DRZ400 or XR400: Good adventure bike?

[wilit]

So I'm starting to get the adventure bike bug after overdosing on motorcycle ride documentaries. But in all the movies/series I've watched, they seem to be in love with the big BMW 1200 bikes. Everytime they get into the dirt, they seem to really struggle with the weight. Just seems counter intuitive to me to go with such a large bike.

I've been throwing around the idea of doing a DRZ or maybe even an XR400. I like the idea of the smaller bike with a carb and kickstart option. Just curious if anyone has done some actual adventure rides like the Trans America Trail on one of these bikes. My goal would be to start small with the Sheetiron, move up to Barstow to Vegas, then start tackling larger runs.

 

[cal scott]

This review covers your question for the DRZ400 pretty completely and this one does a pretty good job comparing the two. There are also a number of threads that cover the two bike on advrider.com.

 

[1962siia]

I’ve had several xr400’s in the past. Great bikes and really well suited for this kind of riding. We do 1k miles in Baja each year mostly off road living off the bikes and several people have come on the xr400 and been super happy. Drz400 too. :thumbup

 

[XRMAN]

As a longtime proud owner of a street legal XR400, here's my two cents:

Cons:
- The front suspension is not very good in the rough stuff
- No magic button sucks, but you get used to it
- Hard to start if you don't know what you are doing
- Wish it had a 6-speed gear box
- I would not ride it on a freeway or on long street only rides

Pros:
- The bike is reliable and dependable. It has never left me stranded and I've dropped it many times in the middle of nowhere.
- More of a dirt bike than street bike
- Air cooled, so no radiator to worry about
- Fairly easy to work on
- It's a Honda

Final thoughts:
If you will be riding more street than dirt, I'd get the DRZ. More dirt than street, get the XR.

 

[HadesOmega]

I've ridden both bikes. The XR400 seems to have more power than the DRZ400. The DRZ kinda just feels like a slightly bigger 250 powerwise. They are both pretty light and easy to ride in the the sand.

But I was surprised how much more easier it is to ride in the sand compared to the DR650. I even rode it on the beach which I probably wouldn't do on the DR650. I got stuck going up the beach and I was surprised how it easier it was to drag the bike by the handlebars and ride down the beach.

I haven't done a lot of pavement with either of them but I dont' think either them is ok for extended freeway travel.

You can get an XR400 with electric start but they don't come from the factory like that. I see them popup from time to time. The DRZ is more street civilized than the XR400, the XR400 feels more of a dirtbike than a dual sport.

For really rough terrain these bikes are what you want.

The DRZ I had heard the subframe is a little weak. So you don't want to load it up much.

I think if you want a good little bike for adventure riding the WR250R is what you want. It has a stronger subframe, 6 speeds, good suspension. I thought about maybe a KLX250 with a bore up kit would be ok also. I rode EricB's and its not bad. Once you have tasted the torque of the mighty DR650 though everything smaller feels torqueless haha.

Also as someone who has ridden the TAT the DRZ or XR400 is OVERKILL for the TAT. The riding isn't too difficult. I would say the perfect bike for the TAT would be KLR650 or DR650. They'd need to be kitted out for adventure though. Especially the suspension on the DR650. Maybe even like a Tiger 800 or 1200 would be fine. The riding is very easy except for a couple parts that I was glad I had a smaller bike.

Now as someone who has ridden the LAB2V twice I will tell you the DRZ or XR400 is the bike you want. The TAT vs LAB2V is like comparing apples to oranges totally different game. The lighter the bike you have the less worn out you will be. At the end of the LAB2V 2018 I was WORN OUT, its almost like a rally race it so crazy the amount of miles you are going through. If the bike can do more of the work for you won't get worn out as easily and yeah it's easier to pick up. I would run both those bikes in LAB2V and do the hard stuff with it too. They'd need bigger tanks though. Big bikes are a handful in the sand... Adventure riding is a big compromise so that's why I go with a DR650 the middle of the road between a light/midweight dualsport and a large adventure bike.

If your looking for a cheap lightweight adventure bike look at the CSC RX4. It just came out it's a lotta bike for your money for sure. It's probably not ideal for the really rough routes but it seems like a great mix.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Ryan -

I have owned and ridden both extensively. You want the DRZ hands down as a little adventure bike. It has more slighter more power, smoother, and a generation newer than the XR. You can add a kickstarter for $200 and it bolts on.

