Hello again people...
I've returned to get some opinions/advice concerning a future purchase.

By next season, I may be selling the old DR650 and downsizing to something smaller and lighter.
It's a toss up between an XT250 or a WR250R...so I'm looking to get some feedback from anyone who owns or has owned either (or both) of these models.
Here are my wants/wishes:
- Must be able to handle two-up riding. I was always scared of taking on a passenger with the 225 because of the rear hub. I was able to successfully 2-up with my TW200, so I don't see why a 250 wouldn't handle it.
- Not an aggressive rider and spend little time on or at highway speeds.
- Must be easily serviceable, like the XT or TW. The WR is teetering off the radar because of the shim-style valve adjustments...one of the reasons I got rid of my Super Sherpa after owning it for only 6 months.

Who knows....maybe I'll be re-joining the ranks in a few months!
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The WR is a much more capable bike than the XT, there's no denying that. You get all the good and bad that goes with that capability. It costs a lot more and has the complexity that comes with a water-cooled engine.

Neither bike is made for much 2-up riding both from a suspension or seat perspective. Both would need to have those areas addressed for best results riding 2-up, unless you're both small people.

I am getting rid of my DR650 and buying a 2018 XT250 this week.I sure do miss my XT225.What a good little bike that was.Hoping to enjoy the XT250 as much.

This is a bizarre thread for me, because I am seriously contemplating selling my XT225 and buying a DR650.

Qwazert, I've done quite a lot of 2-up riding on my XT225 with relatively light passengers (90 - 110 lbs.) but also with a large top-box full of fuel and gear, and I have never had an issue with the spokes or hubs. I tend to run tire pressures on the higher end all the time.

Anyway, I've never owned either the XT250 or WR250R, but the one huge difference (for a lot of people) between the two is seat height. The WR's 37" makes it basically inaccessible for half the population, or more - including me. Add a passenger and the problem would just get worse.

I'd be curious to know in which situations you find the DR650 to be too much bike.

Would also be interested in Bandit's reasons for getting rid of the DR.

I find the DR650 to be a poor shifting bike.I have owned three of the DR650's over the years.It's just the nature of the bike.I have also owned the WR250R, and yes the bike is too tall and I did not like the fueling.I have lowered the bike but still not that happy with seat height.It does have plenty of power for riding the road.At 53 years old,150 lbs,and a 30" inseam I just feel I will be happier with the XT250.I purchased a brand new 2018 XT250 a few nights ago.I have also owned two of the CRF250L's and a couple of the KLX250's.I honestly enjoyed my XT225 more.I have had a few of those one of which I purchased new in 2002.I should have kept my last 2007.Oh well,have the XT250 and the DR650 now.The DR is up for sale.She's a torquey girl!And yes,I go through a lot of bikes.!!

I never had any issues with the rear hub on my 225 either, but it is a known weak-link, just like the DR's NSU...funny thing is, I found a TTR wheel on Facebook just the other day. Told the guy he was about 8 months late!

The DR is a heavy bike...as in really heavy, almost 400 lbs if you include the larger tank, Civi box complete with tools, sandwiches and a bottle of wine.
I had a topple earlier this year (basically just tipped over on me while navigating some loose rocks along a hillside) and that's when I realized that even though I don't act my age...I'm not getting any younger! Luckily I didn't have the wife on the back, but she was nearby, watching the slow-motion tip-over.
Also, I keep emphasizing that I am NOT an aggressive rider....I don't do single track with my smaller bikes, let alone with this behemoth and often I will simply turn around of the road ahead doesn't match my skillset (and I have a passenger)....I'm a wee bit more adventurous when I'm on my own.
When it comes to the average logging road or forestry road...no problem. The DR eats those up and spits them out, but I will hesitate when I encounter ANY sort of technical riding.

The DR is a great bike, no doubt about it. But I'm getting to the point where I'd rather feel safe, then worry about how I look.

