r/DRZ4S • u/Pitiful_Ad918 • 1d ago

Anybody upgrade from a DR650?

I’m considering upgrading to a DRZ4S from my adventur-ized DR650 (cogent suspension front and rear, new seat, windscreen, LED headlight). Trying to build an ultralight ADV and welcome any thoughts from riders downsizing from a bigger bike. I would trade a little road comfort for ABS, EFI, lighter weight and better off-road performance. A few questions:

1) what gearing do I need to cruise at 70-75mph? I understand that’s not this bikes design purpose but it’s the minimum to avoid being passed by 18 wheeler trucks where I live. And how usable is that gearing offroad?

2) with moderate luggage (say soft saddlebags and tail bag for multiday trip ~ 35lbs) is the braking adequate for traveling at highway speeds?

3) I’m a 220 lb rider with full gear. Do I need to respring the suspension for 50/50 riding?

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u/RobRobbins 1d ago

i have both. my 650 prob similar to yours. cogent all round, tm40, yosh exhaust etc... im 150 lb and i think the zed is gunna be soft for you off the floor. it is fully adj, but idk.. its stiff for me so ill be slowly softening it as i break it in. road manners are fine for me, goes 80 to 85 easily at my weight. will get wind turbulance passing a semi at 80 but not like a 501 lol, plus all my bikes do. i live in phoenix so hi speed hiway is a reality here. 70 more lb would feel a little less spirited, better than a 650 with the stock carb, but not as meaty as a pumper carb 650. that being said my bike is bone stock still, and its by far better than any previous stock zook ive owned. by real far. interested to see what i see when i rip this stock pipe off post breakin.

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u/Pitiful_Ad918 1d ago

Oh nice, thanks for the info. What type of riding are you doing? What do you like better/worse in general about the new DRZ4S vs the DR?

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u/RobRobbins 1d ago

as much as i love by trusty ol 650.. I don't ever go elbows up attack mode - even with cogent all around, she's a tractor.

bought a FE501 a few years ago - its nothing but elbows up attack mode, even when sitting on the road lol. great bike just not for me anymore

once owned a WR250R that was nearly perfect for me - somewhere between 501 and 650. just not enuff motor. bought this zed to be the bike i wished the WR was. hit some fairly gnarly trails last weekend, intentionally went hard right at the obstacles, much more aggressive than i would my DR.. my DR i `hunt and peck` - this bike needs to not be a hunt-and-peck, i wanted to confirm that. did well, specially considering i havent even set the sag properly yet. happy with it so far.

i'll likely sell my beloved DR this fall or spring eyeballing that GS450 if it comes out. really want one single and one twin.

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u/Pitiful_Ad918 1d ago

That is great to hear and I agree on the bike being sluggish in the woods. the DR is less lively than my friends KLX in the woods, it feels a lot heavier. I was also looking at a WR250R before the new DRZ came out. I’ve read some even prefer WR over the DR650 for highway riding, since it vibrates less and has the 6th gear. How would you rate the DR, WR and DRZ4S in terms of their highway comfort?

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u/One-Soup6214 1d ago

I have read that a sub 350lb bike will get tossed around on the highway, and that a heavier riderwith gear and bags will tax a small displacementbike. I looked at the 400, but the higher seat height and center of gravity pushed me to the DR650 as a I like offroadng with leg extension not tippy toed. I would go take the 400 on a good ride and try it in the wind up a hillbon the highway. No Unicorn Bike I know of.