My friend has a TTR-225. The electric start is really nice on those days when you want to get on the trail before everyone else. When riding it I really haven't noticed that it is that heavy. The major issue I have is with the front suspension. It is severely under sprung & under dampened from the factory. The worst thing is that it is not at all adjustable and as far as I know nobody makes any tuner items for the TTR-22 suspension (why should they).
The bike is a great smooth trail or technical (no jumps) trail bike. it is manueverable and the electric start can get you out of some hairy situations. Any big bumps or jumps will bottom the suspension (severely) if the rider weighs more than 150 lbs.
Check out the ground clearance, suspension travel & weight on both machines before making a decision. Then sit on both of them and see how they feel. I think you will find that the XR is the sportier of the two, the ttr is more of the luxury, if such a thing exists, in the off-road motorcycle world.
-A