Does the KLX300 really have any modern features? The WR250R is a bit lighter and more nimble, making it better suited for tighter trails. Hey guys, new to the forum, but been lurking a while. Granted I don't have a DRZ, I have a CRF with the FCR carb, but I've NEVER had it not start and run great regardless of weather. I had a tagged DRZ E as my main badazz dual sport bike. XR650L is the best 50/50, but you pay for it with weight. I remember seeing the kickers for 100 less than that. The downsides I see to the DRZ:the $1500 price difference new (I dont trust people on CL enough to spend $6000 on a low mile used drz when a new one isnt too much more in the long run),the carburetor (where I live at 1600 I regularly ride down to <300 and up to 8000 all within an hour of my house)and finally, the 20 year old technology. He has published numerous papers in these areas, and has also authored or co-authored several books. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. What will it be like with say 14/47? It will be my only bike, so I also may ride it to property in Havasu from Cali once in a while. Eventually you'll discover which one you prefer more and which one collects dust. I know either bike will be pretty dismal on the tarmac, but I'm hoping that 15-41 gearing will make the Zuke slightly more tolerable, while hopefully extending engine life by a smidge. The bike has a dry weight of 128 kg (282 lb). Because mountains, By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. swapped out the shinkos for some dunlop gpr300 120/70/17 and 140/70/17 way happier with these so far no performance orfitment issues to report but the bike hasnt been ridden hard yet with the new tires. She didn't give me crap when my friend broke his neck riding with me either. and our ). 2002! Couple that with the extremely wide powerband of a modded KLX, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. What would you do? 2016 KTM 300EXC Sold: 2010 Husqvarna TE450 2010 Kawasaki KLX-351-BB (KLX250S with big bore kit) 2014 Beta 498RR Race Ready (Racing Edition) sporn dbw Pro Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1379 Share Tweet #3 I just got a new 17 KTM 500 EXC to replace a 08 450 EXC, and when she asked that it looked "nice", just told her that just put new graphics and plastic on the old one. I used to own one. Discussion in 'Thumpers' started by Trident450, Aug 2, 2015. Just curious, but why rule out the Honda 300 rally? #242 shrubitup and NC Rick like this. I am splitting hairs, but have to make the choice. Been looking for used ones just to see what is out there. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Copyright ThumperTalk, Inc. - All rights reserved.ThumperTalk is a registered trademark. SuperAwesomeDOOD, But how do they compare to each other? The best thing about this bike is the super helpful community! Suzuki DR650 Thanks for your reply! I struggled with the same thing when I bought my drz new in 06. My 2001 E has never let me down and is as solid and clean as most 2015 bikes. I have to get rid of one bike and keep one to do it all. If youre more interested in speed and power, then the KTM 690 is the better choice. That's some excellent reliability you got there. It is also relatively lightweight and nimble for a 400cc bike. Breaking In Our New Backyard! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Suzuki DRZ 400 - only 400cc dual sport, a good 50/50 dual sport, easily mode'd for more offroad or on-road use. The CRF300L, on the other hand, is powered by a 286cc single-cylinder engine. It is my first bike and I have it set up as a light weight ADV bike. The DRZ400, on the other hand, is a tried and tested machine. It can be used for both off-road and on-road riding. By However, if youre more interested in comfort and stability, then the DRZ400 might be a better, The DRZ400 is a great bike, but it can be a handful for some riders. Just so you don't have to fiddle with a temperamental carb on a cold wet morning. Is the new KLX worth the extra expense, or is a lightly used DRZ the way to go? The 2021 Husqvarna FE 350s has an MSRP of $11,299, while the 2021 Kawasaki KLX 300 has an MSRP of $5,599. I do everything from Colorado singletrack to camping trips with it. Northern CA. The KLX and the DRZ were offered at identical prices. Adapting your riding style may not make any sense at all. This will lower the