DRZ400S vs XR650L

[XLR8]

The TE-610 is a contender, but we only have one small Husky shop in the whole region and they might be on questionable footing. Wonder if they have any leftovers they'd deal on???? Did IMS or Clarke come up with a big tank for the TE series yet (too lazy to search)? It'd be nice to have at least 150 mile range. The 4 gal Clarke I had on my DRZ was good for over 200 street miles.

A modded DRZ (airbox, FCR39, full Yosh exhaust, big tank, engine guards, etc) is the leading contender right now mostly because it's a little lighter than the XR-L, I have a Suzuki shop a couple miles away and I'm familiar with the bike and the mods. Might be able to pull that off for about $5000 (lightly used DRZ plus whatever extra mods it needs).

I read above that you were limited by dealer availability I just thought I'd mention it. I emailed IMS about the tanks and here's the reply!


    We're actually working on that tank as we speak. They finished the mold a little while ago, but did not get as much capacity out of it as they would have liked, so they're working on that at this time. Hopefully we'll have something out for you guys soon.
 
Thank you!
IMS Products"

The DRZ route sounds great too.

[Paul Barnard]

I have owned 2 XRL's and 1 DRZS.  I enjoyed both bikes.  The XRL was a touch more relaxed and planted on the open road.  Beyond that, the DRZS was hands down a better DS for your intended purpose.  Range on my stock DRZ was about 120 before reserve (I got 65 mpg's a couple of times) and about 90 on the XRL.  Bear in mind, I am not an aggressive rider.  The big XRL's front end washed easily (with MT21's) in thick stuff.  The DRZ was so much more forgiving of my frequent errors.  I think you are headed in the right direction in considering another DRZ.  I wish both of them had seats made for sitting on rather than standing over.  I don't see how a larger fuel tank on either could be a handicap either.  Have fun looking.

[garry]

Just missed a deal on a 2003 DRZ-S in Rochester. Sold for $2750 with an exhaust, big tank and few other mods. Only 2600 miles. Oh well... There's no shortage of them out there.

[cal_tony]

I wanted the KTM 525. But, after much thought and a few visits to the dealer (the same dealer that sold me my DRZ400), I decided to do the few mods needed to make the DRZ run better. Actually, I wanted a 525  motard. I think Ktm, in its push to make the 525 plateable, did not elect to include  a motard version because they don't really want these models on the road any longer than they have to be. The KTM spec sheet says it all. "for legal trail to road transfers." On other sites, KTM owners say that in no time at all you can get used to the chronic vibration of the engine. For me it came down to I didn't think I wanted to ride 50-100 pavement miles with something with that much vibration. Excessive vibration and reliability just don't go hand in hand.

Neither the DRZ or the 650L vibrates much. Thats one reason they last so long.

Now, my bike is a 400 Sm not an S and I only spend about 50% of the time in the dirt, the carb and exhaust stuff made the bike really enjoyable. Not 210 lb. motocross enjoyable, but the mods did make it much easier to ride. Finally, to make it more dirt worthy, I purchased a 21" wheel from Ebay. It changes out with the stock 17 in about 15 min.

My neighbor has a 650L we ride together all the time and his Honda is more impressive than I thought it would be. On twisty pavement with my better suspension, brakes, and tires, I clean his clock. On dirt,with my 21" on, except for soft sand, it's an even match.

But, the 650L was impressive enough, that right now I'm looking for a used, plated 650R to add to my collection of bikes. Not as easy to find as an L, but they do have it all.

Tony

[garry]

I forgot this thread was here (and I started it) but since my search has come to an end, I'll post the proof here from last week's purchase:

[Mr Sunshine]

Oh....that Kawi 250 looks interesting.

[Nimh]

I forgot this thread was here (and I started it) but since my search has come to an end, I'll post the proof here from last week's purchase:

Well Garry, between you and Monsoon's threads, I couldn't hold off the dual sport itch any longer.  I picked up a leftover 06 DRZ last weekend and just got back from a little Friday night ride.  Blasting down a gravel road tonight felt like I was 14 all over again.  



...and now speedy has an evil little brother.

[XLR8]

Those bikes are cool guys. Congrats!  

[garry]

Well Garry, between you and Monsoon's threads, I couldn't hold off the dual sport itch any longer.  I picked up a leftover 06 DRZ last weekend and just got back from a little Friday night ride.  Blasting down a gravel road tonight felt like I was 14 all over again.  

Head over to the DRZ400S forum at ThumperTalk.com (aka TT) for the best info on the web about the DRZ. Can't be beat. TT rocks.

The usual mods are:

- remove airbox snorkel and cut a 3"x3" hole in the top
- buy a DynoJet or James Dean jet kit (JD is the preferred choice of Eddie/burned, the jetting guru there)
- get a Keintech extended fuel screw to make adjusting the air/fuel mixture at idle easy ($15)
- replace the crap float bowl bolts with allen heads ($4).
- put a full Yosh exhaust on the bike

That's about $500 total. Want more performance? Replace the stock carb with an FCR39 ($550).

Want 200 mile range? Buy a Clarke 3.9 gallon tank. Saves weight too ($171 at TT).

Want a rear rack? ProMoto Billet makes a nice one. About $160 as I recall.

The stock engine covers are fragile. Even a simple drop that pushes shift/brake levers into the engine can break them. Buy a set of ThumperTalk (TT) engine protectors for $40. They attach with RTV from the auto parts store.

That's the short list. A more protective skid plate is needed for real off-road. Radiator guards might be wise. Bark busters to save your hands/levers. The stock tires work well on roads and OK on hardpack dirt, but are evil elsewhere off-roads (that's why they are called DeathWings). Get DOT knobbies if you plan on real trail riding versus dirt/gravel roads. Dunlop D606 seem to be popular and I will be ordering a set today.

[Nimh]

Yeah Garry, I have a feeling this thing will be fun to mod.  Thanks for all of the info.

With any luck, the goodies I ordered from the TT store on Monday will be here today... mostly to protect the bike if/when I drop it off road.
Engine case covers
Radiator guards
Skid plate
Bark busters

I'm also considering a Corbin seat, and the Clark tank and the rear rack will come, just not quite yet.  In the past I've ran the Dunlop's and the Maxxis M6006's, and I'm still not sure which way to go.  

I hadn't yet read about the float bowl bolts.  Thanks for the heads up.  I see many guys like the Yosh- is that the best pipe for the DRZ?

...and you're absolutely correct.  TT has been GREAT.  The 3x3 mod, a jet kit and a new exhaust will likely happen this summer too.