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XR400R are a bit overweight and boring.
It is a Honda. Who am I joking I love Honda. By my calculations the XR400R and DRZ400e have identical power to weight ratios (XR - 34HP with 125kg Vs DRZ - 39HP with 145kg).
jambon-
I love Big Red too but the XR400 is not their finest. Never ridden one on tarmac but it was not much fun off road. Slow turning, sort of top heavy and a pain to start. Vibes too.
I think those #s are for the DRZS - the E has more compression, bigger cam and the pumper carb as stock. It’s definitely the one to get - way more pep than the S / SM models.
E Start is such a bonus for off roading. I wouldn’t buy another bike without it unless it was a two stroke.
Trying to boot a hot, four stroke single for the nth time when you’re hot, arm pumped, leg pumped and generally blowing is the frigging pits.
Jung
CRF450s like all pukka MX bikes don’t make good off road bikes without significant mods. Suspension, flywheel weights, stabilizers, big tanks etc. They’re also crazy on servicing and grenades if it’s not kept up. The 2 strokes are a lot cheaper and simpler to keep running.
XR400R are a bit overweight and boring. Kickstart only is also a big pain in the arse.
Love the Betas - no idea about reliability but they’re great to ride. I’ve only ridden the 4 strokes mind.
I know I bang on about it but the DRZ400e remains comfortably the best all around dual sport I’ve ridden (shy of 10k new KTM, Husqvarna’s etc.) They really are a Swiss Army knife of bikes.