Looking at buying one of these bikes for dual sport use
Basically looking for something with enough highway speed for touring but light and durable enough for offroad.
I took a couple of bikes for test rides in Phnom Penh recently
Observations
SUZUKI DRZ400
ros
Suzuki electrics seem better setup for highway use ie, battery, elect start, more powerful headlight.
Also it was smoother at low rpm around town
Late models DRZ400's are around 20% cheaper than XR400's in Phnom Penh
:Cons
The seat is too narrow for long trips. It is geared very low and developes it power at relatively high rpm, which make me think it would be heavy on the gasoline for long trips
HONDA XR400
ros
Appears to be bullet proof. Not much on the bike to go wrong.
Plenty of low down torque.
I suspect its slightly more economical on gasoline than the Suzuki.
The seat provides acceptable comfort for long trips.
:Cons
Relatively expensive, $3700 to $4500 for 1997 to 2000 model respectively
No elect start or battery, headlight runs off Stator/capacitor so I expect its challenging for night riding. (Was told that a 50W halogen headlight would work on this bike ??)
Bit lumpy to ride around town.
Conclusion: Suzy seems a sensible choice but for some reason I like the grunty no nonense XR400. If the 50W halogen headlight option worked OK, I would probably go for the XR400
Would be interested to hear other peoples comments on pros and cons of each.
Basically looking for something with enough highway speed for touring but light and durable enough for offroad.
I took a couple of bikes for test rides in Phnom Penh recently
Observations
SUZUKI DRZ400
ros
Suzuki electrics seem better setup for highway use ie, battery, elect start, more powerful headlight.
Also it was smoother at low rpm around town
Late models DRZ400's are around 20% cheaper than XR400's in Phnom Penh
:Cons
The seat is too narrow for long trips. It is geared very low and developes it power at relatively high rpm, which make me think it would be heavy on the gasoline for long trips
HONDA XR400
ros
Appears to be bullet proof. Not much on the bike to go wrong.
Plenty of low down torque.
I suspect its slightly more economical on gasoline than the Suzuki.
The seat provides acceptable comfort for long trips.
:Cons
Relatively expensive, $3700 to $4500 for 1997 to 2000 model respectively
No elect start or battery, headlight runs off Stator/capacitor so I expect its challenging for night riding. (Was told that a 50W halogen headlight would work on this bike ??)
Bit lumpy to ride around town.
Conclusion: Suzy seems a sensible choice but for some reason I like the grunty no nonense XR400. If the 50W halogen headlight option worked OK, I would probably go for the XR400
Would be interested to hear other peoples comments on pros and cons of each.