www.DRRiders.com

Hey guys, I got in a wreck on my DR650 a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to decide on what my next bike will be. I know that the most responsible thing for me to do would be to buy another DR650. It did everything I asked of it flawlessly. But, I'm inexplicably drawn to smaller displacement bikes. I've owned several motorcycles before the DR, and the bike I enjoyed the most was a 185cc Honda TwinStar! I think it's the light weight and smaller size of these low displacement bikes that really makes me feel in control of the bike to a greater degree than I've ever had with my DR650 or the DL650 before it. I'm not a new rider, I've been riding bikes for several years now, but my skill set is still limited. So, I'm looking for a bike that fits me better as a rider instead of getting another bike that outperforms me and holds me back.

What I want to know is, what motorcycle would you guys say is the spiritual younger sibling of the DR650? I'm looking for opinions and a few hard facts, but knowing what you guys feel about a bike's soul is more important to me.

I've got some desires for my next bike. I'm willing to forgo some, but not all.
Also, this next bike is going to be my only vehicle, so it has to fill all the roles I want, because I can't (won't?) afford two bikes at the same time.

Reliability - I love the DR650's reliability. Nothing ever went wrong with mine, and I haven't read about too many reliability issues on the forums

Simplicity - I like simple things because they're easier to work on and get parts for. The DR650 did very well in this regard, my only complaint is Suzuki constantly using odd fasteners that I can't quite match up at the local auto parts store.

Light Weight - The DR650 was a pretty light bike compared to my previous DL650 and the KLR650s I've ridden before, but I'm still looking for something a little lighter. I was riding some wet gravel and dirt (mud) roads a couple months ago and when the DR got a little out of hand, I would have really liked something more manageable for me then! Sub 300 pounds is good, and the closer it is to 250 the better.

75 mph - I really don't ride the interstate much, in fact, almost never, but I do occasionally take trips that require some stretches on the interstate. I need a bike that can go 75 that isn't redlining. It can be working a little harder than usual, and I'm willing to change the sprockets before trips, so I'm pretty forgiving on this one. As long as I can always go a little faster to get out of sketchy situations, I'm happy with 70/75.

Good Looks - This one's not the most important on paper, but a bike that looks good makes up for a lot of deficiencies in my book. The DR650 looks like a real motorcycle to me, while the DRZ400 and the KTMs just look too modern. Cooling fins and visible gas tanks make a big impression on me.

Now, a little about me. I'm 6 feet tall, 135 pounds, so muscling a bike around isn't my strong point. I'm like a bean stalk. I've got a reasonable inseam but still find the stock XR650L tall. The DR650 fit me darn near perfect as far as seat heights go, but I can go higher and lower without much concern. I ride over 10,000 miles a year on pavement, mostly in town. I do very occasional dual sport rides and own dual sport bikes mostly to keep my dream of adventure travel alive. Also, dual sport bikes just speak to me on a primal level that other types of motorcycles don't. I don't have any actual dirt bike experience nor have I ever raced motorcycles in any fashion. I like to do most of the work on my own motorcycles, like valve adjustments and bearing replacements, etc. but I don't like having to work on my bikes all the time, I've already been there.

Is a Suzuki DR350 with some upgrades the bike I'm looking for? Maybe a street legal Honda XR400? I really wish Yamaha would make a TW400, I would buy one in a heartbeat!

What about the Yamaha XT225/250? It will probably be at it's limit doing 75 miles an hour, but it fits the other measures that you are looking for (light, low, air cooled - looks, well you are on your own there ).
There is also the DR200, but I doubt it would do 70, comfortably anyway.
Kawasaki makes a light 'play bike' the KLX250 I think it is called? I've heard the suspension is really crap though.

I don't know, the DR650 is about as light and low powered as I would want for any kind of Hwy travel, unless you are satisfied with back roads and stay off any long Interstate bouts. Buy a GS1150 for a while, and then the DR650 will feel like a 250!

Funny you should mention the DR350 towards the end of your post, because that's the bike I was thinking of as I read your requirements.