We encounter a lot bike riders here. To include the Harley wild and free no helmets crowd, XC adventure riders and hardcore dirt riders. The other day we stopped at a campsite to visit a fellow that was out for 4 months (on his bike) doing an adventure ride. He had ridden 3,000 miles from Florida to arrive at the San Juan Mountains (Colorado). Mostly road with intent on exploring our secondary roads and trails. He had a 650 Kawasaki probably 400+ Lbs w/gear. That bike, although capable on the highway, would struggle in the woods. Too heavy, wrong rear tire and too high. The XT225 would struggle on his trip. Too light, under powered and just not BIG enough to handle all the gear. That said, some here have ridden the XT225 almost to hell and back. So I guess it depends on where you are willing to compromise, what your hauling requirements are and general comfort zone. As no bike does it all.

As for me, I ride trails only. Sometimes with a small group. One fellow has the WR250F and the other has the WR450F.

The radiator bikes will overheat in slow technical sections unless equipped with radiator fans. The high inseam is a problem if you need to dab and hold a tipped bike from falling. Happens when you run a muck in technical sections. The radiator bikes are light, fast and have good suspension travel. Hands down these in the 250-450 are the most common bike I see around here and in the mountains. Many want the highway travel capability and thus these bike fit the bill.

As for the XT225, it's a great trail bike. Extremely reliable, easy to service and cost effective. Loaded it weighs about 270 Lbs which is about 30 Lbs heavier that a 250-450 radiator bike. The XT225 is an old school 4 stroke at about 18 HP. Plenty of power for the trails but not so for highway cruising. The bike will do 60 MPH but I wouldn't want that hour after hour. As for trails, it's a light nimble bike that will go just about anywhere. You won't make a riding statement but you'll get out and back fine. Assuming you have the riding skills to manage a selected route.

The bike has about 9" of suspension, weak rear wheel and a drum brake. I've had problems with this. It may be a non issue for another rider.


Delazier Trail, NJ


Imogene Pass, CO.


Hatfield/McCoy Trails, WV


Slot canyon, AZ Strip


Martinez Cabin, AZ


Marysvale Tushar Mountains, UT

We've explored a lot of places on the XT225. Without which we wouldn't have been able to see some interesting places. Those bikes never stranded us either. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Muniac, The Kawasaki KLR650 is actually 430 lbs. curb weight, so with farkles and gear probably 500+ lbs! And no, it isn't great on technical single-track. On the other hand, I have ridden a friend's KLR650 off road and I found it much easier to handle than I had anticipated. Everything up to and including light single-track was very manageable. I thought I would be exhausted and frustrated by the weight, but it just didn't happen.

The Suzuki DR650 has a significant weight advantage over the KLR650 (about 70-80 pounds) and is generally considered a better offroad machine, so I am thinking it would be a breeze to handle on the stuff that I ride. I'm not much into that really technical single-track stuff and prefer to keep things more casual, like that last photo you posted. If there is a way to go around water/mud, I take the dry route, and I am used to turning around when things get dicey, because I often have a passenger.

I've just grown tired of the XT225's lack of highway capability. Most of the highways here, people are doing 110 km/h (68 mph) minimum and going slower you just become a hazard. The XT will do 110 km/h, but I feel that it is beyond the scope of the bike to do so for extended periods of time. When I see people saying their XT225 will do 70 mph "all day", I cringe. Those poor bikes.

Interesting perspective on the DR. Thank you for your post!

Actually...I am teetering back and forth between the XT250 and (laugh if you will) the TW200.
Why a TW, you ask?

Because it is a known quantity...I had my 01 for about 7 years and even though it was gutless, she was rock steady and NEVER let me down.
She could handle both of us (seriously) up some of the ugliest logging roads this area has to offer - and there are many!
She couldn't do highway speeds without sounding like a dentist's drill, and she couldn't roost or drift to save her life....but she was rock steady and NEVER let me down.

Still.....the allure of a brand new 250 with fuel injection does have some appeal.