Im still thinking about if i should go for a big twin (i really like the strom) or go for a thumper. I can see both their advantages. However the DRZ400 keeps popping in my head.

I can clearly see the advantages/disadvantages over the big vtwins but what about thumpers. What are teh advantages/disadvantages off/on road.

From what i read thumpers are vibey but handle off road well. They are easy to maintain. Parts available everywhere.

DRZ has a smaller engine. Supposedly extremely reliable. Uncomfortable seat. Handle off road extremely well. Light.

Would a DRZ do 60-70 mph comfortably loaded with luggage?

The trip ill be doing will be N/S America. (I change my mind a bit but it deffo looks like this is what ill be doing. Hopefully this year.

Also the bike ill be choosing will all depend on price and whats available at the time but its good to get background info

'What are teh advantages/disadvantages off/on road.'

I have a DRZ, but it tends to sit in the shed most of the time. I'm actually selling mine (3 bikes and a car is a bit extravagant.) I could never get on with it as well as I wanted too. It has a lot of good points:

It is light.
Handles well off road.
Sooo easy to fix.
Cheap/economical(ish)
Fun (wheelies at flick of a hat.)

BUT - these are outweighed by the bad points:

Nightmarish on road, so vibey I get pins and needles in my hands after half hour.
Seat is hellish, feels like it is cutting you in half after ten minutes, to the point where sidesaddle seems like a good idea.
Cheap fixings everywhere.
Tall, very tall. Almost GS height, it's just ok for me at a little over 6 foot, but my 5:10 girlfriend finds it very difficult.
Like said above it is economical(ish,) I'm getting much better economy from my XT600. (45 mpg/65 mpg) because the smaller engine of the DRZ meant I found myself heshing the engine more.*


'Would a DRZ do 60-70 mph comfortably loaded with luggage?'

Yes. No. It is capable of that, but it would not be comfortable. The engine feels quite strained when loaded. If you are ever anywhere near Lincolnshire, I can give you a ride, so you can try for yourself.

Happy riding.

Joel

* 'Heshing' col. lincs vb To beast the engine like you are fleeing the bastard fiends of hell.

Cheers Birdy. Good info there. I havent read it being vibey before but i sort of guessed it would be as I have read plenty about it being uncomfortable at top speeds.
Seems like a good off - road bike but not really for long distance touring. More or less what i thought.

Cheers

The bike is super tough.
I would not agree it's easy to work on.....

__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

DR650 in Baja ..... just a bit overloaded! :confused1:

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Cheers Mollydog. Dont get many DR650s around here but it will be on my list of bikes to look for when im going to buy.