XR650L vs DRZ400S

[Davebert]

I am a big guy at 6'2" and 230 lbs. I think I have my mind made up on the 650L but was reading some reviews etc on the Suzuki DRZ400S and wondered if that would be a suitable choice for a DS for a guy my size? Just curious as it seems the 650L has it beat in a lot of areas but want more opinions from people who know first hand by owning one or riding with someone who has one (DRZ).

Thanks,

db

[scag52]

I have had 4 650l's and now a drz400s . I would never go back to the 650l. The drz is better all around with the exception of comfort on the road. I have a friend who wants to switch to a drz. He wants 4500 for his 650l. Its an 05 and is like new with mods and very few miles. If interested let me know. 443-907-7455

[Davebert]

So are you a big guy too? I am more concerned with my size to bike ratio.

Thanks,

db

[martinfan30]

im 6foot 5ib 230pounds. i sat on several bikes (dr650, klr650) before getting the 650l. they were just too heavy and not tall enough. the xrl is perfect for big guys. my dad and another friend both have "L's" and they went thru the same thing before settling on the pig. not to mention the wealth of aft. mkt. and factory parts/accessories. there really is no decision.?

[scag52]

Drz's are tall right out of the box . There is always lots of talk over on the drz forum on how to lower them. Your size will fit ,no problem . you should try to ride them both. You will see the differences . Good Luck.

[Davebert]

I just got back from both dealers and sat and touched both bikes. I like the feel of the XR650L better from that test. It just felt like it fit better. The DRZ had cushy rear suspension which can be adjusted but it didn't feel like the old bike I had that I liked (XT600). The problem is that touching and sitting on them doesn't give all the answers ? but I am leaning towards the Honda on this test. I read about all the mods etc and maintenance on the two bikes and they both look easy to work on. I was surprised that the comfort level of the seats were identical (not comfortable)!

Thanks,

db

[azcrew]

I'm 6'2", 210, and thought I wanted a more dirt-worthy bike than my 650L. I sold the L and bought a 400 Suzuki. It was great off road, very light and nimble, but on the street it just felt like a light, narrow dirt bike, while on the 650L I could comfortably ride a 30 mile commute. I ended up selling the 400 and just picked up another 650L. Feels like home to my butt!

[TDC71]

I own a 06 650l all modded up, rode my friends 400s a couple of times, the size was better for my 5'7 135 frame but it felt a bit buzzy through the bars and not as comfortables to me. Granted it is a real good performer, but my L feels bit more like a Cadillac compared to his ride.

Todd

[Zamo]

I used to own a 2k3 DRZ400ES and wasn't happy with it. Sold it and bought a Roadstar Warrior and a CR500R. I found I kept seeing trails while on the streetbike and wanted to explore them, so I sold both of those bikes and bought a Husqvarna TE510.

Best choice I ever made.

I am 43, 6', 250lbs, race Vintage Intermediate and have had almost 30 dirtbikes over the years.

I gave a lot of thought to the XR-L. They look great, and I really wanted one. I have had 2 1980's XL600R's, which I always liked, but I thought the XR650L must be just too piggy.

The DRZ on the other hand handled very well in the dirt, but was next to useless on road for longer than 15 minutes of ride time. The seat was incredibly painful, and the close-ratio 5 speed tranny just wouldn't do highway speeds and twisty singletrack trails well without swapping countershaft sprockets all the time. It also suffered from bad vibration. All these things made me loose interest and look for something better.

I have had my Husqvarna now for over a year, and have no intention of parting with it. Offroad it is a match for any bike out there, as I have ridden with them all. On road, with 15/52 gearing I can do 80mph without reving it into the stratosphere, which is all I want to do on a dualsport bike.

I was concerned about dealer support and parts, as it's not a household name these days, but the Internet makes all the difference. I have gotten (the few I've needed) all the parts I've needed in under four days, which the local Honda/Suzuki store would be hard pressed to meet (When was the last time they didn't have to "order in" that part you needed anyway?), so parts really aren't an issue these days.

The new KTM's are supposedly street legal this year, so you might want to take a look at them too.

Don't feel like the XR-650L and DRZ400ES are your only options. There are better bikes availible. Here is a link to my webpage on the TE-510:

http://home.comcast.net/~csehmel/dirtbiking/06te510.htm

[Big Ron L]

if you do alot of street and dirt miles 650L if mostly dirt 400s. ive owned both bikes i have the 650l now. im about your size to. the 650 is a better dual sport the 400 is a better dirt bike. have you considered the new bmw$$$ or the husky 610?look into these bikes if you have the$$$$.

[cgarrett]

dang Zamo. that write-up makes me want a husky...

[pianoexcellence]

I am big too 6'5 and 220.

I used to have a 98 dr 350, and then I switched to the 04 xr 650l.

The 650 is heavy and ugly, but it will never let you down. I believe that it is one of the only bikes that can do singletrack and freeway capably in the same ride with no adjustments. People think that this bike sucks for tight trails, but everyone knows of a 650l rider who can "ride that big thing pretty good"

My friend (with a souped up DRZ 400) can outpace me on TIGHT singletrack, but we are even on the fire roads, and when we get to the street, it is no comparison. I rode his on the freeway, and literally felt bad for the bike. and I was only going 60mph.

