can anyone give me a little comparison on the 2 bikes?
i found a used 07 dr with about 5000km on it for $4000 CDN and am debating about whether i should buy a new 08 xr650l for $7000. will the money saved be worth it?
is the suzuki even a good deal? what are the main differences between the 2 bikes and will it be a big change?
ive been riding my dads xr for about 2 years now and im a bit skeptical about the suzuki. i only really know honda owners so they dont really know the bike that well or automatically just write it off as a junker since its not honda lol..
any info/input would be greatly appreciated thanks guys.

I think you can do alot to the Zooki with the $3000 price differance, and end up with a good bike.
I had the same questions, and then found a XR-R. never found the answer to the question, though.
The dealer is both Honda and Zooki, and he woulnd't stock a new XR-L. said he couldn't sell them compared to the zooki. (?!)

I think a search of TT will help you.

I have the XR650L and LOVE IT!!!!!!

The Honda sits higher if you are tall

Both are good, But I must say, I prefer my Honda

I think July's issue of Dirt Bike magazine did a shoot out with the Dr, XR and the KLR. According to their write up, the DR made more power, but lacked the ground clearence or superior suspension of the XR.

They came to the conlusion that with regearing, knobbies and a bigger aftermarket fuel tank, the XR would be the better "dual sport" bike of the three.

I would take option 3 that you didn't mention, find a used XR. If I knew last year what I know now, I would have looked for an older XR and used the extra money on heavier springs and anything else that wasnt' done. Most of the time they either have had little use off road or on for that matter, or they've had all the neccessary things done that you would end up doing anyway.

i have been on the look out for a used xr but i havent had much luck finding one. so these seem to be my options right now. im trying to get one right before the riding season ends here so i can get a better deal lol.

also is there anywhere i can read the article youre talking about online xrldtg?

cbelanger7 said:

I can't find it online. If someone in the Grand Rapids, MI area has a scanner, I could scan and post it up or email it to you.

I could mail it to you too. I'm done with the issue. I've never mailed anything over the border, but I'm sre it won't be any big deal.

pm me your name and address and I'll stop by the post office this week and mail the issue to you.

what are you going to do more street or dirt?
I think the dr is more street.
http://www.bikez.com...650_se_2006.php

xr650l
http://www.bikez.com..._650_l_2008.php

more after market stuff for the xr

Probably gonna be doing about 50/50 road/dirt
I'm kinda worried about the performance off road w/ the suzuki I keep hearing its not as dirt oriented..

Probably gonna be doing about 50/50 road/dirt
I'm kinda worried about the performance off road w/ the suzuki I keep he
aring its not as dirt oriented..

Probably gonna be doing about 50/50 road/dirt
I'm kinda worried about the performance off road w/ the suzuki I keep he
aring its not as dirt oriented..

I just sold my 02 Dr 650 and picked up an 01 XR 650l. Let me say this first and formost, they are both excellent bikes and for me choice comes down to what your going to do with it. Since both bikes are fresh in my mind I will give you my opinion.

What I didn't like about the DR was the seat height. I have drove dirt bikes most of my life and felt that the Dr was to low for me. I'm 6'2", 200 Lbs and I found the seating position cramped on the Dr. The suspension on the Dr is very soft. If you drive on the street it's great but any amount of off road and it bottoms out very easily. The motor is very strong and very reliable. Lots of power and the Dr will run 120 - 130 Km/hr all day. The stock seat sucks. My Dr had the air box opened up, K&N jet kit and super trapp exhaust and it worked flawlessly. With a little cash the Dr can be made more dirt worthy. Change the gearing, upgrade both front and rear springs and put on a decent set of tires.

Now the Xr I have is basicly stock other than Maxxis tires and a K&N air filter. Love the higher seat height, feels like a dirt bike, seat is a little better than the Dr and the suspension is awsome compared to the DR. The stock bars are way to low so I had to put a set of risers on. The XR works well on the street up to 100km/hr above that it feels like your pushing it compared to the DR. Off road the XR is 10 times better than the DR. The one thing I hate about the Xr is how much of a pig it is to start. The Dr you would pull on the choke , hit the button and it would start right up. The Xr you never know how much of a pain it will be to get it going. Hot or could it is a pain.

Again I really like both bikes but for me i prefer the XR as it works so much better off road. The Dr can be made work better but it's going to cost a bit. Also the XR's seem to hold their price better, seems people will come out of the wood work for a Honda the DR's don't seem to hold their value. If your going to ride 50/50 I would think the XR would be the better choice.

You could go to a dealer and sit on them both and see how they feel to you. It seems the guys have covered the mechanical differences here pretty well.

Rider magazine also a shootout between the XR650L, DR650, and KLR650 back in '07:

http://www.ridermaga....cfm?id=1214911

Yeah I'm going to be going and havin a sit pretty soon. I'm planning on doing longer trips ~1000km or so does anyone know how the dr acts on these kinda trips?

MUTT said it well i think, As trying to be as unbiased as i am being a multi XR650 owner just from you saying 50/50 its widely known that the XR is a much more capable offroad bike. Im big and it pulls me great thru desert and mountains, plenty of power with stock engine and just the normal mods to carb and exhaust slip on, the suspension is more offroad capable for alot of situations. The weights are comparable so the big difference is the category they fit into, and my belief is the XRL is a good choice. Sucks you cant find a good used for about same price as that DR

Good Luck with your quest!!

Another good place to look around is the Thumper forum on ADVRider.

The DR IMHO is more road oriented. I suggest riding both, and whichever toots your horn the loudest, buy it.

i have a pig and my best friend had a dr650. the dr is a more comfortable bike on rode and has a more comfortable seat. will go as fast as the xrl. doesn't have as good a suspension for offroad use (softer suspension) but can be upgraded. my friends dr used a 17" rear wheel and a 525 chain, which give you fewer choices for replacement. the dr is not a bad bike. but i love my pig. hope this helps

Definitely---atleast sit on both!.The L's seat is quite comfy compared to many other DS(dual sport) bikes.The L does great on the street but,if you get out on the expressway and it's WINDY it gets blown around a bit;I believe this is true of ALL motorcycles that are light weight ---street wise.It is said the L is heavy in the dirt---single track--it will ultimately be up to you.Becareful what you read,somefolks are bias-exaggerate-B/S etc.I've heard the DR is quite reliable!!!--wet sump engine!--oil cooler!--geared alittle different,not as revvy from 70 MPH and above---YOU do the checking and get the one that suits YOU!!!!!.Good luck Frog13---Oh yea--I love my L.