Another 56 year old here on a DR650... for me it was the light weight, versatility & simplicity that sold me. $8200 + on road makes it fantastic value for money even if it is a dinosaur. Easy to fix in the middle of nowhere & the 3rd party parts catalogue is ridiculously huge.
...but the 300L wasn't available when you got the DRZ(?), so there's that. You buy the bike you can get, and that's what you did, which is fair enough. Now, my wife and I have a CRF300 Rally each, having picked them up the Thursday before Easter. They suit us just fine for the "more dirt, less tar" rides, and because we generally ride together when we're on the dirt, picking up a bike stuck in the bog or out of a ditch means there's two of us to do that, so weight is not a big deal (and we have the V-Stroms, so they're not light, either). I agree with you about getting on the bike to work out what fits or suits you, but were lucky with the CRf300 Rally in that we ordered them sight unseen, though they fit both of us very well. We're not enduro, we're not trying to keep up with the skinny bikes on single tracks or technical stuff, we're riding from a to b and enjoying the trip. For JCF, we both are in our 50's, heights 5'10" and 5'9", and the CRF300 Rally remains our preferred choice from those bikes three bikes ( I say three, because the KLX300 is not available in Australia as yet, only the KLX300R).
You may have only 3 brain cells but they are amazingly capable. You provide some of the smartest content out there. I've survived winter in Canada by watching dirt bike vids, and I'm now tired of these ' yo yo yo check me out I'm so rad ' dudes that babble useless nonsense during 90% of the video. I'm always waiting for your next post. They are dense, relevant. Keep up the excellent work.
Torally agree about reviewers. It was painful to watch first ktm 390 adv reviews. There is a 2m tall guy raving about how good it is offroad but he couldnt stand on it even with bar risers, knees way above the seat when standing, small bike. Good bike for the purpose (simmilar to cb500x just bit smaller) , but everybody expected a 390cc version of 790 and it wasnt, and almost if a lot of them had a review script formed as it is a smaller 790. Fortnine review then called it as it is. If we just praise manufacturers they will never improve.
My bum-icous subscribed 'cause of the CRF, I liked the video 'cause now I finally know what my millennial wife is talking about when she calls me that Vorda-whatever crap.
No one said they know nothing. Take their advice with a pinch of salt as their perspective is very different from the average rider, precisely because they are experts. Solid is an average guy and shares his experiences and research from that point of view. And that's why it has value to his viewers.
Lighter weight is always better, EXCEPT on the highway, when you're into cross winds or traffic, and then the heavier the better. It really is remarkable the difference riding a heavy bike, and how much more planted it is when passing trucks or in blustery winds.
Another consideration about weight. Not only is it easier to pick it up when it drops, but low weight also avoids drops! When you dab a foot because you're off balance, low weight makes it much more likely your foot dab will hold you and the bike.
in the most cases all these bikes are not only loaded, but they are overloaded, and this extra weight saving are really matter. Overloaded bike drop means that it can easily break your leg even without riding it.
Hi .... I am a long time dirt biker (1970 to 2005) and getting back into it after riding street bikes only for the past 15 years. At first I was looking at the Indian FTR for just doing street and dirt roads but figured it was way overkill. Then I saw a Ducati Desert Sled and considered one of those until I realized kinda heavy. So ... when Yamaha decided to finally release the 700 Tenere here in New England ( USA ) I was really excited about it but have not seen one in person yet. But as I started watching videos and seeing I am 67 years old and only 170 pounds with a 34” inseam I think again it is going to be too heavy if I decide to do any single track here and it either falls or get stuck in the mud. Here in New England it is mostly wooded and have some dirt roads .. so we dont have any that fast open areas to ride in like I see in many RU-vid videos. I am fortunate enough to have a dealer that handles all FOUR manufacturers ( Suzuki/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Honda). So I went and sat on the Honda 250’s (CRF and Rally), the new Kawasaki 300 and a Suzuki DR400. The new Honda 300’s will be here in a month or two and after talking to an ADV rider at a bike night meet I also went to a dealer and sat on a used DR650 ( he recommended me to ). Since there are no new Honda 300’s, Yamaha Tenere’s or DR650’s at dealers yet I haven’t made my final decision ... BUT ... I did put a deposit on a 2021 DR650 that supposed to be here in late May. I am looking for a bike to do 50% street, 35% dirt/gravel roads and 15% single track. It will not be a work commuter bike and will be only used for fun.
