HEY guys wich is the best bike for tour around africa?
From london to south africa and back?

Honda xr 250,400????????????????

Suzuki drz 400???????????????????

That will depend on whether or not your a Honda or suzuki Fan.

Both will do what you want and unless you do the trip twice, once on each make you wont know which was best.

I would say it may be best to both use the same make of bike, This cuts down on parts that you need to carry.

If your both new to biking then maybe the drz400 would suit better with it having the electric start.

Which ever you go on Have a great trip

Dazzer









ps, the XR 400 is the best

We done a trip form Alaska to Ushuaya for 27 months and about 115.000 kms ,now we want a small bike ,shes not a experince rider.
we r from brasil if anyone nedd any advices in brasil let us know,carlospezao@hotmail.com(61)82490478

yeah I agree. Having done big trips on the XT600 and Africa on a DRZ400, I wish I'd taken the XT600 to Africa too.

Pack SUPER LIGHT though, on whatever bike you take.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
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haha I'm sure it's not

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

<Shameless plug>
and if you fancy something of the same family that will do it and be great fun buy my TT 600 !

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-600-re-60557

<Shameless plug/>

Regardless of mine, I would recommend an XT or similar, tough as old boots and cheap as chips.
You can't go wrong with boots and chips!

As the title of the topic is DRZ400 vs XR400, would it be possible to get back on-thread? Maybe start your own "XT is the best" thread?

My opinion: DRZ is my preferred choice: I initially chose the yellow bike over the red bike because of it's electric boot as standard. If you're considering the DRZ, aim for an S model: it has a less highly strung engine than the E. Also a stronger subframe.

The XR is a great piece of kit too, but being lazy, I don't like kicking.

A few similar threads:


http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...y-choices-4999

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-drz400-53675

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-xr400r-37639

cheers
C

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

There are XT600's EVERYWHERE in Brasil. They were imported and very popular. There are clubs just for them etc.

Parts and know how are widely available... And yeah, the TT600RE is a bike I really need to try myself. It does seem like a nice compromise although I don't think there is a decent sized tank available. Acerbis make one but it's still too small IMO.


You're right about the USA though.. (see that's twice I've agreed with you now lol)



Back on topic.. As for DRZ400's. They are well proven IF you look after them and fix all their weaknesses before you leave. And have spares waiting at home should you need DHL...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I'd opt for the DRZ over the XR any day.

No e-start on the XR. Valve clearances on the Honda are easier than on the DRZ but once adjusted, the DRZ's valves don't need checking for 15,000 miles which is why we chose one for Pumpy's 14,600 mile South America trip. Once home, i checked the valves again at 16,000 miles and they didn't need adjusting.

The only issues she had were limited to the plastic speedo drive in the front hub breaking up and the carb float sticking once. The only parts fitted during the trip were consumable service items such as pads, tyres, oil & filters etc.

She also achieved well in excess of 70mpg on many occassions despite reaching altitudes of 15,000ft on stock jetting.

All bikes have their particular issues, the DRZ is no exception and they're well documented. Aside from sensible pre-trip preparation, the only DRZ specific mods made were to replace the mild steel wheel and countershaft spacers with stainless versions. I also strengthened the aluminium subframe to ensure it dealt with the luggage loads but I'd have done that regardless of the bike she chose.

Pumpy's bike is still in regular use for on and off road rides.

Unfinished ride report here:

One day… you have to live your dream. Solo through South America - ADVrider

I'm unaware of other DRZ specific weaknesses with the exception of stator bolts coming loose which I only found out about once her strip had started? Anyone care to enlighten me about others?

I believe that a large percentage of a bike's reliability factor is down to decent preparation? I recently heard of guys riding the TAT on high mileage bikes who never thought to replace their wheel bearings before shipping their bikes to the US and guess what failed............

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The only weakness that I know of on the DRZ.

Seems like the Stators fail at about 15,000 miles. I've "heard" .

The counter shaft sprocket has a habit of getting loose and if not taken care of can cause transmission problems. The fix is to use red locktight on the sprocket and on the countershaft nut.

Mine went 25,000 miles without a stator problem. although I did loctite my stator and pick up bolts. However, that is not the reason the stator fails that can occur.

Maybe I got lucky. I did have a spare already packed up ready to post back in the UK. I'd recommend anyone going overland to do the same.

Lots of people seem to screw up the DRZ400 top end. I think it's always due to lack of oil changes or correct oil changes. And don't try to ride the thing at 80mph all day long, screaming the engine.. It's not built for that. Don't push your luck.

You have to drain it in TWO places and check it regularly (takes 20 seconds so no excuses)

The sprocket nut has a locking 'tang' that you fold over the nut. If this comes lose then it hasn't been secured properly or replaced when it's past it's life. These tangs are cheap and light so carrying spares is not an issue at all.

You should NEVER have a loose front sprocket on a DRZ unless you're a bozo. It's really not an issue any more than any other bike.

I'd have no second thoughts about jumping on another DRZ400 and taking it on another LONG overland trip. Well, maybe if it wasn't so dam uncomfortable. A great overlanding enduro bike though. Best for shorter trips I think.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.