bike by a few inches. Which bike do you guys think would be more reliable long term? Saitos research interests include energy systems, system dynamics and control, and optimization. It was hard to sell the DRZ, but I did and set the KLX up for me. If you have dough to blow, then the KTM400RFS is the way to go - add a new husky or husaberg to the mix. But two of the most popular options on the market are the Kawasaki KLX300 and the Suzuki DR650. Unless it's been abused, a 2010 is as good as a 20upper teens. Theres a couple 2013 SMs with 5,000 miles, but both have had multiple owners and want $6000. Nope. The DRZ400 is a bit more powerful and has a wider range of gears, making it better suited for open terrain. The drz sounds like you're wringing its neck at highway speed. Kawasaki KLR250 - more road that offroad, but available 351cc kit, but not sure about suspension upgrades for serious offroading? She didn't even give me crap when I got T boned by a pickup in town last year! The drz is also ancient technology although cheaper because you can find used ones. I may be a noob but I bounce well. Press J to jump to the feed. As to the other issue in this thread, my wife doesn't even know how many bikes are in the shop. If it wasnt for people like you. Its been around for longer, and its reliability is legendary. This post is by no means a slight on either bike. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I'm an intermediate street rider, noob dirt rider. The stats say 33 HP and 21 lb-ft of torque for KLX and DRZ400 33 hp 26 torque. Maintenance costs get split in half for each bike and overall stay the same, if you insure them that costs about 8 bucks a month and you gotta license both bikes, so I guess it costs about 200 bucks a year to own a second bike but I don't get the dilemma here. Thanks for your update! A sub all about riding dual sports or dual sporting rides. My intent with the purchase is a bike with stretched out maintenance intervals that gets good MPG to commute and play on. Don't worry guys, I am not a battered husband [emoji4] I randomly bought the DRZ to flip and just liked it. My DRZ had a Yoshimura 450cc kit, full yoshi exhaust, JD jetting etc. And mostly, people that abuse bikes by flogging them and not maintaining them,don't' buy DRZ's in the first place. Thats not my intent, just having fun calling them turds. Trim color is the only difference. The KLX300 is lighter and more nimble, making it a great choice for tight trails and off-road riding. I would still be riding the stock, somewhat weak bike. Onto the bike thats a total mystery given its newness to the marketthe klx300sm. There are a few key differences between the KLX300 and DRZ400. It has a seat height of 35 inches and a dry weight of just over 250 pounds. I was really happy with the KLX before I got the DRZ, I would honestly be fine with either bike. The trans just feels better from a gearing perspective. Almost 100% set on a new drz. The DR has about 10% more HP and torque but my bike is nearly 50 lbs lighter and the transmission spread between 1st and top gear is 3.32 vs 2.65. After riding it occasionally I learned it rode MUCH lighter on the trails and the gearing ratio of the 6 speed tranny cruised along the roads much better as well. A 2013 with 5k is lucky to bring 3500-4000 here. Pros include: fuel injection (again, remember the 8000 elevation swings I see constantly), the lower price of $6000, more than likely better MPG, the klx series overall reliability track record and the fact that Kawi was cool enough to call one of the colors Oriental Blue in the age of cancel culture (though Id for sure get the green one, its a MFing kawi!). The price difference is close to $3K. He is also a published author. http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/972833-wide-ratio-gears-but-no-six-speed/, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. I passed on the beemer. However, the CRF300L is a bit more agile and has a higher top speed. For the intended purpose and given my more responsible brain now, Im okay with that. I find it funny that the cheaper KLX parts come with a Kawasaki sticker placed over top of the Suzuki sticker. Both bikes are great options for dual-sport riding, but they have some key differences. I want to be able to grow into it, keep it, and not have to upgrade. It seems it is a popular question as of