DRZ400SM

redhotz28 · 04-23-2006, 2:47 AM

Ok, so I got the verdict on my second ticket tonight, as my wife checked my lisence on the campus' police computer. Suspended again. Nice that they even let me know, much less actually have a meeting with me like they told me they would. I love our justice system. Innocent until proven guilty, unless on a motorcycle. Anyhow. Enough rant. I was thinking about trading in my 929 and getting a DRZ400SM for the track. Any ideas? How about getting a set of knobbies off maybe a regular DRZ for dirt riding? Anyone know what these things are like... I really enjoy going on trips, but the 929 is just too capable for the street. (I actually drug the rear brake pedal last time at the track with street pressure and Michelin Pilot Powers)

What a WONDERFUL machine!!!! At 50 mph it starts to seem stable to me. Sigh. Anyone have any experience with these DRZs?

NinerPilot · 04-23-2006, 2:52 AM

If you are looking for a true track motard that you can take off road, buy a dirt bike and motard it. Personally Id use a CRF450X, but there are a bunch of options.
Chris

Repeater · 04-23-2006, 3:52 AM

KTM.

They have models that come with both sets of rims tires.

redhotz28 · 04-24-2006, 3:33 AM

Do you know what KTMs run? They don't have any prices on their website. Also, are they plagued with reliability issues? Never heard good things about them. Also never knew anyone directly who owned one.

954inMN · 05-01-2006, 1:18 PM

I have a DRZ400S. I wanted a street legal dirt bike and am mostly a trail rider not a motorcrosser. The S and SM have different forks, wheels tires and some body components. It has worked well but...

They are pretty gutless. You are looking at the 30hp ballpark. They weigh about 300lbs. There are a ton of parts to upgrade with, the aftermarket is unreal (esp compared to modern fireblades) but it costs money. So far I have a full exhaust, airbox modifications and rejet. I have cams which I haven't installed yet and a replacement carb is in the near future. Then I will be in the 40-45 HP ballpark with about $1K in parts. I have also resprung, as forks are pretty soft on the S, I don't know about the SM.

The advantage to the DRZ family is supposed to be low maintenance vs. the higher HP 450 four strokes(CRF,YZF etc). It holds more oil and redlines at 9K rpm (although you can get higher redline electronics if you upgrade valvetrain, ka-ching!$!). I have had zero problems but my bike is pretty new.

If you don't care about being street legal you could get the DRZ400E and convert to a motard. They can be found for 4000-5000 new vs 6200 for the SM. You could convert to an SM and still be a little ahead on cash and either still ride dirt when you want to convert back or sell the parts. The E model comes with the more desirable FCR pumper carb (about $600 to put on a SM) and more aggressive cams (not as aggressive as aftermarket though) as long as it isn't a recent Cali model.

Before you buy spend a few hours searching at thumpertalk.com in the DRZ 400 section. You will find out everything you need to know.

Husqavarna makes some cool SM and dual sport bikes too.

driveum · 02-18-2007, 11:17 AM

I just picked up a very clean 2000 DRZ400 S. The bike has 4400 miles. Since we have snow & Ice everywhere, I havn't got a chance to ride the bike yet. I know this is not a competition bike but should fit my needs for now.
Any further info on this bike would be apprecitated.
Thanks

redhotz28 · 02-18-2007, 4:05 PM

Join Thumpertalk... or just visit the forums. TONS of info there. Tips on tires, jetting, suspension, etc.

monkey · 02-24-2007, 4:57 PM

This months Motorcyclist magazine has a HUGE write-up on the DRZ-SM. They discuss all the mods that they did to gain hp and make it a better ride. Unfortunately, with all of the mods they did, they almost doubled the cost of the bike. I think they ended up spending around two grand. They did the air-box mod, a Stage 2 kit from Dynojet, Yoshimura pipe, all for two additional hp! RaceTech valves and springs to upgrade the suspension, and Galfer brake lines and pads plus hand guards to up the cost of mods. They put a Renthal Fatbar on their '06 model, but I believe the '07 comes with it. All told, the total for modifications came to $1,989.85. So now your $6200 bike just cost you $8,200. Is it worth it? Can you live with 42hp? I guess it depends on what you going to use the bike for. I've actually considered getting one myself for a grocery-getter and sometime commuter. But tracking it might be asking too much. Let us know what you decide.

jixxerjeff · 03-26-2007, 1:03 AM

Hey,

I'm looking at a DMZ400SM and despite all of the negative slander thrown their way, I think this is the bike for me- I really shouldn't have too much power...

Check this out though; I went to Performance Suzuki here in OKC and they have an '06 priced at $4995 with 1800 miles, bar-end mirrors, Yoshi pipe, jetted (supposedly) a home made cargo rack (pretty mice job...), fender eliminator kit, led lights all around- yellow. It has one scratch on the upper left fairing which isn't horrible. Oh yeah it is also under Consignment. (obviously)

Compared to the '07 they have in stock- this thing is incredibly gorgeous. The stock is so ugly with all of the factory junk on it (mirrors, fender kit, backseat fanny pack)... Clean.

Tell me what you guys think and if it's adecent deal or what- funding for me is limited and this seems to be right in my range. I did take a look at the KTM and Husq'... EXPENSIVE?! I would like to mod out a CRF450X like NinerPilot mentioned (though I am a die hard Suzuki fan- Honda comes in second) or a RMZ450 Carmichael Replica but I need to face reality and all that I can afford is the monthly payment and buying the mods that I'd like would dramtically place me into an uncomfortable financial situation.

Well, see ya around.

Bigdaddy75 · 06-02-2007, 6:30 AM

I have the "E" and have had it since new - I am an ex motocross rider so I find it heavy and a bit soft and slow - sort of like I have become with age but I love to take it out in dirt whenever I get the chance. You pretty much can't break them and I've hardly laid a spanner on it. The only other bike I would consider would be the KTM450 as they are pretty solid also. Once you take off the heavy stuff and fit decent tyres they are a fun bike and great for what they are.

GMbusa · 06-05-2007, 2:42 PM

Red hot, first and foremost you need to learn to exercise some self control while riding. Thinking by going to a closed course racetrack will solve that problem, it won't. Racing requires you to focus and maintain a level of control. If you don't posses this, you may want to walk away from motorcycles while you still can.
Don't think by going to a slower bike that it will slow you down, it doesn't. It just takes you longer to get up to speed.

Just a heads up.

solorsix · 06-19-2007, 8:59 PM

I own a DRZSM, so I can tell you what you want to know... The DRZ's S and SM are fun bikes with road durability. This means they don't overheat at lights or s**t the bed with 40 hours on them. I ride my sm on and off road and its great fun. You will be dissapointed however, coming off of a fireblade. The sm is not highway capable for one, and you will get smoked on the track with one. If you want a track motard... get a 450. If you want road durability motard... get a 400SM. If 929 is too much get a 600 for the road. I love my 954, but a 600(inline4) is almost perfect for the road. Anything else you want to know about SM I'll do my best.