Originally Posted by Landon (Post 485589)

Not sure you can go wrong with either one. Both of them there will probably be personal things that you will want to do to your bike to make it the way you like it.

Which bike in its current state is closest to how you would set up your bike from stock? Do you plan to keeping it long term or not?

Originally Posted by cmott426 (Post 485590)

Unless the DRZ is too tall, I would keep it.
The weight difference is negligible between the 06, 07 and the 09+.
I like my 09. But the 06 sounds like a better deal with less miles and no broken plastic.

Originally Posted by IDRIDR (Post 485591)

Only about 1000 miles difference, and the '09 is beat more than the '06?

I'm a fan of the older model because I like the looks better and think it may be a little more trail worthy (but not a whole lot more). The weight difference isn't much.

The HMF exhaust is likely louder than the FMF. I know, I just replaced the HMF performance with an FMF Q4.

Plastics are not cheap.

Originally Posted by Pauls2ndblessing (Post 485592)

Long term plans, the 06 is closer, I would save around 200 just in gas from picking it up. I like the looks of the 09 more but I don't like the idea of less suspension travel, shorter handlebars, etc... but that front light sure does look mean :eek:



The drz is too tall, wears it's weight high, and a bit too much bike for me in general. Love the bike on the street but I have a hard time throwing it around on the tight little trails by my house.



Yeah I'm wondering how much louder the HMF is going to be, both are slip on's and I was thinking of going with a full exhaust later anyway. The 09 has some broken plastics, scratches, but I was okay with that until I saw the condition of the 06, it looks new with the exception of a few very minor scrapes scratches on the engine casing(the 09 has those as well).

I will be commuting with the bike, so a comfortable seat will be a big deal (the drz did not have that even with an aftermarket cover). I know the design is different but what about comfort levels between the 06 and 09?

Thanks for your replies guys!

Originally Posted by IDRIDR (Post 485594)

Unless you are beating it hard, I'm guessing that you'll notice little difference between suspension travel differences. A lot of us upgrade handlebars and/or install risers so that's probably a minor issue.

For long ride commuting and improved comfort, you may wind up with an aftermarket seat on either model, so that probably washes. The stock seats on both models are often referred to as 2x4's.

Haven't ridden a '09+ so cannot comment on comfort differences between the two models.

6th gear in the older model is taller than on the newer models, which could play in your decision especially for commuting use.

edit: that's a very clean looking '06. It even has some additional lighting. DO NOT leave the kickstand down when strapping down tight for transport on a trailer or pickup bed. And that HMF can is different than mine.

Originally Posted by cmott426 (Post 485595)

Is this a straight up trade? I think the DRZ is worth more than either KLX. From the looks of the pictures I would go with the 06.

Originally Posted by cmott426 (Post 485597)

But on the other hand since you said the DRZ was too tall, the 09 might work better for you. They are one inch shorter. I went from a WR426 to the KLX. With the lower seat High the KLX is way better in the tight stuff.

Originally Posted by cmott426 (Post 485599)

I never looked at the 06, Just thought they where taller do to having over an inch of wheel travel more.

Originally Posted by wildcard (Post 485602)

I would get the 06, sounds like the 09 has been beat and has higher miles.

Originally Posted by IDRIDR (Post 485591)

Only about 1000 miles difference, and the '09 is beat more than the '06?

EDIT: Have you been on and ridden a KLX250 yet? I'm just a bit over 6' with 34" inseam, and I found that the Guts Racing tall seat made a world of comfort difference for me. I felt squished when riding close to the tank on the stock seat and just hated it. The GR tall seat is available for '06/07 but not newer models.

Originally Posted by Landon (Post 485615)

Congrats on deciding, I know how hard it can be. Both look like great bikes. The acerbis in my opinion looks bad on the 09's, but there are other options for a bigger tank that don't effect the looks.

Originally Posted by cmott426 (Post 485635)

If you are going to do any off-road with it, change out that front tire. That is the most likely reason why the shroud is broke. The less wheel travel really doesn’t affect me. I have yet to bottom the front and I have tried. No, I don’t do large jumps but I do get some air and hit some fairly square edges at times. I took a tie-wrap and put in on the lower leg, went for a ride and the tire wrap was still about 1-2 inches from bottoming out. I have bottom the rear out. But it has a nice bump stop so it isn’t too bad. If you do find the need to, there are after marked springs and re-valves. The 09 has compression clickers on the forks but no rebound or air bleeder like the older models. The Shock has both compression and rebound on all years.

This is just my theory....since the 09 has less rear wheel travel but uses the same shock and spring rate (correct me if I am wrong), that equals to a stiffer suspension then the older models.

Originally Posted by Pauls2ndblessing (Post 485643)

He caught the shroud on a tree and it snapped. l

Originally Posted by dan888 (Post 485657)

Been there, done that ....................a few times :(
These shrouds stick out quite a bit.

Hope all works out well with the trade.
Dan