XR650R vs. DRZ400

[andrewbsavage]

What will be the big differences between the two other than the power of the 650 vs. the 400. I am looking to buy a new bike and am debating between the two. the weight appears to be very close to one another

[pigryder]

Well first off is the Honda/ Suzuki reliability factors, I know for a fact that Honda is know for its dependability, reliability, fit and finish, and rider comfort just to name a few things. I ride east coast tight rocky rutty rooty sinlge tracks, wide open trails, and technical hill climbs and wouldnt want any other bike than my XR650R, as for the Suzuki not a fan ?

[wickedsprint]

If you live in a state that allows easy plating of dirtikes there is absolutely zero reason to get a DRZ400 over an XR650R, comparable weight, not anywhere close in the motor department. If you libe in the bad states the DRZ400S to me is the ultimate ticket.

[Desmo]

You will get a lot of responses here!

I have a little experience on the drz (s) and a little more on the xr650r.

The xr650r seems to be a bit piggy on the tight stuff, even though it is about the same wt as the DRZs. The drz e is lighter and more nimble (no direct experience). Reliability would probably be about equal. My bro has had no problems with is drz s, with minimal maintenance. I have less hours on my xr650r, but no problems. Both are known for being reliable. I'd buy either one.

The xr650r has something the drz does not have TORQUE. The torque is fun. I'm not sure I'm any faster, but I'm always smiling....

Get ready for an onslaught of opinions.....Fact is, both are good reliable bikes.

I'd probably get the DRZ if you are not too experienced. It seems more forgiving-plus it has electric start. I would buy my xr650r again, even though it does not have electric start.

Both are good choices. Lots and lots of info on both here.

good luck

[wr450fyamaha]

The 400 is a bit lighter and more race inspired. It is more of a high reving thumper that really only produces good power in the 5000-9000 rpm range. The 650 is just a pure torque monster, producing good power everywhere. I would take a 650R over a 400 any day (personal expierance) The 400 just feels week. The only advange of it is it can handle extremely tight trails better, but it feels like a cheap piece of garbage.

[rpmranger]

Drz400 is slow, weak, poor quality and heavy. ?

Xr650r is FAST, powerful, extremely reliable and heavy.

Suzuki= not exactly known for quality products, resale value lower.

Honda= Excellent quality, Excellent reliability and everyone knows it.

I've ridden several DRZ's when I worked at the dealership and they are garbage in my opinion, especially if you are going to ride it HARD. I can't see ANY possible reason to have one over my plated XR650R.

[TimBrp]

Get the pig. The DRZ is "fragile". Decent bikes, but fragile.

[hill5150]

6 fiddy................. ?

[weskc35k]

Mr Savage go and test ride both bikes and then and only then buy the XR650R.

[wr450fyamaha]

First off, you should not be down to a XR650R or DRZ400. You should have it to XR650R or CRF450 or WR450 or YZ450 or kTM450/520/525/640. In that scenario, it would greatly depend on what you wanted to do with it. If its XR650R or DRZ400, the 650 is way way way better and drags the busted down 400 through the mud.

[big t]

XR650R ??

[skyriver]

Not that it should matter too much, but if you're a big guy I'd go 650 all the way. I've ridden a two DRZ400S's and they were nice. If you plan on dual-sporting I would go for the DR for the convenience of locking key, good speedo, helmet lock, legal out of the box, etc. If that isn't a concern go RED. My 650R blows the DR400 away when it comes to uphills, straights and anywhere else you need torque. The DR is a little better in the tight stuff, especially if you're talking strictly DRZ400 off road version.

Good luck. Not sure if you're looking for new, but the Husky TE510 is sort of a split between the 2..... in some ways, looks maybe even better than either.

[captb]

If your going to ride on road to get to new offroad riding areas it's nice to cruise 75 mph and still have passing power, you can gear the 650R tall and it still pulls strong, a 400 is maxing out at my cruise speed with a headwind. Besides you can never have enough power, I'm in when they make a 750R.

[BigBoreRacing]

The 400 is a bit lighter and "more race inspired".

"More race inspired"??? Is there a bike that is "More race inspired" than the 6-fiddy? Do some 6-fiddy research and you'll see thats exactly what it was built for:Many different prototypes were sent to the US for testing, and all of them were sent back. Bruce Ogilvie, a long time Baja racer, knew exactly what was needed, and the stuff they were sending him from Japan was not it, untill............

Finally the XR650R arrived...and it arrived with a flourish!

Johnny Campbell took a lightly modified 650 and opened a can of whoop-ass on everybody else at the Baja 1000. And what finished right behind Johnny you ask??? Why another XR650R!

6-fiddy ?

BigBoreRacing

[DualSport650]

Dude,

Don't even think about buying a DRZ400s.

My bro has one. It's a cool bike, but my XR650R has way more power and is about the same weight. My piggy RIPS! ?

[Wheels up]

Apples to oranges this topic is.....

Buy the 650 R you will.....

[rpmranger]

This topic is funny if you look at the same questions posted in the DRZ forum....

A bunch of those guys say they can "smoke" 650's on their DRZ's! ? HA! whatever....they must have raced an 87 year old granny riding a bone stock 650L to the geriatric center, and even then, she probably didn't even know they were "racing". ?

I've ridden that DRZ on and off-road and there is NO WAY IN HELL that it would even come close to beating a stock 650R AND the DRZ is HEAVIER!!! How can it be better on the trail when it weighs MORE than the 650R and has way less h.p. and torque....the electric start doesn't count as better in my opinion!

Oh well, if you want that DRZ at least have the courtesy to pull off the side of the trail and get out of the way when you hear a REAL bike coming up behind you!

[wr450fyamaha]

"More race inspired"??? Is there a bike that is "More race inspired" than the 6-fiddy? Do some 6-fiddy research and you'll see thats exactly what it was built for:Many different prototypes were sent to the US for testing, and all of them were sent back. Bruce Ogilvie, a long time Baja racer, knew exactly what was needed, and the stuff they were sending him from Japan was not it, untill............

Finally the XR650R arrived...and it arrived with a flourish!

Johnny Campbell took a lightly modified 650 and opened a can of whoop-ass on everybody else at the Baja 1000. And what finished right behind Johnny you ask??? Why another XR650R!

6-fiddy ?

BigBoreRacing

What I ment was the 400 is closer to the typical race bike like a yz450. The 650 has a specific purpose, desert racing. Slap some blue side panels and different braphics on a drz400 and from a distance, ya might mistake it for a YZ. Do the same with a 650 and its still a 650, its just blue.

[ThunderChicken]

If you have to ask, you probably should get a DRZ or find a used XR 400.

[razcob]

I also don't believe it is a fair comparison. The XR has a bigger engine. If Suzuki made a DR650Z then I think it would be a 'torque monster'. The XR is $700 more in price and more than that if you make it street legal. So, there is many ways to break this 'comparison' down.