| Author | Message | ||
     Wolfridgerider |
What one would you rather have in the stable? With the thought of moving back to WV.... I think a dual sport might be in order. Which one gets my fellow badwebbers vote? XR or DRZ ? | ||
| 86129squids |
I'd say the 'Zuke... you're not "the nicest people", you know...  Seriously, I grew up a Suzuki kid, and those big DR's were continually updated over the years... I guess you should start watching the owner forums. AND- I highly recommend getting in touch with Francois and Megan at Dual Sport Touring here in Friendsville, TN- firstly, they're just great people to know, Megan was once a racer (she's faster than me!), Francois used to be the merch guy for the Deal's Gap store before he went independent, and bottom line, they're gearhead's gearheads! ALWAYS a great help to me, no matter the question... www.dualsporttouring.com Holla at them! | ||
| Dfishman |
Both are great bikes.The Suzuki seems to have a little more power. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Mikef5000 says the DR has more aftermarket stuff available.... that may not be a good thing  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Been a few years since I looked, but at that time both were good bikes but the DR's were cheaper. So I would go DR. Also, the big singles (even the good ones) have a hard life. I have two friends that had XR650's, and both needed a new jug and piston at less than 20k miles. That's not a slam, just a recognition of how hard it is to make a piston that big stay reliable under enduro type use. | ||
| Preybird1 |
I would rather go with the Honda. Honda's are more common here anyways. Some shops here won't even work on Suzuki's. But my choice is a Kawasaki klr650. A big bore kit is $399.99 and can be installed in an hour. But they are cheap and have been around 25 years and there are so many parts and farkles for this bike it is almost sick! | ||
| Kenm123t |
Check out ADVRIDER threads all have thier fans the WV guys around Charleston have a lot of KTMs | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats a good point Ken. Everyone knows a KLR650 is a great road bike, but too heavy to be a good dirt bike. What they learn is that an XR650 or DR600 is too heavy to be a good dirt bike also. (ducking now). At least that's how it worked for me. Anything more than about 260 pounds is too much for the dirt for me. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
XL650= TALL DR650= 2 inches shorter I've got a DR650 and can get the balls of my feet down,tippy toes on the XR. Both would be good for rough paved back roads,Forest roads or mild two track but are a handful on single track. If single track is where you're going to be a DRZ-400 or WR250 would be my choice. Ask Mikey if you can take his WR for a spin | ||
| F22raptor |
I had a XR-650L....Realize it or not..and this is the Gods truth, has the frame suspension and running gear of a 1982 CR-250. Put them side by side...you will see! Check out this link as a pro on a XR-650L vs. expert on CRF-450.You will never guess who wins. I hated my XRL, mostly because the motor was so softly cammed and tuned. Read up sometime on what a old XR engine had to endure to make it into production. Should have made about 55hp, not 33! http://youtu.be/70jokjTaGT4 | ||
| Iamike |
I've ridden my DR650 on a lot of single-track in Minnesota's Paul Bunyan forest. It is a handfull and I bottom out on things, but that is what skid plates are for. I like the more comfortable seat than what the DR400Z has for the long rides to the trails. I've got a friend that has a WR250 that rides the wheels off that thing (and me). | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I'm leaning toward the DR. Lot of farkles out there. This will be a commuter, Fire/oil road... and once in a blue moon, trail/single track KLR is on the radar but way off center. It would need to be a smok'n deal for me to pull the trigger on a KLR | ||
| Rick_a |
The XR is nice and all but it is very antiquated compared to the DR. The XR is based on a product of the 80's. The DR is a product of the 90's. The XR has that old-school dirtbike "king of baja" look going for it, but the DR outclasses it in all respects save for suspension travel and ground clearance. Between the two I'd go Suzook. I like pictures   | ||
| Reepicheep |
Then both the XR and DR would serve you well. A KLR-250 would do fine also, provided you don't need to go over 60 MPH very often. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
If going 250, I'd stick to something more advanced; klx250s or wr250r. The new Honda crf250 is a smoking deal too. But. Each of these will cost more than a used 650, and you'll want to beef up the suspension. I think a 650 will serve you better. In reality, you want the same thing I do, and COUNTLESS others... Something in between. A wr450r. The drz has the motor, but poor transmission and way up high weight. So, a 650 would be best... The klr is a better road bike, worse off road. The xr is the better dirt bike, worse on road. The dr is the happy medium. It is more compact than the xr, if that matters to you. I ride with a guy on one. He can cruise up to 80, but at 70 it begins to get very buzzy. And unrelated to which one you choose, don't discount Ohio dual sport riding. I can take you out for a hell of a ride not far from your place now once you pick one of these bad boys up! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
not sure if they are really in production or if the website is just pure moto porn.... but give www.ushighlands.com a look supposed to be build to suit, in many flavors. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
the XR is out for sure.... put a leg over one today... I almost need a ladder to get on it. Gonna try a KLR on for size but the DR is looking like the one to get | ||
| Thumper74 |
I rode a KLR650 and liked it... | ||
| F22raptor |
Selling my low-mile super-clean DRZM geared to cruise nicely at 70. Easily out accels and outruns a stocker. I am buying a Aprilla 550 motard. Pics. and price will be sent to your e-mail if interested, Brian  | ||
| Noone1569 |
/\ Hope you researched that Ape 550. Lots of problems. | ||
| F22raptor |
Really? All of my research found that anything 2007 or earlier was junk. Major electrical and engine failures. I guess Aprilla was bought-out in 2007 and money was thrown at Q-C. If anybody has personal knowledge otherwise, please let me know. The only problem I heard about on the newer ones was that they will blow the fuel-pump fuse if stored improperly. You must also change the oil like a Honda CRF, as this is a highly-tuned engine. I will go Duc. Hyper-Motard if this is really a piece of crap. FEED-BACK, Please! (She is a small incentive, B.T.W!)   | ||
| F22raptor |
Due to P.M's about the exhaust on my-XBR, I am willing to sell in a kit form. My stainless, quiet, 90+hp, sounds like a small block, exhausts to those interested. I will also supply a parts-list, vendors and instructions with a custom-software map, for a small fee. B.T.W fastest non-turbo '9 you will ever see. I am installing a '12 primary to better utilize the H.P!  | ||
| Rick_a |
If you're thinking of putting a lot of street miles on the SXV, think again. The maintenance schedule is truly daunting. It is, literally, a racebike with lights. A KTM 690 SMC would be a much more logical choice. It's not as sexy, almost as capable, and is much easier to live with long term. | ||
| F22raptor |
I appreciate the feedback. I rode a track-prepped KTM 690SM and felt is was slow and didn't like to spin freely. Most big singles have this issue and it is caused by the bore-to-stroke ratio. My DRZ-SM set-up the way it is will run with a KTM, and also likes to rev. Besides frequent oil-changes, what other maintenance is required? | ||
| Rick_a |
The manuals can be found here: http://www.serviceaprilia.com/public/lum/index.asp ?l=RXV%20SXV%20450-550 | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Back on topic! Iron pony has a dr650 (60 miles on it) next to a xr650 (300 miles on it). They also have a klx250s, and there should be a wr250r around here too! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I might need to head to the pony! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Ask me nicely & I'll source one of these & ship it for you.  Doctor BIG. = Suzuki DR800, this is the SM version. | ||
| 86129squids |
Talk about THUMP! Sure wish they'd have imported those here in the US... | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Mark, brand new BMW/Husky is hitting showrooms now. It's a killer value, although obviously a bit more than the others you're looking at. Might be worth it though; it's only $500 more than a new KLR650, but it appears to be light-years ahead as far as tech. Husqvarna 650 Terra:   |
