DR-Z400E road legal

[Devil]

I'm currently looking at purchasing one of the above bikes. Around 2004-2005 ish. Can anyone give me anything that I should be looking out for on these bikes when checking them over?
Are there any random servicing requirements that I should check for?

[thommo77]

From what I've heard, these are one of the most reliable bikes around. Supposedly 'bullet-proof' engine.
I guess just check out the usual things as per any 2nd hand machine?
As it's road legal, it possibly hasn't had a huge amount of time off-road?

[buggsubique]

Have a look at the overall condition of the fork bottoms, the rims, swing arm - should give an indication of the amount of off rd use - not too much of a worry though. Check the air filter and ask about the maintenance intervals - esp oil and filter change. I do mine every 1000km to keep her sweet on the insides.

What mileage on the bike? get valve clearances checked (esp intake valves) depending - should be ok generally - they're not very needy.

Check which carb youre getting and ask if any jetting changes (eg if new exhaust put on or something. Ideally youll be getting the FCR rather than the less exhilarating Mikuni which the SMs and I think the 06 onwards E's come with (might be wrong there). Also see if any mods done to the airbox top to open her up. Commonly known as the 3x3 mod to help her breathe.

Other than that go hard - great bike. got 13k nearly on mine without missing a beat!

PM for any other q's or advice if you need to! I have a pdf workshop manual here too if you'd like it on CD.

[CrazyFrog]

The DRZ's are pretty bulletproof, just check the basics, condition of chain/sprockets, tyres, air filter, any obvious body damage from dropsies, is there any play in wheel bearings or steering head bearings notchy?
How many km's on it, how much is he asking....tell him he's dreamin! Offer him less:bleh:

[sidmac]

Just had a special price come through on DR-Z400EK7SL.I would do one for $7800.00 inc gst + ORC.So that should make S/Hand ones a bit better buying.

[Devil]

Heh, haven't got a specific one in mind. But looking to pay around the $6k mark. Which should get me a good cond '05 model. As far as i'm aware they've all got the FCR carb? (where as you say the SM is strangled by the mikuni). I'll check it anyway.

I've heard some SM owners getting terrible fuel economy after doing the airbox mod and the pipe, is this common with teh E?

[buggsubique]

oh shit yes! haha. on stock tank I get about 16km/L. I run the FCR, custom header and barkin loud yoshi pipe with an open airbox and I'm like a schoolboy with the right wrist. Very responsive but thirsty. I did the DB1k on it and carried a 10L jerrycan on the rear rack as I only have a stock 9 or 10L tank. Never sucked it dry but hit reserve at around 135-150km depending on the terrain.

It's definitely not a sunday tourer, it's made to have fun on!

Also I run it on 95 or 98. Makes a real difference in response.

Had mine listed a month or so ago but pulled it to do the DB1k and don't think I'll sell it now - real happy with them as a bike.

[bart]

Mines a stock K6. Full horsepower version, but road legal. Gravel road riding I hit reserve between 165 and 175 km, running on 95 octane. I haven't bothered with mods, as if I want to go faster, I'll buy another bike. Can't see the point in throwing money at it when it goes pretty good anyway.

Only complaint is that it doesn't like long constant throttle riding. On long trips, I pull the clutch and give it a few blips on the throttle every few minutes.

Bloody good bike though (if you don't want an armchair).

[Mystic13]

And the KLX 400 is the same bike just green.

There were a few on trademe in Aucks not long back alla round your price range with low km's.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-197475268.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-196480333.htm

but this listing takes the prize....he's lost the tank key and hasn't filled the tank in 2 1/2 years but it still has gas in it.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-197131261.htm

The range on a standard tank on these bikes is something you need to be aware of and calculate for. I must get a bigger tank.

[Devil]

And the KLX 400 is the same bike just green.

There were a few on trademe in Aucks not long back alla round your price range with low km's.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-197475268.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-196480333.htm


I didn't know that. Ooo. is it completely the same (bar the colour and name :P)? Same carb? They do seem to be in the price range i'm after...

