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Originally Posted by FastDoc
Quote:
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Originally Posted by katoranger
I think that would be too much bike for me. The KLR650 was just too big. I wasn't tall enough and the weight was unnerving. Fun on the street though.
The 400cc size seems to be about the perfect compromise for trail and street use. Still would like a drz400.
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Having ridden both I can say the XR is more manageable off road than the KLR, by a wide margin. That said it is A LOT OF BIKE on the trail. In the open western places where Spud rides he should be fine... |
The DR-Z400S is a great bike, but I chose the XR650L for a number of reasons.
1) In my area, a well beaten, DR-Z400S sells for about $3,500; I purchased my XR650L for
much less than that price.
2) I wanted a second bike, with "longer legs," so I could take longer adventures, farther from home. However, I didn't want to purchase a street bike, and be limited to traveling on the pavement. Therefore, I decided a 650cc, dual sport motorcycle was the right bike for me.
3) I would rather ride, than do maintenance! Therefore, I prefer the simplicity, and the reliability of an air-cooled engine.
This preference narrowed my choices to either the Suzuki DR650SE, or the Honda XR650L.
4) The XR650L has a curb weight of 346 pounds, which is only 29 pounds heavier than the DR-Z400S.
In addition, the XR650L weighs 20 pounds less than the DR650SE, and 86 pounds less than the KLR650! 8O I often ride alone, so I need to be able to pick up my motorcycle by myself.
Since the XR650L has an engine with 250cc more displacement, I consider it more street-worthy than the DR-Z400, and I can still pick up the XR650L after I drop it!
5) I spend long hours in the saddle, and I didn't want to spend $375 for a custom seat! In my opinion, the DR-Z400S saddle is absolutely painful! :( In stark contrast, the XR650L saddle is very comfortable; in fact, the Honda saddle might be the most comfortable, stock seat on any of the 650cc, dual sport motorcycles.
6) As usual, FastDoc is correct.
If I desire, I can ride the XR650L on many of my favorite trails in the open spaces of Idaho. I still prefer to ride my shorter, lighter, more nimble Zong on these trails.
However, the XR650L has a great suspension, excellent ground clearance, and only weighs 29 pounds more than the DR-Z400S.
Since I already own an excellent trail bike with my Zong, I decided to get the better street performance of the XR650L over the DR-Z400S.
This afternoon I rode my Honda XR650L up a favorite mountain; it did a pretty good job! However, this bike is definitely geared too high from the factory, so I need to drop a tooth on the countershaft sprocket.
Here are some photos from today's ride.
The XR650L would definitely be difficult to ride in tight quarters, but the Big Red Pig performs surprisingly well in the wide-open spaces of Idaho.
In addition, this bike
easily cruises the speed limit on limited access freeways.
Spud