Sold my 2017 Aussie DRZ400E with 20,000Km to buy a Gas Gas 700 ES. Whilst that solved the HWY problems of the DRZ, it is a heavy pig off road. So then bought a beta 2020 Beta 480 RR for the single trail and whilst that solved the off road issues of the GG 700, it is less than great at being good on the road. So, the long and short of it, If I had to choose 1 bike, the DRZ400E is the best compromise on and off road and I woulds have saved myself $30K.
@@EricBanner571 It can be quite funny it's like chasing your tail. All the research in the world doesn't help you just have to try the damn bikes to work out what's best. Lmfao. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Great chat there Steve, I own a klx 300 2005 that I have done 110,000kms definitely underrated and 6 speed transmission unlike the drz400! Also I own a swmrs500 that I am doing an adventure build on shares a lot of parts with the 2008 to 2010 te510 a much better option than the drz400 if a little R&D work were performed by swm!
@@danielryle5596 There you go thanks. I have no experience with the Klx's so great to hear your experiences. 110kms is real impressive, how much have had on a bike that costs so little. I know other people that have had great runs out of the Swm's as well. That generations of engines were awesome. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Ride a 701 and love it. But, lighter with more suspension would be better "sometimes". The 701 stock abs/tc maps and with the HP and fuel injection takes it to another level. So, maybe a ktm450/500/501 or ? to compliment it, not replace it. Live in the foothills of the Sierras and ride to the trails from the house. So, street legal is mandatory as is fuel injection given altitudes of 800ft to 10,000 ft.
@@ridemfast7625 Yeah agreed the 690/701 is a great all round option. It's really only in the tight technical stuff they are a bit heavy. Having another enduro bike I think compliments them so U really do have all bases covered. But if it one bike U simply cannot go past the 701. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Great review of what options are out there. Been a long time since I had dirt bikes, so good options for an old geezer who wants to dip his toe in again.
Interesting that you mention the ktm 530's (2008-2011) as well regarded bikes, as most ktm fans kind of regard the xc4 motors on them as duds. No question the frame and suspension still hold up tho. The older generation ktm rfs 525exc bikes (2000 - 2007) are much more well regarded and I've read quite a few people comparing the 525's long stoke to the beta 390's.
Yeah your right the RFS engines were very solid but I didn't sort of talk about them due to parts availability. Even in the States they are say parts are virtually impossible to get for the RFS motors. I haven't heard too many bad reports about the 530's having said that but I may be wrong. I have ridden that 2008-2011 generation and I rate them to be honest but I haven't owned one. All very interesting! Thanks for watching, Regards Steve
@dirtbikeadv yeah parts availability for 2000 to 2004 rfs bikes seems to be an issue in the US/UK. Bit more cross over with the 2005-2007 rfs bikes when it comes to parts and the newer ktms. Interesting parts availability in Australia for the rfs bikes isn't a big problem. Actually own 2 rfs bikes (450, 525) and I love em. Got a 2016 500exc that I've adv'd up, good solid bike as well. Prefer the longer stroke of the rfs bikes tho. Interested in riding a beta 390 someday to see how it compares to a 525.
@@jmubaraki Yeah ok that's interesting parts for the RFS aren't an issue here... There you go. I'll keep that in mind, thanks. The 390 isn't as torquey as those models but better than the current 350's by a fair margin. Much more modern riding style and rock hard seat. For ADV bikes the RFS would be better IMO
@@Getgowin Yeah good call. Doing a video on next weekend. But quickly, engine noise on cold start, air filter and engine oil service history, check wheel bearings, suspension oil leaks and chain and sprockets Stay tuned next week as I'll talk about all this. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
@@SkinnyWaterAdventures-gc2br Nah they really are pretty bullet proof. Listen for engine rattle on cold start, check engine oil and the air filter. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
You forgot to mention the company that makes the engine for your AJP. SWM. Basically a 2010 Husqvarna but new. Very well priced. There's the RS300R and RS500R, enduro style bikes with excellent components everywhere and the more trail oriented RS650 and Superdual which is almost adventure ready out of the box.