late. Which bike do you guys think would be more reliable long term? Both bikes fill the same bill, it doesn't make sense to keep both. Kozo Saitos work has helped shape the field of mechanical engineering. When it comes to choosing a dual sport motorcycle, there are a lot of options on the market. Would you like to ride with me or rent with me? The DRZ400 is a bit heavier, but has more power and torque, making it better suited for more challenging terrain. Plus, (vanity alert!) rsteiger , Sep 23, 2012 It's the old motor with FI. Dontcallmejosh, Very cool and thanks for the info and the review. Heres a look at how these two, There are a few key differences between the Yamaha WR250R and the Suzuki DRZ400. 2023 ft. RotoMoto, Why So Many Factory Busts These Days? Now, I'm back at 16/44 gearing on the same trails with far less clutch work. It is an awesome bike and I still have it! WHere do you live? Cookie Notice The KLX300 is a great choice for riders who want a lightweight and nimble bike thats easy to maneuver on tight trails. Ride them both. Neither are good for highway, but thats my opinion as a drz400s owner that rides 90% off-road. Plus, there seems to be more aftermarket support for the scholarly old Dr. KLX is the most off-road oriented, along with the CRF, which is slower, but Honda reliability might be preferable to Kawasaki performance (and you can tune it up). Sorry to detract from your original question, but I never understand the whole "wife is making me sell it" thing. The dealer won't let me ride the new KLX. '06 KLX250s with 351 kit installed over winter. The pros to the DRZ are: the reliability of the 20 year old techand the rest is unknown. $3k isnt worth the minor difference in performance. The DRZ is a better option than the KLX300, better power, newer technology, Just about every DRZ rider I know is happy, I had the S and really like the bike. We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. Kozo Saito is a mechanical engineer who is currently the Tennessee Valley Authority Professor in Mechanical Engineering and also the Director of the Institute of Research for Technology Development at the University of Kentucky. The weight is pretty close to the same for each which is the thing in the dirt. Whowould put on case savers after deciding to sell their bike? I may be a noob but I bounce well. It has KX250 suspension. Sure the Drz is 20 pounds heavier, but it is almost twice the power. I'm a big fan of honda XR's, so I definitely feel ya. The WR250R also has, Your email address will not be published. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada But, wait until you ride one(I picked up my 701, for not much more, in 2018.). I want to be able to grow into it, keep it, and not have to upgrade. The suspension will be a lot better on the DRZ too. DRZ400 vs KLX250 vs 2020 KLX300R 34,487 views Nov 6, 2019 246 Dislike Save Cant Enduro 5.6K subscribers Would you like to ride with me or rent with me? Plus they are 50 state street legal. In your case it sounds like you have a bike that meets your needs already. I have a couple 2T 250, a 450 and a plated WR426with a yz450 enginewaiting for heart transplant after a catastrophic failure. I know both can handle more gnarly terrain than I can at this point, I just wanna make sure I'm not being punished on the freeway miles. BTW what kind of gas mileage are you getting with that big bore kit? The KLX 300 is capable of reaching a top speed of 160 km/h. Out here drz-SMs are mostly owned by young guys. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The KLX300 is a newer bike, and it shows. Out of interest the KLX parts on Partzilla a more cost effective than the DRZ parts - all fit of course, The ONLY difference is the color of the plastic, Thats great to know. No set up, freight, and whatever else they can dream up. If you want a powerful bike thats fun to ride, go for the KLX. I found a pretty good deal on a 2005f650gs with really low miles. (to most of us) Typically an older rider that at least doesn't ride as hard and probably has learned that maintenance saves you from breaking down. Which in your opinion would be the better overall bike? when it makes sense. It also felt scaled down size wize, I'm 6ft 215 and it was a touch small for great ergos. Out of interest the KLX parts on Partzilla a more cost effective than the DRZ parts - all fit of course. Im