Its been around for longer, and its reliability is legendary. She doesn't care either, if we're not going broke making a payment then what's the difference between 1 bike and 2? Some features of this site require JavaScript. I found a pretty good deal on a 2005f650gs with really low miles. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Well, the KLX300 is a bit lighter and more powerful than the CRF300L. We have the E model, a more off road biased version which has higher performance, approximately 48hp at the crank and is slightly lighter. so not sure if its the tire itself or the balancing or the front forks or the wheel alignment or a combo of the above or ?. If you want a bike thats lightweight and powerful, then the KLX300 might be a good option. Husqvarna FE 350s : Kawasaki KLX 300 : You Might Also Consider: . But, you DO want something to charge into corners with. Now, I'm back at 16/44 gearing on the same trails with far less clutch work. DRZ400 is the goldilocks bike; the best 60% offroad dual sport for the money. So, which one is right for you? First, you can adjust the preload on the rear shock. I do plan on having a windscreen, but it will be removable as I will not need it that often. Those are crazy expensive prices compared to the midwest. I want to do the Colorado BDR next year and put about 4K miles on the bike a year. One guy wanted $6500 for a drz-sm with a JBwelded crankcase, haha, i put on some shinko trailmaster 705s front 120/70/17 rear 150/70/17 they fit fine but there is a noticeablevibrationat low speeds 15-30+ mph. I remember seeing the kickers for 100 less than that. you and most of the rest of the DRZ-owning world. I hardly noticed the extra weight of the 400, only on tight, technical, off camber stuff. Sure the Drz is 20 pounds heavier, but it is almost twice the power. I've seen a few posts lately where some folks think the WRR is superior to the KLX, and if we're just talking about stock, off-the-floor condition, I think I tend to agree. Which will be better for highway use: A DRZ with 15-41 gearing, or a KLX with 14-47s? I randomly bought the DRZ to flip and just liked it. the shop says they are but it leans left or right as soon as i take my hands off the bars when before it would ride straight with the stock tires. So currently there are 3 versions of the DR-Z400. I'm not opposed to carbs or the 5 speed, if the DRZ is the better overall choice. I'm just trying to gather perspectives as I can't ride both back to back, and want to try and buy the right bike the first time lol. Cons would be: low 30s hp (although kawi hasnt officially released any numbers on a similarly sized FI bike), the stock 130/110 tires (Im not sure what will fit the swing arm and rims until I measure in person at the dealer and just like the DRZold AF styling/frame. Eventually you'll discover which one you prefer more and which one collects dust. Both bikes are great options for dual-sport riding, but they have some key differences. The weight is pretty close to the same for each which is the thing in the dirt. The WR couldn't haul it, so the KLX did. Would I be disappointed in its flickability? Kawasaki KLR250 - more road that offroad, but available 351cc kit, but not sure about suspension upgrades for serious offroading? '06 KLX250s with 351 kit installed over winter. Suzuki has refused to do anything to DRZ in 20 years b/c the moment they touch more than plastics color they're going to lose their EPA grandfathering and will have to spend a ton of $$ on the program. Why pay a premium for someone else's problem? The KLX300 and DRZ400 are two popular off-road motorcycles. Not the sexy one. However, if youre more interested in comfort and stability, then the DRZ400 might be a better, The DRZ400 is a great bike, but it can be a handful for some riders. They're all made in the same factory by Suzuki during the '03-'04 alliance. Should I roll the dice on the klx being a complete turd or be safe buying the more expensive, yet possibly slightly faster turd? Get the bike in second gear and give it, There are a lot of great bikes out there, but two stand out as being particularly great for those who love to hit the trails. Press J to jump to the feed. Im in the market for a reliable, fun SM. Sure Ill forget by the time I need a part though lol, as for the parts, some of the Kawi parts are cheaper, but a lot of parts places no longer have access to them, eventhough, it's a DRZ part. lalahg. Got the same bike and was thinking of doing the same thing, thanks for posting. It depends on what youre looking for. Im pretty set on it now. Scan this QR code to download the app now. I sum it it like this: If you want a good bike that has plenty of power for the occational hard ride and plenty of fireroads. Also I like the versatility of a 6-speed transmission as the KLX has. It is powered by a 398 cc (24.1 cu in), liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-stroke engine. The suspension will be a lot better on the DRZ too. I know 5000miles is really low on a properly cared for drz, but you can also thrash and kill an engine in that time, right? My 2001 E has never let me down and is as solid and clean as most 2015 bikes. Is her car parked on the street cause your bike is in her spot? If youre looking to lower your DRZ400, there are a few things you can do. Or is it better to stick with the old school dual sports?Merch. Does the KLX300 really have any modern features? Got monster energy decal kit on mine add 10hp more. Are the wheels balanced? If you want a powerful bike thats fun to ride, go for the KLX. December 10, 2017 in DRZ400/E/S/SM. More, The Suzuki DR-Z400 is a dual-sport motorcycle that has been in production since 2000. Yes. Almost 100% set on a new drz. I have a KLX300 and I've ridden my friends DRZ400E. Well I am considering adding another ride to the stable to go along with the 2 KLX's. So if they are looking for a DRZ.they are usually not looking for a KLX. It has a seat height of 35 inches and a dry weight of just over 250 pounds. There is ZERO reason to be scared of older DRZ's, they simply haven't changed. I am splitting hairs, but have to make the choice. A sub all about riding dual sports or dual sporting rides. I'd pick the DRZ, a few mods and it's a really good motor. The KLX 300 is capable of reaching a top speed of 160 km/h. Privacy Policy. I find it funny that the cheaper KLX parts come with a Kawasaki sticker placed over top of the Suzuki sticker. #242 shrubitup and NC Rick like this. Thanks for your update! when it makes sense. Pros include: fuel injection (again, remember the 8000 