Adding estart on an XR requires the entire bottom end off a Honda quad along with the wiring harness.

While the DRZ does only have 5 spds and can be buzzy on the highway, its WAY better than the XR on the highway. No comparison. I suspect the DRZ motor will hold up considerably better when used for any period of time on the highway with the watercooled and plated cylinder. Any XR I have ever owned burned some oil on the highway, fresh engine or not. DRZ less so. I'd consider riding a DRZ to LA, no way on the XR.

The XR is just a bit lighter, but once both are kitted out they are comparable. Toss up in the dirt unless you convert the DRZ S to E spec, then DRZ gets the nod. XR is old school tractor like. DRZ smoother.

I really cant think of a reason to buy an XR over the DRZ as an adventure light bike. I own one now (XR400r) because I got it so cheap and can afford to let it sit all year and only pull it out once or twice a year.

 

[buellistic]

Ryan -

I have owned and ridden both extensively. You want the DRZ hands down as a little adventure bike. It has more slighter more power, smoother, and a generation newer than the XR. You can add a kickstarter for $200 and it bolts on.

Adding estart on an XR requires the entire bottom end off a Honda quad along with the wiring harness.

While the DRZ does only have 5 spds and can be buzzy on the highway, its WAY better than the XR on the highway. No comparison. I suspect the DRZ motor will hold up considerably better when used for any period of time on the highway with the watercooled and plated cylinder. Any XR I have ever owned burned some oil on the highway, fresh engine or not. DRZ less so. I'd consider riding a DRZ to LA, no way on the XR.

The XR is just a bit lighter, but once both are kitted out they are comparable. Toss up in the dirt unless you convert the DRZ S to E spec, then DRZ gets the nod. XR is old school tractor like. DRZ smoother.

I really cant think of a reason to buy an XR over the DRZ as an adventure light bike. I own one now because I got it so cheap and can afford to let it sit all year and only pull it out once or twice a year.

Like he said
DRZ
20k. Miles and solid

https://www.southbayriders.com/forums/threads/113135/

Just one of many.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Call them street legal dirt bikes or even dual sports, but those two don't fit my definition of Adventure Bike. You need an adventure bike when you've ridden several hundred miles of dirt, the sun is going down, and you still need to ride 200 miles to get home. That's when a bike like the BMW R1200GS is a good thing to have, or any of the KTMs with the word Adventure on them.

I have to ride 20 miles across town to get to the dirt and I'm not sure I would want to do that on either the XR400 or DR-Z400. It's annoying enough on my XR650L when I have the dirt tires on it and the lower gearing.

:2cents

/threadjack

 

[Junkie]

20 miles across town is too much for a DRZ? That's news to me. I don't even really mind it on the WR450 when it's on knobbies.

I doubt there's much your XRL does better than a DRZ.

 

[m0t0_ryder]

I agree with Scott on the bigger bikes and distance rides.

I agree with CJ & Merlin on the lower mid-weights and ease of ride in softer/rougher stuff. And that picking up thing.

Your profile shows a WR250 so you got the light weight part covered.

I've ridden the XR400 but not the DRZ. It's a fun capable dirt bike that can be plated. I have an XR600, plated. Like CJ said... tractors.

The advice given above has been good and points to your choice of 400's being the one that fits your intended purpose.
Going into deep, rough, tough riding areas sounds like the XR is the ticket.
Keeping it on the double track dirt, for the most part, and covering more distance it sounds like the DRZ is the way you should go.

I'm sure either will be an awesome intro into the adventury stuff.

 

[ScottRNelson]

20 miles across town is too much for a DRZ? That's news to me. I don't even really mind it on the WR450 when it's on knobbies.

I doubt there's much your XRL does better than a DRZ.

Didn't say 20 miles across town was too much, just that I wouldn't want to do it - i.e., not enjoyable. But I'll still do stuff I don't enjoy to get to what I enjoy a lot.

My son had a DR-Z400S and now has an XR650L. He switched after he rode my XRL on a 300 mile "dirt adventure". He has a 22 mile commute through a canyon and the XRL definitely works better for that. I'll agree that off road the XRL is unlikely to be better than a DRZ, but I'm not sure it's worse either. I'm happy with the XRL on my typical 150 mile rides that are half dirt and half highways. It does quite well on the highway part, and is certainly better off road than a KLR, for example.

