Suzuki DR200SE vs Yamaha XT225 Test and Comparison 

I’ve owned several motorcycles. (64 years old) I’m 5’11” 175lbs. I’ve owned 4 Kawasaki LTD1100’s, a Suzuki 125 under bone scooter in the Philippines, a Kawasaki KLR650, and several misc bikes since I was 16 including dirt bikes. Over 200k riding experience. The XT225 was the best motorcycle I’ve ever owned. I put 33,000 miles on it with no problems other then chain, sprockets, tires. The normal stuff. I wish I’d never sold it. Love the 6 speed trans.

My favorite among all the bikes I've ever owned is still my 1985 Japan-spec XT225 Serow. I've had sport bikes, standard bikes, a cruiser and other, more advanced dual purpose machines (a Yamaha DT230 Lanza and a Japan-spec Suzuki DR250S). The Serow was just more fun and was more than enough for everyday commuting duties.

What a superb, comprehensive, objective comparison. Thanks!!

Just bought a 2000 DR200 as my first bike. Only 300 miles on it because the previous owner got it as a barn find. He had it checked out by a motorcycle shop. What was need to be replaced got replaced and the carb was left at factory settings. It's so clean, it's like a brand new bike. It even has the original tires and they're not even weather checked.

I sold my KLR650 in 2008 and bought a 1994 XT225. I have been in love with it ever since. Best "modern" small displacement dual sport out there. Yes, I liked my 1979 Honda XL250 and 1979 Yamaha DT250 better, but they are gone. And even if you find a decent one, no parts are available. But now the XT225 is getting hard to find used, and also getting hard to find some parts for. The older model Suzuki DR200 was a nice bike, the newer model not so much so. But that's the way it usually works. The newer the worse. At least it still has a carburetor. But the seat is much smaller, narrower, and 3" taller. Obviously not meant to actually sit on. My XT has $1K worth of suspension upgrades, a Clarke 4 gallon gas tank, a kick starter, and a center stand (sadly no longer available) As trail bikes, both these bikes need better seats. On the 2001 XT, I recommend removing the epa plug, and turning the pilot screw out to 2 1/2 -3 turns, replacing the #125 main jet with a #130 (the 1994 came with a #130, the 2001 has a #125)and converting the throttle from dual cable to single cable on models that have dual cable throttles. My 1994 has a single cable, the 2001 HAD a dual cable, but now also has a single cable. The single cable gives the throttle a significantly better feel.

This was a great comparison. Thank you !

Subscribed PURELY due to this video with the XT 225. Realistic and full of info. Keep at it, ride often, and stay safe.

Great video guys!

Excellent Video comparing the two bikes. Thanks for sharing.

Great comparison. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

Great video, man. I'm thinking of buying an old Serow 225 that my buddy is fixing up. You've convinced me.

Thanks for a very solid comparison video.

I miss my xt225 so much and this video reminds me off all the fun theu can be and are

VERY good job , Im loving my 2001 XT

Awesome thanks dude that was a great comparison

Great video, thanks!!

Fun vid thanks for this comparison

I just bought a used 2017 RV 200 (Van Van 200) with 89 miles on it, $3100 excluding TTL. There are a bunch of these machines out there with very little mileage. I wanted the RD but they're not as plentiful, and the Van Van was close enough in my mind. I like this review but now wish I could have found/held out for the Yamaha. Thanks guys.

I’m an old man and these bikes and smaller cc bikes appeal to me at my time of life

Top video mate

Hilarious and honest. Excellent job!

Good comparison

"Wife or 'slow old man' bike"😂 That's a fun definition! I'm neither and I love my XT250 more than any other bike I had before (I downsized from massive bikes). Great video! Enjoyed the virtual ride with you!

Fantastic riding area, I had an SP200 which to me looks just like the DR, you could throw it around very easily, fun bike.

Thanks for posting the comparison video. As I was watching it, I thought...dang that looks like my "backyard". Oh wait, it is my backyard. I'm riding a 2004 DR200 that I got used but in perfect shape. So far it has dragged my 200lb rearend all over the hills around the valley and on many "find the stolen cars" rides around Dayton and Moundhouse. Great fun little bike.

