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DRZ400e or CRF250L for south America DRZ400e or CRF250L for south America
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 30 Aug 2016
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DRZ400e or CRF250L for south America
Hi
I have just got back from a trip Cairns to Broome and back about 10,000k I rode a DRZ400 and girlfriend rode a DRZ250 both bikes went well. Although the fuel economy on the DRZ400 was not very good worse than my Vstrom 650 I got 17 kilometres per lt on some parts and averaged just under 20 kpl. I liked travelling light.
I am thinking of doing a trip to South America and trying to work out which would be the best bike to take a DRZ 400 or CRF250L I have never ridden a CRF250L but like the idea of better fuel economy and fuel injection my only worry is is the bike underpowered for me I weight about 80kg with out gear. Also what are parts and service like for the 2 bikes in SA.

Many thanks
Nick
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Old 30 Aug 2016
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These guys are using CRF250's

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Old 30 Aug 2016
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That fuel economy sounds terrible! Was everthing ok with the bike? Tyre pressure, air filter etc? I rode 12 k kms in New Zealand on a Dr 650 an averaged 24-25 kms pr liter - relaxed riding style though.

I just bought myself a Crf250L and seem to get around 35 kms pr liter on that, still like to ride relaxed and not to torment the little 250 cc engine. But I love the bike, its so lightweight and agile and just pure fun to ride. Cruising at around 90 km/h seems ok to me. More than that the engine feels stressed. Above 100 is ok for shorter stretches but not all day. Small gas tank on the Crf though as only 7,7 litres so you will probably need to carry extra cans/bottles/fuelbladders or get an aftermarket tank.

Dont know about parts in South Africa though...
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Old 30 Aug 2016
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Hi
Thanks for your reply the bad fuel economy17kpl was punching into the wind sitting between 80k to 100k the bike is blowing a bit of smoke and has done about 60,000k I was running 15 front 44 back sprockets.
So which bike would you pick for a south America trip your DR650 or the CRF250L?
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Old 30 Aug 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by makia View Post
Hi
Thanks for your reply the bad fuel economy17kpl was punching into the wind sitting between 80k to 100k the bike is blowing a bit of smoke and has done about 60,000k I was running 15 front 44 back sprockets.
So which bike would you pick for a south America trip your DR650 or the CRF250L?
I see - heavy wind can definetively interfer the fuel milage - but it explains a bit but not all.

My Tenere660 is on a ship on its way to Valparaiso - Chile right now, so thats my choice for south-America. But to be honest I think both the Dr650 and the Crf250L would have been better bikes for that trip - with a few mods of course. Which one is actually hard to answer, maybe the Crf as its efi and thus dont need adjustments/rejetting. I suppose travelling in south-America would involve some travelling in high altitudes in the Andes mountains.
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Old 3 Sep 2016
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DRZ 400 every time, I love mine.
But get an S model it has a stronger rear sub-frame for luggage

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Old 4 Sep 2016
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I can not say anything about the DRZ, however I have spent time on a CRF250L, I used one on my trip in Thailand and Laos
It is a great little bike and I would use one again. But IMHO it is underpowered as you say. Having owned a CRF250X and then jumping on the 250L it was a nightmare and sometimes I was in first gear going up the hills in Laos and Thailand. But that aside it gets a from me. It did everything I asked of it and didnt moan once

Wayne
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  #8  
Old 19 Sep 2016
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I'd go for fuel injection if you're planning on riding lots of altitude.

These guys offer a buy back scheme that might save you some cost on shipping bikes across:

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