Advice required - DRZ400SM on TradeMe

[Thumper]

A mate is looking at a DRZ400SM on TradeMe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-162501714.htm

He took it for a spin last night and was worried about a knock from the engine. He made a recording onto his mobile which I have attached to this post. His concerns are

1. Does the bike sound rough for a 2006 with 23,000kms.
2. The bike was imported in 2007 with just under 4000kms on it, it looks like its done 20,000kms over the past year, could that be a problem?
3. The guy did the piston and rings 5000kms ago, what else should he be looking for on a bike of this age\mileage?
4. What sort of price is too expensive for a bike like this (a new one is $7999 at present)?

I ride a 1500 cruiser so this is a bit out of my league, would appreciate any feedback or comments. This closes in just under 4hrs.

[Crasherfromwayback]

They are a lil 'knocky' sounding...and Hamish (who works here at WMCC with me) has done over 30,000km's on his...it's still sweet as. Like anything mate...depends what sort of maintanence it's had.

If you get it for under 5k you can't really go wrong!!

[AlBundy]

On thumpertalk, it seems they are pretty reliable...

[buggsubique]

yeah, although 23000 km is probl'y half the life of the engine. Depends what sort of riding - if it is thousands of km flogging it around city streets (gearbox), that might be different to thousands of km on SH1 or 2 at mid / high revs (bearings). I couldn't open the sound byte that was attached, but I understand a piston replacement is reasonable around the 20k mark. Check things like the oil change interval and the condition of the air filter. If dirt & crap has been getting in through the air filter then that can lead to valve issues, long oil intervals & filter changes could cause premature wear on the inside.

In a nutshell that is the limit of my very humble opinion from a year or so of surfing Thumper Talk.

I have a k5 E which is coming up 9000km and I keep thinking I should trade up but the bike just keeps going so strong with no mech issues....for peace of mind I would maybe look to spend a bit more for lower km than the one on TM.

[Transalper]

If it's only got 23000km on it now and already needed rings and piston done at 18000km I'd have to wonder.
My DR650 has 43000km and hasn't had anything like that done to it.
Maybe DRZ400SMs just wear out quicker but seems a bit quick for my liking.
Please note I do not know what I'm talking about so take this as an uneducated opnion.

[Crasherfromwayback]

If it's only got 23000km on it now and already needed rings and piston done at 18000km I'd have to wonder.
My DR650 has 43000km and hasn't had anything like that done to it.
Maybe DRZ400SMs just wear out quicker but seems a bit quick for my liking.
Please note I do not know what I'm talking about so take this as an uneducated opnion.

Yeah...a DRZ 400 is in a far higher state of tune than a DR650...so they tend to wear out a lil quicker.

[Badcat]

that bike has been a courier - i'd bet money on it.
i'd stay away if i were you.
you could easily spent the difference between the TM price and a new one in sorting out the knock ....

[martybabe]

I think that's a no mate, far to early for major engine work, If he was my bud I'd tell him to walk away fast and consider saving the difference for a new one, if that's the bike he wants. Cheap as new anyway.

As transalper said , consider this uneducated opinion number two as I don't know the bike but if there is doubt, don't buy, there's plenty of choice out there. :niceone:

[NordieBoy]

yeah, although 23000 km is probl'y half the life of the engine. Depends what sort of riding - if it is thousands of km flogging it around

That's just a years riding :(

[buggsubique]

That's just a years riding :(

which is probably one of the reasons you got the 650! Still considering one myself, but for now I'm still punishing myself on the 400 :headbang:.

[carver]

which is probably one of the reasons you got the 650! Still considering one myself, but for now I'm still punishing myself on the 400 :headbang:.

my 400 does not get a easy life either, but it sounds ok, i might do 4000k oil changes though

[buggsubique]

f*ck that, I'm filter and oil every 500 to 1000km, but I do a mix of road and trail.

[NordieBoy]

I schedule mine for 5000km oil changes but have been known to accidentally miss one.

[limbimtimwim]

That sold for $4529! I have no chance of getting $5K for mine then! The buyer got a good deal, I'd be surprised if it blew up any time soon.

May as well not sell it...

[marks]

That sold for $4529! I have no chance of getting $5K for mine then! The buyer got a good deal, I'd be surprised if it blew up any time soon.

May as well not sell it...

Were you happy enough riding yours all round the south island? (great report btw) or did you spend most of your time wishing for something a bit bigger?

[limbimtimwim]

Were you happy enough riding yours all round the south island? (great report btw) or did you spend most of your time wishing for something a bit bigger?I sure was happy. I don't understand why people ride those big adventure bikes. If you want to go fast on the road, get a proper bike. I figured I can pick that bike up out of a river and drag it out if I needed to. Also it's basically impossible to actually put the bike down because it is so light. It's not like I was being passed everywhere on the DR-Z either, you just have to pick your moment on a 400cc single to pass cars. Trucks, you have to pick your minutes :) I've taken a pillion on that bike too, it was good with it. Admittedly the pillion is minuscule.