GREAT JOB ALEX GBY

Great information, thanks for the review. I had a choice between an 08 DR200 with 1800K and an 04 T225 with 1200K miles. The DR was $2200 and XT 2000. Ended up with the XT and think I got a great deal. I initially wanted something a little bigger but then you have to deal with the extra lbs. This will work for now and maybe in a few years, I will end up with something like the BMW G650GS..

I was so excited to hear about the crf450l! I mean it seems to tick all the boxes. 45hp, 6th gear, u/d forks lots of suspension. But.... It seems to fail on the delivery. It has a maintenance cycle that's really not that "dual sport" So for now I guess we are stuck with the drz until someone makes a decent 400ish dual sport with a 6th gear.... :(

I'm in the old man category myself. 59 yrs old. I have a '96 KLR250, a 2000 KL 250 Super Sherpa and a '05 XT225. For trail riding in the woods I really like the XT the best.

Just found your channel and really like the way you explain everything. I am 75 have ridden all my life and this would be perfect for me. The Yamaha does come up on graigs list every now and then. It would be a good choice, just have to decide if I want to keep ridding?

I have a 1997 dr 200. It's a great bike. Good clean comparison. I know it's slower than hanthe 225 but I love the big tank and especially 75 mpg with $4+ per gallon gas!

Have/had both and the XT is my favorite. But I do like the DR’s look a trade bit better

The old 350 from each manufacturer is where it was at...Would really like to see both of them come back. I had the DR350se,,,30hp more than enough for fun and hillclimbs with plenty of torque. Add a pumper carb and its even more fun. Biggest thing that needs work is stock suspension..They are cheap bikes after all but it can be improved on both and to do it right will cost close to 1K. But its well worth it if you want to keep a simple, reliable well made motorcycle.

I have the same year and model DR. Its an amazing little bike. Hard to find OEM parts though.

I've sold every bike I've ever purchased except my XT225. Its my hands down favorite. Its like the Willy's jeep of the motorcycle world. It won't get you there fast but it will get you there.

Amazing footage. My 1993 dr350s set for about a year and I just finally revived it a few weeks ago, really doesn't like starting cold but I'm going to double-check the valves for the third time. A lot of people will say well you got to clean out the carb but I've already done it five times so trying to focus on other things at the moment

Great video! I ll buy xt225 now. Yamaha holds better value over suzuki

gf just got an xt225..can't believe how light and fun it is lol..

I really like these, they’re a little bit more technical in design and have good ability but I’m just too big for a 200. It would be great on the street just putting around but I’m not getting up those hills on a 200 and even steep streets are going to be a problem with the passenger but I still really like these. I guess that’s why I always end up on something like an XL 600. I’d really like to try an XL 350 from the 80s, I think that would be kind of the big guys version of this. lol The new bikes are cool but with all the tech comes a ton of maintenance and reliability issues. If I get a 1984 Honda XL Weatherby at 2:50 350 or the 600, I can put 50 60,000 miles on that with very little maintenance, and that’s the beauty of the XL in the DR Line any XT to some extent but especially things like the TW 200 which I dream of with a 350 or 400 engine on it, but the CRS 304 50 are awesome bikes but I don’t wanna have to do maintenance every single month as opposed to once every year or two and a nice big air cooled thumper it’s just very simple and dependable and easy. Motorcycles are usually made for people that weigh 150 pounds and to those people and for racing and very technical writing weight makes a big difference especially if you’re raising but to someone that’s 270 pounds, that bike can weigh 350 or 390 and it doesn’t make a difference and most people are really used to the weight because they’re usually choosing a bigger bike but on most duel sports don’t think weight is really that big of an issue I think that’s more of a racing or single track thing. I love riding a KL are 650 and they’re over 400 pounds I think but I guess it’s just a different kind of writing. I’ve never really had the opportunity to do a lot of technical stuff I’ve done trail riding at oh HV parks and a little in the woods but I think if I were to do it more I would definitely need something with some power to get up the rocky trails and no I love riding these they just don’t have enough power to get a big person or two people through there. :/

I love a good heavyweight match up!

I love them small bikes too. I have 3 of them. XT250 TW200 and CBR250R

This is a really informative review - I just wish the bikes were both brand new. Still great though. Can I ask a question - what is the town down there in the valley at 7:17? Is it somewhere in Idaho?

i have a xt 225 but im not sure if my suspension is done or it just sit close to tire is it normal ?