@@alanjm1234 Yeah agreed very good bikes. Thought the Superdual was a very good offering. Considered buying one actually but ended up with a 690. The reason I didn't put the Rs300-500 in my options is because of the small fuel tank and lack of aftermarket options. 7.2 litres is a bit limiting imo. I will give them a mention tho in the next video cause your right they are a very good bang for buck option. Thanks for your thoughts Regards Steve
@@nickabrahall1412 Yeah but of a shame really they are a good offering. Going to have a look at there availability here in Australia and elsewhere Regards Steve
I had a 650R from new and it was great fun and the motor was a beauty Problem was gearbox was from Husky motoard not adventure (close ratio) and suspension was like iron wheelbarrow Also seat was straight from Soviet era Gay bar 😩
@@ogasi1798 Yeah hard to go past them if you can get them for a reasonable price. The earlier 530 and 500's were a very solid bike as well with nice thick case walls. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
why on earth would anyone buy an xr400, the drz400e killed them off by being better in every way. wr450 is garbage as an adv bike, unreliable, short maintenance intervals, but not to pick on just yamaha all mx derived 450's suck as adv/dual sports crf450x,l,rl, rmx450z, klx450, ktm450 etc etc wr250r, crf300l, klx300 are low power, low top speed and heavy for their capacity. all of them are around the same weight as a drz400e with just over half the power. suspension is worse than drz also. you might see where i'm going but it's very hard to beat a drz for a light adv/dual sport. long adv, short adv, trail riding, road riding crossing the whole country drz400e doesn't care.
@@aaronodguy967 Really I had one and found it pretty good. Every now and again it was a bit slow to start but always started. I was aware that there was valve issues but there U go but of a deal breaker. Thanks for feedback it will help other people who will read the comments Regards Steve
Sold my 2017 Aussie DRZ400E with 20,000Km to buy a Gas Gas 700 ES. Whilst that solved the HWY problems of the DRZ, it is a heavy pig off road. So then bought a beta 2020 Beta 480 RR for the single trail and whilst that solved the off road issues of the GG 700, it is less than great at being good on the road. So, the long and short of it, If I had to choose 1 bike, the DRZ400E is the best compromise on and off road and I woulds have saved myself $30K.
@@EricBanner571 It can be quite funny it's like chasing your tail. All the research in the world doesn't help you just have to try the damn bikes to work out what's best. Lmfao.
Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Great chat there Steve, I own a klx 300 2005 that I have done 110,000kms definitely underrated and 6 speed transmission unlike the drz400! Also I own a swmrs500 that I am doing an adventure build on shares a lot of parts with the 2008 to 2010 te510 a much better option than the drz400 if a little R&D work were performed by swm!
@@danielryle5596 There you go thanks. I have no experience with the Klx's so great to hear your experiences. 110kms is real impressive, how much have had on a bike that costs so little. I know other people that have had great runs out of the Swm's as well. That generations of engines were awesome.
Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Ride a 701 and love it. But, lighter with more suspension would be better "sometimes". The 701 stock abs/tc maps and with the HP and fuel injection takes it to another level. So, maybe a ktm450/500/501 or ? to compliment it, not replace it. Live in the foothills of the Sierras and ride to the trails from the house. So, street legal is mandatory as is fuel injection given altitudes of 800ft to 10,000 ft.
@@ridemfast7625 Yeah agreed the 690/701 is a great all round option. It's really only in the tight technical stuff they are a bit heavy. Having another enduro bike I think compliments them so U really do have all bases covered. But if it one bike U simply cannot go past the 701. Thanks for watching
Regards Steve
Great review of what options are out there. Been a long time since I had dirt bikes, so good options for an old geezer who wants to dip his toe in again.
@@brendankerr8401Thanks. Always plenty of bikes out this way for a reunion ride so to speak 🤔
Interesting that you mention the ktm 530's (2008-2011) as well regarded bikes, as most ktm fans kind of regard the xc4 motors on them as duds. No question the frame and suspension still hold up tho. The older generation ktm rfs 525exc bikes (2000 - 2007) are much more well regarded and I've read quite a few people comparing the 525's long stoke to the beta 390's.
