[Xpress]

I have been considering buying a bike for quite some time now, don't entirely know what I want to go with. I definitely want to try and buy a used bike, and the two bikes I have come down to are either a DRZ400S or a KLR650. Opinions on the bikes? There are more than a handful of each in my area all the time.

My parents think that it would be a wiser idea to finance a brand new bike over getting something used. It's going to be my primary DD to keep miles from being put onto the Jeep, and give me a bit of a break from having to spend so much on gas. We're nearing $5 in some areas for gas and I'd rather pay to have a more reliable mode of transportation.

Part of the reason i want a bike is because I have a lot of buddies that are getting bikes lately, and I feel somewhat left out

This is not a topic to discuss job security or any of that bull ****, keep it out. All I want are opinions on the bikes.

[Marauder_Pilot]

You're good to buy either used-they're both Universal Japanese Motorcycles (UJMs), and those are as reliable as hell.

The KLR went unchanged forever, but had an update in the past few years. I don't think the DR-Z400 has ever had a major update.

I own a KLR650 and have ridden an DR-Z. I picked the Kawi over the Suzuki because it's a much nicer bike to ride at road speeds-the Suzuki is simultaneously twitchy and slow, and shakes like a bastard because of the dual-purpose tires, buzzy engine and light weight.

However, the problem with the KLR650 is that is just flat-out does not work as a trail bike. It's heavy. It weighs as much or more than any street bike, but rides a foot or so higher, it's just too heavy to corner on tight trails and sinks right into sand.

tl;dr: If you want a bike to ride mostly on the streets, but will also work on gravel roads, wide flat paths and fields, get the KLR. If you want a dirtbike you can also take on the road, get the Suzuki. Both are great choices.

[Xpress]

I've been able to man handle 650's down some of the local trails, so I'm not terribly worried about that, and there is a much quicker commute down the hill by taking one of the county fire roads. Quicker by bike that is...

Mainly it's going to be a commuter though, if I really want to mob some of the trails I'll just take one of the 3 wheelers.

[mopar408]

marauder x2.
I STILL regret selling my KLR .
Best, most dependable scooter I ever had. Like he sez, I had a Corbin flat seat, the 1 inch lowering kit, 1 tooth larger on countershaft, the slightly taller windscreen w/ a lip on it, a Carrier Deck and Avon hiway tires. It was a joy on the street and would run 75 all day.
Plus DualStar has enough stuff to make it do whatever you want.

[Xpress]

My plans were to try and lighten it up, get better suspension on it, more power, etc. I know it's not going to pull like a well setup DRZ400S, at least not easily. My buddy has a pretty ripping DRZ400S that you're still grabbing on hard even through 5th gear..

[Balvar24]

KLR and never ever ever finance a toy, especially a mtorcycle. Too many low mileage used ones out there to finance.

[Andywear]

If this will be your first bike I disagree with getting a brand new one. To many barely used ones or used but taken care of that will be way cheaper than new.
Agree with any major jap bikes being realible.
I dont understand why you want a duel purpose if its for comutting unless you live on a long streach of gravel rode, but still a normal street bike will handle that also.

[Hudson]

OP. I actually was looking for a bike as well. Strangely enough i was considering between the exact bikes as you, except i was also looking at the Kawasaki KLX-250S. I made a few threads on motorcycle forums and got a whole bunch of different answers/responses. I'll sum it up for you.

KLR 650 - Good reliable bike. Holds 70+ MPH easy. Good on the highway. Very heavy bike. Not very maneuverable. Not meant for trail-riding. It's fine for a dirt road/trail once in a while, but it's heavy and hard to get into tight spots. 6.1 Gallon gas tank. (The emptier the gas tank gets the less top end it gets, thus easier to maneuver.)

DRZ-400s - Good reliable bike as well. Top speed is roughly 75MPH. Very good for beating around town, can go on highway, but not recommended for long trips at highway speeds. Much lighter bike. A lot better for trail riding/tight spots. Very maneuverable. Snappier response. 2.1 Gallon gas tank.

Originally Posted by Andywear

I dont understand why you want a duel purpose if its for comutting unless you live on a long streach of gravel rode, but still a normal street bike will handle that also.