My xt225 burnt oil but I just kept an eye on it and it was always reliable

My DR20 is not more than enough for rough trail ,way under powered. It is also not a long ride bike as it vibrates like crazy on the road. It is a great bike to ride around town and the odd path and for learning.

Please take that horrible piece of plastic off the front rotor on the XT225. It's the ugliest part of the bike. If you have an XT225, you are cheating yourself if you do not get a Clarke 4 gallon tank. It fits perfectly, and gives you a lot more range. I have a built from the frame up XT225, and it's the best trail bike I've ever ridden. I started with 3 used bikes, and a bunch of aftermarket parts. It is registered as a 2001, because that's the frame I used. The frame is stock, as is the engine. It currently has 45,000 hard miles on it, including highway and off road. I have stock bars with 2" risers, foam grips, a crossbar and pad, carb has been upjetted and converted to a single cable, I have extra wide pegs, a kickstarter from a TTR-225, an aftermarket centerstand which has likely saved my life a few times, but is unfortunately no longer available. The exhaust is stock, but has had the baffles drilled out, something known as the Z1 mod among XT225 riders. It makes no difference in power, it just sounds more like a dirt bike. I have an Immix racing rear rack with some extensions welded onto it, so it can carry a lot. I normally just carry flat tire fixing stuff, water, and some emergency supplies while riding locally. The big addition is over $1000 worth of Works Performance suspension, which handles my 240 pounds perfectly. I have tried out several different tires, haven't found perfection yet. I run a non O ring chain, and keep 2. I swap them out, keeping one soaking in a jug of oil while the other is on the bike. I change the oil every 1000 miles. I have a ton of parts, including a near new 3,000 mile engine ready to go into it when the one in it gives up. IMO, the XT225, with some modifications, is absolutely the best trail bike ever made. That's why I'm hoarding parts. You can pick up a nice used low mileage one for $2000. If you are not heavy, you probably won't need the suspension work. Parts are everywhere. You can buy a super expensive dual sport, like the Yamaha WR250R, and it will still need modifications to make it right for you.

I appreciate the video, currently looking at both models, overpriced on marketplace. Graphic at 7:38 is very helpful. Curious how a larger sprocket on both would affect your hill test results?

Just bought a XT225. I was impressed it would consistently hold 75 on the highway (throttle pinned of course)

Si this a regular XT 225 or serrow can u tell me diffrnces

If you want a cruiser that can take some trails like a champ the Yamaha xt225 is the way to go. I’ve never had a better bike the control I have on that bike is like no other, ya there not real fast. But man I have never owned a better trail bike than the xt225 it’s good on mpg and it’s not to tall so it makes for comfortable ride and it comes in handy for tight trails and dips and my favorite part it’s lighter which makes it easier for a long lasting wheelies. There low idle bikes so there not to loud. Just make sure to replace the sprockets when the teeth get low and timing is crucial when going up sharp hills you can speed right up it or down shift and climb right up. But you will get swore from long periods of throttle work and the seat is a little uncomfortable but there is a sweet spot in positioning on the seat just don’t sit down for to long and stand up for a bit ( DO NOT LOCK YOUR LEGS WHEN STANDING UP) always keep your knees bent just slightly. I tell you that because you can feel everything you drive on and if your not careful just the slightest whole or bump at mid speed can buck you off the bike. Trust me when the back drops it drops hard😂

I have a 2001 Xt225 and I am an old guy . I bought it new and still enjoy it . I changed the drive sprocket to a smaller one for tighter terrain. I find the suspension pretty plush compared to our dual suspension e-bikes. I am interested in your jetting changes. We are at 2200 ft in Saskatchewan.

Nice little comparison and looks like a good trail to play around on. Not sure where you got your information from but I think the numbers were transposed; the rear suspension has 7.5 inches of travel, not 5.7

I just got an 02’ xt225 and it has a kick start, got me wondering if someone added it or if it was offered on some years?

I second Alex

I am pretty sure you got some numbers mixed up regarding the power of the dr200 vs dr125. You compare what the dr125 has at crank to what the dr200 outputs at the wheel. Dr200 has 15hp at the wheel and 20 at crank. Dr125 has 10hp at the wheel and 12hp measured from the crank.

What city is that in the final shot? It's very nice scenery wherever it is. Anyway, about the bikes. I've been seriously considering a brand new DR200S, and selling my DR650. Maybe the little 200 can't get up the big hills as easily, but I'm absolutely certain that the 200 will be much, much easier to ride on mountain trails. The 650 is great on the street and decent on fire maintenance trails, but a major handful on single track of any kind. I have an XR250R also, which is awesome on any kind of trails, but it's not street legal! Ok, well Great video, well done!

where are you riding here?