@@imcheaperthanyou9805 the DR-650 did come that May (2021) and I only rode a few times just getting use to riding a dirt bike again. In 2022 it was a different story because I joined a few Facebook groups in my area and was able to download a bunch of GPX files to follow. I even held a few rides and did RU-vid videos of them. Sadly in September of 2022 I was doing a weekend Rally ride that was being held over by Keene, NH. Half way through the first day I was going through a simple mud hole when my front wheel slid out. The bike fell to the left and pinned my left ankle between the crankcase and a big rock. This ended up making my ankle swell and also a slight fracture. I was on crutches for 12 weeks. So in 2023 because of all the rain almost every weekend I never rode it once. We also have 2 sports cars (Vette and a Mustang) plus I have 2 Harleys and when the weather was nice we enjoyed them. I did put on 1000 miles during the Summer/Fall of 2022. The fall was my fault because I should have gotten rid of the crappy stock tires and put knobbies on it. If it had knobbies it would have never fell. Do I like the bike ? Well … I do like the power/torque it has and the ease of maintenance. What I don’t like is the weight. I thought I needed the extra power to ride on the street to get to the places to ride but it turns out a 300 would have been fine. After subscribing to Itchy Boots here on RU-vid and seeing what she put a Honda 300 Rally through I wish I waited to buy one instead of the DR-650. I will be 70 in May of 2024 and really the 650 is overkill for the type of riding I will do here in New England. May be in other parts of the USA it would be a different story. I am planning on riding it again this Summer once it warms up and do more RU-vid videos also. You can see my RU-vid videos here at this link www.youtube.com/@robskully3539
@@robskully3539 Thanks for a great response. I have been thinking the 300 rally for myself would be the right choice and your response has helped reinforce that logic. 🍻
@@imcheaperthanyou9805 please let me know what ya got and put videos on your youtube channel. I subscribed to it. I have videos of my rides on this RU-vid channel www.youtube.com/@robskully3539/videos
There are really only two review archetypes that I've seen comparing the crf300 and klx300, those who have access to the klx and those who don't. The only exception to a glowing recommendation of the klx over the crf from someone who rode both was that multimedia conglomerate avatar, corporate shill, honda fanboy "dork in the road", who said they were comparable.
totally disagree that the ktm 390 is a pretender. have you seen MVDBR Enduro channel? his mrs rides that ktm 390 adventure everywhere her other half on his T7 goes. only thing the ktm 390 lacks is the spoked wheels which must be able to get for it because her's has spoked wheels. imo the KTM 390 absolutely has its place in the world of dualsport/adventure riding. hard to watch her on that bike then say its not even worthy of consideration. my2cents.. for what its worth..
Having the simplicity of the carb is one of the things I love about the DR. Not sure the love affair would continue if they started bolting on all sorts of unnecessary tech.
Not a 300 but read on: I picked up the kLX250S a couple years ago and now have 14,000+ miles on it so I guess I’m qualified to comment on it. It does everything well EXCEPT being able to maintain legal road speeds into the wind or up long grades. It really has to work to maintain 55 into a strong headwind. It will reach a top speed of 73 mph (verified by GPS) but struggles to maintain it when conditions change. As an off-road bike it’s perfect. Power is not an issue off-road as the bike has plenty of torque and a decent suspension for what it is. I’m thinking about doing a big bore kit to 351cc’s to address the power problem on the highway as the bike is a keeper if it can maintain 65 mph regardless of road conditions. A DR650 is an option but I really don’t want the extra 40# to deal with. Guess I’ll call Bill Blue to see when I can get a 351 kit.
