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Hello!

I am very interested in buying a small dual sport to use to commute and maybe do some very light off-roading. I was pretty much stuck on the XT250 (or possibly a leftover XT225), but lots of people recommend the DR-Z400S. I'm only 5'5, so is it feasible or practical to lower the DR-Z? The XT250 is the perfect height as is.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

You can lower a DR400 some, but probably not as low as a stock XT is. And lowering it will negate much of what makes the DR's suspension better in the first place. Score one for the XT. It will offroad just as well as a lowered DR.

The DR will run away and hide from the XT in the power department, though. If you plan on doing lots (really lots) of freeway riding, the DR will work better. The XT can and will do freeway speeds, the DR just does it a little more comfortably. If your commute has 30-40 miles of freeway each way, the DR may be a better choice, if you spend more time on surface streets, the XT will do all you want it too.

The XT is cheaper, stone reliable and can always be re-sold if and when you want to upgrade. So all this is why, even though I know nothing about you or how or where you ride, I would say go with the XT..... the 250 over the 225 just for the extra grunt.

That's gotta be worth at least 3 cents.....

BuzZz wrote:You can lower a DR400 some, but probably not as low as a stock XT is. And lowering it will negate much of what makes the DR's suspension better in the first place. Score one for the XT. It will offroad just as well as a lowered DR.

The DR will run away and hide from the XT in the power department, though. If you plan on doing lots (really lots) of freeway riding, the DR will work better. The XT can and will do freeway speeds, the DR just does it a little more comfortably. If your commute has 30-40 miles of freeway each way, the DR may be a better choice, if you spend more time on surface streets, the XT will do all you want it too.

The XT is cheaper, stone reliable and can always be re-sold if and when you want to upgrade. So all this is why, even though I know nothing about you or how or where you ride, I would say go with the XT..... the 250 over the 225 just for the extra grunt.

That's gotta be worth at least 3 cents.....

Thanks! That is precisely the advice I need. There will be a short 5 minute highway stint on the way to work. For longer highway stuff I will take my Bandit.

Cool.

What's the 'RC' stand for? Ricky?

BuzZz wrote:What's the 'RC' stand for? Ricky?

'RC' stands for roller coaster. I love them!

Hey RC did you buy a DP bike yet?

If not, have you considered the Kawasaki KLX250S? It is about the weight of the XT250 but is liquid cooled. As far as the seat height goes, it's between the XT & the DRZ. The DRZ is sky high and the XT is super low. The KLX will be much better than the XT offroad and almost as good as the DRZ. In fact, if you do a lot of tight technical stuff, the KLX would be better than the DRZ.

I really think the height of the seat breaks the DRZ for ya. BuzZz is right on this, you can always resale the XT and upgrade later if you want.

I received a DR200SE in 2001. It has paid for itself several times. this is my daily driver. I received a enoormous enjoyment. If you're not going to go fast with it on the ground is ideal. If you want something to go fast development in the field, get the 400.

I agree with Mr arvindwillaim, few years back dealer gave me a test ride on a Suzuki DR200SE and it surprized the sh** out of me the power and speed it had.
also I used to own a 2003 Suzuki DRZ400S and it was the best bike I ever owned, top speed was 92 mph, handled on the road like a sportsbike, the heavy duty suspension handled the bad roads better than any street bike, it was an excellent commuter bike that was easy on gas, the only downside was the seat was uncomfortable after long rides.

but if you are leaning for the Yamaha 250, I would highly recommend to check out the Suzuki DR200SE as a much better alternative.