Okay but what about between xt250, dr200se or Honda crf250?

I guess im an old man. I have no desire for more power than the XT250 has to offer. Coming from a Z125 you probably understand why the xt feels like a rocket to me

DR200 on the road is a very short ride seat is like a 2x4 chunk of wood and vibrates hard.

I just got a 2019 dr200

re 2:35 mark/ comment that XT225s ran from 96 to 07... Pretty sure the XT225 came to the US in 1992, since I own one. lol Believe was sold in Europe prior to that. fyi. Nice vid. I really like mine too.

I know the XT is made and assembled in Japan. Is it the same with the DR200? I'm really into Yamaha and Suzuki lately.

Suzuki

I think it would be a bit more fair to dig into the issues with that DR. Then you can make a proper comparison, as both of these bikes have a very similar 0-60. The DR is just north of 13 seconds, the XT is just south of that number. Whatever issue is plaguing this DR that made it so much slower in a straight line, would have also effected its performance in the other test you did.

So I currently own a 2006 DR200SE with about 2,070 miles on it. I bought it used for about 2500. And straight off the bat, I dunno if it's just my horrible luck my timing chain broke. That could possibly be the reason why the top end was screwed with at such low mileage? I dunno just wanted to put it out there.

Im 25 and want a slow old man bike... i guess im getting old

The XTs front tire looks enormous. Must be the fender

grt

I have the XT 225 and my manuel has the weight at 289lbs not sure where you got your numbers from but you might want to check . Like you I have the 2001. I use this bike for tight single track in the forest. Soon much fun!

Look at a used DR-350......perfect blend of simple and solid.

Your wrong about when the Yamaha xt225 was first made because I have a 1993 Yamaha xt225

Have owned both and would imagine that the North American DR"s must be restricted. My bikes made similar power and in a straight line race, there was nothing in it.

The foot positioning on the xt is not good..my only complaint bout mine..

Dr200s need valve adjustments as regular maintenance great bike other than that

Way better for all around use ..the XT SMOKES THE DR

DR200SE has 20 horsepower, according to Wikipedia. It's more like 15HP. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_DR200SE

Old man bikes? I bet Malcolm Smith would make us look slow mounted on either bike while we're mounted modern 450 mx bikes.😂

Hi Guys. I can not to make a choise between DR200SE and XT225. I need reliable bike. Please, what can you recommend to buy for me? Thanks in advance.

Realize this is old, but posting for people like me that are just watching. The dr200 has something like 19hp and 13 ft lbs of torque. You confused them in the video.

i have a 1993 Yamaha XT225.

u were wrong about the dr hp... it has alledgedly 20 hp

Something is not right with that Dr200 in that race, mine is not that slow and mine is still bone stock

DR is 18 hp not 13

Got people out here tippy toeing on 35 inch dualbsports cause ya call shorter bikes girls bikes

I just have only one thing to say: "you ride like a lady hahaha" good video guys, congratulations it was very useful...

5.7? I think you mean 7.5.

a dr200 has 20 hp and 13 lbs of torque not sure were u seen 13 hp

No way does XT 225 make 20 HP more closer to the 17 HP side .

Hi Alex U Need Better Montage To Lot Subscribers

Very poor speed..

А на русском языке нету? А то не чо не понятно...

از لهجه شما آمریکایی ها حالم بهم میخوره، چقدر چندش حرف میزنین، اه اه اه

The reason the XT is considered a "wife" bike is because of seat height. Unfortunately in this weird world the "men" have the long legs and the "women" have the larger and more powerful torsos. I found it strange while in the marines the other "men" had legs up to their necks and struggled doing push-ups and pull-ups while I could do them sleeping. The "women" of this world could handle with ease anything the so-called "men" could does long as their shorter legs could reach. Since I've realized this world is backwards every day is a comedy watching lumbering she/men trying to look pretty and the scrawny he/she trying to look tuff. I've never laughed so much in my life. I thank God every morning and night for not making me one of THEM.

No así no se vale hablé en español

LOL, nothing says "stupid review" like adding a suzuki to the mix. Not many other manufacturers on the planet are more inept.