Did you end up installing the big bore kit and how does it perform? In Australia we only get the klx250 and that's got better suspension than the crf300. All of the crf owners are doing engine and suspension mods so if the klx van give me 1 less thing to upgrade that would be something I'd have to look at more seriously
with all this talk of weight,have you heard of a self recovery system called"Dirt Napper"??i ride a fully modded dr650,and when loaded ,and taking a dirt nap,thats what picking the dr up,,,as well,,you can use it as a jack stand,in my mind if you can,t p/u and your in the bush alone,i guess you could ask a bear for help,in canada there very big .,,
I bought the CRF300L and I love the bike itself, haven't tested it offroad yet but 1000 km onroad. My only annoyance is the lack of accessories in EU at this point in time. I have the belly protector fitted by the dealer + handguard and USB but find it hard to get my hands on anything else. Shipping from Thailand is either impossible or 350 bucks, EU based manufacturers aren't up to speed yet. I've bought the maddog seat cover from amazon and the shipping is $28 while the cover itself is $20. SRC Europe should get off their lazy bums because I need that full side + top rack before july.
Great tips as always! You're spot on about the generic bike reviews online...much more worthwhile to tune in to a niche guy like yourself who has specific knowledge and experience with a particular type of riding.
I probably would off agreed with you say 12 months ago on the 390 , BUT after seeing the punishment that Nat ( from NVDBR - and Josh ) where she takes that bike , yes she has now fitted wire rims , bash plate , crash bars ( but don’t we all on other bikes ) with the exception of the wheels. BUT she did use the stock rims for quite some time . NOT many people would take a 390 ( or even other more capable off road ADV or dual sport bikes ) and I’m not even a KTM fanboy 😂😂😂. I wouldn’t buy one ☝️ but they are definitely more capable then the credit given .
Came within squillimetres of putting $ down on T7 just a few days ago. It was more ideology that stopped me. I was seriously pissed off that Aust was excluded from the update the rest of the world got, yet Yamaha STILL saw fit to jack the price for current model anyways !! Collect my '17 DR650 in 2 days ... 😈😈
About the DR650 question, the extra weight also makes the bike hold the road better on the highway, the lighter the bike the more you'll be affected by wind and wake gusts from larger vehicles at higher speeds.
Good to hear that SOMEBODY finally feels the same way I do!! Have had new 300L for 6 months now, after moving up from 230L and 250L (still have). Great bike, but just doesn't feel ... right on the road. Bizarre, I can't describe it any other way, but I swear the weight/balance /buzzyness has something to do with it. 60 Y/O, 5'11", 33" inseam. Picking up a '17 DR650 in 2 days. The difference between the two on the pavement was mind numbing!! That DR feels EXACTLY like my unicorn bike XL600 from back in the 1990's. Keeping the 300 as well - it has its job to do ...
SUZUKI DRZ400 is the best all around bike. The Honda 300 would be fun for a play bike for sure. It is going to be hard to find any of these bikes now especially the Honda's CRF300L (even the DRZ400S is hard to buy in states).
The CRF300L Rally with a few mods can save considerable weight and with a big bore kit added (based on the specs for the 250L bike) you’d have roughly 341cc worth of power and lastly a suspension upgrade and honestly that’d be the 🦄
Had a 2016 DR650 ,they are bulletproof and simple and add a carb kit ,airbox mod and a muffler and easily get 10% more power and wake it up and no computer to fight. Sold it for a KLX 300 thinking I needed something lighter which it is but having efi makes it so much tougher to tinker with the engine that I'm wishing for the DR back. And as far as highway riding the DR has it all over the KLX not to mention all the aftermarket stuff for it out there is no comparison.
Don't understand the fixation on 6 speed transmissions, most motorcycles had only 3 or 4 gears years ago. 5 gears are enough. If you are having trouble with the stock 5, then regear . The advantage of chain. Buy a motorcycle with 6 gears if it means that much. Hell, everyone today are great bikes.
Before the DR650 was designed, the national speed limit in the USA was 55MPH. Dualsports weren't commonly slabbed across North America either. A moto was either geared for slab or dirt, but not both. A 250-300cc 4-stroke engine isn't likely to have the torque to comfortably pull the gearspread of a 3-4spd dualsport that can both climb technical trails AND calmly slab all day. A wide-ratio 6spd like the XT225 had is AWESOME for modern dualsporting.
Lighter weight is for the beginner to develop confidence first and foremost. There is no valid reason for a new rider to be on a heavier bike in the dirt. Street yes, but dirt, if a new rider drops a heavy bike it can get inside their head a lot more and that's a big issue when riding. It's a confidence exercise, not just a biking exercise. Increase your odds and ride light.