[AlBundy]

LBTW, sounds like you've been around on the DR.

How many miles do you have on it? Why are you thinking of selling?

Also, I think we need pics of said pillion, specially if she's of a female nature, lol... For research, of course...

[limbimtimwim]

LBTW, sounds like you've been around on the DR. How many miles do you have on it? Why are you thinking of selling?Just about 13000 in the last 11 months. For me, this is about half as much have done on my previous two bikes in a year. I want a proper bike again; I intend on leaving the country for a bit of an OE sometime soonish and would like to do one more trip around the whole thing on the regular roads. But if I won't get $5K for it, there is little point in selling it.
Also, I think we need pics of said pillion, specially if she's of a female nature, lol... For research, of course...I can see how that would go:
"Can I post pictures of you on a biker website?"
"Do you like having your fingers?"

[AlBundy]

Just about 13000 in the last 11 months. For me, this is about half as much have done on my previous two bikes in a year. I want a proper bike again; I intend on leaving the country for a bit of an OE sometime soonish and would like to do one more trip around the whole thing on the regular roads. But if I won't get $5K for it, there is little point in selling it.I can see how that would go:
"Can I post pictures of you on a biker website?"
"Do you like having your fingers?"


Cool, thanks. Was chatting to a guy at work who has been looking for something like yours, so was wondering...

As for the fingers, yip, best keep them and not make enemies, lol...

[NordieBoy]

I can see how that would go:
"Can I post pictures of you on a biker website?"
"Do you like having your fingers?"

Come on, how many fingers do you really need.

[Morcs]

A mate is looking at a DRZ400SM on TradeMe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-162501714.htm

He took it for a spin last night and was worried about a knock from the engine. He made a recording onto his mobile which I have attached to this post. His concerns are

1. Does the bike sound rough for a 2006 with 23,000kms.
2. The bike was imported in 2007 with just under 4000kms on it, it looks like its done 20,000kms over the past year, could that be a problem?
3. The guy did the piston and rings 5000kms ago, what else should he be looking for on a bike of this age\mileage?
4. What sort of price is too expensive for a bike like this (a new one is $7999 at present)?

I ride a 1500 cruiser so this is a bit out of my league, would appreciate any feedback or comments. This closes in just under 4hrs.


yeah, although 23000 km is probl'y half the life of the engine. Depends what sort of riding - if it is thousands of km flogging it around city streets (gearbox), that might be different to thousands of km on SH1 or 2 at mid / high revs (bearings). I couldn't open the sound byte that was attached, but I understand a piston replacement is reasonable around the 20k mark. Check things like the oil change interval and the condition of the air filter. If dirt & crap has been getting in through the air filter then that can lead to valve issues, long oil intervals & filter changes could cause premature wear on the inside.

In a nutshell that is the limit of my very humble opinion from a year or so of surfing Thumper Talk.

I have a k5 E which is coming up 9000km and I keep thinking I should trade up but the bike just keeps going so strong with no mech issues....for peace of mind I would maybe look to spend a bit more for lower km than the one on TM.

So a 50,000kms engine life? is that all up or is that 50k before a rebuild?

Holy shit the only reason I bought this motard over a 450 was because I wanted a bike good for 100,000kms that didnt need rebuilds.

Dammit. will have to flick it at the end of warranty

:( :( :( :(

[Spyke]

If anyones considering getting a drz 400 they should consider a husqvarna te610, it's only 8 kgs heavier and theres been a heap of good reveiws on all the adventure and dirt bike forums. plus they are also low maintenance, have good 6 speed gearbox gearing for low speed plus cruising gears for around 160kmph top end. People also rate the suspension really highly.

There maybe a bit of a price difference haven't looked at that part.

[AlBundy]

So a 50,000kms engine life? is that all up or is that 50k before a rebuild?

Holy shit the only reason I bought this motard over a 450 was because I wanted a bike good for 100,000kms that didnt need rebuilds.

Dammit. will have to flick it at the end of warranty

:( :( :( :(

Dude, I wouldn't sweat it...

With proper maintenance most things will last a long time.

Yes, shit happens but generally, these things should go a long time...
I'm generalising here but the DRZ has a good reputation.

[NordieBoy]

If anyones considering getting a drz 400 they should consider a husqvarna te610, it's only 8 kgs heavier and theres been a heap of good reveiws on all the adventure and dirt bike forums. plus they are also low maintenance, have good 6 speed gearbox gearing for low speed plus cruising gears for around 160kmph top end. People also rate the suspension really highly.

There maybe a bit of a price difference haven't looked at that part.

Possibly only $2000 or so more than the DRZ.

[cooneyr]

Possibly only $2000 or so more than the DRZ.

I asked about a TE610 at the dealer back in early last year and it was around $11k if I remember right.

Cheers R

[Spyke]

I asked about a TE610 at the dealer back in early last year and it was around $11k if I remember right.

Cheers R

I think This is going to be my dualsport bike when i get my full.


cheers andy