I really like both bikes, and If I did not have the need to ride freeway, I would buy a drz hands down.

Since i do need to ride freeway, there was only one choice.

[Regalman]

It also suffered from bad vibration.

I have had my Husqvarna now for over a year, and have no intention of parting with it.

OK, first I'll admit I'm from over at the DRZ camp... and was lurking to see what you all had to say. I'll be the first to admit the DRZ is not the best roadbike.

I do have to laugh at this Husky guy though complaining about vibes on the DRZ. My bro has a 2006 Husky TE510. It shakes so bad that it will literally walk accross the garage floor on it sidestand if you let it idle warming up. My buddy wanted to take it for a ride and he was sitting on the seat while it was idling while he was putting on his helmet, he literally jumped off and said it hurt his poopie hole from the vibes.

The husky is a great barely street legal machine, but it make the DRZ look vibe free in comparison.

[hondamaint]

I had same choice to make.I ride to work every day 27 miles each way,most of it on interstate(75-80mph).It will do this all day long .I know I ran 7 tanks of gas through it in a single day on the interstate on a trip.13900miles in 13 months on my bike.I bought the DRZ and I even work for Honda.Not some Honda dealer but actually work for Honda.I would have loved to have bought the Honda but the DRZ was WAY more modern.I would even have got a 10% rebate back from work on my new Honda purchase and still got the DRZ.I rode both and am glad I got the DRZ.And yes I do catch a lot of flack at work for a Suzuki sitting in the parking lot.Both are good bikes and you will be happy and defend which ever one you get.You just get more for your money with the DRZ I think.

THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION AND WHAT WORKS FOR ME,THE SAME CAN BE SAID BY MANY XRL OWNERS.?

[wheelnut46]

dang Zamo. that write-up makes me want a husky...

You think you want one now, wait 'til you hear this...

The TE610 has 6 speeds and rumor is it will be fuel injected in '08.

I have stock gearing on my XRL (15/45) and always find myself looking for a 6th gear.

I do love my XRL though.

[ajd187]

I am a big guy at 6'2" and 230 lbs. I think I have my mind made up on the 650L but was reading some reviews etc on the Suzuki DRZ400S and wondered if that would be a suitable choice for a DS for a guy my size? Just curious as it seems the 650L has it beat in a lot of areas but want more opinions from people who know first hand by owning one or riding with someone who has one (DRZ).

Thanks,

db

I'm exactly your size and I have a DRZ. It pulls me around fine. The height isn't an issue when you're over 6 foot.

It's a good bike, =go for it. You'll save a few $$ too.

[-=Jughead=-]

i would steer clear from a huskie...

Gotta have tangible reasons in your post, otherwise it doesn't have much meaning.

Have you had bad experiences, etc?

[GIANTac1]

OK, first I'll admit I'm from over at the DRZ camp... and was lurking to see what you all had to say. I'll be the first to admit the DRZ is not the best roadbike.

I do have to laugh at this Husky guy though complaining about vibes on the DRZ. My bro has a 2006 Husky TE510. It shakes so bad that it will literally walk accross the garage floor on it sidestand if you let it idle warming up. My buddy wanted to take it for a ride and he was sitting on the seat while it was idling while he was putting on his helmet, he literally jumped off and said it hurt his poopie hole from the vibes.

The husky is a great barely street legal machine, but it make the DRZ look vibe free in comparison.

? how was that landing?

[Zamo]

Yeah, Why on earth would you "stay clear of the Husky"? Not trying to preach or anything, I'll let the bike do that for me, but I need to know if riding this thing is going to make me go to hell or something...

As to the DRZ fella who says the TE vibrates more than the DRZ, all I can say is "Not in my experience". I noted a lot of vibration...the kind that makes your hands tingle...while I owned the 2k3 DRZ. Not there on the TE510.

I will admit to watching it do the garage kick stand dance, but I think that's more to 510cc's of reciprocating mass and no rubber bootie thingie on the kickstand. Besides, I've never really worried about vibration when a bike is standing still, it's while riding that it is bothersome, and that's where I noted it on the DRZ, and not on the Husky.

Sure wish I knew why I should "stay clear" of it though. Should I keep my kids away from it? Does it like, have fangs and a vorpal hunger for living flesh?

...I just wish I had a cool picture of me jumping my husky ?

[bikeslut]

I recently went for a fire road and singletrack ride with my DRZ and a buddy on his xlr... I am 6, 2 and 210 lean pounds (I have no gut)

after the last climb to Toro peak, and the ride down, we switched bikes...

I found the first gear to be pretty tall on the xlr, and was surprised at how well the suspension was sorted out. It felt no heavier than my DRZ, and had gobs of torque down low. Between the gearing and the torque, it didn't handle tight/steep/loose stuff as well as the DRZ, and the fit wasn't very good for me... i felt like I was up over the front wheel too much, and the bars were too close. When I slid back on the seat, it still felt odd, and I was doing isometric squats trying to saty back.

He, on the other hand, got off my bike and said:

I wish you had let me ride this up the final climb

and

I feel 20% faster on this bike

and

My wife will not like you... you just cost her 6 grand... i wanna buy one of these

On the freeway, or even fast two lanes, the XRL is the clear answer

I'd be happy with either one...

Bob