Changing my drz400sm to an adventure bike

[twisty]

I bought my Sm for comuting to work but found it wanting. So after much thought i decided to adventure it, ding. I have changed the exhaust to a cycleworks one (awsome sound), and have got Maidstone Yamaha to change the tyres to Dunlope D606's 17in front and rear ( plus rim locks). Also open up the air box and rejet.

I'm going to see how this goes and maybe install a auto clutch and bigger fuel tank.

[Eddieb]

I hate to sound negative but if you are intending to use it as an adventure bike you were probably better to spend the money on a big tank first.

As many have shown the DRZ-400 has more than enough go already for gravel/off road work and opening the airbox just allows more opportunity for water to get into the carb if you are doing river crossings, however it's only got a tiny tank and you'll likely find your rides restricted by the tank range.

And I'll really get flayed alive for this one by the masses, but more noise is mostly just more wank factor than anything else. While the bike may be more exciting to ride it's not going to get you any further up that steep hill or through that bog.

[Taz]

I hate to sound negative

You sound negative Eddie. :lol:

A range of 200km is acceptable and a 4L gas can is cheap and easy to strap to the rear rack.

[Waihou Thumper]

You sound negative Eddie. :lol:

A range of 200km is acceptable and a 4L gas can is cheap and easy to strap to the rear rack.

What happens to a fuel can strapped to the rear of the bike....Nearly caused an explosion and melted it and it ended up being left behind for rubbish...
I tend to agree with Eddie on this one, having a bigger fuel tank gives you that range and makes it more enjoyable to carry some clothes and stuff...:) I think it would be the first thing to consider anyway...
Isn't that why you got your big tank for the Katie? Wasn't for looks aye....:whistle:

[Taz]

What happens to a fuel can strapped to the rear of the bike....Nearly caused an explosion and melted it and it ended up being left behind for rubbish...


Yeah but in the fuel cans defense some can't strap stuff on for $hit eh? :lol: Mine stayed on the KTM for the whole trip.

[Waihou Thumper]

Yeah but in the fuel cans defense some can't strap stuff on for $hit eh? :lol: Mine stayed on the KTM for the whole trip.

:whistle:I saw the damage to it and the DR needed that gas...;)
Maybe he wasn't a boy scout but me thinks it was the ride the day before that maybe loosened them nice tight knots...Blame it on Clint and his backroad touring to Rangitaikei...:spanking:

[Transalper]

Great that you've seen the light.

I'd have thought Bash Plate first, then big tank, 21" front wheel, hand guards etc etc.
Keep it quiet and waterproof so as not to be so noticeable by grumpy farmers, less disturbing to stock and able to cross rivers without swallowing water.

[marks]

noisy bikes are cool

I like noisy bikes

fuck everyone else - take the baffle out

be warned that while jetting kits definitely give your bike more poke they normally decrease the fuel range by at least 25% and this may be a problem with your stock tank.

you would also be amazed at how much more confidence inspiring a skinny 21" front is verses a fat motard 17" - although a d606 is about the best front you can put on the 17" for bite.

look forward to seeing you out there - I'll be on the slightly noisy klr :yes:

also - you don't need and auto clutch but they are bloody handy things to have - I love mine (I have 2)

[Eddieb]

noisy bikes are cool

I like noisy bikes

fuck everyone else - take the baffle out

be warned that while jetting kits definitely give your bike more poke they normally decrease the fuel range by at least 25% and this may be a problem with your stock tank.

you would also be amazed at how much more confidence inspiring a skinny 21" front is verses a fat motard 17" - although a d606 is about the best front you can put on the 17" for bite.

look forward to seeing you out there - I'll be on the slightly noisy klr :yes:

also - you don't need and auto clutch but they are bloody handy things to have - I love mine (I have 2)

;) hook and line, now where's that bloody sinker....?

There's noisy and then there's ear splittingly 'I can hear a KLR passing a car 2km's in front of me even though I can't see it' loud.

It does have a nice rumble at lower revs though.

[bart]

Just buy my bike.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=244967891

It's already got the grunty carb, 21 inch wheel etc.

[bart]

;) hook and line, now where's that bloody sinker....?

There's noisy and then there's ear splittingly 'I can hear a KLR passing a car 2km's in front of me even though I can't see it' loud.

It does have a nice rumble at lower revs though.

Funny.....I've spent a lot of time following that KLR, and haven't found it that noisy. Better get my ears tested.

The sheep and cattle in the paddocks do tend to look like the wake of a ship as he passes though. :scooter:

[Eddieb]

The sheep and cattle in the paddocks do tend to look like the wake of a ship as he passes though. :scooter:

They're not running scared because of the loud pipe........

