Suzuki DRZ-250 vs. Kawasaki KLX250S

[Magnum P.I.]

I am on the prowl for a new dual sports bike. In fact it will be my first bike....ever.

I am looking to use it to build up experience both on and off road and after a year move on to something bigger for longer trips. Anyway after reading many reviews and speaking to a few dealers I have narrowed it down to these two.

From what I have found:

Suzuki DRZ250 2008
Reliable
Simple maintenance (not liquid cooled)
Easy to ride (and learn on)

Kawasaki KLX250S 2008 (and 2006/7)
Better suspension
You can make some mods to give it more beans as I get used to it
Liquid cooled
Long service intervals

All in all, to me its a close call, except for the prices
Suzuki $5,500 (on sale) vs Kawasaki $6,900

So is the Kawasaki worth $1,500 more? There is no doubt the KLX looks better. It seems to get a big wrap from owners on some of the forums I have read.

Any opinions or info would be great..

[Shakey!]

Magnum P.I., now there was a TV show!! Not like the crap that's on now.

Myself, I'd go for the DR, air cooled, easy to fix/maintain and the money saved could finance a trip to Cape York/Ayers Rock/Night from Hell at Hooters!!

Easy!

Cheers

[tHEtREV]

I don't have any regrets about buying my old KLX, And I paid $9200 OTR!!!!

The old girl served me well.

There has been many times I have been on my DR and was wishing I was on my KLX, and some of those times have been on long trips.

But having said that, I have never ridden a DR250 s I cant really compare the two.

So my opinion counts for nothing.

A quick search and I found this....http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287623

Enjoy.

Oh and welcome to the asylem... And fill out your profile...

[Knackers]

Originally Posted by tHEtREV

... And fill out your profile...

tHEtREV as profile police?

Who'd a thunk it

[tHEtREV]

I had to try it....Just once... I mean, all my friends were doing it.

But now I don't feel "cool" or "part of the group".... I just feel dirty.


And... And.. I'm LATE!!!!

[El Toad Man]

Ahem (cough cough) , Trev, do you have a current photo of your KLX.......


Though in fairness, I guess it has done in excess of 50 000 (?)km.

[Tagati]

Originally Posted by El Toad Man

Ahem (cough cough) , Trev, do you have a current photo of your KLX.......


Though in fairness, I guess it has done in excess of 50 000 (?)km.

A history of tHEtREV's KLX250 in Pictures ..... well not really I just dug up some pics. I really did like this bike and I didn't even own it

[What's his Face]

i've got both

the klx for me and the dr for the mrs
if they were the same price i would say the klx for sure but if you can save $1400 go the dr if it's your first bike you wont know the difference

and don't forget whatever you do pick

ride that thing

[Pezz_gs]

What about a TTR250?

Great bike and pretty cheap if you can get a good one second hand.

Only down side is small tank . . . .

I have been toying with a TTR250. I have a 2004 WR450 Front end in the shed and . . . . . . . actually, I dont need another project

[BruceC]

I went through this exercise some time ago.

KLX - more comfortable seat and there are more accessories available for it. There is also a shitload of tuning info (check out the KLX250 thread in the ADV thumper forum). You WILL need a bigger tank. The Acerbis tank for the KLX is about 14 litres. It comes standard with a small carry rack. I don't know if the 2008 version has fuel injection. If it does, then this is a big plus.

DRZ - more low down grunt and its simple. The seat is painful on a long trip (500+ k's per day). Up to 250 k's per day its fine. Bugger all accessories (as far as I know its only sold in Japan and Aus). According to the specs the standard tank holds 10.5 litres. In fact it holds 12.5 litres. I know because I measured it. I "popped" the tank and it now holds 14 litres, the same as the $500 upgrade to the KLX and I got it for free. No carry rack as standard, but Whipps make a rack to suit.

Both produce about the same power, but differently. DRZ is down low, KLX is up high. DRZ runs out of puff up high, but the KLX just keeps on revving. This will make them suitable for different conditions. DRZ better in hills and rocks. KLX better in sand. Both will cruise at 100kph, but see comment below.

You will need to de-restrict either of them. As they come out of the box they wont do more than 85kph down a mine shaft.

I found that I didn't really need any more power after I de-restricted the drz. But, I use it for adventure touring, not pseudo enduros.

I could easily live with either, but I really enjoy the low down grunt of the drz. It just makes it really easy to ride in my local conditions.

Why did I buy the drz? Basically because the local Kawasaki dealer couldn't get its act together. I had already put a deposit on a klx and they blew it.

So, final choice: depends on whether you prefer yellow or green. Other than that I think the defining choice will be around the reputation and service from your local dealers. My final recommendation: if you have the choice don't buy on price. You save once, but will regret many times.

BruceC

[philth]

32 litre dr 650 safari tank also fits the dr 250

[Magnum P.I.]

Thanks for the replies. Rev, filled out the profile....

Bruce thanks for the comparsion, very helpful. I think at this stage I am going for the KLX as even though the DRZ is dirt cheap I figure that as I get more experienced I can modify the exhaust, carby and get the kit from Kawasaki to give it more beans.

And you can't over look that the KLX looks a damn side better then the DRZ which does look very old school.

Cheers

[gahboo]

Originally Posted by philth

32 litre dr 650 safari tank also fits the dr 250

Do you know this from experience? This is the first time I have found a reference to an aftermarket tank that will fit the DRZ250. Details please!

[philth]

needs some brackets but will fit, contact safaritanks and they will help you out

[DonQx]

Could you point me to where you got the price of $5500 for the DRZ from?

I thought it was only reduced to $6590 (from $6,990) ... http://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/...?intNewsID=530

$5500 would be very tempting indeed!!!!!!

:-) a.

Originally Posted by Magnum P.I.

I am on the prowl for a new dual sports bike. In fact it will be my first bike....ever.

...

All in all, to me its a close call, except for the prices
Suzuki $5,500 (on sale) vs Kawasaki $6,900

So is the Kawasaki worth $1,500 more? There is no doubt the KLX looks better. It seems to get a big wrap from owners on some of the forums I have read.