Trying to decide between a TE510, or a TE610, or a DRZ400

[vespadaddy]

I'm looking for a dual sport capable of riding single track and extended dual sport trips. I'm aware that this is a Husky forum, so I don't expect I'll hear people shouting for me to get a DRZ.

I'll list my (possibly wrong) opinions, and I would like to hear any feedback or suggestions. I have no brand loyalty, so I'm open to almost anything.

TE510--I would like to get one with FI, as I would probably buy ice tires for it and ride it on lakes in the winter, but I'm aware that this isn't a very street-worthy bike (though I like the idea of a bike that's light and powerful).

TE610--Still fairly capable off road, and much more capable of long distances on pavement. I would love to read a comparison of this bike VS the DRZ400

DRZ400--Not very light, nor powerful, but pretty reliable, proven, and ubiquitous. Can be had cheaper (used), than a Husky, and (I think), will return better resale value if I sell it later on.

additional thoughts: I like new bikes, but they don't fit my current budget, so I need to buy used. I also want pretty low miles (2000 or fewer). I am guessing that if I find a Husky with low miles, it will be more expensive (and more capable!), than a similarly spec'ed DRZ, but the DRZ will probably be worth more in 2 years, when the bike has 5000-10,000. It seems like Husky's really drop their value, even faster than Japanese bikes.

Obviously, I'm not buying a bike as an investment, but as a family man, I need to protect my bike funds for as long as possible.

Does anyone have any wisdom to share? Are there other bikes I should consider? (Must be street legal).

How does the 610 compare to a DRZ400 in terms of weight and handling?

Thanks!

 

[Coffee]

Welcome to cafe husky


It sounds like you have been doing your research. Many people that own 610s may not visit the 4stroke forum. Because you are searching for feedback, I'll move it over to the Main forum so you can get the most feedback. Hope that is ok with you.

 

[vespadaddy]

Absolutely OK. Thank you.

 

[Kerry]

You also could look at a TE 310 or a TE 450 a test drive might help you pick

 

[Joliet]

My suggestion is to purchase a used DRZ 400 that has been taken care of and has all the mods done to it already. You should be able to pick one up for around $2500 to $3000 in good shape and set up. Ride it for a year and decide what kind of riding you are going to want to spend most of your time doing. During that year, test ride some other bikes and decide what you want. If you got a good deal on the DRZ you should be able to get close to what you paid for it, and purchase the bike you decided you can't live without (unless it is the DRZ). Welcome to dualsporting. Ken

 

[CARL REHATCHEK]

The DRZ 400 S will do you top end you would like, are heavy in stock weight but are dependable as all heck and then some along with parts available out the yeng/yang

Unless you could find a DRZ that had the conversion and title work done then thats the best option.. since you are not flavor related if you find the 03 KLX 400 Kawasaki thats the same bike as the DRZ and the Kawie prices are cheaper then the Suzie...

remember there is the DRZ(offroad) the DRZ S(metal tank and some other good instrumention) and is capable to convert to the plastic tanks and such.

I have nothing for a comment on the Husky big bores as I breifly road them..

I owned and raced the 03 KLX 400 for 4 years.

Chow, Carl

 

[Motosportz]

Another option, and this might be out of your comfort zone but the ATK 490/605 make great DS bikes, stone reliable air cooled Rotax motors, long geared, comfortable. Can be had for 2500-3000 all day long. Hold a lot of oil, have nice Ohlins shocks and good Paoli forks, CNC gold talon hubs, Pro Taper bars, Brembo brakes, tunable exhaust. Were very expensive new and are very good bikes. E-start with kicker backup.

