Whats a better motorcycle : kawasaki or suzuki?

Question

I want to buy a dual-purpose motorcycle, mostly to get me back and forth from work and school....For about 5700 i can get 398 ccs from suzuki and from kawaski for 4700 i can get 250 ccs, i dont care about racing, going so fast, or anything....and like i said, offroad use will be minimal....

now its all down to which is the better brand, more reliable ... etc...

here are the links if you wanna check it out


http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DRZ400SK8/Default.aspx
(the drz400s)

http://kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=206
the klx250s

Answer 1

I ride a Suzuki myself, a GS500F. It's been pretty reliable. Both of the bikes you're looking at are great for new riders to learn on; the Suzuki will be faster, but I expect the Kawasaki to get better mileage. The Kawasaki might also struggle to keep up on the freeway, while the Suzuki will have an easier time. I'd sit on both and see which one feels more comfortable, as that's one thing only you can decide for yourself.

Answer 2

For the most part, I think that todays motorcycles are equal for performance. Of course, you have to realize that all Harleys, other than the sportster, for 07, come with the 96 cubic inch engine. I've had both a Suzuki and a Harley and currently own a Harley. For safety, yes, it is primarily the driver that makes a difference, however, I have found, and you can ask almost anyone, the cruiser Harleys are safer for the following reasons. Like I said before, I've owned Suzuki's, Hondas, and my first Harley was a sportster. All of them had a narrow front tire. With my current Harley, an 07 Street Glide, it has a wide front tire. At a stop light, it is much easier to balance the Street Glide, than it was any other bike that I've had with the narrower front tire. It is more forgiving in a tight turn at low speeds. I can't tell you how many times, when approaching my garage door with the other bikes, at a speed of 2 - 5 miles per hour, making a tight turn, so that I could back the bike into the garage, that I'd loose my balance and have to put my foot down on the ground to catch the bike and keep it from falling. With the Street Glide, I have never had that problem. The bike is really balanced, and I surprise myself at how slow I can go, and how easy it is to turn on a dime. My best suggestion, is to go to a Harley dealer and a Suzuki dealer and take both bikes for a ride. Then decide for yourself. As far as price is concerned, there really isn't that much difference, when you compare like sized bikes. The problem is when a Honda Shadow rider with a 650cc engine compares the price to a Harley Electra Glide or Road King. Granted, there is a big difference there, but, compare the price of a Road King with a Gold Wing.

Answer 3

They are both great brands. I have owned both a '96 Suzuki Katana and a '93 Kawasaki Ninja EX500. Both were great bikes for me mechanically and performance wise. The thing you need to consider is comfort especially if you are going to be riding it a lot. I'm a bigger guy so the Katana was a better fit for me. Consider your size, amount of time you will be riding it, and features. Test ride both and not just in the parking lot. Take them both out into traffic and see how they handle in the city. Is it comfortable sitting at a stop light? Is the clutch heavy, controls easy to manipulate, do the mirrors vibrate so much you feel like puking when looking in them? Do you like the sound after 30 minutes or so? Sounds funny but annoying exhaust noise or buzz can make 30 minutes feel like eternity in the 9th dimension of hell. Lastly is looks, a great looking bike that you hate riding is just that. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

Overall Suzuki is a better choice. It's just a better built bike. Kawasaki is making good on their re-designed KLR650 though.

Answer 5

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/12/0/home.aspx

I ride a 85 Kawasaki KXT 250 Tecate

Answer 6

Without doubt the DRZ400 is the best bike for your intended purpose.

Answer 7

all of the asian bikes are reliable so it really dosen't matter which you get. Go out and drive some bikes and see what you like. Now, I'm a Harley guy myself and I agree with the previous answerers, with the kind of money you have, go out and get yourself a good used 1200 sportster.

Answer 8

The best one is the one that YOU like the best. Move slowly away from your computer...then run like hell to your nearest dealerships to test drive and look the machines over. Enjoy the ride!

Answer 9

go with honda or the one of the others with a larger engine.

Answer 10

i think, u should buy kawasaki, although suzuki is better but kawasaki is best!