The magic trick at the end had me laughing pretty good 😂🤣 I’m pretty settled on the CRF300L though I still look at the DRZ400 a bit. I was set on the rally but the only thing I want on there is the gas tank. The headlight, tower and windscreen can be done aftermarket and weigh less if I change my mind about them later. I’m also looking at lightweight luggage racks that look pretty good. I’m probably going to put down a deposit this week on the CRF300L. They are 20 orders deep here expecting to receive the bikes in 5-6 months. I’ll miss the summer season unless I find a good used DRZ400 soon, and then I’ll have both when Honda deliverers.
drz400 is really nice because of torque, SO easy to pop over trees, and threw Ruts, etc....a bit goofy for tight single track terrain.......400cc is REALLY nice in those open spaces though.
Keep buying carburetted bikes and they'll keep making them. As Bret Tkacs said in a recent vid, the two main requirements for a bike these days is fuel injection for altitude and six gears. The CRF300 needs some work before it's dirt worthy, like most bikes and it's going to take a while before the aftermarket addons are available, "Dirt n Trail" have sussed out the mods so it'll be a few years before I contemplate buying one.
Solid gave great advice. My CRF 250 Rally is great. I don't care if it weighs more, has less power, blah blah blah. I paid 7K ride away, it soaks up all the bumps and potholes and never misses a beat. I love riding it. All the power I need as I'm mostly on the dirt exploring back roads. I even fell off and bent it a bit so now it's perfect. I'd buy a 300 but I'd miss my 250. Don't look for what is technically the best, just find something that does the job, and that you like. After a few epic rides, you'll bond just fine.
I've had a 2019 CRF250L Rally for exactly a year now, paid NZ$7250 on the road brand new (AU$6700, US$5200). I love it more and more. I live in a hilly rural area in NZ with a lot of twisty tarseal, gravel, beaches, forest tracks and it's just ideal for exploring. I swapped the stock tyres for D606 which limit the cornering on the tar but enhance the offroad massively especially in sand or if it's wet & muddy. Everything else is stock. Stock gearing is perfect. Last week I rode it 320 km in an afternoon (5 1/2 hours of riding plus two cafe stops) exploring back roads and beaches I'd never been to. Averaged 3.1 l/100km (76 USmpg, 91 UKmpg). I'm 58 years old and 137 kg (300 lb). The Rally is low power but with this kind of riding I never feel it needs more -- and my other bike is a BMW R1100. Just wring its neck and it gets along fine. It keeps up with cars on the main road no problems. Yeah, for hard core off-road it could do with more. I used to have an XR600. That was massive offroad but even when I was 28 (HALF my current age) I couldn't ride 300 km on the XR in a session without dying. I still (as in just a few months ago) did 900 km on the BMW (which I've had for 25.5 years) with just one fuel/pee/pie stop. For anything under 50 km or so where the BMW barely gets warmed up, it stays in the garage and I take the Rally with a smile on my face. For completeness, my car is a 2008 Outback 2.5XT Eyesight (265 HP, 0-100km/h in about 5.5).
I find it really frustrating that a lot of Aussie youtube channels talk about the DR650 when we can no longer buy them new, they're discontinued. I'd love a DR650 but most of the 2nd hand examples either have 20000kms+ or the owner wants too much for it because it's 'discontinued.' So I looked into a DRZ400 which currently suzuki wants $11790 new.. it's just too much money for an old carb bike.
Yesterday I went to have a look at the CRF300L and what surprised me was how light and nimble it felt. I had the 250Rally and that bike felt very different to the 300L. Both bikes have about the same seat height (I'm 169cm or 5"6, and have a 30" inseam) yet I could get 1 foot solidly planted on the ground on the 300L, while on the 250Rally, I was always tiptoeing slightly on one leg. In addition, the 300L feels WAY LIGHTER and more nimble. Part of that is because of the weight (140kg vs 156kg), yet also where the weight is carried. The 250Rally was top-heavy yet the 300L didn't feel top-heavy at all. If anything, it reminded me of the Kawasaki KLX250, a bike which I liked for how light and nimble it felt. Weighing at around 74kg, power was never an issue for me on the 250Rally, so it will be even less of an issue on the 300L. Yes, you aren't going to do enduro-style hill-climbs, but for most of my riding (greenlaing and backroads), it's more than enoguh. Also, that slipper-clutch which they have put on... Damn, that's a light clutch! Pardon my French (and to tie in with your epic ending), but I could finger that clutch all day.