 

[Muddy Waters]

Welcome to the Café Vespadaddy

Ok, so first the 510 is a street legal racing bike, it’s on a different level then the 610, not really compatible…
It is on an entirely different universe then the DRZ…
For long dualsport trips you should probably nix it from this list

As far as the difference between the 610 and the DRZ here’s what I’ve wrote in someone else’s thread about a similar question
http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550&highlight=610+advice

I had the same pondering when I was about to buy my bike
I was buying new so the monetary difference was only $1600, that's a Husky no brainer in my book, that amount will not get the DRZ one third of the way to where the Husky is Stock plus I was daydreaming/drooling over the 610sm looks... however lack of interesting terrain and coming back to riding after a 13 bikeless years made me chose to shelve the yearnings and go with the DRZsm, my boss thought otherwise and gave me a present; 08 610sm (so just work hard....it'll work itself out..... )

My neighbor has a 06 DRZsm with a Yoshimura pipe, jetted right, my take on it is this; the DRZ is skinnier between the legs, it's power feels more "electric" compered to the 610 "explosiveness" (mind you, you could ride the 610 in an "electric" manner, just short shift it.... )
The DRZ is good enough but not nearly as good.... (as the 610)
The DRZ's clutch pull is outstanding!!! you can use your pinkie to shift gears, on the 610 you need two fingers and you better mean it...
you'll spend some good money trying to bring the DRZ to the mind blowing level of outright dirty, nasty sexiness of the stock 610sm

My neighbor take on my (stock)610sm was; Damn this bike is SICK!!! (he was amazed at how much "more" the bike is, loved the extra power and the [stock] pipe bark...)

My opinion? you really need to look at what you got to work with, $2800 is a nice chunk to help the DRZ come two thirds to the 610

You'll be happy with the DRZ if you chose it....

However don't go test riding the 610 after you buy a DRZ...(it'll hurt)

Good luck

Now tell me, what kinda Vespa do you have…daddy

 

[highdez1981430cr]

Toilet,

How dare you put a rice burner above our beloved marque.

HUSKIES RULE

 

[I8AKTM]

Do not pick up a 510 for extended dual sport touring. The bike flat out rocks, but is NOT intended for that purpose.

 

[tagalong]

If you're wanting to do long highway trips, I'd forget about the DRZ as well. Had a friend with one and he couldn't keep up on the road and the bike sounded like it was about to puke it's guts out. His had stock gearing, may do better with better highway sprockets installed. While they are good woods bikes, they are still lacking in power. Even though they are light, I've still had to wait on many DRZs to catch up to my pig of a KLR on the trails.
The plus side of them is they are a good dependable bike and the parts and farkle availability is great.

 

[Muddy Waters]

Toilet,

How dare you put a rice burner above our beloved marque.

HUSKIES RULE

Not exactly sure if you’re being funny or what,
if you were then sorry I’ve missed it but nobody on this thread has put a DRZ above anything

Some have suggested it (DRZ) as a decent starter bike

Husky honor was maintained…

 

[ARod2000]

I think your comments indicate you know the differences between the bikes. I say the 510 is out and it's between teh 400 and the 610. And the difference to me is big but it really comes down to YOU and how much you want to spend. Obviously the more expensive one is more capable but it is more expensive. duh. I don't think you'll go wrong with either but you will get what you pay for.

 

[rajobigguy]

Nothing against DRZs, they are a fairly capable bike albeit a bit underpowered and under suspended. One thing I will say is that we in the dual sport world owe a lot to the little Suzi because it was the only thing from Japan that actually met the Dual Sport definition.
That being said, the 610 and the Suzi have a similar personality it's just that the 610 has a lot more of it.
I know that there are people that use their 510 as dual sport machines but really they are a competition dirt bike with a plate. The 610 is a purpose built dual sport and splits the line between being a competitive off roader and reasonably good highway commuter better than anything else I can think of.
So far as maintaining value the Huskys drop a little more out of the gate than some other but then kind of stabilize. If you shop around for a good used bike you wont end up paying much more for a 610 than a decent DRZ and you'll get back pretty much the same when you sell it (that is of course if you can ever bring you're self to sell it).
The 610 and the DRZ weigh about the same but in my opinion the Husky feels lighter, it also feels taller (because it is) so if you're vertically challenged that might be something to consider.

 

[Blazes]

Nothing against DRZs, they are a fairly capable bike albeit a bit underpowered and under suspended. One thing I will say is that we in the dual sport world owe a lot to the little Suzi because it was the only thing from Japan that actually met the Dual Sport definition.
That being said, the 610 and the Suzi have a similar personality it's just that the 610 has a lot more of it.
I know that there are people that use their 510 as dual sport machines but really they are a competition dirt bike with a plate. The 610 is a purpose built dual sport and splits the line between being a competitive off roader and reasonably good highway commuter better than anything else I can think of.
So far as maintaining value the Huskys drop a little more out of the gate than some other but then kind of stabilize. If you shop around for a good used bike you wont end up paying much more for a 610 than a decent DRZ and you'll get back pretty much the same when you sell it (that is of course if you can ever bring you're self to sell it).
The 610 and the DRZ weigh about the same but in my opinion the Husky feels lighter, it also feels taller (because it is) so if you're vertically challenged that might be something to consider.