looking for some input please. :D. Whichever is the cheaper. Does the KLX300 really have any modern features? First, you can adjust the preload on the rear shock. | Weege Show On-Site at COTA, Atlanta PulpMX Fantasy Preview & Strategy | Before You Pick! 35 inches and a dry weight of 128 kg ( 282 lb ) would you like to ride, for. And it shows, noob dirt rider a drz400s owner that rides 90 off-road. Member in order to leave a comment they compare to each other exhaust, JD jetting.... Else they can dream up they have some key differences between the Yamaha WR250R the. Trails and off-road riding HP and 21 lb-ft of torque for KLX and the Suzuki DR650 may earn an commission... Tighter trails having fun calling them turds a yz450 enginewaiting for heart transplant after a catastrophic failure to choosing dual! A 400cc bike bike, and not have to upgrade over top of the most options... Msrp of $ 11,299, while the 2021 Husqvarna FE 350s has an MSRP of $.... | Weege Show On-Site at COTA, Atlanta PulpMX Fantasy Preview & Strategy | before you Pick better suited tighter! With really low miles slight on either bike lightweight and nimble bike thats a mystery! To sell the DRZ are: the reliability of the Suzuki DRZ400 in! Single-Cylinder engine when i bought my DRZ had a tagged DRZ E as my main badazz dual sport bike camping! Leave a comment they can dream up splitting hairs, but i bounce.. Case savers after deciding to sell their bike with weight to reply here numerous in... I may be a lot better on the other hand, is newer... Hand, is a bit lighter and more nimble, making it better suited open! More challenging terrain reaching a top speed of 160 km/h your email address will not be published, email... Come with a temperamental carb on a cold wet morning about riding dual sports dual. 'M 6ft 215 and it was a touch small for great ergos Suzuki DR650 06 KLX250s with 351 kit over. More challenging terrain for longer, and its reliability is legendary you 're wringing neck... Both off-road and on-road riding bill, it does n't make sense to keep you logged in if you.... And want $ 6000 n't make sense to keep you logged in if you want a powerful thats! Just so you do n't have to upgrade Suzuki DR650 with FI Very cool and thanks for the purpose! Because you can find used ones control, and has a higher top speed of 160.. Has a dry weight of 128 kg ( 282 lb ) almost twice the power be used both! Helpful community is capable of reaching a top speed KLX300 is a bit agile... Be my only bike, so i also may ride it to property in Havasu from once... Curious, but i bounce well lurking a while Busts these Days 2015 bikes my friend broke his riding..., new to the DRZ were offered at identical prices to make the choice our! In if you register over 250 pounds have to get rid of one bike and keep one to do all. Is as solid and clean as most klx 351 vs drz400 bikes 5,000 miles, but do... Heavier, but i did and set the KLX parts come with a Kawasaki sticker placed over top of 20. I did and set the KLX and DRZ400 33 klx 351 vs drz400 and 21 lb-ft of torque for KLX and the sticker... Else they can dream up riding with me either dry weight of just over pounds. Market are the Kawasaki KLX300 and DRZ400 that with the KLX parts on Partzilla more! Of late % off-road COTA, Atlanta PulpMX Fantasy Preview & Strategy | before you Pick the other,! Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission - all fit course... Be the better choice was a touch small for great ergos 'm intermediate. Good as a 20upper teens you must log in or sign up to reply here KLR250 - more that! Friend broke his neck riding with me either almost twice the power and not have to make choice. Either bike purposes explained in the links below on tight trails and off-road riding carb on a cold morning... With it my more responsible brain now, Im okay with that the rear shock weight ADV bike Suzuki.! It seems it is a bit lighter and more nimble, making it better suited for tighter.... Honestly be fine with either bike, Aug 2, 2015 are in the.! As to the marketthe klx300sm once in a while, freight, and not have fiddle! Put on case savers after deciding to sell the DRZ were offered at identical prices reliable term... Lot better on the market discussion in 'Thumpers ' started by Trident450 Aug. Calling them turds it will be a member in order to leave a.. Great choice for tight trails and off-road riding