You're pushing me towards getting a 300L. Bought a DR650 a few weeks ago, took it on one hour long ride around my local neighborhood area and it scared me. I can handle the power just fine but it's my first bike and the height/handling/weight just feel too much for me. I don't feel confident on it. I thought about getting it lowered but I'm leaning towards the 45lb lighter 300L. Hoping it handles more nimbly.
Thing with weight is that if you ride and drop a heavy bike (+200kg) it will take a big chunk of energy to put it back up-right. Problem is, you will then be shaking, exhausted and thus more likely to drop it again. Then the next time to drop it, it will be even more difficult, so that effort starts compounding.
Too right about bike shootouts. Most moto journos never met a horsepower increment they didn't like, which is how they end up drooling over utterly ludicrous bikes like the KTM 1290 and engaging in serious discussions about the off-road ability of behemoth GS's. Completely irrelevant to the average rider. Fact is you can have too much horsepower, and most riders already do - said no moto journo ever.
I am 73 years old. I bought a DR 650 new a 2018, sold about a year and a half later and really really regretted it. I had ordered a Honda CRFL 300 over a year ago, I still don’t have it. I walked into the Honda dealer to check on my CRF L300 and there sat a 2022 DR 650 so I bought it. I could not be happier. I love that bike. As I’m getting older I can’t and don’t do much difficult single track anymore like I used to so Dropping it becomes less of an issue although I think I still can pick it up.
I landed on the 2022 drz400, I originally went in to Buy a dr650, None available, on a waiting list.......got tired of waiting...... went Back to look at a crf450, but a Bit too aggressive for my needs....and the EFI stalling issues scared me off.........Funny thing is, I sat on the Drz400 my first day at the dealer, and Liked it.....very Tall......but liked the 300lbs weight idea.....and it's kind of a "hooligan" power band bike. I also LOVE Carbs.....because they can be upgraded without paying $400 for a Chip....there's tons of options with Carbs.
You should do some videos about motorcycle gear too. As someone who just suffered a bad crash, my gear saved me from disfiguring/life threatening injuries. I’d go as far as saying your gear is more important than your bike. By far... I hit a massive oil patch mid corner and slid into a guard rail. Same route I ride every day to work. It happens when you least expect it.
Yeah I am leaning towards the CRF 300 Rally as I will be doing some commuting also. The problem is no one has them for sale here yet, they are just taking deposits!
🤣🤣🤣🤣👍 yep worth coming over to see 😁🍺🍺 ive got a question for yah no wait dont bother forgot it now 😣😣 any who keep well mate and looking foward to you and DRZ in the bush😉🍟
I think we can do it. Can you still register off reoad bike, after Brexit? I will try to bring it to the UK new DZR, but as a off road with all lights.
between the DR650 and the Honda CRF 300 L rally if he wants light the CRF 300 L is 57 Lb lighter than the DR650 not sure about the rally version And unless he wants to race on single track the KTM 390 Adventure is just fine, it will get you through no problem just at a much slower pace. but will need to up grace the bash plate, and better hand guards, KTM has bough. I have the Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires on my KTM and still get through a lot, but I like 3 in the stable so will be getting the CRF 300 L and putting some Dunlop 606 rear and Pirelli Mt.21 front and most likely upping the rear sprocket as I have the other 2 bikes for the road. I also like the better ground clearance of the CRF over the KTM but so far have never bottomed the KTM out, just pick my path. or get the DR650 out. which I also put a good bash plate on. I think the main factor is how fast he wants to go on the single track, on the KTM I do 60 to 80 Km per hour on very rough dirt roads with large pot holes and ruts 6" deep. but on single track go much slower. 20 to 60 Km per hour. You should get a KRM 390 put better tires and a good bash plate and you will be surprised what it will go through, I know I was. You do have to turn of the traction control if you want to go up steep slippery hills. other wise I just leave it on. I also very seldom turn the ABS to off road, as I keep the speed down. If you take any of these bikes and want to race them off road you will have to up grade the suspension. For long distance on the highway the KTM winds hands down, for long distance on rough dirt and gravel roads I will go with the DR650 for hard single track going by my self will take the CRF as it has good ground clearance and light weigh if I have to pick it up. If I could only have one bike it would be a hard pick between the KTM 390 and the DR650 Bough put a huge smile on my face, but because I do like doing very rough dirt and gravel roads the DR 650 might win cause some of the roads I have been doing have 2 feet of grass growing up the center and hard see what is a head, and the DR dose do better when the sand gets deep, because of the thinner 21" front wheel. But the KRM is more comfortable and I have the 33/64 liter hard bags on it so great for shopping. That is why I want 3 in the stable, each has its good points. but have not found any bad points on them and hope not on the CRF
