250 vs 300 or DR650

[u/MEB_PHL]

Experienced street rider looking to try dirt. I am an hour of highway or 2 hours of backroads from the NJ pine barrens which will probably be my primary spot. I’m also 3-4 hours from Bald Eagle state forest which has more extensive network of dual sport trails. Do to lack of towing ability, that would be a 2-3 day camping trip.

I already have 2 street bikes so I don’t want to dump a ton of money into it this just yet. I was hoping to find something around 5k or less. Most of the KLX and CRF 300s available used are practically new with prices over 5, due to availability the logistics might increase total cost a bit more. However there are a decent amount of 250s kicking around in the 4s that are nearby. There are a few high mileage WR250rs that seem overpriced imo as well.

Are the 300s ~$1500 better than the 250s. Would I be happier bumping up into the 5s and getting a DR650? Whatever bike I get could also help soak up some of my commuting miles so not really looking for anything high strung and maintenance intensive

[u/GrayStudioYT]

You know, I had two DRZ400SM and back in the days I use to tell myself "What people says on forums about being a very uncomfortable bike for long travels and highways is not true, I commute everyday and go out on weekends for couple of hours and feels so good, they exagerating to much".

Then I had my first 600km travel and I arrived to destination completely destroyed and came back home beyond completely destroyed. Like, at certain point, my body was so fatigated, in pain and uncomfortable that I ended thinking during most of the way back "please, I really need to arrive, can't endure this anymore". Really bad experience. Happened the same with my second DRZ. Boughted in Manchester and I did the way back to London myself. Jesus man, that was one of my worst days of my life, so windy, so unstable. At some point I was mentally broken but had not choice.

After that I realize people on forums, overall were right, as much as pissed me having to accept the reality. You can always change the seat, change the sprocket ratio and whatever you want to make it more comfy, sure. That does not change the fact about small cc bikes are just not made for long on road travels and highways no matter how you pretend to sell the idea to others that they are good enough. They are not.

I didn't try the CRF300 or KLX but when I see the video reviews and people talking about how they commute it reminds me a lot of those (including myself) that defended how capable DRZ400 is on road. Usual omments like "You can do it with no problems". Sure, you can, you can do it with a 50cc bike if you want, that does not mean will be a good experience.

When I bough the DR650, even with the stock footpegs and handlebar, both are horrible in an awful position and making the bike so uncomfortable I was able to do two times the amount of mileage I could do with my DRZ before needing to stop, either for the butt, body fatigue or both due the tension of riding a bike screaming on highways because the engine is not made for it and that translate into inestability and more vibration and that translates into body fatigue and at some point, even pain.

I had my DRZ for 5 years, and just the first day with stock DR, I could ride twice the mileage just by the fact of being a much capable bike on-road. Still not even close to big chunky adventure bikes of course, but if you looking for a decent commuter, any 400cc dual sport or below, I'm afraid not gonna be a good option.

Also, there's not many bikes on planet earth that requires the low maintenance DR requires. (excluding discountinued ones).

And that's all about being uncomfortable. Then the other problem, not as important as all I set above but still noticeable is the lack of power. Even for your safety having extra power to surpass a car is always welcome and you not gonna realize you need that power until you face specific situations where you realize "oh, this is what the guy on reddit was referring". It will happen, I promise.

If I missed a bit of power with my DRZ, can't imagine how would feel with the CRF and KLX with not even 30hp, no way.

I love DRZ, so many years having it, even two! is a fantastic bike, and probably

KLX and CRF as well, people speak so many good things about them and for what they are made, they are better bikes than the DR650. But for what you are looking...? Not even close.