Which Adventure Bike - DRZ400E or DR650?

It was a dilemma I faced after selling my little BMW GS310 - which adventure bike - or more specifically - which Suzuki should I get, DRZ or DR?
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[@kymstock1852]

Having owned the older DR650RS (late 1990 model PD model/ kick start ) , the 650 Vstrom and a DRZ400 my opinion is as follows. I think the rider's riding history has a major influence on what he/she will prefer. I started on trail bikes, then enduro bikes. When I first rode a DRZ400 if felt like a barge. After owning a 650 V-Strom and a Tiger 800 it now feels like a minibike. 1) Suspension : the DRZ is superior, but still needed stiffer springs and valving. 2) Motor: Smoothness the Vstrom V twin wins, but the DRZ power pulses are way less than the DR. I rode my mate's fully sorted DR and was surprised by the vibey feeling pf the big piston. 3) Gear ratios: the DRZ 400 has a weird spread of ratios. I fitted an ACT gear set which more or less makes it perform like a 6 speed box. 5th gear is now an over drive. IMO the motor would be better off with a bit more grunt ( 425 -440 kit) to match the overdrive. 4) Braking: I fitted a bigger front disc on my DRZ400 for when I was fully loaded with luggage. It needs it! For me the cost of altering the gear box on the 400 ( $1800)was cheaper than grafting quality cartridge suspension onto the 650. I tried modiying the Vstrom with emulator kits, it was better , but nowhere as good as the WP suspension on the Tiger 800 or modified DRZ. I did 500 km on the DRZ in crap weather in the past two days. Most of it was at highway speed. Sure the Tiger or the V-Strom would have handled the strong winds better, but the lightness of the DRZ still makes me smile when I don't have to struggle with the weight at slow speeds. I forgot to say that short riders are not suited to the DRZ

[@markdotcomau]

Having owned both and currently the owner of a DR650, for me, choosing between the 2 is like picking a favourite child. You have to love them both equally 👍👌

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Well put Mark. Ideally I'd own both!

[@6226superhurricane]

i've done a 7000km trip on my drz400e nsw to sa, flinders ranges strezleck tracki, down to port augusta, up the outback highway, oodnadatta track, mt dare, crossed the simpson solo unsupported, western qld and nsw back home 15/44 gearing sitting on 110 or better most of the time no problem.. i've had a dr600 dakar which is practically identical to the 650se and for me there's no comparison the drz is just a far better all rounder. most people criticize the 400 for highway revs but piston is 30mm oversquare, 12.2 compression, 10k rev limit, peak torque 7k rpm peak power at 9k rpm. double overhead cam, no rocker arms. vastly different to the dr which by comparison is all about low end grunt and signs off early in the rev range. so i think it would take a 650 owner a while to accept that the drz just isn't meant to cruise at 4k rpm at all it's far happier at higher revs.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Cheers Michael for the insight from a long term DRZ owner 😎👍 Yeah, one of the things that throw me was the RPM difference. Kind of got use to 4000 rpm being a sweet spot on the DR. The DRZ seems way happier revving harder. And good to know they can do these rev with no ill effects 👍

[@dune7824]

I find the DR a far better all rounder. It probably has more to do with rider specs than bike specs when deciding between these bikes.

[@cranerigging3604]

Great ride / review and thanks for taking us along Mates ! 👍 It's such a hard choice between the two I'm gonna stay with my 1978 Suzuki PE 175 and ride while I decide ? Keep up the great work fellers !

[@jdsalinger73]

I had a 2003 DR650 in yellow. Loved that bike and wish I hadn't sold it, but....married life. Suzuki makes the best bikes for this class. Best looking and do everything. Brother had a DRZ400SM and it was really fun to ride as well.

[@matthaidle1770]

Both capable motorcycles in their application. Just something about the DR 650. Carbureted, Air Cooled, big bore engine with plenty of torque. You can drop them and pick them up again and go, you can sink them then dry them out again and then go and even if they are not running right you can get to where you want to go. Dependable agricultural repairable rideable with ease. You can dress them up, tune them up and flog them for what it’s worth. I think that’s why so many people enjoy them.

[@bigdoggonzo]

Great video and all your videos are informative honest with nice music and drone photography. Well done indeed.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Many thanks mate! 😎👍

[@margaretgardner5335]

Interesting comparison Phil. I like a bike I can pick up and that handles light and easy so really happy with my XT250. Certainly awesome to have a dirt bike for adventure rides though a second road bike gives more scope for long distance adventures😎😊. Keep the videos coming they’re always enjoyable to watch 👍😁😁Cheers Margie.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Your little XT is really all that's needed- get you anywhere. Just not ideal for longer range trips. Nothing is perfect... Glad you like the clips Margie 😎👍

[@vsadventures9402]

DRZ400 for single track, DR650 best adventure bike in category 🏆

[@MidCoastAdventures]

I agree 👍 May own both in a few weeks or so 😎👍

[@CamperKev]

If I was touring, I would go the 650. Local runs and bush tracks, it would be the 400. Thanks for the review. Enjoyed that.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Spot on Kevin👍 . Ideally own both bikes.

