'm very happy with my DRZ 400 S as a travel bike although an extra gear would be great. I have it geared so it's cruise speed is about 65mph. It'll thrash up to about 85mph and it'll still manage technical trails without luggage.

[*Touring Ted*]

Both great bikes and a good choices.. You can't go wrong with them.

The 400 is the better offroad bike but a bit slow and buzzy on the open road.

The 650 is faster, more powerful and comfortable but noticably heavier if you want to take it off the beaten track.

Unless you're resolved to going off-roading and packing VERY light, I'd go for the 650.

Don't get too caught up with BHP. A 500CC Two-stroke makes more power than both of them combined but you wouldn't want to ride it 20 miles. I find it much more about torque and ridability when touring...

[Gipper]

Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor

This may not be too relevant but when I was trying to decide on a travel bike I got some weight and power figures. Don't know where I got the info; it's on a post-it stuck on my pooter

DR650 43bhp 147kg

FYI the '96 on DR650 is ~166kg stock, loaded up with a big fuel tank and luggage and they get pretty heavy, but still lighter than a lot of other 650cc class bikes - except the KTM 690....when the snow melts here I will load mine up and weigh it

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor

This may not be too relevant but when I was trying to decide on a travel bike I got some weight and power figures. Don't know where I got the info; it's on a post-it stuck on my pooter

DR650 43bhp 147kg
DRZ S 40bhp 133kg
DRZ E 48bhp 119kg
KTM 690 66bhp 139kg
Tenere 47bhp 183kg

I'm very happy with my DRZ 400 S as a travel bike although an extra gear would be great. I have it geared so it's cruise speed is about 65mph. It'll thrash up to about 85mph and it'll still manage technical trails without luggage.

Yep, 6th gear would be nice!
Suzuki posted the DR650 147kg figure starting in 1996 ... note: that figure is DRY weight. Sometime around 2007 or so ... Suzuki changed to "Curb Weight" designation in their spec sheets.

Gipper is correct, "Curb weight" is 166kg (3.2 gallon tank full). Dry weight would be No fuel, no oil, perhaps no battery. Curb weight is now commonly used for most weights in bike spec sheets.

My bike was recently weighed on an accurate industrial scale with full luggage, racks, tools, parts, tail bag, and 5 US gallons of fuel on board: 430 lbs. (195kg) For a fully loaded travel bike, not too bad.



On Horse Power, most stock DR650's dyno at around 37 HP. If you do a bit of jetting, open air box, pipe, it will easily reach 40 to 42, some a bit more. Mine is 40 HP. (air box, jetting mods only)
I've no direct experience data for other bikes.

[alan hopkins]

Nice Bike. That's what I'll be aiming for.
I read everything 'til my eyes bled then decided on the DR650. I could list my reasons why but then I'd be forced to read everyone else opinion of why I made the wrong choice so I'm happy.
Basically the reliability/simplicity/comfort/engine characteristics/ load carrying and road to trail ratio are just right for me. I really like the look of it too as it rings a bell in my memory of bikes I started out on in the seventies.
I managed to get hold of a new one which was being imported from the states where the original buyer pulled out so for the vast sum of £5,500 I'm buying in effect a twenty plus year old bike. Or looking at it the other way round, I've bought the perfect fixable tried and tested bike that has had every single part replaced on it for £5,500. That way means I sleep easier.
I could have bought a host of different bikes but I decided against them all for one or more reasons. The British CCM was the bike I most wanted to buy but a test ride left me unsure about the engine and that niggle remained long after the national anthem had died down. I hope they do well and prove me wrong.
So now it's over to the Suzuki tech to see what bits need attention.
Thanks guys for the informed and educational comment

alan

[Walkabout]

That's an "OK" price to get what you want.

I guess it came via Bridgemoto, judging by the other thread.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...uy-dr650-81272

Such "single vehicle" imports will continue until the current rising US$ to GBP exchange rate kill off the attractive pricing.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by alan hopkins

I managed to get hold of a new one which was being imported from the states where the original buyer pulled out so for the vast sum of £5,500 I'm buying in effect a twenty plus year old bike. Or looking at it the other way round, I've bought the perfect fixable tried and tested bike that has had every single part replaced on it for £5,500. alan

Enjoy your new "20 year old bike"!
I hope you can do a brief ride review after you've put some miles/time on your new bike.

You bought your bike new but it already had every part replaced? Did the bike come with aftermarket parts from new ... or ... am I mis-reading this?

I'm sure by now you're fed up reading all the DR stuff ... but if you have any questions on basic set up, give a shout here or over on DRriders forum.
Happy to help out with ideas, sources et al.
Good luck, safe riding!

[alan hopkins]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Enjoy your new "20 year old bike"!
I hope you can do a brief ride review after you've put some miles/time on your new bike.

You bought your bike new but it already had every part replaced? Did the bike come with aftermarket parts from new ... or ... am I mis-reading this?

I'm sure by now you're fed up reading all the DR stuff ... but if you have any questions on basic set up, give a shout here or over on DRriders forum.
Happy to help out with ideas, sources et al.
Good luck, safe riding!

Are you missing something? Maybe I am missing something because that was my attempt at ironic warped humour. What I meant was if I had bought an older bike and replace the parts that needed replacing, followed by the parts that may break so best replace them followed by the parts that look a bit rusty followed by the remaining few parts that weren't replaced but by now were attacking my O.C.D. then in effect that is what I now have. So I am happy that I can adapt then protect the virgin wiring before corrosion takes hold anywhere and fit gaiters to new fork stuanchions etc.

I have a thousand questions starting with seat and fat tank but will read up a bit first before bothering anybody. Thanks for the heads up on the DR forum. I will take a look later when I get back from Truth Juice.
Many thanks again

alan