Looking for some feedback on these - reliability, economy, suitability to road and trail, comfort ? The one I'm looking at is a 2004, electric start, road registered.
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Howie
V-strom 650, Transalp 650, DR-Z250

I worked on a 1997 ( ? ) DR250RS recently. As far as I know it's very similar to the DRZ but lacks some of the suspension adjustment features.

I would say it's ok on road as long as you don't fit too radical tires or expect freeway performance. OK for commuting in heavy traffic, light and agile. 100km/h is achieved quickly and the bike cruises happily, 120 was as far as I could get. The brakes are state of the art.

Can't help with long term reliability but the engine has been around for 10 years in the DR250RS. Djebel 250 XC and DRZ and I have not heard of anything major. My customer only bought the bike recently. You can probably get 25km+ out of a litre of petrol.

A very good tool for the dirt and even capable of a couple of laps on the local MX track as long as you don't intend to win
Very nice to learn as the bike is lighter, handles easier and is more forgiving than a 650 DS bike

The seat is askethic. If you practice for the Iron Butt Association get a Goldwing. It's fine for an hour or two though. Just get used to it.

Only one slight minus from my side is the shim under bucket valve drive. Makes setting the valve clearances a bit fidgety and cost intense if you don't DIY but this should not happen too often.

Keep an eye on the oil level. Total oil volume is only 1.3l

Thanks for that bud - pretty much as I expected - looking forward to giving it a handful.
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Howie
V-strom 650, Transalp 650, DR-Z250

Hi there

Just caught up with this thread, so if it is still relevant take a look at the review I did on this site
DRZ250 - Bike Review after a 7000km Non stop trip around NZ - Kiwi Biker forums

Cheers Scott