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Considering Purchasing... Need some advice

1963 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Big-X
Greetings all!

Stoked I found this group. I’m new to motorcycles as of last year (Covid boredom). I got a Suzuki DRZ 400 and put about 5000 miles on it over last summer and fall. Mostly just around town rips, and a couple overnights down to my dads. I live in Northern NH. I love the little bike but got tired of getting blown around on the interstate and ringing the bike out at 80mph. I mostly ride pavement, with some dirt and forest service roads thrown in. Really I’ve decided I want a bike I can set out on and log more miles comfortably. Adventure and explore. Nothing gnarly but I’d like
To cover some ground. Maybe 200-300 miles in a day.... I’d like to do some shorter overnights up the Maine coast or around Vermont. Nothing huge, but the DRZ was exhausting after two hours. Other bikes I’m considering are the Ducati Scrambler, KLR 650, Vstrom 650.... Im not much for full on dual sport riding, but do like a little adventure up a back road. I also love the Scrambler look and retro styling of the SCR. I’ve found a great price on a basically brand new SCR. Would you recommend this bike for what I’d like to do? Any words of wisdom before selling the DRZ and getting the SCR. I wish I could afford 2 bikes but it’s just not in the budget..... yet! Thanks for any input.
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Greetings all!

Im not much for full on dual sport riding, but do like a little adventure up a back road.
An adventure up a back road is fine with an SCR. However, if you venture off the back road and attempt to trail ride or cross any loose sand, you're going to have your hands full. It is a heavy bike and it feels even heavier than it is. But the kind of riding you described should be fine, and you will love it on the road compared to your Suzi. If it has the stock seat, you will want to upgrade after you do a few hundred miles in the saddle. Let us know what you do.
An adventure up a back road is fine with an SCR. However, if you venture off the back road and attempt to trail ride or cross any loose sand, you're going to have your hands full. It is a heavy bike and it feels even heavier than it is. But the kind of riding you described should be fine, and you will love it on the road compared to your Suzi. If it has the stock seat, you will want to upgrade after you do a few hundred miles in the saddle. Let us know what you do.
That VSTROM 650 would be a contender, especially if you want comfort. It's actually a little more off road worthy than the SCR. Good luck! Jevers. ps, I have owned a DRZ400 and it's Grandpa, the DR650. STILL got blown away on the highway. Personally I would stay away from the Ducati and the KLR.
That VSTROM 650 would be a contender, especially if you want comfort. It's actually a little more off road worthy than the SCR. Good luck! Jevers. ps, I have owned a DRZ400 and it's Grandpa, the DR650. STILL got blown away on the highway. Personally I would stay away from the Ducati and the KLR.
Thanks so much! I was considering DR650 but can’t find one. I like V-Strom but it just looks so...... blah?
An adventure up a back road is fine with an SCR. However, if you venture off the back road and attempt to trail ride or cross any loose sand, you're going to have your hands full. It is a heavy bike and it feels even heavier than it is. But the kind of riding you described should be fine, and you will love it on the road compared to your Suzi. If it has the stock seat, you will want to upgrade after you do a few hundred miles in the saddle. Let us know what you do.
Thanks so much! Excited to hopefully get my hands on this one. 2017 w/ 53 miles for $5500.
Thanks so much! I was considering DR650 but can’t find one. I like V-Strom but it just looks so...... blah?
Funny you should say that. I was in the local dealership earlier today and came across a new Suzuki VSTROM650 Adventure wearing a coat of Suzuki YELLOW paint! It really popped. Besides, there are TONS of aftermarket parts and accessories available.
Greetings all!

Stoked I found this group. I’m new to motorcycles as of last year (Covid boredom). I got a Suzuki DRZ 400 and put about 5000 miles on it over last summer and fall. Mostly just around town rips, and a couple overnights down to my dads. I live in Northern NH. I love the little bike but got tired of getting blown around on the interstate and ringing the bike out at 80mph. I mostly ride pavement, with some dirt and forest service roads thrown in. Really I’ve decided I want a bike I can set out on and log more miles comfortably. Adventure and explore. Nothing gnarly but I’d like
To cover some ground. Maybe 200-300 miles in a day.... I’d like to do some shorter overnights up the Maine coast or around Vermont. Nothing huge, but the DRZ was exhausting after two hours. Other bikes I’m considering are the Ducati Scrambler, KLR 650, Vstrom 650.... Im not much for full on dual sport riding, but do like a little adventure up a back road. I also love the Scrambler look and retro styling of the SCR. I’ve found a great price on a basically brand new SCR. Would you recommend this bike for what I’d like to do? Any words of wisdom before selling the DRZ and getting the SCR. I wish I could afford 2 bikes but it’s just not in the budget..... yet! Thanks for any input.
The seat may cause you problems after 50 miles or so but otherwise you should be okay.The V-strom would be better off road but provided you find dry dirt not mud you should be okay.
With the right seat, I think the SCR is a great choice. I've ridden lots of bikes, including a DRZ400 and the only one that I've ever been scared on was the KLR in wind on the highway. Rediculous. Soooo avoid that one.

...and Welcome from another new guy!
Voice of dissent here......I’d definitely book in a test on a Ducati Desert Sled too.....that bike is nice....... I took one out a few years ago for an hour, and the thing corners like it’s on rails. Considerably more powerful than the SCR (by about 50%), as well as quite a bit lighter too.

Personally, the only back road I’d be going on on the SCR, would be the one I ended up on by mistake. Like @Schu says, it’s not a light bike. By contrast, if you take a look at what some guys can do on the Duke, on YouTube, you’ll see it’s considerably more capable. I know this isn’t your intention, but still.......

I think it’d be easy to make a mistake with the SCR, just because it can now be bought cheaply......

#justsayin’

Welcome, by the way👍

Ben
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