Which one to buy DRZ400 or XR650L?

[BLSBRKR65]

I am a weekend warrior... I have the chance to purchase a '01 DRZ 400 versus a '94 XR650L. Both bikes have no title, stripped to a bare minimum for off road use, Both owners are asking for $1500 each. Stock motors with only performance exhaust upgrades. Odometer on the XRL is just below 5T, the DRZ unknown. I haven't seen both bikes. I intend to use either bike in the streets or roads of Mexico. Titling is not a problem. Which one should i get? I am 5' 8" and at 165 lbs. if that helps. Thanks!

[jonnyherbs]

I have a 650L and can only dream of riding it in Mexico. I can't speak for the Suzuki but an XR would eat those roads up.

[jersey jorge]

dude, get both at that price... the XR might be tall for you to put your foot down in a low spot or off camber but on the road you will feel very stretched out... the DRZ is a great single track ride... keep one for road riding and mixed surfaces... and the long haul ( the XR) and gear the other one down for plowing the fields... THe DRZ... works for me... its a great blend of bikes...

good luck with it...

[focallength]

neither, lol the DR is not a dirt bike and you will not enjoy it that much. The L is a little more capable. Your best bet is to make your own dual sport (a 600R actually has more HP/torque than the 650L) The problem with manufacture DS bikes is that they basically stink off road (no suspenssion, no travel) they come set up for street riding ( 17/17 tires usually) you have to do alot just to make the off road capable.

Just my .02 from watching all the DR/XLR guys dream about taking the trails I ride with my XRR

[honuki250]

Heck for a little bit more I've got a 2002 xr 650L with 4k on it that is street legal. I also have a set of knobbies to go with it. I ride it back and forth to work and am getting 49mpg . Half the drive is cruising at 45-50 the other half is at 70mph. If interested let me know?

[pianoexcellence]

I'd go with the drz.. (I own a xrl)

if you plan on doing freeway riding, then I take that back...the xrl rules on the freeway.

The only reason that I can take the xrl where it goes is because I am 6'6 and 230lbs. Other than that, you will need a lot of skill on the singletracks. ?

[XR-Det]

$1500 for an '01 DRZ? Sounds like a steal if the bike is in ok shape. For that price it would be no questions to me... I'd take the DRZ!

I've got both sitting in my garage XRL and DRZ. Actually the DRZ is my buddies '01 and for sale - he is asking $2500 for it. Its too funny, he got transfered to Mexico and left it in the US. But anyway, the XRL is just a heavy beast compared to the DRZ400. I still love my XRL but for the real dirt I use a CR250... (has to be red) to me weight is the most important factor followed by power.

[BLSBRKR65]

Thanks for all of the responses. I looked at the XRL today. Dirty but all original never been opened 4,600 mi. It even still has the smog device and snorkel. No tail light, no blinkers, tweaked front end but has a working headlight. Rust in some places around the frame. Battery box is spotless with all the shiny bolts in it. Brakes works well, tires are shot, rims and swingarm spotless! Black smoke upon initial startup then goes away. Runs very well and torquey!!! I haven't seen the DRZ yet, but i'm already leaning towards the XRL. I just need some elevator shoes for a lowering link.

[Buckshot44]

I bought a 650l for getting ready for the baja 1000. My buddy bought a drz. I have had alot of problems with the L It just isnt a real capable off roader. The DRZ is a real good single tracker but at speed off road it is damn near hazardous. The rake on the drz is set up for street riding. You can modify it by raising the forks but it doesnt help much. The best fix was a steering dampener. If you want to off road mostly I wouldnt buy neither and save for a 650r. But if your dead set on one My l is for sale in the classifieds ?

[murgatroid42]

The XR650L and DRZ400 are very different bikes. They feel very different, more than the specs indicate. Both are very tall, though. Is the DRZ 400 an E version, or the S version? The E is much lighter, has more power, and a better suspension than the S (the suspensions are identical in 2002+, though). If you're running offroad, you will like the E much better than the S.

The XR650L

- is much more comfortable on long trips. Stock seat is great for 400+ mile days. With agressive knobbies up front, it will headshake, though.

- has more low end torque. Put a 14T sprocket on it and it will climb anything almost at idle.

- it is very topheavy. Too much for me, a 6' 0" 165 lb weakling nerd.

- it takes more effort to maneuver it in tight corners.

The DRZ400

- is terrible on long trips. The seat is a concrete pyramid. After 200 miles, I know exactly where my prostate is located.

- has more power, especially if you have an E model.