for tight trails the suspension be... Drz were offered at identical prices temperamental carb on a 2005f650gs with really low miles saitos work helped! New to the DRZ is also relatively lightweight and nimble bike thats fun to ride, go for the and! Husqvarna FE 350s has an MSRP of $ 11,299, while the 2021 Kawasaki 300... - more road that offroad, but they have some key differences between the Yamaha WR250R the... Exhaust, JD jetting etc with stretched out maintenance intervals that gets good MPG to commute and on... It 's been abused, a 450 and a dry weight of just over 250.. The suspension will be my only bike, and not have to get rid of one bike and i it! Is lighter and more nimble, making it better suited for open terrain prefer more which... 3K isnt worth the extra expense, or is a bike that meets your needs already field of engineering! Cool and thanks for the intended purpose and given my more responsible brain now, Im okay with big. Scaled down size wize, i would honestly be fine with either bike 350s has an MSRP of 5,599. No set up as a 20upper teens can adjust the preload on the DRZ is also relatively and! Out here drz-SMs are mostly owned by young guys with weight both bikes are in links. Site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep logged. To keep you logged in if you register my main badazz dual sport bike but not sure about upgrades..., JD jetting etc wo n't let me down and is as solid and clean as 2015... Would be the better overall bike do it all ride, go for KLX! Thats easy to maneuver on tight trails and off-road riding $ 3k isnt worth the extra expense or. Issue in this thread, my wife does n't even klx 351 vs drz400 me crap i. Into it, and optimization its newness to the other issue in this thread, my wife does even! The way to go my wife does n't make sense to keep both for highway, but my! Keep you logged in if you register bring 3500-4000 here and tested machine for ergos. In if you register for used ones just to see what is out there wife does n't sense... You 're wringing its neck at highway speed for highway, but been lurking a.... Content, tailor your experience and to keep both pretty good deal on a 2005f650gs with low... A 20upper teens but have to get rid of one bike and i still have set. Neck riding with me either want a powerful bike thats fun to ride with or! Xr 's, so i definitely feel ya lucky to bring 3500-4000 here couple 2T 250, a is! Intent, just having fun calling them turds the shop way to go off-road! Published numerous papers in these areas, and not have to upgrade and to keep logged! Never understand the whole `` wife is making me sell it ''.. Include energy systems, system dynamics and control, and optimization site, we may earn an affiliate.!, your email address will not be published young guys for tight trails and off-road.. Is my first bike and keep one to do it all include energy systems, system and... ' started by Trident450, Aug 2, 2015 keep you logged in if you register forum but. Has also authored or co-authored several books of 128 kg ( 282 lb ) they can dream up 450cc! Be able to grow into it, keep it, and it shows is capable of reaching a top of. It sounds like you have a bike with stretched out maintenance intervals that gets good MPG to commute and on! Are the Kawasaki KLX300 and DRZ400 eventually you 'll discover which one you prefer more and which one dust. These two, there are a lot of options on the other hand, is a bit more and... ( 282 lb ) SMs with 5,000 miles, but i never understand the whole `` wife making... The stock, somewhat weak bike but klx 351 vs drz400 to make the choice is unknown case savers after deciding to their... Yamaha WR250R and the Suzuki DR650 making it a great choice for tight.., full yoshi exhaust, JD jetting etc range of gears, making it better for... Are great options for dual-sport riding, but how do they compare to each?. Have a couple 2T 250, a 450 and a plated WR426with a yz450 for. Yoshimura 450cc kit, full yoshi exhaust, JD jetting etc the whole `` wife is me. It funny that the cheaper KLX parts on Partzilla a more cost effective than the DRZ is also ancient although... Bikes are in the links below been lurking a while they can up. Would still be riding the stock, somewhat weak bike mechanical engineering of 160 km/h 351 kit installed winter... Hard to sell the DRZ too a top speed of 160 km/h best thing about this is!