Kawasaki KLR 650 VS Suzuki DRZ400S (From a Guy Who Owns Both)

It's the ultimate showdown of two of the longest-lived and most popular single cylinder dual sport motorcycles of all time: Kawasaki KLR 650 vs Suzuki DRZ400. These two bulletproof Japanese dual sport bikes have been around for decades, and each has inspired a loyal following with millions of satisfied owners. But how do they compare DRZ400 vs KLR650? You can read the stats all you want but how does one compare the ownership experience of a Suzuki DRZ400 vs Kawasaki KLR 650? Lucky for you, I own both bikes and I use them for two very different purposes. My DRZ400s is my trail bike/backcountry explorer while my 2022 KLR 650 Adventure is my adventure bike. The KLR is the one I take on multi day motorcycle camping trips deep into the back country while my DRZ is the bike I love to take out on day rides exploring singletrack and abandoned Jeep trails and logging roads.

The KLR 650 is a far heavier bike with less ground clearance, but it does much better at highway speeds than the DRZ 400. The DRZ is the more fun of the two bikes and it's definitely the one I want when I'm out hitting up technical trails or riding in unfamiliar territory.

Ultimately, the battle of DRZ400 vs KLR650 comes down to how you want to use your dual sport bike and how it feels when you ride it. If you're on the fence trying to decide which bike is better, the KLR650 or the DRZ400s, hopefully my experience as an owner of both can help you make a decision.

Videos mentioned in this video:

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Bike Stats
02:59 What are the Good Things the DRZ and KLR Have in Common?
05:33 What are the Bad Things the DRZ and KLR have in Common?
07:10 What Does the KLR 650 Do Better Than the DRZ?
09:20 What Does the DRZ400 Do Better Than the KLR?
10:17 Why I Love Having Both
11:35 How To Choose Suzuki DRZ400S vs Kawasaski KLR 650

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Adventure Riding Gear:

Filming Gear:

[BigRockMoto]

Great comparo. Two of my favorite all time motorcycles. If Suzuki would put fuel injection and a 6th gear on the DRZ.... I could end my addiction to high strung euro dual sports for good.

[rontimber]

Well said. My buddy has the DRZ and me, the KLR. What you have said is spot on with everything we've ever said about them.

[tommym]

Nailed it! Different tools for different jobs. It's just the nature of the dual sport that it does so many things.

[dallasstephenson]

It seems the klr stands alone, it’s the lone wolf, in a class of its very on. It is the most compared too bike on the planet while actually there really is nothing that compares too a klr. It’s said on every review, every comparison test that the klr does nothing great. I disagree, it does something great and better than all the bikes I’ve owned over 30 years of riding, and that is it simply makes me want to ride more, go more places, explore more backcountry and to me that’s what a great motorcycle should do best. Enjoy your channel!

[bobloblaw]

Great review! I bought my first bike 2 yrs ago at age 58, KLR-650 2016 because I have zero desire for a street bike or to ride in the city. I've often wondered about a lighter dual sport so thanks for your comments. So far I love it.

[oscarpucheta]

Your video is spot on. I own a drz400e, a KLR gen 2 and a DL1000. They are all extremely reliable bikes and cost all of them together less than a GS!

[wine_country_moto]

Great video. I own a KLR. Absolutely love it. But sometimes when I get into the more technical stuff I get tired picking her up all day. Which made me interested in a lighter still street legal dual sport. Thanks for making the video!

[KLRmurdercycle]

Your 2 years of DRZing is the reason your comfy on the KLR doing similar shenanigans😄
Both bikes have been around long enough that the fan base has turned some of them into the opposite of their original intent. Turning the DRZ into a cross country steed, or turning the KLR into a hard trail blazer that you only need to fill up once😄 The middle weight dualsports are the best. Simple, reliable.
They both give you basic maintenance skills and if your like me, putting lots of miles on per year, a high strung, high dollar bike, means a rebuild every year. But many people do that too✌

[melling]

Hi. I love my Drz so much that I now have two. I have heavily modified both from bigger tank to better suspension for carrying camping gear. The Drz is my favourite bike ever! It will take you anywhere and I have been camping in the Pyrenees and picos mountains and the strata Florida trails in wales. I’ve had her for six years now along with other bigger off road bikes but always come back to Suzy. Nice video. John

[eagan]

Great video! For me I am a DRZ guy all the way. I don’t love the bulky look of the KLR and most of my road riding is all back roads. That being said, both bikes have their limits and as long as you stay within those limits you will be fine.