Let me try to explain it to you. I've been riding dirt bikes since i was 4 years old. I love them. Dual-Sports are super reliable, sit upright, good gas mileage, super fun to ride, and not the fastest bikes. They can also be found for much cheaper than Harleys, and SS (SuperSport Bikes.)

Let me put it this way; If you want to own a motorcycle just for the sole purpose of going fast, you should not own a motorcycle. These people are what we like to call "squids".

I recommend reading everything on this website, it really does teach you some things about riding/buying/maintaining a motorcycle. http://motorcyclebeginnerguide.weebly.com/index.html

If you do insist on buying a Sports bike, click on this picture below and read it.

[Xpress]

It won't be my first bike. I've owned probably some 15 bikes sofar in my young age, and I'm very inclined when it comes to working on them.

DRZ400S top speed may be 75mph stock, but you'd be surprised what one can do:



That is a DRZ400SM, bored to 440. The only stock components are the frame and the swingarm, otherwise there's over $16K invested. A buddy bought it, and now it just sits while he's out in the military. He's had it up to 135, and it was still pulling, so I know what a DRZ can do, but I'm kind of interested in a KLR to see what a built one could do.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Xpress

It won't be my first bike. I've owned probably some 15 bikes sofar in my young age, and I'm very inclined when it comes to working on them.

DRZ400S top speed may be 75mph stock, but you'd be surprised what one can do:



That is a DRZ400SM, bored to 440. The only stock components are the frame and the swingarm, otherwise there's over $16K invested. A buddy bought it, and now it just sits while he's out in the military. He's had it up to 135, and it was still pulling, so I know what a DRZ can do, but I'm kind of interested in a KLR to see what a built one could do.

Sorry about that, i was just talking about stock specs. What one can do in their spare time is quite literally endless. I know the 250's can be bored to 400ish and go easily into the 100MPH's.

With that much invested you might as well buy a junked up beat up bike and just take what you want from it. Why buy the bike new/lightly used just to take all the stock parts off and put on aftermarket parts?

[Tom95YJ]

go with the KLR those things are built like tanks ! Once I persuade my wife to let me get another bike I'll be getting a KLR 650

[Xpress]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Sorry about that, i was just talking about stock specs.

Yeah I know, I was just saying.

What one can do in their spare time is quite literally endless.

I should be quite an expert in this field

With that much invested you might as well buy a junked up beat up bike and just take what you want from it. Why buy the bike new/lightly used just to take all the stock parts off and put on aftermarket parts?

It was just one of those "Why not?" kind of things with the bikes PO. He was a parts guy for a local dealer, parked the thing in their showroom and in their down time he would look up all of the goodies, with his pricing. So you can imagine it'd probably be well over $20k in parts...

Hoping to get approved for a loan soon, rather make payments towards a "toy" that I can DD over having to constantly fix up my jeep, clutch just went out on it again

[terrasmak]

DRZ all the way, bulletproof engine , cheap, cheap to repair etc etc. I had the 400SM for a couple years , fun bike. BTW 99 mph stock, 101 mph with a full exhaust, airbox mod and jet kit.

[Xpress]

Originally Posted by terrasmak

DRZ all the way, bulletproof engine , cheap, cheap to repair etc etc. I had the 400SM for a couple years , fun bike. BTW 99 mph stock, 101 mph with a full exhaust, airbox mod and jet kit.

Cheap to repair? Since when? Stator is always the first thing to go on the DRZ's, and if yours hasn't yet, it's only a matter of time. 3 different people with the same issue on different year bikes..

There's quite a few KLR's in my area, whereas DRZ's are harder to find than a 4 leaf clover. Hoping to check one out today..

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Xpress

There's quite a few KLR's in my area, whereas DRZ's are harder to find than a 4 leaf clover. Hoping to check one out today..

You couldn't of said that any better. I've been looking for a DRZ for the past year and haven't even seen one pop up. It's like no one wants to sell them.

It's even hard to find a KLR in decent condition around here for a reasonable price.

My dad had an (07?) KLR and he put about 400 miles on it (he bought it new) and sold the thing for $4500. The guy he sold it to still has it with under 1,000 miles on it. I'm going to try to pick that one back up for around 3500$.