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WR250X vs. DRZ400SM

DTM74

DTM74

It's not my fault...
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Location
707
Moto(s)
Seven-Oh-One, Supah Dook
Name
Dan
So I've been looking around for a supermoto and I think I narrowed it down to either a WR250X or a DRZ400SM. Just something to hack around on the backroads, the occasional commute and to just have fun. What else would you add to the pros and cons listed below?

DRZ400SM
Pros:
More grunt down low
Tons of mods available
Reliable

Cons:
Carburetor - not really sure if that's a con though
5 gears - not highway friendly
slightly heavier than the WR

WR250X
Pros:
Fuel injected
Low, low maintenance
Fun Factor - every review I read it seems like people say how much FUN this bike is...
6 gears - highway friendly

Cons:
Less HP than the DRZ
Did I mention less HP than the DRZ?

So which did you choose and why? What do you love about your DRZ/WR250? Anybody ridden both?
 
The WR is certainly lower maintenance than the DRZ. I don't know which is more reliable though.
 
I have a DRZ and want to sell it and get a WR. Mostly because I want the lighter bike with another set of wheels to do more off road. The DRZ is heavy for a sumo.

The DRZ definitely has more grunt though, but the WR is still crazy fun. I actually find the WR easier to get the front up.
 
From my experience of owning two DRZ400SM [28k miles between the two of them]
Both can be ridden on the freeway, both will suck at it. Were simply designed for a very different purpose.

That said I've done 220miles of freeway on my DRZ in one day and I've ridden it from East Bay [Dublin] to Santa Cruz mountains, did 100 loop of my fave roads and then ridden it back more times I can remember. Often had the DRZ at an indicated 85/90mph for many miles. [usually on the way home cos' my but hurt from the seat]

As long as you keep the stock carburetor and jet it properly if changing the pipe, to me not having fuel injection was a complete non issue.
Always kept the reserve on because I would never ride more than 100miles without stopping. Learned that one when the bike cut out on me while really leaned over on Old Santa Cruz hwy and I almost crashed because of it.
Reset the trip meter to 0 every time I put gas in it. Always gassed before I got too close to 100miles.

The DRZ has valve adjustment intervals at 14k mles. Not as good as the Yamaha [which is amazing from that point of view] but still very, very good in the world of 330lbs or under thumpers

If I wanted a very low maintenance dirtbike that is also street legal, hands down the WR250 would be my choice.
As a street supermoto, that I occasionally ride it in dualsport rides, I'll always pick the DRZ.
 
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I own an X, only rode a Z in the pits at the track, followed the same Z on the track. X was faster existing most corners (except the slowest few corners), Z was faster at the end of the straight.

The X has a shock that's adjustable for ride height, preload, compression, and rebound, and the forks are adjustable for compression and rebound. At its lowest shock setting, it's still a tall bike.

YZ250/450/F footpegs are bolt-on. There's a good aftermarket in WR205R-oriented parts and accessories like luggage racks. It outputs something like 350 watts so you can run all kinds of heated accessories. The subframe is sturdy enough for a heavy passenger or lots of luggage.
 
Dan21774 said:
So I've been looking around for a supermoto and I think I narrowed it down to either a WR250X or a DRZ400SM. Just something to hack around on the backroads, the occasional commute and to just have fun. What else would you add to the pros and cons listed below?

...

So which did you choose and why? What do you love about your DRZ/WR250? Anybody ridden both?
Click to expand...

I had the same debate a few months ago. Can't go wrong with either. Came down to what's available. Seems like there are a tons of more DRZ than WRs.
 
...and when the KTM390 hits the streets there will be a ton more.
 
ive had my drz since new in 06. Tires and oil changes. Thats it. Did the air box mod and jet,+1 on the front sprocket. Did my first major at 12k. Valves perfect and tossed in a new plug. Not sure how anyone could say it requires more maintenance. My strong advice is not to make the bike into something its not. Many add big bore, fcr, etc. If you need alot more power just pic a diff bike. The drz wont dissapoint.
 
Rob said:
...and when the KTM390 hits the streets there will be a ton more.
Click to expand...

Love my DRZ but if I was in the market today for a fun light bike I'd go for the KTM even though it's not a sumo.
 
2strokeYardSale said:
I own an X, only rode a Z in the pits at the track, followed the same Z on the track. X was faster existing most corners (except the slowest few corners), Z was faster at the end of the straight.

The X has a shock that's adjustable for ride height, preload, compression, and rebound, and the forks are adjustable for compression and rebound. At its lowest shock setting, it's still a tall bike.

YZ250/450/F footpegs are bolt-on. There's a good aftermarket in WR205R-oriented parts and accessories like luggage racks. It outputs something like 350 watts so you can run all kinds of heated accessories. The subframe is sturdy enough for a heavy passenger or lots of luggage.
Click to expand...
Wow, I'm surprised that it has a shock adjustable for ride height. Not many bikes do from the factory.
 
nine_inch_rear said:
My strong advice is not to make the bike into something its not. Many add big bore, fcr, etc. If you need alot more power just pic a diff bike.
Click to expand...

Good advice. Not looking for a KTM or Aprilia...at the moment...:thumbup
 
Buy a KTM 690. Tons of fun and more power than both the DRZ & WR
 
I would but they're about $8k used for a 2009. Not looking to drop that kind of cash.
 
WRX has 26,000 miles valve interval. The fuel injection makes it a lot smoother. Both are crazy fun, neither are fast.
 
2strokeYardSale said:
Yeah I can't wait to sell my made-in-Japan Yamaha to buy a made-in-India KTM. Maybe then the cool kids at Starbucks will ask me to join them.
Click to expand...

I'll have both lol. Dunno if I'll ever sell this WR, seriously most fun bike I've ever owned XD
 
From a guy who has owned tons of supermotos and rides the shit out of them all.. Get a wr250x, it's reliable as fuck and I can pretty much pass any drz
 
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