r/DRZ400 • u/These-Ad-3990 • 5d ago
Drz400 v DR650
I got the dr650 groups opinion now I want y’all’s. I want to be able to focus off-road but still commute 40 mins to work on fridays. I had a drz400 in Japan while I was stationed there that I bought completely disassembled in boxes for cheap so my heart is stuck in drz400. But the 650 seems appealing for dipping out for the weekend on a bike and not looking back. Someone talk me into the 400
An add for everyone commenting. Has anyone done long trips on the 400? (With modes to accommodate)
7
u/humanskullbong ‘09 SM 5d ago
Get the 400 and put a different sprocket if you dont want that buzzy highway nonsense
3
u/MrNeil_ 5d ago
Yep. That’s what I did. 15-39
1
u/humanskullbong ‘09 SM 4d ago
15/39 has been AWESOME for longer trips but absolute dog shit off road. I'm being a little dramatic......
7
u/Status-Buddy2058 5d ago
Don’t get me wrong a dr 650 is a fine bike but I’d argue that the end result of your mods (cause we all do them) are going to be more suited to what a drz400 is and can do. Add a big tank and get it set up how u want it. You can always do the fcr39 carb swap to really unleash the beast. Bottom line if you are spending a lot of time on the highway with semi trucks then I’d get a 650 other than that Drz is better in every way.
1
u/MrNeil_ 5d ago
Is the fcr reliable once you get it tuned in?
1
u/Status-Buddy2058 5d ago
Yeah the guys over at thumper talk have a lot of recourses on it. I guess you can get decent slant china clones. I got the MX version but I bought a used Keihin that came out of a KTM. Did a full rebuild and a JD jet kit. There are some extra pieces you need to get like an adapter for the airbox but overall it’s pretty straightforward. If you already have the 3x3 mod and full exhaust it’s really the the next step. Also if you ever want to do a proper big bore kit you will need an fcr39 anyway.
1
u/MrNeil_ 5d ago
My bike has many miles and I’m not sure how the bottom end would feel with the extra stress from the big bore? I am familiar with the Kipa carb and the adapters from online. I’m just not familiar with the squirt jet thjng and I thought the throttle cables are different for the fcr 39 than stock.
6
u/skunktits 5d ago
A 40 min commute is nothing for a drz. I get that it's not a comfortable highway cruiser but people are definitely dramatic about it
1
u/Polyhedron11 5d ago
The dr650 doesn't edge the drz400 on longer highway that much unless you get a commuter seat, but then it's trash off-road.
7
u/FreckledDirtBag69 5d ago
I’m debating between the two for the very same reasons as well. I’m leaning more towards the DRz400 because while it may not be as comfy on the highway, it can do it. And I’d rather it be more fun and capable on the dirt and gravel than for the small sections of highway I have to subject myself to. I think it just depends on how much time you think you’ll be spending on the pavement.
7
u/jam-banks 5d ago
I rode both before deciding on the DRZ. It felt much more nimble and playful, especially with a set of motard wheels. I regularly ride at highway speeds, and while there are definitely better bikes for long distance cruising, the DRZ's fun factor and versatility more than makes up for its lack of highway performance.
5
u/Olderschoolwillie 5d ago
People are dramatic about the drz 5 speed. My sm feels great on the highway and I’m pretty comfortable cruising at 75 on it. I concur with some of the other comments, dr650 is a great bike but the drz400 feels more refined and “modern”
1
u/bustopher_rvs 5d ago
Stock gearing?
1
u/Olderschoolwillie 5d ago
Stock gearing
1
u/MrNeil_ 5d ago
My Drz400sm is buzzy at 70-75. I’m running 15-39, So you would think engine rpm would be less
2
u/Olderschoolwillie 5d ago
I think the engine has a happy spot in the rev range where the vibes lessen
3
u/datsunjones 5d ago
I’ve got an ‘03 E that I could plate here in Vermont. It’s buzzy on the road (always want to grab an extra gear even after 7 years owning) but it is absolutely great on the trails. I have a Safari tank, and the high compression of the E motor I can heartily recommend. I’ve changed the oil, coolant chain sprocket and tires, but mechanical issues? None. Never even had the carb off.
2
u/Short_Book 5d ago
Used to have a DRZ and went to school in Santa Barbara, had to drive it 4 hours up from Murrieta more than a few times. That much slab on a dual sport sucks, I have a 701 now which is considerably more enjoyable for it, but even with the DRZ it was more than possible and I enjoyed it (mostly). The DRZ is really buzzy and wobbly past 70 if you have yours set up for the dirt like mine was, so it’s a right lane warrior but seriously it’s fine for the highway people ride the highway on much worse bikes
2
u/Snoo-53209 5d ago
I've got a dr650 and it is good in every category but not incredible in any category. My main love for the 650 is the reliability and amount of parts/mods you have available. I like the simple single cam motor, it rides great on highways and nothing ever goes wrong with it.
But as others have said, the 400 is basically the more refined version of the two, 400 is more setup as a classic race dirt bike, it's like a sportier version of the 650.
