Which bike? DRZ400-KLX400-WR450

[Mystic13]

I'm looking to upgrade the 250, wwell actually sell it and buy either a

Suzuki DRZ400E (2003-2006)
Yamaha WR450 (same vintage)
Kawasaki KLX 400 (same vintage) and apparently this is a DRZ400E....

I did the 42nd after a long days gravel riding the other week. We started it at 3.30pm from Owhango with intermittant rain and had a blast.

I intend to go back with a map and spend the day in there. Willie at the Owhango Hotel is a top bloke with a garage....

Anyway, when we got off the gravel and on to seal the odd time I'm limited to 109kmph or 118kmph, downhill, with a tail wind and tucked on the tank.

So I've decided to upgrade to a better dual sport bike. I want light, reliable, light, reliable, robust etc.

It seems all the above bikes in the road version will meet my needs. Ahhmm... no I don't want a 650. Nice bikes etc just another 30+kg's heavier, or 70kg's for the KLR650 (and that's a whole big pillion heavier).

So what do you all (with knowledge of these bikes) recommend. I'm wanting to have it as a ride there, ride off road and ride home bike. I want good service intervals and an all round fun bike that is going to be reliable.

I loved the day riding gravel from Raglan through to South of Taumaranui and then back to the 42nd. I'm going back and need a new bike to do it with.

Thanks.

[Waihou Thumper]

Hi.
My two cents worth.
Out of the three of them, using the world wide web. I would go for the DRZ400.
The only reason is this.
You can add bits and pieces to it and the fuel tanks can be bought to make it a long distance bike.
Have you also considered the KTM450exc or 525exc?
KTM also do larger fuel tanks etc and have raod gear as standard and are very road capable too.
With the Suzuki, you do get a more road orientated machine though. At the end of the day, do you want to take the gear off and hit the trails or spend the day riding the 42 Traverse and then cruise at 120kph home?
Me thinks the latter...
I went through all of this when I went to a new bike. I ended up with the KTM640 Adventure and then the Husaberg 450 which is very road and off road capable.

[bart]

Depends on how much coin you have. Hard to beat the DRZ400 value for money. Mine gets a thrashing, and has never missed a beat. Yellow is certainly not my favorite colour though, and will probably go orange soon.

[Ocean1]

Suzuki DRZ400E ain't road legal.

Yamaha WR450 is more performance oriented, beutiful bike, fun if you're well experienced, but...

Kawasaki KLX400R is, as you say, the same bike as the DRZ. Off the same production line in fact. Has a couple of extras but the bare minimum to make it road legal. Mine was a blast, excellent compromise between performance and reliability. Oh, and they're snot green.

Ride 'em all if you get a chance, then decide.

[buggsubique]

depends what DR-Z you get as to whether rd legal...tool bag on rear fender is a giveaway.

[CRM]

Had a DRZ400 but I've just gone to an XR600. Actually feels similar weight (only about 5kg heavier by the specs) and to me apart from the kick start (which is actually really easy when you get the trick) it's a superior bike in every way (IMHO!) If you can pick one up and do a bit of work on it (they stopped making them in 1999) you'll have a great bike - I'm tri-sporting mine. It's got road gearing at present for commuting, cruises at 120-130!! Then getting some spare wheels for dirt riding then a big tank and a rack for adventure riding.Not too many bikes are capable of that and do it all with flair and grin

[bart]

[QUOTE=Ocean1;1767964]Suzuki DRZ400E ain't road legal. QUOTE]

Ummmm. Some full noise jobbies were brought out as demos. Road kitted for resale reasons.

[cave weta]

Me thinks you would be real happy on my 2003 DRZ400e !!
its fully road legal and comes with two sets of tyres. all the road stuff is in a box and has been since new. its hardly marked- done just over 10,000km and has a Procircuit performance pipe. the std one is wrapped in bubblewrap it does 165kmh
starts everytime and has been kind to me but I want a 250- lets do a deal!

photos of it on my website in the gallery and in the rental bike section ......

[merv]

If only they had made the XR650R with electric start because then I might have liked to have one of the kings of Baja as they only weigh about the same as my XR250L.

Now that would be a good bike if you can find one and don't mind kicking it into life like CRM does with his 600.

[Mystic13]

Hi.
My two cents worth.
I would go for the DRZ400.

Have you also considered the KTM450exc or 525exc?

I went through all of this when I went to a new bike. I ended up with the KTM640 Adventure and then the Husaberg 450 which is very road and off road capable.

Thanks - I was trying to narrow options down not add more. there is also the Gas Gas Pampera 450 with the fieldays special that is new $7,995. I didn't want to spend that much but you then start justifying new against a few years old. I also can't find anyone who can tell me about the Gas Gas.

So, KTM.... are the ones that are around the same price as the DRZ as reliable as the DRZ?

I'm new to off road riding and a long time road rider. I can't believe I didn't do this stuff sooner. It's just so much fun.

Someone mentioned the WR450 being great for a talented person. SO I can see a talented rider would get more out of it. Is it still a able to do the job for me.

And yes, riding these all day is not a problem doing the off road then 120k's home is fine. That's why i'm looking for a robust reliable donkey more or less with a bit of go, light etc. I expect to have the bike for a while but if I decide to move it on I'd like something that the masses want. Waiting for parts for an odd bike or struggling to find buyers is not a preferred option.

I am buying now though.

Thanks.

[Mystic13]

Had a DRZ400 but I've just gone to an XR600. Actually feels similar weight (only about 5kg heavier by the specs) and to me apart from the kick start (which is actually really easy when you get the trick) it's a superior bike in every way (IMHO!) If you can pick one up and do a bit of work on it (they stopped making them in 1999) you'll have a great bike - I'm tri-sporting mine. It's got road gearing at present for commuting, cruises at 120-130!! Then getting some spare wheels for dirt riding then a big tank and a rack for adventure riding.Not too many bikes are capable of that and do it all with flair and grin

Thanks but electric start is me. I know what it's like when your kitted up and have trouble starting and you're kicking that thing till you're about to pass out. I get enough of a workout riding without having kicking problems.

Thanks though.

[young1]

DRZ / KLX 400

Proven to be able to go a long way on the tarseal.

WR450 nice bike if you were mainly off road

[Mystic13]

Thanks for all the comments.... and please feel free to ad more. I'm still in the sub 500 bracket although I hadn't planned on considering KTM.

So how reliable are the KTM's compared to the Suzuki/Kwaka and Yamaha etc

Caveweta I'll take a look at the bike on your site because the 250 will be going and a swap saves a lot of time.

Cheers

[cave weta]

Ive got 525 exc Sixdays too- but its a bit of a thoughobred for cruising on the road- shreds a rear tyre in a day without trying!- that too is for sale and is road legal- I would like $9000 for it.

[Mystic13]

Ive got 525 exc Sixdays too- but its a bit of a thoughobred for cruising on the road- shreds a rear tyre in a day without trying!- that too is for sale and is road legal- I would like $9000 for it.

The 525 is too expensive for me I want to be around the 5-6 mark and preferably nearer the 5.