[Waihou Thumper]

They're not running scared because of the loud pipe........

Harder you push, the harder they push back theory? Lucky we have such good fencing aye!:gob:

[Padmei]

Have to say I like Loud pipes but Marks exhaust makes my ears bleed.

[Eddieb]

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[Padmei]

It was the bit on the video where Marks takes off down the main street on a still Reefton morning rattling shop windows that gets me....:Punk:

Anyway back on topic.
Good luck with the mods on the DRZ.

[warewolf]

piss poor sound bite deletedEddie, Eddie, Eddie. Was that really warranted? :spanking:


It was the bit on the video where Marks takes off down the main street on a still Reefton morning rattling shop windows that gets me....:Punk:A bit like this then:

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I, too, like pipes to have a nice 'note' but loud pipes are merely irritating. I rode a Bonnie with those Thunderbike pipes NSN-AKL and it was too annoying once over the Rimutakas. Great in short bursts, great when you are working the bike, but not something I could live with every minute.

They're not very good for future access, either. :bye:

[NordieBoy]

Have to say I like Loud pipes but Marks exhaust makes my ears bleed.

The SuperTrapp on the DR was louder and then there was the popping on the overrun...

In it's favour the Jardine does have a deeper tone.

[Woodman]

More power is good, but who here uses their full hp all the time? if you don't and you need more horsepower wind your right wrist back and hey presto there it is. Cheaper than exhaust and carb mods too.

good luck with the drz, I see a lot of klrers in the states put 18" front wheels with knobblies on, from a 21". go figure.

[bart]

OK, if you don't want to buy my bike, contact Tony W. He's done all the mods to a DRZ SM, and should have any info you need.

[twisty]

Thanks for the advice, I agree about the fuel tank I normally get about 110k’s (hmm that could now be 80k) before I hit reserve so this will be a must but I’ll see how I’ll go for a while first. What’s the best tank to get and where from?

I thought long and hard about doing the exhaust (dam now I’m feeling guilty) but I like the sound and vehicles will hear me coming which makes me feel just a tad safer.

More armour would be cool; the SM does come with some basic armour like axle knobs. I have had already put bark busters on it.

I thought about the 21 conversion but I’m curious to see what the 17 D606’s will be like on the front. I reckon some places will be a pain but others will be ok. Adventure riding is always the great compromise and maybe a bit of fun to experiment 

[marks]

More power is good, but who here uses their full hp all the time? if you don't and you need more horsepower wind your right wrist back and hey presto there it is. Cheaper than exhaust and carb mods too.


the stock klr has a lethargic low end. The carb/exhaust mods really improve the low end response and I use that every time I ride the bike. turns a boring engine into a fun engine (still with very modest horsepower).

I don't think I'd want to own a stock one

[Eddieb]

Thanks for the advice, I agree about the fuel tank I normally get about 110k’s (hmm that could now be 80k) before I hit reserve so this will be a must but I’ll see how I’ll go for a while first. What’s the best tank to get and where from?

I thought long and hard about doing the exhaust (dam now I’m feeling guilty) but I like the sound and vehicles will hear me coming which makes me feel just a tad safer.

More armour would be cool; the SM does come with some basic armour like axle knobs. I have had already put bark busters on it.

I thought about the 21 conversion but I’m curious to see what the 17 D606’s will be like on the front. I reckon some places will be a pain but others will be ok. Adventure riding is always the great compromise and maybe a bit of fun to experiment 

Well keep an eye on the wellington ride outs thread, we go out regularly. I'm hoping to get out for a while Sunday as I have to place the next tag.

[marks]

I, too, like pipes to have a nice 'note' but loud pipes are merely irritating. I rode a Bonnie with those Thunderbike pipes NSN-AKL and it was too annoying once over the Rimutakas. Great in short bursts, great when you are working the bike, but not something I could live with every minute.

They're not very good for future access, either. :bye:

the sweetest sounding bike I have ever ridden is the cycleworks equipped scrambler I rode recently to Golden Bay. it sounds awesome

Nordies video....

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[Willdat?]

Thanks for the advice, I agree about the fuel tank I normally get about 110k’s (hmm that could now be 80k) before I hit reserve so this will be a must but I’ll see how I’ll go for a while first. What’s the best tank to get and where from?

I thought long and hard about doing the exhaust (dam now I’m feeling guilty) but I like the sound and vehicles will hear me coming which makes me feel just a tad safer.

More armour would be cool; the SM does come with some basic armour like axle knobs. I have had already put bark busters on it.