I wish I would've never sold my '91:



The only reason I did sell it was because it was kick-start only and I'm getting too old for that. But I would love to find a nice '97-'99 DR350, those years had the best suspensions (and electric start). It has the simplicity and reliability of an air-cooed carbureted motor, lighter weight, will handle 75 mph depending on sprockets, and there are plenty of mods available such as big bore kits, cams, pumper carb, exhaust, etc.... plus as you can see above, it looks awesome!

But I suppose if I decided to go to a lighter bike and I couldn't find a nice DR350, or didn't feel like rebuilding/modding another bike, I'd probably be happy with a DRz400. Granted they are liquid cooled and now fuel injected I believe, so I'd want a slightly older one. But as a more modern "baby brother" to the DR650 it's probalby the closest IMO.

I would look at the Yamaha TTR250, really nice light and undistructable.! Does 75mph all day!

Tu250! I want one..

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/235/6030/ ... -Ride.aspx

In the 250 class, I like the KLX250S and the WR250R. They both have their strong points, the KLX being a little more low-tech and the WR being a little more high performance due to fuel injection.

Having said that, I really like the DR350. As a matter of fact, I was originally looking for a '98-ish DR350SE before I bought my DR650. I just couldn't find one, the clean ones I found on craigslist always disappeared quickly. I think if I was going to buy a smaller displacement bike, I would put my cash in a pile and be ready to pounce on a DR350. It has all the chops of the DR650 plus an extra gear in the gear box.

When you are thinking about DRZ400, DR350, XR400, XT225/250 its hard to choose. Each one is good at different stuff.
As DD said, I would vote for a DRZ400 or DR350. You can probably get an old "REALLY WELL FARKLED" DR350 for the same amount as a newer DRz400.
So, if money is not a problem and you want the latest tech, you can go with DRZ or else, the DR350.

Can someone input which years of the DR350s were the most reliable and well built (suspension etc etc)

There's also the Honda CRF230L and the Kawasaki SuperSherpa for light, reliable little air-cooled bikes. Those fake radiator guards come off of the 230L real easy, making it look like an old XL.

I love my DRZ!



Very reliable, easy to get 48HP outa them (FCR,MRD-SSW pipe, 434 big bore and cams..if you start with the E model you already have the carb and cams ) if you want. Geared properly they will cruise 70 but its not as smooth as the DR650 to be sure.

It sounds like you are wanting something aircooled and I think the later years of the DR350 street legal model with cush drive and better suspension would be the ticket. I am not 100% positive but I believe 1999 was the only year that the DR350 street model got the better off road supension. I also know its possible to add a kick start to the DR350 and thats one thing I really love about my DRZ - E start with a kicker backup :)

EDIT - Looks like 98 was the year the better suspension came to the street model http://www.motorsports-network.com/suzu ... /dr350.htm

Awesome, thanks for all of your suggestions! These are the bikes y'all suggested:

Yamaha XT225/250
Suzuki DR200
Suzuki DR350
Suzuki DRz400
Yamaha TTR250
Suzuki TU250
Yamaha WR250R
Kawasaki KLX250S
Honda XR400
Honda CRF230L
Kawasaki Super Sherpa

After looking at spec sheets on all these machines, I'm starting to discover what I think I want. Firstly, having a six speed gearbox sounds like it makes a bike more comfortable on both the trail and the street. The close ratios work well in tight trails, and sixth gear really gives a bike highway legs. Secondly, I'd be very happy with a bike with no radiators, either water or oil. That way, I can drop the bike as much as I wanted! The oil cooler guard on my DR650 did just fine in the accident I was just in, but I'd like to not have to worry about radiators at all if I could. If I must have radiators, I'd like to put guards around them. In fact, I would put guards on most of the exposed bits of the bike. Not only do they protect expensive bits, you can always strap stuff to them!

I'm still leaning heavily toward the DR350, but this video moved the Yamaha TTR250 up my list. I mean, watch the guy, it looks like he's just throwing the bike around with wild abandon!