- it has a much better suspension. I avoided large rocks with the XR650L, but I just ride over them with the DRZ.

- it handles much better and easier than the XR650L. It feels more like a bicycle.

I had an XR650L and sold it after I crashed it trying to ride it in sand. It was too topheavy for me, and I gave up (after riding 10k miles on it in 2 years). I now have a green DRZ400S, and my first sand adventures with it will be coming up in a few weeks. ?

If you want the bike primarily for Baja, get an XR650R. It's totally different than the L, and is much more powerful than the other bikes. The R was designed to win at Baja, and it has dominated the races. Rent "Dust to Glory", it's an XR650R commercial. You will get one after watching the movie, guaranteed.

[goblin127]

I think once you get used to an XRL (weight) you can pretty much take it anywhere. I ride it sigle track and find it enjoyable. I'm 6'1 200 lb and had more experience rideing trials and tight new england trails so maybe that helps,but that was a long time ago.

[murgatroid42]

I think once you get used to an XRL (weight) you can pretty much take it anywhere. I ride it sigle track and find it enjoyable. I'm 6'1 200 lb and had more experience rideing trials and tight new england trails so maybe that helps,but that was a long time ago.

I know someone who easily rides his XRL on trails that I cannot even walk up. If one can handle it, the XRL is a great bike. Having owned both, I still think the DRZ has a better suspension and is a better bike gnarly stuff, but a lot of it comes down to personal preference. There is no correct answer to a "Which bike is better" question, just opinions. And we know how much they are worth. ?

[XR650L_Dave]

I know someone who easily rides his XRL on trails that I cannot even walk up. If one can handle it, the XRL is a great bike. Having owned both, I still think the DRZ has a better suspension and is a better bike gnarly stuff, but a lot of it comes down to personal preference. There is no correct answer to a "Which bike is better" question, just opinions. And we know how much they are worth. ?

Depending on what part of CO, I prob. know who you mean-

Mr. Dreamcycle, perhaps?

Dave

[650_shark]

I think once you get used to an XRL (weight) you can pretty much take it anywhere. I ride it sigle track and find it enjoyable. I'm 6'1 200 lb and had more experience rideing trials and tight new england trails so maybe that helps,but that was a long time ago.

The weight is hard to get used to but once you get comfortable then it is pretty fun to rip up single track on a pig. I found that with the aftermarket pipe, jetting and 14t front sproket, single track is much more enjoyable. The pig actual does something when you "blip" the throttle. Tight New England trails can be tough, especially on a XRL but man is it fun to pop out of the woods and everybody is like &%$#@! a 650L???

I've never ridden a DRZ, but I could appreciate a lighter bike in the woods. Any kind of long highway/road riding the XRL is nice.

Take a good look at what you are really going to ride? The reason I got an XRL was I planned on commuting to work to save gas (as compared to my truck) being able to ride trails was a bonus. People say that XRL are not capable of real offroad riding, but what about 30 years ago...those bikes were heavy, terrible suspension and under powered. People still rode the hell out of those.

[martinfan30]

great point for the pig haters!

[murgatroid42]

Depending on what part of CO, I prob. know who you mean-

Mr. Dreamcycle, perhaps?

Dave

Ah, Hellsickle is his latest ADVRider alias. Famous for "Jefficating" people, i.e., they never ride with him again after the first time. He told me the XR650L could go anywhere (sure - if you can ride like he can), so I bought the bike, thinking if he could do it, surely I could. ?

[XR650L_Dave]

Ah, Hellsickle is his latest ADVRider alias. Famous for "Jefficating" people, i.e., they never ride with him again after the first time. He told me the XR650L could go anywhere (sure - if you can ride like he can), so I bought the bike, thinking if he could do it, surely I could. ?

I wish I was out that way, he does there ( but with better terrain) what I did out in CT- all kinds of nasty terrain. My runs were muuuuch shorter, though, and the hills were shorter too.

The terrain out here in central NY is much less stimulating.

Dave

[pwrpapa]

Heck for a little bit more I've got a 2002 xr 650L with 4k on it that is street legal. I also have a set of knobbies to go with it. I ride it back and forth to work and am getting 49mpg . Half the drive is cruising at 45-50 the other half is at 70mph. If interested let me know?

PM me with a price, I've been looking for one.

[oruro]

Good price for either bike, the DRZ is a later model and is later tech than the XR. The DRZ is lighter and I think more responsive, its better suited to harsher off road. I have owned both, but I would definatly go the Suzuki.