 

[wilit]

I've ridden both bikes. The XR400 seems to have more power than the DRZ400. The DRZ kinda just feels like a slightly bigger 250 powerwise. They are both pretty light and easy to ride in the the sand.

But I was surprised how much more easier it is to ride in the sand compared to the DR650. I even rode it on the beach which I probably wouldn't do on the DR650. I got stuck going up the beach and I was surprised how it easier it was to drag the bike by the handlebars and ride down the beach.

I haven't done a lot of pavement with either of them but I dont' think either them is ok for extended freeway travel.

You can get an XR400 with electric start but they don't come from the factory like that. I see them popup from time to time. The DRZ is more street civilized than the XR400, the XR400 feels more of a dirtbike than a dual sport.

For really rough terrain these bikes are what you want.

The DRZ I had heard the subframe is a little weak. So you don't want to load it up much.

I think if you want a good little bike for adventure riding the WR250R is what you want. It has a stronger subframe, 6 speeds, good suspension. I thought about maybe a KLX250 with a bore up kit would be ok also. I rode EricB's and its not bad. Once you have tasted the torque of the mighty DR650 though everything smaller feels torqueless haha.

Also as someone who has ridden the TAT the DRZ or XR400 is OVERKILL for the TAT. The riding isn't too difficult. I would say the perfect bike for the TAT would be KLR650 or DR650. They'd need to be kitted out for adventure though. Especially the suspension on the DR650. Maybe even like a Tiger 800 or 1200 would be fine. The riding is very easy except for a couple parts that I was glad I had a smaller bike.

Now as someone who has ridden the LAB2V twice I will tell you the DRZ or XR400 is the bike you want. The TAT vs LAB2V is like comparing apples to oranges totally different game. The lighter the bike you have the less worn out you will be. At the end of the LAB2V 2018 I was WORN OUT, its almost like a rally race it so crazy the amount of miles you are going through. If the bike can do more of the work for you won't get worn out as easily and yeah it's easier to pick up. I would run both those bikes in LAB2V and do the hard stuff with it too. They'd need bigger tanks though. Big bikes are a handful in the sand... Adventure riding is a big compromise so that's why I go with a DR650 the middle of the road between a light/midweight dualsport and a large adventure bike.

If your looking for a cheap lightweight adventure bike look at the CSC RX4. It just came out it's a lotta bike for your money for sure. It's probably not ideal for the really rough routes but it seems like a great mix.

Great info, thanks. I had thought about the WR250R. That 6th gear sounds nice for the freeway bits and the 25lbs less weight than the DRZ or XR is a turn on as well. But at only 23-25hp, loaded up and a any sort of headwind sounds like it might struggle. I don't want to go down the mod-rabbit hole of doing a big bore kit and EFI mods to bring the power up to a more usable level. Plus, the appeal of the DRZ and XR is the carb. It just adds so much more simplicity to the bike. I've also looked at the RX4, but I think it's just a little more porky than I'd like. The real appeal of the DRZ is it's longevity and aftermarket support. Being able to pick up a good used bike for under $4k and outfit it for $2k more is really enticing.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Rebekah took her WR250R to baja with us a few years ago before getting her FE350 and Eric has done a number of trips on his KLX250R with a big bore kit. Both seem to do good, but cant say how they would do we someone of my weight. Havent ridden either.

My XR's motor/exhaust is stock other than jetting. The suspension has a bit of work, plus the requisite armor, bark busters, big tank (5.8 gallon), pegs, fat bars, race light etc. It weighs a real 294 lbs with two gallons of gas, so its not exactly a lightweight but not crazy. If you are really curious about them, you are welcome to come up north and ride it.

After riding the XR for a bit, it would only take a 5 minute spin on the DRZ onverthe pavement to see what I am talking about. The DRZ is just so much smoother. It can be made to perform much like the XR offroad, just a carry a bit more weight. But if its an adventure "light" bike... well you are going to be adding luggages and spares anyways, so geeking about weight is really kinda a mute point. If you are really looking light weight dirtability, get a plated dirt bike. But a plated dirtbike wont make a good light adventure bike.

Important note about the DRZ400S. It got the fully adjustable DRZ400E's suspension in 2002 I believe. You want/need this. Google to confirm year the change over occurred.

