A very fair comparison. I currently own a crf300l and have had 2 drz400s over the last 15 years. Unfortunately the drz over here in the USA is the model with the CV carburetor, which is less powerful than the one in Australia. My crf300l has an exhaust an an ECU so it's very close to the power of a stock drz400s. I like the 6 speeds, the light clutch and the fuel injection of the 300l but I like the suspension of the drz more. Like you said, it's a toss up!
Great comparison Phil.I have the small KTM 390 Adventure a great bike.The attraction was the seat height & weight perfect for us older (72) & shorter riders😂.
The one thing you touched on, that many neglect to consider, is the riders' body size and weight. This is a major factor when horsepower is limited, and rider weight is >70kg. Yes, there are others such KTM that have higher power but come with the downside of a more competition oriented platform, and the reliability issues of an overstressed engine, not to mention service intervals.
Great comprehensive comparison …cheers. Just to add the rally soft suspension allowed shorter riders to enjoy the bike due to the rear seat sag , sat on a fully tricked rally a few months ago …could hardly touch the ground at 5ft 8 ish with boots on .
the more power the engine have the more likely it is that it have 5 speed gear... its a realibility thing becouse of the strain on the bolt holding the gears loosing strength the longer spaced out the gear is
Good comparison. I am still going back and forth on should I get a smaller bike for when I get to the hard stuff, or keep the bigger bike for more comfort and still be able to do the dirt.
A DR650 with a flatslide pumper carb crushes both of those bikes, similar money, can be around 350 lbs wet without much work. I'm biased though! Edit, I see in the comments you already know about the mighty DR650.
Gotta love the DR650's. Took mine all over the place, super reliable, loads of torque and a bike I have a strong connection to. Put 50,000 kays on her, and it NEVER missed a beat - pretty amazing bikes 😎👍
@MidCoastAdventures I'm new to your content so I have to ask why you don't have a DR anymore? I've owned two, the first was mildly modified (seat/tank/handlebars) and after selling it I got the itch to buy another one. This one is heavily modified and that's how I know how much these bikes can be improved. I demo ride new bikes frequently and afterwards when I jump back on the DR to head home it's always better than everything I just rode.
@@SumoAustin I guess to answer your DR question, lighter bikes appeal to me more now - getting old...lol I can pick up the DRZ (or the old Rally) much easier than the DR. But I do miss owning one. Cheers mate
drz all day, why modern bikes dont have fork boots is crazy--- they work and keep the forks from wearing out seals, all bikes should have em, i wouldnt buy the new new drz 4s , a backwards bike to the drz, rider modes on a 400cc bike is just a joke, as im older and fatter now i think ill be going to a vstrom or similar, good job mate
Only a very brief ride on a 690. Seemed ideal - light, powerful, good suspension. My paranoia about reliability steered me away from KTM / Husqvarna. Though I know guys who have had trouble free running for years.
Hi Peter. Both the Rally and the DRZ are a lot different to the DR650. Best way to describe it would be, the DR650 is a better choice for those wanting a bike comfortable doing long range rides, but is still fine in the tighter stuff with a skillful rider. Cheers
Consider supporting the channel buymeacoffee.com/philbennettmca 😎👍
A very fair comparison. I currently own a crf300l and have had 2 drz400s over the last 15 years. Unfortunately the drz over here in the USA is the model with the CV carburetor, which is less powerful than the one in Australia. My crf300l has an exhaust an an ECU so it's very close to the power of a stock drz400s. I like the 6 speeds, the light clutch and the fuel injection of the 300l but I like the suspension of the drz more. Like you said, it's a toss up!
2025 DRZ's are fuel injection now, and bunch of other changes.
Great comparison Phil.I have the small KTM 390 Adventure a great bike.The attraction was the seat height & weight perfect for us older (72) & shorter riders😂.
The one thing you touched on, that many neglect to consider, is the riders' body size and weight. This is a major factor when horsepower is limited, and rider weight is >70kg.
Yes, there are others such KTM that have higher power but come with the downside of a more competition oriented platform, and the reliability issues of an overstressed engine, not to mention service intervals.
I think there both good bikes like you said it’s how you ride and where 👍👍
Great comprehensive comparison …cheers.
Just to add the rally soft suspension allowed shorter riders to enjoy the bike due to the rear seat sag , sat on a fully tricked rally a few months ago …could hardly touch the ground at 5ft 8 ish with boots on .
Phil, you make both bikes look good! :-) stay upright my friend!
Thanks Petros! Catch ya mate 👍
the more power the engine have the more likely it is that it have 5 speed gear... its a realibility thing becouse of the strain on the bolt holding the gears loosing strength the longer spaced out the gear is
This is a fair review buddy.
Good comparison. I am still going back and forth on should I get a smaller bike for when I get to the hard stuff, or keep the bigger bike for more comfort and still be able to do the dirt.
A DR650 with a flatslide pumper carb crushes both of those bikes, similar money, can be around 350 lbs wet without much work. I'm biased though! Edit, I see in the comments you already know about the mighty DR650.
Gotta love the DR650's. Took mine all over the place, super reliable, loads of torque and a bike I have a strong connection to. Put 50,000 kays on her, and it NEVER missed a beat - pretty amazing bikes 😎👍
@MidCoastAdventures I'm new to your content so I have to ask why you don't have a DR anymore? I've owned two, the first was mildly modified (seat/tank/handlebars) and after selling it I got the itch to buy another one. This one is heavily modified and that's how I know how much these bikes can be improved. I demo ride new bikes frequently and afterwards when I jump back on the DR to head home it's always better than everything I just rode.
@@SumoAustin I guess to answer your DR question, lighter bikes appeal to me more now - getting old...lol I can pick up the DRZ (or the old Rally) much easier than the DR. But I do miss owning one. Cheers mate
Five minutes in and I'm thinking what's all this got to do with which one has the best lights😂.
Where's my glasses😂.
🤣🤣 That made me near spill my bourbon!. ...lol
Won't need a tow rope like the fancy ones .
drz all day, why modern bikes dont have fork boots is crazy--- they work and keep the forks from wearing out seals, all bikes should have em, i wouldnt buy the new new drz 4s , a backwards bike to the drz, rider modes on a 400cc bike is just a joke, as im older and fatter now i think ill be going to a vstrom or similar, good job mate
Inverted forks can’t use boots. They have plastic protectors that ride up with the stansion tube. They work perfectly fine for the last 20+ years
Hey Phil. Out of interest have you ridden the KTM690/HUSKY701?
Only a very brief ride on a 690. Seemed ideal - light, powerful, good suspension. My paranoia about reliability steered me away from KTM / Husqvarna. Though I know guys who have had trouble free running for years.
Do you miss the Dr650 at all ?
Yeah, a bit. So old school, but a joy to ride - loved the low down grunt, and over-all simplicity 👍
And how it compares to the mighty DR650
Hi Peter. Both the Rally and the DRZ are a lot different to the DR650. Best way to describe it would be, the DR650 is a better choice for those wanting a bike comfortable doing long range rides, but is still fine in the tighter stuff with a skillful rider. Cheers
A bigger tank, but less km/litre. 😱 what is y our net gain on a full tank.
I get around 400-450 kays to a tank. 20litres Safari 👍