DR-Z4S vs CRF300L for green laning

Which suits you

• Choose the CRF300L if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 11kg lighter wet.
• The CRF300L has the lower seat by 45mm, which matters more on a rutted lane than on the road if you are shorter in the leg.
• The DR-Z4S has 15mm more ground clearance (300mm against 285mm), useful over deep ruts and rocky steps.
• Both take a 80/100-21 front tyre, so the same front tyre options fit either bike.
• The DR-Z4S makes more power (38hp against 27.3hp), better for road miles between lanes, though power is rarely what you need on a lane itself.
• The CRF300L costs £2,200 less new.

Holloway ratings side by side

Suzuki DR-Z4S   Honda CRF300L

DR-Z4S vs CRF300L specs

A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.

Where they sit against every other bike

Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.

Our take on each

Suzuki DR-Z4S: A genuinely excellent, modernised all-rounder for green laning, light, capable and well-equipped, with a seat height that will catch out shorter riders.

Honda CRF300L: One of the lightest, easiest green-laning bikes going: brilliant off-road, but too small and short-ranged for regular motorway miles.