CRF250L vs. DRZ400S - best 4t BOATer

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Been on my list of bikes to buy for a while - i.e. a bike with a bit of clearance and wheel sizes that will take road legal knoblies. Ratio (in terms of time - not miles, i.e.) of on to off road riding would be - realistically - about 80-20%.

My riding would be more like trials than enduro - careful lines not muddy hoons.

A 125 would probably be fine. Even a vanvan would *almost* do for my purposes - clearance is okay. But ultimately they're too gutless and the forks/shock bottom out too easily.

Some 250 or other would probably be best. Would cope with A-road speeds better, and have a bit more strength off road too of course. But the CRF250L is too dear, as there aren't many second hand yet. Also - and this surprised me - it's heavier than the DRZ400 (!):

CRF250L - 144kg
DRZ400S - 133kg

Has the 400 been discontinued? Can't find it in Suzuki's current models. Not that I could buy new, but was curious. Regardless, I am starting to get a stirring in my loins for the 400.

Haven't got a big budget. A grand? Could be 1500. What other stuff is out there that I should be considering - that I can get spares for and come up a lot on eBay / gumtree / MCN / etc. etc. ?
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Copycat73]

[P.]

Older 400 over the 250 is what I would have.

[Chalky.]

You can get a drz400e for 1200ish, an old one.

I'd get that - it's the most powerful of them put still pretty steady.

[doggone]

I would look for a DRZ too.
(and I have the CRF)

[G]

DRZ figure you have there is a good bit under. At some point with no model changes they magically bumped the number up on their website etc - just changed the way they measure I presume.
I expect the DRZ-E is more comparable with the CRF250L.

Enduro is all about lines too - just taking the same lines at a faster pace. I wouldn't say you'll find may lanes that will offer THAT much of a trials experience - thus you do it a bit faster .

Is this just for dirty riding (with on road mostly getting to the dirty bits)?

If so, I'd go for my usual suggestion of a KTM 250/300 or similar. Fairly low maitenance, nice and light, very flexible engine and so on - much closer to 'trials', as it goes .

If you're stuck on the 4 stroke, also consider an XR400 - a bit less power than the DRZ, but also less weight. Kick start only. Or a DR600/KLR600 - similar sort of weight to the DRZ, a bit more top end and more low down. Do need a decent kick.

[stevo as b4]

I'd probably go older and get a nice clean and cheap XR250 or XR400 and spend the rest of your budget on fettling it to make it spot on.

Whatever I buy it would be on condition and then price over spec or ability. In the unlikely event you might find a mint XT350 or DR350S either of these would do everything you want easily and be capable of getting jiggy in the dirt too!

I'd also look at some of the grey import stuff too, as you do occasionally find low mileage very tidy 10year old+ grey's and things like the DR250S, XT225 serrow, and KLX300R would all be good IMO.

You can look out for tidy European's too, but I think that Orange enduro bikes, and the likes of Gasgas and Husqvarna are often quite expensive compared to similar but less trendy Japanese stuff.

For example I would bet that a same year WR400F is cheaper than a KTM EXC or similar?

[G]

[Fizzer Thou]

I have several friends with DRZ400s and they seem more than capable around the Kent and Surrey green lanes.So riding around Yorkshire on a DRZ with a bigger tank would be ideal.

Rutland Rig looks like good fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG4M1F0mlGo
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[P.]

[doggone]

They seem to call it Rutland but it's Rudland.
That video they aren't on the main section much, but seem to go up on to the top from Farndale then back down the same route.
It's much steeper than it looks and you definitely wouldn't get up with a road bike even when it's as dry as that - which is unusual.
The Northern end near Ingleby is extremely rough rocky steps as well as steep at best of times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jifpp2yJXBc

[stevo as b4]

I remember that bit's seemed to be expensive for my mate's little boys KTM SX50, when all I could think was that I bet say a CRF70 is massively cheaper for parts and easier to get hold of them too.

I suppose as G pointed out when you get 10years old or more, prices seem to even out a bit, but I have generally found Japanese bikes to be a bit cheaper and maybe it's due to them not being as trendy or look as trick?

I would hate to ride a big Orange monster and only pootle along byways and dirt tracks, as I expect one looks a bit of a Knob on trick ass competition styled enduro bike doing such things!

It's a bit like trials bikes as well really. If you have the latest Montessa/Beta etc and ride the beginners easy sections you don't look the man really. But ride a beat up old TY250 mono or older Fantic etc and you knows your stuff!

[P.]

[G]

WR400 is a bit heavier and generally not quite as 'good' as a KTM, I'd say. Though the 400 does have a bit of a cult following for being reasonably reliable.
If you get a 2003 KTM there's a significant number of bits that are still identical dimensions on a 2014 KTM; not so much the same for the Jap bikes.
(Plenty of bits pre 2003 too - believe the rear wheels are still the same.)
That's partly why I went for the 690 - with an adaptor I could stick on my 2001 Husaberg (owned by KTM) SM wheels on very easily.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Cheers all.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125