To my knowledge, the 300 Rally is 30lbs lighter than DR650 With that said, you could drop the emissions stuff and swap a few parts to get the DR in the same weight range, with some nice power increase to boot
@@SmalltimR My DR650 is over 60 lb. heaver than the CRF 300 L But dose not feel it when riding, but if you dropped with the 20 liter gas tank full you would notice the difference, But I do off road on the slower side, so have not dropped it yet, and over 9,000 Km. and this is my second one, and if you count the DR600 I had years back would be my third one. Even on gravel and dirt roads I mostly stay under 80 Km ( 50 miles per hour.) But did hit some deep sand going around a sharp curve and came pretty close. I want the CRF300L for the really gnarly trails. so will have more dirt rated tires on it.
I forgot the Honda is not available there. I wonder why not. Australia has some of the most hard core riders out there. I would think the CRF450RL would sell well. I was thinking of the crf450rl over the drz. The Honda is updated and fuel injected.
Great insight . I myself ride a klx250 . For me it came down to opportunity and which bike came along in my budget . I figure the Kawasaki and Honda were pretty much in a dead heat . I’m lucky to be on the smaller side so for me the uncorked 250 is quite ample for my riding style . Loaded down with ultra light camping gear I’ve successfully done long weekend exploring and the lighter weight means I can explore on my own and not worry about how I’m going to pick it up when I tip over .
Regardless of anything else, I refuse to own a bike with a carb. The internet is overrun with people complaining about carbs. Go to any group or forum with a focus on a bike with a carb. Nothing but posts about problems with carbs. Jets? Floats? Diaphragm? F/A screw? Never dealing with that unreliable crap ever again. Carbs only exist as a cost saving measure - period. The DR is out by default.
Always such a pleasure to listen to you, thank you for this presentation. I was considering the Honda CRF300Rally and the Suzuki DR650 to get back into the saddle. I haven't been in the saddle for a long time ±40y so need to re-orientate myself, your videos are excellent. Also enjoy your "feet on the ground" approach, and giving your unbiased and honest opinion. Very much appreciated, we all know that the Marketing World and Reality are rarely the same. Thanks again.
CRF300L is a production bike. It's meant for non skilled riders who want to become skilled on a bike that isn't 10K or more. End of story. It's a great bike for manufacturing for volume sales.
This was an informative video. Thank you for the content. I’m looking to get my first bike at 29 years old. The KLX300 and crf300l look like great first bikes for what I want but I’m a bigger guy at 6’2” (188 cm) and 240lbs and (108kg). Are these bikes too small for me? Im also considering a bigger bike like the xr650l since I’m a bigger guy. I live in the mountains and can easily get to logging roads and single track trails but I will also be doing extended highway drives as well. What bike is best for me?
The klx 300 is an awesome all around bike right out of the box terrific suspension comfortable seat great riding triangle im 5-10 190 lbs The only drawback is he won’t be doing 70 on the freeway too often
All my mates put me off buying a DRZ because they all said it was slow, low powered and heavy, with bad suspensiin... Now you say it's a wheel lifting hooligan bike... Good points on parts and accessories I went light and powerful but parts of my fire breathing 109kg beast are rear and a rear carrier doesn't exist.
The only reason to want the Honda over the Kawasaki is the quality of life features found on the Honda and not the Kawaski. Such as the gear indicator and fuel gauge on the CRF300L/Rally, in addition to MPG information. Not needed but sure is nice to have features. I am usually good at knowing what gear is selected and what is needed next based on speed or the speed at which I was traveling. Also, I enjoy the information provided, numbers for me are fun, so having the MPG readout is just fantastic. Finally, the fuel gauge is just amazing, no worrying about counting miles or opening the tank and sloshing around a bit to get an idea what level you are at because you forgot what miles you were at. The Kawasaki has something other than the color red, I love the digital camo with black frame, I also like the suspension is a bit nicer all around since I am a bit heavier these days. The Kawasaki is a bit faster in acceleration as well. I suppose the information above is not needed, just nice to have.