[joshhilton]

I also have both bikes my drz is a 01 and my klr is an 11 . You hit the head of the nail here !!!! Great job

[elindenstein]

Just wanted to let you know I became a Patron this morning - loving all of the content and even binging super old stuff throughout the week. Keep it up!

[fixbuildplay]

Thanks!! I am partial to the KLR, but both are awesome rides. I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season! Ride safe!

[Loiczzr]

I had a drz400s that I bought new in 2016. Sold it with 26k miles on it. I commute to work on it and then some desert riding, a few times packed it up to go camping in UT (from Vegas) fun bike and no issues with it. Some stuff must be done on it early on like the swingarm pivot must be removed and grease, barely any from factory, I did it after 1year of ownership and it started to show some corrosion and I live in dry climate..
The "free power" mod (replacing the factory wire to a thicker guage) to charge your battery properly (sold my bike, oem battery was 5 years old and still no issues)
The drz is ok on hwy but it's not much fun as it is light and no wind protection you will get tired faster when doing 350 /400 miles.

[rileyhughes]

Dude thank you, I have been stuck between these two bikes for months. This is by far the best (and basically only) direct comparison of these two machines.

I didn't immediately make a decision; but your statement "the KLR is transportation, the DRZ is entertainment" is pretty profound and definitely gives the DRZ a massive advantage, since I already have a reliable commuter bike ('14 SFV650).

It would be cool to have a bike that I could confidently take off-road, or rip megadank wheelies on, without risking my daily transportation.

My main concern is riding out to trails/campsites, like long freeway stints; especially since I mostly camp with my brother, which is 1, 200+ mile ride round trip on I-5. That doesn't sounds particularly fun, from my understanding of the DRZ.
In all fairness, people complain about the KLR on the highway as well, which is a major reason it's not immediately the superior machine.

Ultimately I'd probably be happy with either one, they both seem like great motorcycles.

I'm going to religiously rewatch this video until I make a decision, thanks again for the fantastic analysis!

Ride safe✌️✌️🏍️🏍️

[klrnomad]

This was the exact conundrum I was in when trying to choose a dual-sport/adv bike. I finally chose the KLR because I am 2 hours of pavement away from trails/forest roads, and I want the cargo capability for longer trips. BUT I will probably end up with both, eventually. The weight of the KLR was an issue when I dumped it, but appreciated it in the highway crosswinds. Overall, I think I made the correct choice for now.

[larrylund]

I totally agree with you on your comparison. I too own the 22 KLR and have owned a 2005 DRZ400. I had a few performance and suspension mods done on the DRZ and it was absolutely one of the best bikes I have ever owned and I've owned honestly 30 plus bikes. Problem was I did not like riding it on freeways or long distances. Many times I would just take my dirt bike in the back of my truck to ride as it was better off road but when I did want to do some street riding combined with off-road the DRZ was really good. I also didn't like the carb and here in California our gasoline gums up the idle jet if it sits even for 2 weeks and that is a pain to keep cleaning. I love the KLR and it is heavy but it will get you there. It tractors up rough stuff pretty good even with the stock tires. I really like it in the canyons around my home. I can actually ride it pretty fast and am very comfortable on it. Good Vid. Thx

[Mclovingarage]

Appreciate the Double DRZ's down footage at Huckleberry Flats! Nice review. Both great bikes!

[tysonadams]

I have both as well. You are totally correct. A person just can't go wrong with either.

[borkfork]

Love that you show people dropping their bikes in your vids! Fact of life when you ride off road. I would rather ride a 125cc that weighs around 200 lbs than either of these bikes off road. I'm over the whole dual sport and adventure bike deal.