Yeah your right the RFS engines were very solid but I didn't sort of talk about them due to parts availability. Even in the States they are say parts are virtually impossible to get for the RFS motors. I haven't heard too many bad reports about the 530's having said that but I may be wrong. I have ridden that 2008-2011 generation and I rate them to be honest but I haven't owned one.
All very interesting! Thanks for watching, Regards Steve
@dirtbikeadv yeah parts availability for 2000 to 2004 rfs bikes seems to be an issue in the US/UK. Bit more cross over with the 2005-2007 rfs bikes when it comes to parts and the newer ktms. Interesting parts availability in Australia for the rfs bikes isn't a big problem. Actually own 2 rfs bikes (450, 525) and I love em. Got a 2016 500exc that I've adv'd up, good solid bike as well. Prefer the longer stroke of the rfs bikes tho. Interested in riding a beta 390 someday to see how it compares to a 525.
@@jmubaraki Yeah ok that's interesting parts for the RFS aren't an issue here... There you go. I'll keep that in mind, thanks.
The 390 isn't as torquey as those models but better than the current 350's by a fair margin. Much more modern riding style and rock hard seat. For ADV bikes the RFS would be better IMO
Interested in the XR400 or DR, what are the top 5 things I should look for when I’m looking at a bike to buy when test riding?
@@Getgowin Yeah good call. Doing a video on next weekend. But quickly, engine noise on cold start, air filter and engine oil service history, check wheel bearings, suspension oil leaks and chain and sprockets
Stay tuned next week as I'll talk about all this. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
Steve interested in the XR 400, any issues I should be aware about?
@@SkinnyWaterAdventures-gc2br Nah they really are pretty bullet proof. Listen for engine rattle on cold start, check engine oil and the air filter. Thanks for watching Regards Steve
You forgot to mention the company that makes the engine for your AJP.
SWM. Basically a 2010 Husqvarna but new. Very well priced. There's the RS300R and RS500R, enduro style bikes with excellent components everywhere and the more trail oriented RS650 and Superdual which is almost adventure ready out of the box.
@@alanjm1234 Yeah agreed very good bikes. Thought the Superdual was a very good offering. Considered buying one actually but ended up with a 690. The reason I didn't put the Rs300-500 in my options is because of the small fuel tank and lack of aftermarket options. 7.2 litres is a bit limiting imo. I will give them a mention tho in the next video cause your right they are a very good bang for buck option. Thanks for your thoughts
Regards Steve
@@dirtbikeadv the 19 litre Safari tanks for the 2010 Husqvarnas pretty much bolt straight on.
Thanks for replying!
The SWM seems to have disappeared and the dealer network was sparse even when they were peaking in popularity
@@nickabrahall1412 Yeah but of a shame really they are a good offering. Going to have a look at there availability here in Australia and elsewhere
Regards Steve
I had a 650R from new and it was great fun and the motor was a beauty
Problem was gearbox was from Husky motoard not adventure (close ratio) and suspension was like iron wheelbarrow
Also seat was straight from Soviet era Gay bar 😩
500 exc all day 🙂
@@ogasi1798 Yeah hard to go past them if you can get them for a reasonable price. The earlier 530 and 500's were a very solid bike as well with nice thick case walls.
Thanks for watching Regards Steve
why on earth would anyone buy an xr400, the drz400e killed them off by being better in every way.
wr450 is garbage as an adv bike, unreliable, short maintenance intervals, but not to pick on just yamaha all mx derived 450's suck as adv/dual sports crf450x,l,rl, rmx450z, klx450, ktm450 etc etc
wr250r, crf300l, klx300 are low power, low top speed and heavy for their capacity.
all of them are around the same weight as a drz400e with just over half the power. suspension is worse than drz also.
you might see where i'm going but it's very hard to beat a drz for a light adv/dual sport.
long adv, short adv, trail riding, road riding crossing the whole country drz400e doesn't care.
The CRF 250X was very unreliable. Not even worth mentioning as an option. Endless valve problems
@@aaronodguy967 Really I had one and found it pretty good. Every now and again it was a bit slow to start but always started. I was aware that there was valve issues but there U go but of a deal breaker. Thanks for feedback it will help other people who will read the comments
Regards Steve