Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1499289
COMPARISON I 2023 SUZUKI DR650S VS. HONDA XR650L P114 In motion, however, both bikes are stable and predictable, and weight isn't much of a factor, but when things start to get even the slightest bit technical off road, your muscles will start to complain aboard both bikes, and you'll also wish for better grip from their street-biased tires. The DR is less scary on non- maintained dirt roads because of its lower seat height. But on gnarly rough ground, we'd just as soon be on the Honda for its better suspension. Both bikes could benefit from more fuel capacity. The Suzuki's 3.4-gallon capacity, however, is acceptable, the Honda's 2.8-gal - lon tank is not, but we've been complaining about this for years. The Suzuki and Honda's instrumentation are basic and vintage looking. Neither has a low-fuel warning light. They let their petcocks handle that. Both bikes come with hand guards and large mirrors, but the XR's are at least now modern look - ing compared to the Suzuki's archaic square mirrors. Back in the garage after a long day in the saddle, it was unanimous among our testers—the Suzuki wins out. The DR got high marks for its low seat height, ultra-smooth power, superior ergos (but not by much), and more all-around modern feel. The Honda rules in the suspension department, and that alone keeps this bike in the discussion, and so does—well, just being an XR. How can you not consider that? There will always be something special about those two letters, whether it's the best or not. CN 2023 SUZUKI DR650S ($6999) / HONDA XR650L ($6999) ENGINE: 4-stroke, single 4-stroke, single DISPLACEMENT: 644cc 644cc COOLING SYSTEM: Air-oil Air VALVETRAIN: 4-valve, SOHC 4-valve RFVC, SOHC BORE X STROKE: 100.0 x 82.0mm 100.0 / 82.0mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.5:1 8.3:1 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: CDI CDI STARTING SYSTEM: Electric Electric FUEL SYSTEM: Carburetor, Mikuni CV 40mm Carburetor, Keihin CV 42.5mm LUBRICATION SYSTEM: Wet sump Dry sump TRANSMISSION: 5-speed 5-speed FRAME: Steel, semi-double cradle Steel FRONT SUSPENSION: Telescopic fork, Showa, telescopic fork, cartridge & non-adjustable compression damping adjustability FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 10.2 in. 11.6 in. REAR SUSPENSION: Single shock, link-type, Single shock, link-type, spring spring preload w/compression preload w/compression & rebound damping adjustability damping adjustability REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 10.2 in 11.6 in. FRONT BRAKE: Single, 290mm, floating Single, 256mm disc w/2-piston caliper disc w/2-piston caliper, non-ABS REAR BRAKE: Single, 240mm disc Single, 220mm disc w/1-piston caliper w/2-piston caliper, non-ABS FRONT WHEEL: 90/90-21 in. 3.00-21 in. REAR WHEEL: 120/90-17 in. 4.60-18 in. WHEELBASE: 58.7 in. 57.3 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: 10.4 in. 13.0 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 34.8 in. 37.0 in. (33.0 in. lowering kit option) FUEL CAPACITY: 3.4 gal. 2.8 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): 366 lbs. 346 lbs. WARRANTY: 12-month limited 12-month limited S P E C I F I C AT I O N S