I thought about the 21 conversion but I’m curious to see what the 17 D606’s will be like on the front. I reckon some places will be a pain but others will be ok. Adventure riding is always the great compromise and maybe a bit of fun to experiment 


The D606 you have on the front is a 130/80/17 rear mounted the other way around?

[CrazyFrog]

The D606 you have on the front is a 130/80/17 rear mounted the other way around?

Set up like this I presume? Although this one is kitted with the rather more pricey TKC-80's.

[twisty]

Yes, set up exactly like that KTM. I have a TKC on my Africa and while it's ok I'm not super impressed, after much research I'm going to give the 606's a go

[warewolf]

More power is good, but who here uses their full hp all the time? if you don't and you need more horsepower wind your right wrist back and hey presto there it is. Cheaper than exhaust and carb mods too.Too true, ditto for riding training.

One of the big joys about racing Nordie's classic XR was the reworked front end that simply handled. Although the power was a bit lacking climbing the hills, the biggest limiting factor was the brakes which meant you couldn't use the power down hill. It would've been a monster if it had an extreme hi-po engine and OEM suspension.


I thought long and hard about doing the exhaust (dam now I’m feeling guilty) but I like the sound and vehicles will hear me coming which makes me feel just a tad safer.No, that's a big myth. They'll just hear you. And possibly be craning their head looking for you instead of watching the road ahead where you are. Just last week I watched a f@#*wit with a stupid-loud Harley do a big swerve to avoid being hit by a car. I'm sure he was thinking "loud pipes save lives". Yeah, right.

Apparently a standard 80ci Evo Harley makes about 30rwhp, but if you put a crowbar down the exhausts and punch through all the baffles, it makes 45rwhp and 115dB. 50% power-up is "a useful increase" as they say, which is why so many people do it. Damn shame about the noise. Note: modern machinery simply doesn't respond favourably to such crudities.


the stock klr has a lethargic low end. The carb/exhaust mods really improve the low end response and I use that every time I ride the bike. turns a boring engine into a fun engine (still with very modest horsepower).That's my reasons for wanting to uncork the 640; all-stock Euro II compliant it's a bit of a pussycat down low, and basic flow improvements give the bottom/mid range a real kick. And reportedly, better fuel economy!!

[twisty]

Hmmm, so it would seem some consider me by reference to be a fuckwit and a wanker....nice

[NordieBoy]

Hmmm, so it would seem some consider me by reference to be a fuckwit and a wanker....nice

Is your pipe loud or stupid loud?

[Box'a'bits]

In Marks defence, the bike sounds superb, and not that loud when you are riding it. :yes: And he's right about the bottom end...I wouldn't describe it as offensively loud (unless he was my neighbour).

It certainly leaves a bow wave behind it in sheep country, and Andy can attest to the fact the it excites cattle beasts. Not sure what that says about the bike or rider....:blink:

Steve

[marks]

Hmmm, so it would seem some consider me by reference to be a fuckwit and a wanker....nice

yes but the people who think that are all Fuckwits and Wankers

[NordieBoy]

yes but the people who think that are all Fuckwits and Wankers

And probably closet Honda riders too.

[marks]

In Marks defence, the bike sounds superb, and not that loud when you are rising it. :yes: And he's right about the botom end...I wouldn't describe it as offensively loud (unless he was my neighbour).

It certainly leaves a bow wave behind it in sheep country, and Andy can attest to the fact the it excites cattle beasts. Not sure what that says about the bike or rider....:blink:

Steve

that cow/steer sure was wound up by the time you guys got there - I thought that was going to get nasty

Apparently Andy's in hospital as a result of his loop at Whanga - anyone know how he is?

[Box'a'bits]

Apparently Andy's in hospital as a result of his loop at Whanga - anyone know how he is?

How did you find that out? What was the damage? He was complaining about being sore but....

[marks]

How did you find that out? What was the damage? He was complaining about being sore but....

Michael made a comment about it on Advider.

I'd ring up and find out but I don't know Andy's last name (I don't think anyone on this site actually has a last name)

[twisty]

Cycleworks claims 97db, it's maybe a tab louder than I had hoped but it does sound awsome imo

Marks KLR sounds great, I personaly love the sound of loud big bore trail bikes.

[JATZ]

the sweetest sounding bike I have ever ridden is the cycleworks equipped scrambler I rode recently to Golden Bay. it sounds awesome

Now that was a nice sounding bike :yes:.I'd be happy on one of them if it wern't for the fuel capacity :doh:

[MXNUT]

What’s the best tank to get and where from?

