[stainlesscycle]

i have owned a early drz400y/k (the early one with kicker/dirt suspension - 1999 or 2000?) and a 04 te450... the drz was very capable but heavy, the suspension on that year was amazing for a big heavy bike - i rode it many times at hatfield mccoy trails... the 04 te450 was a bad year.. a friend i ride with has a 2010 te310 that he runs 90% dirt. he does quite well with it...it was terrible until he got it reprogrammed with ibeat.. then it was very very capable offroad. sorry i'm not a lot of help.. i know that for ds it's all about the tires. the closest thing to full on knobby makes a huge difference. them 50/50 tires suck in anything that's not dry.