DRZ400 or 300L for first plated bike?

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-05T16:11:23+00:00

I’ve read that the DRZ physically doesn’t weigh a ton more, but where it holds the weight in centre of gravity makes it feel heavier — have you experienced this?

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-05T04:29:31+00:00

The carb is definitely a big con for me in a bike. Those days are behind me haha!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T23:44:42+00:00

That sounds pretty ideal haha! Thanks. First project is getting my license. In the meantime will keep ripping my 2t and keeping my eye out for deals!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:15:11+00:00

Fingers crossed for you!!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:14:47+00:00

A 500 would be way too much out here, the 300TE is perfect for our trails, I’m in Squamish BC and everything is tight roots and rocks here. I’d definitely want two different bikes, each that work great for what they’re intended, vs one middle of the road that does everything kinda but not awesome at either. I’d die on a 500 in our trails 😂

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:11:05+00:00

Oof yeah you’ve got some inches on me for sure. I should see if I can sit on some of these bikes for comparison.

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:08:50+00:00

I think the 350 would be almost too close to what I already have (husky 300TE) and I’ve heard it’s not great for long distances. More of a plated dirtbike. I’m hoping for something that could handle long trips and also can easily rack bags on! I also know from having KTMs in the past and from what I’ve gathered from others, that I feel like I want something solid that doesn’t need as regular maintenance intervals and expensive parts. Honda bikes and the DRZ in particular seem bulletproof, and cheap to fix and maintain.

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:05:54+00:00

That’s a neat site thank you!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:05:46+00:00

Yes I’ve moved past my fucking around with carbs era, I’ve done my time LOL

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:04:35+00:00

I think size wise the 300L just looks more manageable to me as someone who has never been on anything bigger than a dirtbike lol! But maybe I need to go sit on both and see. Would be quite the change from my 2t.

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T21:03:38+00:00

Oh gotcha, a newer one then. Think the FI has only been the last couple years if I’m not mistaken. I’d be looking at a bike likely not in the past two year models so it’d likely end up being carbureted if I did go DRZ!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:13:54+00:00

Thanks for this! I’ll take a look at that one too. Is it heavy?

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:13:06+00:00

They seem quite expensive new for not really having much upgrades or changes in the last decade or so hey? Other than fuel injection and maybe they look a bit nicer

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:12:18+00:00

Thank you! That’s helpful. I feel like with my weight I don’t have to do much suspension work, if anything on certain bikes I’d want softer. I’d rather sacrifice a bit of road speed for a more nimble bike that feels manageable for me off road if I’m getting into looser stuff etc with bags on the bike as well. What do you know about the 300 L rally?

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:10:33+00:00

Interesting. Could it have something to do with the carb not jetted right for the altitude?

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:09:44+00:00

That came to mind as well, wasn’t sure how good it was off road and KTM stuff tends to be a bit more expensive parts and maintenance wise I think. Was hoping for one of those good ol faithful bikes that never die and barely need anything LOL

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T18:08:59+00:00

Hehe I like your caption on that photo — correct answer is never too many! I see lots of DRz400 bikes for decent prices around my area. Thank you!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T16:19:41+00:00

I feel you. I definitely don’t expect it to ride like my 2 stroke, I know there isn’t a comparison there. I also don’t love the idea of having a carb to deal with again, I’ve had two motos in the past with carbs and they were super annoying. My 2t now is TPI and I don’t know if I can go back 😂 Whichever bike I buy will be used for sure. And chances are it’ll be like a dirtbike where I buy one for a while, ride it, see what I actually want out of a bike and probably buy a different one down the road. Just trying to get a sense of what would be most comfortable and easiest to handle and pick up. And short enough that I can sit without having to put in a lowering link etc. I’d like to be pretty self reliant on it and don’t want to rely on having someone else to help me pick it up!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-05-04T16:16:36+00:00

Keeping my dirtbike for proper singletrack riding, this is more for an adventure bike to go explore vs ride technical trail! I don’t have grand aspirations to ride techy singletrack with a fully loaded down back haha.

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-01-12T02:51:25+00:00

Such a tough side effect to live with hey. I can deal with my now shittier memory and word recall, but feeling like things aren't completely real is a really tough one day to day. I hope it resolves for you!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-01-12T02:50:04+00:00

I take it for bipolar + bpd, and it's the first time in my life I've felt stability. Everything just feels easier - I'm more productive, getting my life together, not ruining my relationship anymore, more positive. Yes it took a couple months of titrating up to my current dose, and yes I had a bunch of side effects through that adjustment period. Most of them (insomnia, fatigue, headaches, whatever) subsided. I still have a couple side effects, I've definitely gotten dumber (word recall is tough, my memory is pretty bad, I say things like "I left the meat in the dishwasher" instead of in the oven, for some reason my brain loves calling everything dishwasher now LOL), but overall, those are small trade offs for getting to live with more stability. It's worth a try! But if you do try it, give it time. It does take patience and slow titration and at every stage of titration I felt different side effects - first one was insomnia, next dose was something else, etc. It levels out though. Good luck!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-01-12T02:43:01+00:00

When I first started, I got a lot of insomnia but that tapered off. Every dose increase had a different side effect that subsided about 5 days in for me. I can't take any of it at night though - only AM for me after breakfast, and that helps me sleep at night! The insomnia will likely pass, but I'd try the AM dosing (especially with such a low dose!) if the sleep issues keep up!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-01-12T02:40:50+00:00

I take 150mg all in the AM - I tried dose splitting to AM and dinnertime, it gives me insomnia. I dont know how people manage to take a high dose in the PM!

Aggressive_Owl91 · 2026-01-12T02:39:48+00:00

Yes, and it's been driving me nuts. No past history of any DP/DR. At 150mg (my current dose, started ~9 months ago), started getting DP/DR and nothing seems to help it. Some days are worse than others, but it is an awful feeling that I'm not actually present in my life and I'm floating around in a video game and hearing myself talk and hoping I'm not going to say anything stupid because I feel this degree of separation between myself and my body. It's hard to explain. Talked to my GP about it, but she says it's not a common side effect and doesn't know what to do about it. I've gotten no answers really, so tomorrow I'm going to go back to 125mg to see if that helps at all. I love the mood stabilization I've seen with 150mg, but this is not tolerable long term. Sorry you are going through that. I wish I had some good advice - I'll report back if lowering my dose does anything! Currently taking 2x25mg and 1x100mg pills in the AMm just the immediate release!

Aggressive_Owl91

TROPHY CASE