The thing between the drz and wr is you can gear the drz for highway and still have plenty of power to climb hills off road where the wr will struggle.
Thanks for the great video! I have a concern about carbureted bikes, I don't know if a carburetor is going to be an issue for me given the range of altitudes I think I will be riding at. This would be my first motorcycle - I have ridden mountain bikes for years, but I find their horsepower seems to be dropping year after year as I get older! I live in Colorado, I do a lot of trail riding today in the mountains and in the Utah deserts and I foresee doing the same - mostly trail riding with some dirt roads and some pavement, so I am thinking a dual sport would be right for me. I live in Denver at 5280 ft, 1609 m. Mountain trails I ride on my mountain bike go up to 12,000 ft, 3657 m and desert trails around Moab Utah that I ride on are around 4000 ft, 1219 m. I am concerned about a carbureted bike running rough or not at all - you can't jet it for all those altitudes at the same time and I don't want to have to re-jet it before every trip. A fuel injected bike will adjust the mixture automatically so that seems like a better solution for me given the range of altitudes I plan to ride at. I have driven a car with a carburetor jetted for sea level up into the mountains and it overheated, lost power and was very hard to start. Would I have the same issues on a carbureted bike like a DR400 or DR650? I am curious to hear what you or other viewer's experience with carbureted bikes at altitude is - is this an issue? Or do the carbureted bikes run fine in the altitude ranges I am talking about without rejetting for different altitudes? Do people re-jet the stock carburetor for riding at 5280 ft, 1609 m, that's my home altitude? I'd really appreciate hearing people's opinions!
I have an 84 Yamaha XT600. It weighs 2 lbs more than this, has a one inch lower seat height, does the 1,4 mile in the 13s, can go 100mph, travel on the highway with a passenger, and climb big hills off-road with a passenger. Would the CRF 300 L rally be an upgrade for me? Do you think I should get one? Will I be impressed?
You must teach me your magic trick 🤣🤣🤣 Now riding in the suburbs up to 80kph, give or take, can you live with only having a 5 speed box in the DRZ400? I’m keen to switch out the CRF250L for more power but the lack of a 6th gear is my issue...
I just picked up a 1998 KLX300R in excellent condition. Low hours and nearly all original. I'ma save my dimes and do a full dualsport build with her. A 300 is all i need for my uses. A 650 is much too big for these Appalachian hills.
Ps.. There's a video somewhere on RU-vid where a guy lays down various models of motorcycles onto scales and measures the weight required to pick them up. The results were very surprising for some models were a lot lighter than you'd imagine to pick up and others were heavier than you imagined Anyone else here seen that video and can find it for a supposed to link?It was very helpful but I wasn't writing then and now I cannot find it Also may I suggest you perform the same test on the bikes you currently own? Just lay them down on a flat surface with a scale under the touchdown points,
Great video! I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on a CRF300L somebody didn’t pick up from the dealer this week. Other wise delivery time in Europe is October, if you order it now. The bike seems to match my requirements pretty good. Trans Euro Trail, I’m coming!
I very rarely comment but I'd like to advise that the wr250 has remained the same since 2008 with 0 attempt from yamaha to replace and easily dominate the market, Honda has been calling us faithful wr250 owners for a while now and just might of tempted us with the crf300
Im sick of hearing everyone complain about weight. Frame geometry is more important and so is becoming a better rider. You never have to pick up a bike if you don’t drop it in the first place. That being said do whatever it takes to improve your skill set. Plus going to the gym and putting on some muscle will reduce the weight of any bike as well....
Do not agree, I hardly ever drop my bike, but I still believe weight is everything! Having said that, I'm pretty sure you don't ride where I do, so your perspective comes from your own experience, if you are content down the gym, riding a 690R, in the location you choose then go for it! Just for clarity, I also don't agree with CofS that weight is mostly about picking the bike up, complete nonsense! Might be the case for 1200GS's but no one takes those off-road do they? Not unless they get given them for free and are making a TV program!