I've also owned and spent considerable time on a XR650L and DR650. The XR650L will chug along at 65-70 on the highway with a bit less fuss than either of the 400's. Its pretty decent offroad with some tweaks if the rider has some experience and can deal with its height and 360lb wet weight when kitted (mine). The DR650's motor is a real gem. Much smoother than the XR's with the same ability carry a moderate highway speed. It also runs cooler that the XR650L. The achilles of the XR650L and its older design is heat... it breaks down the oil quicker, and they tend to burn a bit more than the DR650s if run all afternoon on the highway. Its what often leads to the premature engine failure of them. For the average dualsporter, non issue. As an adventure light bike, it something keep in mind if you were doing cross country/state work. Non issue if aware and keep on top of it or even add an oil cooler.

The real gem would be the DR650's motor in the XR650L's chassis. I swapped back and forth between the two that aquired and kitted out both, then spent 6weeks riding to/from and in baja from the city giving me the ability to make a pretty fair evaluation of them. :teeth

I would never consider such a trip with that much road work on the XR400R, but might on the DRZ400S.

Money no object, probably the best bike for what you are trying to do is the KTM690 or Husky 701. But you probably already know that.

Or get a damn dirtbike and a KLR for your adventures.... :laughing

 

[wilit]

My XR's motor/exhaust is stock other than jetting. The suspension has a bit of work, plus the requisite armor, bark busters, big tank (5.8 gallon), pegs, fat bars, race light etc. It weighs a real 294 lbs with two gallons of gas, so its not exactly a lightweight but not crazy. If you are really curious about them, you are welcome to come up north and ride it.

I might take you up on that offer. I've ridden my buddy's '17 DRZ400S and it's pretty slick, but you can tell it's definitely 300+ lbs. I'd really be curious to see what the old XR feels like. Considering it was new, I was really hesitant to ride it like a dirt bike, but I could tell on the street it was pretty comfy.

Honestly, I love my WR250F and if I could plate it, I'd probably just keep it. I've been looking for a plated WR250/450 and non-factory plated bikes are just crazy overpriced in CA.

 

[Junkie]

If you pick up an out of state bike that's never been to CA it's fairly easy to get a CA plate for it. PM me if you want the name of the guy I used, cost I think $75 + normal DMV stuff. He's in SF.

 

[OaklandF4i]

I might take you up on that offer. I've ridden my buddy's '17 DRZ400S and it's pretty slick, but you can tell it's definitely 300+ lbs. I'd really be curious to see what the old XR feels like. Considering it was new, I was really hesitant to ride it like a dirt bike, but I could tell on the street it was pretty comfy.

Honestly, I love my WR250F and if I could plate it, I'd probably just keep it. I've been looking for a plated WR250/450 and non-factory plated bikes are just crazy overpriced in CA.

Welcome anytime to ride it. While on paper it isnt much heavier than your Wr250F, the XR will feel heavier. It revs a lot slower than the WR and more top heavy. I sound like I am bad mouthing the XR, not my intention. Just being honest. Its a great bike for what it is and for my budget and use, perfect. But as an adventure light bike, the DRZ is the better bike. Plated dirtbike, its becomes a closer comparison. And even then, might say the DRZ if you put some effort it getting closer to the E specs.

As you are probably figuring out, a plated dirt bike is a plated dirt bike and a light adventure bike is a light adventure bike or dual sport. Really are different and isnt one bike that can do both really well.

Junkie is right about the WR and plating. They have been getting through, for now. Make a great plated dirt bike.... but a poor adventure bike. Not something that should be ridden down the 5 to LA on.

 

[HadesOmega]

It depends on your intended purpose for the bike and how hard you plan to ride the bike. If you are just putting along some fairly easy trails a big bike will be just fine, hold your stuff better, and be more comfortable. Of course cost more $$$ also. Like if I was to do the TAT again and you'd ask me I could take any bike with me it'd be something like an Africa Twin or R120GSA. I learned somewhere that you want to take the appropriate bike for the hardest section you plan on riding.

Now these light adventure bikes popping up everywhere is what I'm really interested, like the RX4, Himalaya, Versys300X, G310, etc.... thats what I'm interested it's light and comfortable, can probably be riddin in somewhat rough terrain. That's the kind of adventure riding I like to do. The DR650 is big enough to do just about all of that just not one thing well. The light ADV bikes could probably do just as well except in the power department and really rough trail department.