Come to Thailand, Like France, dirt bike riders welcome almost everywhere and some amazing trails all around. BUT - its really hot in all your gear, saps your energy so fast. Cheap hire of CRF250's everywhere.
Yes feels heavier.. I have the metal tank but the headlight etc is now a plastic job. Feels wider and taller than the XR with more weight high up - that makes it a pain on the trails here as every one has tight technical sections and clay ruts that are often 6ft deep. Basically you are going to end up manhandling it at some point..