Thinking about a DRZ400SM

[meteor]

Ok, let me have it, warts and all. Anyone out there had one, love it or hate it? Whats good and whats not, are they underpowered? and does the exhaust and jetting mod really do that much?... What would be better option in the 400 - 600 range? There's reviews all over the net but I'm always a bit dubious about them... who's paying the reviewer? I'm keener to get an 'unencumbered' opinion if you know what I mean. Lastly some specifics... I'm about 6ft and 90 kg's and wan't mainly to commute on arterials about 10 k's to work... on fine days!

[SVboy]

I wont be of much use to you! I like mine, I think! It is such a change riding it from my road bike that sometimes I struggle to "get it" In saying that, I have not been off road yet. It is so easy and fun to go fast in the twisties. Very good commuter, but short service intervals. My mods have been,jetting, DNA air filter and 3x3 air box mod, Pilot power tyres, prof set static sag[came with a full yoshi exhaust]. It goes really well, exterior build quality is pretty ordinary, but thay have a good longevity reputation.Easy to service.I hated the OEM Dunlop rear tyre. So, in summary, 3 months of ownership in, I am still making up my mind! People like MORCS on here love em,but they can do wheelies and other cool stuff that I cant......yet!

[Willdat?]

Ok, let me have it, warts and all. Anyone out there had one, love it or hate it? Whats good and whats not, are they underpowered? and does the exhaust and jetting mod really do that much?... What would be better option in the 400 - 600 range? There's reviews all over the net but I'm always a bit dubious about them... who's paying the reviewer? I'm keener to get an 'unencumbered' opinion if you know what I mean. Lastly some specifics... I'm about 6ft and 90 kg's and wan't mainly to commute on arterials about 10 k's to work... on fine days!

I had one, and would still have it now if $ hadn't been an issue. in 2008 they were on special for summerfest for $7995 + ORC, just so you know what they ae really worth.

For me it was my first newish/non-learner bike and it was a great step up as standard. Handling was great, brakes too. For a 10km commute I think it has a great balance of power, handling, grin-factor and reliability/economy.

Downsides - small tank, seat is a bit painful, probably about perfect for the tank in hindsight...
I had some issues with starting mine if it wasn't being ridden regularly, I think these were likely battery realted rather than anything wrong with the bike itself.

[Quasievil]

Spend a bit more and get the best one in the class a ktm690sm

[meteor]

Willdat?...I had a DR250 for about 18 months as a commuter... starting issues with that too, but a higher float level, lower resistance plug cap and hotter plug sorted it.

Quasi... Yeah agreed very nice bit of kit... if money was no barrier... I also like the Husky 610.

Anything in particular I should look out for... known problems?

[Quasievil]

The 690sm is the new LC4 motor, the most reliable KTM engine ever, good for trackdays and great for touring.
Mileage is 260 for 13 ltrs, a drz is like 170 ?

if you an afford it, definitely the one to get for reliability

[wysper]

Spend a bit more and get the best one in the class a ktm690sm

more than a bit more I would say.

[avgas]

DR400SM is a great bike......but it has its limits.

One I test rode (Carver's ol' one), got to 150 quick......but felt boring as tea and crumpets.
Valve bouncing on 150 (!!!) is no fun. And the acceleration is too smooth.

Get the KTM (SM, Duke....whatever) or a DR650 or the XTX660 (would be my pic).

Or get a 400 trail (non-motard) bike. DR350 etc - as you dont have to custom to get her off road, and you will be content on road.

[Quasievil]

more than a bit more I would say.

Got mine for $10k including tyres, new plastics, KTM tank bag, Vetura, heated grips...........list goes on
Road it trackday on Saturday and it went well, toured to welly on Monday.

best bike I have owned

[wysper]

Got mine for $10k including tyres, new plastics, KTM tank bag, Vetura, heated grips...........list goes on
Road it trackday on Saturday and it went well, toured to welly on Monday.

best bike I have owned

Bloody hell - was that new?

[meteor]

Valve bouncing on 150 (!!!).

I'm only commuting so can't see me doin 150...certainly would make the 10k trip fast tho' lol. I've got 'proper' dirt bikes so won't be off roading it. But I do like the XT660X too. Don't think I'll find a KTM is in my 7-8 price bracket unfortunately.

[Brainfade]

I got mine 2 years ago, then I got a Full Yoshi Pipe, RS2 I think (the Oval SS one), the Keihin FCR39 Carb (550NZ) of ebay USA, did the 3x3 airbox cut, changed the front mudgaurd, ditched the huge mirrors & rear tail light & indicators, I replaced the indicators & back light with way smaller led ones from Wheelers via the US, the Full Yoshi cost Me NZ$700 once it got here, waaay cheaper than buying the same pipe here, (I like having a strong $), ANYWAY, oh yeah, ditched the toolkit, Man, I LOVE it, twas 8k brand new, old stock K5, so, I rekon Ive spent all up at the most 10k, prolly less, on it, Including the price of the DRZ

I began to realise I wasnt really riding My R6 much anymore too, I LOVE that R6 but for pure fun, the DRZ is Choice, just needs those few mods, PLUS, the DRZ is sooo easy to ride fast round corners, bumps, gravel, road works, speed bumps etc dont really matter on the DRZ, they become fun

Sure, the KTM690 would be SWEET but costs way more, new I mean.
I dont know how much a brand new DRZ is now but when I got mine from New Plymouth via TradeMe, the shop still had 2 more at 8k, that was beginning of last year tho.

One more thing, if U drop it it doesnt matter!

Even when it was completely stock it was still a blast, with all the mods Ive done its way faster!

I had the choice of Black or Yellow, I got the Yellow one cos My R6 is Black.

Oh yeah, I added Zeta Fat Bars, the early DRZ400SMs didnt come with Renthal Fat Bars, I think they were added in 07, also I added the Skateboard wheel crash things

Finally, Ive ridden it to Aucky from Paraparaumu & back twice, the fuel range is the WORST thing about it, 2nd worst thing is the seat, OUCH

I just added a before & after pic, those original mirrors are like Sails & UGLY, in the After photo, I still hadnt changed the indicators

[meteor]

I got mine 2 years ago, then I got a Full Yoshi Pipe, RS2 I think (the Oval SS one), the Keihin FCR39 Carb (550NZ) of ebay USA, did the 3x3 airbox cut.

What do you rate the gains between stock and with the mods you made? What gave you the biggest bang for buck?
I took one for a squirt today and was quite impressed, fun ride, enough poke for the short commute, nice ride position etc etc as said on here.

Not the best on the m/way and like you say... that seat! but gotta remember what type of riding I'll use it for and think it'll be perfect...

[boomer]

i bought a new one, did a bit of commuting and one track day.

I sold it after teh track day... gutless piece of shit.

[Hotpoker]

The XT660X is as heavy as and only has a few more ponies than the DRZ.

I did the coro loop a few weeks back and a couple of my mates on their Ducatis could not catch me on the twisties! Altought I struggled to keep up on the open stretches - that is fine by me.

I use it as a commuter - 10ks also - perfect for this!

I am thinking about selling if you are interested? Want something a little bigger - the SMC most likely.
Black 2008 model, 4000kms on the clock, Pro Circuit exhaust, bark busters, and new rear tyre - in Auckland