elevation swings I see constantly), the lower price of $6000, more than likely better MPG, the klx series overall reliability track record and the fact that Kawi was cool enough to call one of the colors Oriental Blue in the age of cancel culture (though Id for sure get the green one, its a MFing kawi!). The KLX300 is a lightweight bike, making it easier to maneuver and handle on the trails. Hes the second owner. Thats not my intent, just having fun calling them turds. Eventually, I learned to carry more speed and keep my feet on the pegs to allow the suspension to do the work. We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. So, which one is the best for you? The DRZ motor will run 50-100,000 miles with maintenance. By We've talked on posts for some time now, and it's been interesting keeping up with your KLX historyand even your KTM fuel pump issues. The KLX300 has a lightweight aluminum frame and a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. The dealer is at $7500 plus assembly, delivery, tax, etc Ill be at $9000. Both were set up with common jetting and perfomance mods. But if youre looking for a bike thats more agile and has a higher top speed, then the CRF300L might be a better choice. Suspension is not adjustable on the Honda. In your case it sounds like you have a bike that meets your needs already. Assuming you are referring to the Kawasaki KLX300R off-road motorcycle, it has a top speed of approximately 54 miles per hour. The DRZ400 is a bit heavier, but has more power and torque, making it better suited for more challenging terrain. Any information would be helpful! I just dig the looks of the cammo KLX over the rally. KLX is better for tight twisty (moto gymkhana), 125ish agility. If you are more race or performance oriented, choose something else because it takes alot of time and money to bring a DRZ up to it's full potential. Hi Ben. Would you like to ride with me or rent with me? I have a dilemma, I picked up a gently used 2010 KLX250s and did the BB 351 kit and really like the bike. The KLX300SM has a seat height of 35.4 inches, while the DRZ400SMs seat height is 37.0 inches. If you have dough to blow, then the KTM400RFS is the way to go - add a new husky or husaberg to the mix. (That, and they come with a 2-year/24,000 mile factory warranty. The DRZ has very good suspension, has more power, and better throttle response, BUT it feels waaay heavier than the KLX. I'm a big fan of honda XR's, so I definitely feel ya. Op, is your question just what bike is more reliable? There is ZERO reason to be scared of older DRZ's, they simply haven't changed. Posted October 15, 2019. Off road they are all dual sports and it comes down to rider skill more than anything. Really torn between the new KLX 300 and DRZ400. heres some pics and clearance shots of front and rear left and right. What will it be like with say 14/47? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It seems it is a popular question as of late. It is the sensible choice though, so Im kind of torn on the decision. I wouldn't worry about the klx proven reliability though. That 4299 at Chaparral ends up costing you closer to 5 by the time you get it in your truck. I have been doing tight slow stuff with the DRZ and I have to do a lot more clutch work. Thanks for your reply! You are probably correct. I have some Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires coming, I will post pics and impression when I get them mounted up. If youre more interested in speed and power, then the KTM 690 is the better choice. The WR250R is a bit lighter and more nimble, making it better suited for tighter trails. The CRF300L, on the other hand, is powered by a 286cc single-cylinder engine. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Dontcallmejosh, It may not display this or other websites correctly. Kawasakis KLX300 is a capable off-road motorcycle that offers a good blend of power and handling. Suzuki DR650 It can be used for trail riding, motocross, enduro, and even some light off-roading. BTW what kind of gas mileage are you getting with that big bore kit? Then, at least, you'll have something to compare, that makes decent power, out of the box. But if youre looking for a bike thats both lightweight and powerful, then you might want to consider the KLX300 or the CRF300L. Both of these bikes are great for both on and off-road riding. Saito is a highly respected authority in the field of mechanical engineering, and his work has made a significant impact on the field. You are using an out of date browser. The DRZ400, on the other hand, is a tried and tested machine. First owner tipped it over in his driveway and broke his leg. Which bike do you guys think would be more reliable long term? thats what the shop suggested but for my riding stylethe vibration and the unbalance / lean do not justify the benefits of the bigger beefier tires. October 15, 2019 in DRZ400/E/S/SM. I Have Options On The Table. | Malcolm Stewart on the SML Show, Justin Brayton explains his Desire to Stay Involved in the Sport, What Its Like Announcing SX, PulpMX Show 540 Carson Mumford, Justin Brayton & Benny Bloss with Kris Keefer in Studio, both E and kick start and still weighs less than kick only DRZ, the motor has a small oil capacity at just over a qrt, cam bearing issues with both the 520 and 400 motors, The KTM has not a single grease fitting on the suspension. Op, is your question just what bike is more reliable? The price difference is close to $3K. As to the other issue in this thread, my wife doesn't even know how many bikes are in the shop. It's well overdue for an update. I may be a noob but I bounce well. WHere do you live? Just curious, but why rule out the Honda 300 rally? Opposed to carbs or the 5 speed, if the DRZ and have... To carbs or the CRF300L miles per hour the KLX300SM has a top speed of 54... Really good klx 351 vs drz400 i have some Pirelli Scorpion rally STR tires coming, i picked up a gently 2010! Is at $ 9000 bike is in her spot all dual sports or dual sporting rides you! Pretty good deal on a 2005f650gs with really low miles is her car parked the! Between the new KLX 300 and DRZ400 are two popular off-road motorcycles mark to learn the rest of the KLX... Ensure the proper functionality of our platform same thing, thanks for posting you! I hardly noticed the extra weight of just over 250 pounds thats both lightweight and,... Can do both were set up with common jetting and perfomance mods honda 's... Of gas mileage are you getting with that big bore kit on mine add 10hp.... 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