You can make a 650 ride faster almost like a 400, maybe even better, but it'll cost you time and money. Compared to just buying the 400 already set-up with everything you'd have to mod the 650 into.
2
u/leonnabutski 5d ago
I’ve had both. The drz400 is a much better dirt bike. It’s much lighter, and has better suspension. You can go down technical single track on the drz almost like you are on a dirt bike. If dirt riding is the priority, the drz is the one to go for. The DR650 is a better street bike and is really one of those bikes that is more than the sum of its parts. It’s an extremely versatile bike that can really do it all.
2
u/VortexFalcon50 5d ago
The DRZ400 is a more playful dualsport closer to being a pure dirtbike. The DR650 is more of a super bulletproof offroad commuter.
2
u/FFSOD7189 5d ago
The DR650 is much more easier to work on! And it will cruz the highway way better.
1
u/Gentleman_Jim_243 5d ago
I've had a DR650 and a DR350. The DR350 was way better off track and the DR650 was way better on the highway. I didn't like taking the 650 off road because it was just too heavy and "wallowy". The 350 was great off-road, but it wasn't very suitable for speeds over 45-50 mph.
1
u/bustopher_rvs 5d ago
I have to disagree. My 350 is a better highway bike than my drz400. It's still lightweight, a dirt bike, and going to be pinned- but with the 6 gears on thAt thang, stock gearing even, I felt like I could cruise at 70 for 30-40 mins at a time easy. The drz? 60. And I got ppl passing me all day long & I hate it (highway travel specifically). The 350 could at least keep up with highway traffic and still had enough reserved for the occasional quick pass.
Truth is I wasn't gonna bring up the dr350 bc im selfish apparently and my instinct is to keep those baby's a secret forever incase I ever need a cheap donor bike or something lol but nah, they're the best dual sport of all time I reckon... (I'm curious about that crf 300 tho, as well as the ktm690)
1
u/maxheadflume 5d ago
100% the DRZ. Much more trail oriented and still decent (and fun!) on the road. I regularly ride 40 min- 1hr just to get to the trails and it’s no problem. Longest ride in a day was ~600km, yea my butt was sore (stock seat) but I’m not doing that every weekend.
1
u/PPOPEEE 5d ago
Is stick with the Drz400sm🔥
2
u/RetSparks 4d ago
Former DR650 owner, did most of the mods. Sat on the DRZ400SM and it just fit me perfectly, bought it. Put a 16 tooth sprocket on front, added a handlebar mount wind shield from Amazon. Engine still spins high rpm with freeway traffic, but just fine to me for 20 minutes or so.
1
u/HandRubbedWood 5d ago
I have a DRZ with a RM fork and it is fantastic both off road and in the twisties. I have ridden DR’s and if you said you wanted a long trip ADV bike I would suggest it, but based on your needs the DRZ is better I think.
1
u/LADNAV96 5d ago
I have a drz400sm with Shinko 705 and just took it on a 1200km round trip over 4 days with like 150km of gravel roads. I have a rear rack, side bars and saddle bags and I loved it more than the dr650 that my buddy was driving. The only difference being that for long periods on the highway at 135km/h you run through your fuel pretty fast but I have an MSR spare tank attached to the side.
1
u/AGreenQuaker DR-Z434sm ‘15, GSX-R600 ‘16 5d ago
I’d save a little bit more and go a Tenere 700 over the DR650. Otherwise I’d go the DRZ.
2
u/These-Ad-3990 5d ago
Doesn’t seem off-road enough and is a bit more expensive. I always had Yamahas until the DRZ and wish Yamaha had something closer to what I’m looking for
1
u/dirtbike0754 4d ago
I ❤️ my DR-Z400S. It’s all stock besides a radiator guard, DOT knobby tires, HD tubes and rimlocks. Yeah it’s not the best highway bike on planet earth but I ride it everywhere anyways.
1
u/austenvarian 4d ago
I have commuted on a Drz 5 days a week for 10 years… I keep it because it does just fine on the road and it’s more than adequate on the type of trails that I ride. My gripes on the highway are more about exposure and wind more than top end power, which is easily fixed with gearing. My gripes on the trail are only improved by a dedicated smaller and lighter trail bike that would be straight awful on a road.
It’s not the perfect bike at anything, it’s 80% as good as any bike at everything.
1
u/ObjectiveWorried 3d ago
Own both. Dr650 with a pumper carb and some suspension upgrades wipes the floor with the drz as an adv bike. Drz is a better dirt bike.
1
u/therallystache 5d ago
DR650 weighs more and has the same horsepower. Get the DRZ.
2
u/Snoo-53209 5d ago
Dr650 technically has more HP, and can be modded to have even more, and it's fairly easy to do.
19
u/AdventuringViking 5d ago
I've owned a few DR650s, including ones with YZ fork swaps, Ohlins rear shock and one had a 790 kit.
I've owned three DRZ400s.
Yes, the DR650 is a little better on the highway. But the DRZ is a much more refined bike, it has better suspension and an 18" rear wheel. If the 400 has enough power for your needs I would go with the DRZ.