I have had a them all--from a XR650R DR 400 BMW Dakar- Husky 09 610TE- 450TE.

I must say that the suspension-handling and not to mention the brakes on the Huskies sold it to me. The DRZ is a great bike--but old tech. I do small trips with my 450Te and some technical riding But the 610 is a bike with so much going for it once it is uncorked. Use it for my DS Tours i do. Huskies grow on you

 

[kleemann]

Ive had a 2005 TE450 and may DRZ's. IMO you cant beat the DRZ. Get a set of RM forks on ebay for $200 and presto, you have an updated suspension. Get an S with all the legal switch gear and get a used FCR MX 39mm carb from ebay (DRZ400E or other FCR equipped bike) and you will have a stone reliable DS machine.

I love Husky's, but I will never take one on a real DS trip again after having one. Clutch x-ring or not, it really stinks to be 75 miles from anything and have the clutch fail.

You have a zillion choices in the aftermarket for goodies with the DRZ, not so many with the Husky.

 

[rajobigguy]

Ive had a 2005 TE450 and may DRZ's. IMO you cant beat the DRZ. Get a set of RM forks on ebay for $200 and presto, you have an updated suspension. Get an S with all the legal switch gear and get a used FCR MX 39mm carb from ebay (DRZ400E or other FCR equipped bike) and you will have a stone reliable DS machine.

I love Husky's, but I will never take one on a real DS trip again after having one. Clutch x-ring or not, it really stinks to be 75 miles from anything and have the clutch fail.
You have a zillion choices in the aftermarket for goodies with the DRZ, not so many with the Husky.

610s have a cable operated clutch, no need to worry about leaking hydralics.

 

[letitsnow]

I don't have any experience with any of the bikes that you have listed, but I did use a Suzuki Z400 atv (same motor as DRZ bike) to train for harescrambles. I bought it in 2003, added a 440 Wiseco top end, flogged it for 5 years, then sold it. I raced atvs at the local pro level and that poor Suzuki spent many, many hours bouncing off of the rev limiter. After 5 years used as a training machine I sold it with the stock clutch plates and bottom end. I never even had to take the bottom end apart for ANYTHING! That was probably the best bang for the buck machine that I will ever own...

 

[Slowpoke]

I own a Drz 400 and a couple Huskies

If your want to do a bunch of riding as you described, both the DRZ 'S' and the TE 610 will suffice.
Don't bother with the 510, you'll likely be miserable on long trips on it.
Bone stock, the 610 is about 30 lbs heavier than a DRZ.

The big advantage the 610 has is power and the 6 speed wide ratio trans., but it's going to cost a bunch more to buy and operate.

A DRZ S that is set-up properly will do everything and put out decent power;
What's needed:
Better seat
Steering damper
FCR carb
guards for the delicate bits
Clarke 3.9 tank
These things will cruise down the road all day at 65 mph and do all the off road stuff you can throw at them. They are one of the most common entries(and finishers) in the bi-annual Paris-Dacre held in Ontario every other year- it's a one day 750km dual sport challenge.

Both bikes will do what you want- the DRZ will be easier to acquire and get parts etc. The big Husky has certain power, gearing and slight suspension advantages.

 

[vespadaddy]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

For the record, I have a 1970 Vespa Rally 180, but it needs some paint before I put it on the road.

I know the DRZ is a popular choice, and with good reason, but I just can't seem to get excited about the prospect of owning one, so I think that I will now discard that as a choice.

Even though nearly everyone tells me to avoid a TE510 for anything other than offroad use, I might still consider one, especially if I find a good deal on a garage queen.

Aided (in part by the info in this thread and from other threads in this forum and on adv rider), I think I have found my 3 targets:
Either a 2006 or newer TE510, TE610, or a BMW XChallenge.

Thanks for the input.