Acerbis or Clarke from Just gas tanks.com.
Get them while the exchange rate is good. Acerbis is the pick of the 2, i brought 1 locally but it would fit only the earlier model so i brought a Clarke from them a couple of months ago.

Dont worry about the noisy pipe, mine is loud too and i think it sounds good.

Derestricting the exhaust and removing the air box snorkel and main jet up to 160 made a huge difference to power and very small difference to economy.

I used to get 150 kms on the standard tank before hitting reserve.

[Paladin]

Loud pipes??? Nah I wouldn't do that either! :innocent:

[warewolf]

Hmmm, so it would seem some consider me by reference to be a fuckwit and a wanker....nice
Is your pipe loud or stupid loud?Nordie got it in one.


It certainly leaves a bow wave behind it in sheep country, and Andy can attest to the fact the it excites cattle beasts.That's not necessarily volume. The Triumph triple with Staintune touring pipes (ie quiet but bassy) upset livestock greatly - and car alarms - in a way much louder 2 & 4 cylinder bikes didn't.


Cycleworks claims 97db, it's maybe a tab louder than I had hoped but it does sound awsome imo97dB is inoffensive, and a long way short of the open-piped Harleys and some of the horrors I hear at trail rides.

[Woodman]

the stock klr has a lethargic low end. The carb/exhaust mods really improve the low end response and I use that every time I ride the bike. turns a boring engine into a fun engine (still with very modest horsepower).

I don't think I'd want to own a stock one

Low end??? sorry not familiar with it. No seriously my klr had a pretty crappy one too until I raised the needle and de snorkled it then it got noticeably better. .....but, the other weekend I put my snorkle back in upside down so I could ride through rivers an inch or so deeper and now it pulls even better. Possible venturi efffect I think but definitely better.

Back to the topic whatever that was.

[bart]

My DR has a little silencer tip thing on it. It's bloody loud even with it in. I'm tempted to take it off and see how it sounds, but then it may be bordering on fuckwit-wanker-stupid-loud.

Yeah, bring it on. I've been called worse.

[Waihou Thumper]

Acerbis or Clarke from Just gas tanks.com.
Get them while the exchange rate is good. Acerbis is the pick of the 2, i brought 1 locally but it would fit only the earlier model so i brought a Clarke from them a couple of months ago.

Dont worry about the noisy pipe, mine is loud too and i think it sounds good.

Derestricting the exhaust and removing the air box snorkel and main jet up to 160 made a huge difference to power and very small difference to economy.

I used to get 150 kms on the standard tank before hitting reserve.

I had a look yesterday and they have some seconds for most bikes. A couple of blemishes or a scratch here and there, but all good. You can save over a hundred bucks almost getting a factory second! Postage to NZ was reasonable for one, but horrendous for the other, but still made the tank an okay proposition.

[Padmei]

Damn I'm a Fwit & wanker:crybaby:

I had suspicions I was but now it's confirmed.

Anyone want to come & listen to Iron Maiden really loud in my garage?

[NordieBoy]

Anyone want to come & listen to Iron Maiden really loud in my garage?

No way. We've heard what you and Igor get up to in there.

:blink:

[Willdat?]

No way. We've heard what you and Igor get up to in there.

:blink:

"Run to the hillssssssssss....."

[NordieBoy]

"Run to the hillssssssssss....."

He lives in the hills...

[Eddieb]

"Run to the hillssssssssss....."

Run for your Liiife....

[NordieBoy]

Run for your Liiife....

"Run away from the hillssssssssss....."

[twisty]

150926


the DR

[bart]

150926


the DR

Man.....that is some crazy shit with that front tyre :Punk:

[marks]

the DR
That looks cool
I bet its still just as much fun in the twisties :yes:

Watch the tire pressures on the D606's on the road - they seem to last quite a bit longer (rear especially) with the tires at 30ish psi versus low 20's.

the 606's are brilliant all round tires but I don't seem to be able to get much more than 3-3500km out of a rear and 5000 out of a front.

[Padmei]

That looks awesome. Looks kinda like a bike on a PS game.


Anyway back on topic

Can I play with madnesssss...

[Willdat?]

150926


the DR

Bugger I should have just kept my SM :crybaby:, the 50 cc Motard was pretty fun today, but lacking torque, if I misread a corner and slowed down too much (ie pretty much every blind corner with my lack of ability) you have to change down 2-3 gears and start again...

Topo's KTM was bad...

[twisty]

DR with road front guard lol

[bart]

DR with road front guard lol

Haha, I really do think you should buy my bike. Might have slightly better springy things.