[@motogspot]

I thought the DR was light so im liking the 400 even more now, love the colour! 😁👍🏼

[@MidCoastAdventures]

I guess the DR650 is lite compared to a GS1200 🤔 170 kg aint too bad for big-ish bike. But 138 kg for the DRZ is more like it. No where near as comfy as your KTM though!

[@motogspot]

@@MidCoastAdventures it is comfortable Phil but I’m keen to have a decent go on Jess’s SR 650 to compare 😃

[@lcdubs7847]

Both nicely built.

[@dune7824]

I prefer the DR650 but it's mostly because of the low end torque due the large displacement.

[@StayingSane]

After picking up the KLR a couple of times, a DRZ is looking good, maybe my next bike

[@MidCoastAdventures]

I'm hearing you with lifting heavy bikes... 😫 DRZ would be very manageable on your own. Just not ideal for long range rides.

[@AdvHQ]

Nice comparison, I am considering adding either a DR650 or a Vstrom 650 slongside the DRZ.... the drz in the vid at 12:00 had a lot of coolant bubbling away.... might pay to keep an eye on that, my mate's was bubbling in there last ride - needs a rebuild now - only 5500km

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Cheers Adv HQ. You can't go too wrong with either bike (DR or Vstrom) just depends on your use for it. Considering a second bike myself- probably a DRZ. Will keep and eye on the coolant 👍

[@tylercollins208]

My favorite mods have been the 16-43/44

[@tassieadventurerider4815]

Great comparison, the DRZ 400 is definitely better for the hard going. I did cairns to cape on a 400 but bought the 650 for my normal riding back home as it handles the highway and my style of riding better 👍

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Well, you'd know both bikes better than me! Awesome ride around the Cape on the 400 😎👍 And yeah, the 650 is happy allrounder hey, so long as don't take on the goat tracks- as you know 👍

[@stavencapp]

I thought those roads looked familiar LOL Im from Kempsey, just sold my BMW s1000r for a DRZ400.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Nice light machine compared to the GS. Cheers mate.

[@anthonynicholich9654]

DRZ400 for everything Unless you're going to be on the freeway all the time

[@jonsmith9708]

I ride too fast on my yz250x and exc300 so know I ride a dr650 and love it I don’t get the urge to go fast all the time I soak in scenery more on 650

[@coobye]

G'day, Do you have any info on your centre stand. It looks homemade?. I'm heading up your way in a month from the south coast and have been watching your videos looking for places to see. Some cool places to check out up there. Cheers.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Hi Coobye, it's home made- on the bike when I bought it. Very handy things! Glad you like the clips mate, lots to see and do up this way for sure 👍

[@bradh74]

The DR 650 only has 36hp and the DRZ400 is the same or 40hp not really sure but that's in the USA. I don't know why these companies do things like that but it would be nice to get one of those bikes with 50 hp here everyone might want one.

[@SmalltimR]

You can uncork the 650 for 44 HP - it's cheap and more than enough for most anyone. With that said, even corked, the 650 has explosive torque from the get-go

[@bazz6670]

I've always thought about the dr 650 if I could only have one bike, I ride the drz a lot but it takes some getting used to on the highway. My vstrom I s great for long distance and I do ride it in the bush. So I wonder how heavy the dr would feel to me if the strom is over 200 kg. Could be a good inbtween bike. How rough is the drz on road compared to the dr do you think.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Hi Bazz. For me the DR is near perfect. It's not too heavy (roughly 170 kilos) and can easily eat up the hwy miles.- despite being 5 speed. But not as good as your Vstrom on road. The DRZ is an amazing machine- as you know- but....pretty horrible on the road for too long- especially at hwy speeds. Nothing is perfect hey. I think the new CRF300 would be a good do most things bike. 6 speed would be sweet sitting on 100 kays. Tell Honda to bring out a 500 cc single, fuel injected CRF 😁

[@FlatBrokeAdventures]

I'm currently thinking about both bikes. I want to do some local exploring (around Denman NSW) looking for campsite, 4wd trails and nice places to visit. I don't want to be riding anything to nasty as I have no experience riding trails and only 5 years on a road bike. I expect to be on reasonable gravel roads, fire trails etc and maybe something like what you rode in this video. I expect to be doing 4 - 6 hour rides so comfort is important as is seat height (169cm and 105kg so short and fat) . I feel the extra torque of the 650 would suit me better. What are your thoughts?

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Definitely the DR650 for that type of riding 👍 More nasty stuff, DRZ400. Cheers mate

[@FlatBrokeAdventures]

@@MidCoastAdventures thanks mate that's what I was thinking. Greatly appreciated

[@stavencapp]

they are 40HP, not 50

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Actually 48 hp, which is a fair bit for a lightish bike. Just need a 6-speed box 👍

[@markalan4026]

​@MidCoastAdventures do you have any sources that state that the 400 has 48hp? Not trying to be contentious here, just genuinely curious because all sources I have come across say the "E" or original "K" model have around 39hp.