[buggsubique]

Shit, that is a pretty good price on the rd legal one! I'd be seriously looking at that! Mine was also a k5 with about 4k on the clock when I got it. Mate in town just got himself a KLX version too - no issues, great bikes, the same bike etc etc.

[Devil]

Shit, that is a pretty good price on the rd legal one! I'd be seriously looking at that! Mine was also a k5 with about 4k on the clock when I got it. Mate in town just got himself a KLX version too - no issues, great bikes, the same bike etc etc.

It is yeah. Plus it's also in my town! Hrm, better get my current bike sold then.

[Alpha Solo]

Great bikes - I love mine.

do watch out for any unusually loud knocking sounds from the lower engine, some say these are a characteristic of the bike, others say it is the big end going etc... (see thumpertalk drz400 section)

[Mystic13]

I didn't know that. Ooo. is it completely the same (bar the colour and name :P)? Same carb? They do seem to be in the price range i'm after...

Yep, completely the same. I think the Kawasaki even comes with a made by Suzuki badge from memory.

Good luck with the sale and hunt for one.

[Tony W]

Heh, haven't got a specific one in mind. But looking to pay around the $6k mark. Which should get me a good cond '05 model. As far as i'm aware they've all got the FCR carb? (where as you say the SM is strangled by the mikuni). I'll check it anyway.

I've heard some SM owners getting terrible fuel economy after doing the airbox mod and the pipe, is this common with teh E?

I got better fuel economy after pipe, airbox and needle mod, on my SM.
Currently 26km/L in touring mode.
Average 190km to reserve on std 10.5L tank.

Good choice, by the way. :niceone:

[CrazyFrog]

I got better fuel economy after pipe, airbox and needle mod, on my SM.
Currently 26km/L in touring mode.
Average 190km to reserve on std 10.5L tank.

Good choice, by the way. :niceone:

I was wondering when we'd hear from you Tony........
And how the hell do you manage 26km/litre, what carb are you running? What's ya secret, tiny jets? We all know you are capable of givin it the berry occasionally!
Mines the Keihin FCR carb and is a tad hungry with the airbox mods, and needle on 5th clip, and a 162 main jet, which I think is still running a bit rich. I think I'll try a 157 next. Factory setting is a 142.5 with no airbox mod, standard pipe.

[Tony W]

I was wondering when we'd hear from you Tony........
And how the hell do you manage 26km/litre, what carb are you running? What's ya secret, tiny jets? We all know you are capable of givin it the berry occasionally!
Mines the Keihin FCR carb and is a tad hungry with the airbox mods, and needle on 5th clip, and a 162 main jet, which I think is still running a bit rich. I think I'll try a 157 next. Factory setting is a 142.5 with no airbox mod, standard pipe.

Hi there Crazy.

Mine has the Mikuni with the factoy jetting.
The needle has been raised by .75mm (only because that was the smallest washer I could find in the shed !)
The needle raising cured a very mild fluffing the engine had on light throttle at cruising speed after I had done the pipe and box mods

Noone told me my Mikuni carb was crap until I read these forums !!! so I guess it must be...?!:laugh: and I will adjust my riding accordingly.

I would advise you to go back to factory jetting and test your way up from there.

Cheers

[Tony W]

Forgot to mention that I run 16/41 gearing on 17'' wheel and 16/43 on 18'.

IMO they are undergeared for distance riding, after performance improvements have been made.

I would guess this is way taller than than most are running.

[buggsubique]

yep, I'm 15/44 for adv riding which gives a tall and luggy first gear on ruff stuff. 15/48 for trail oriented adv riding gives a workable range and then maybe a 14/48 for pure trail riding.

[Oscar]

Yep, completely the same. I think the Kawasaki even comes with a made by Suzuki badge from memory.

Good luck with the sale and hunt for one.

The KLX has a different (slightly louder) muffler for some reason.
I swapped one onto my DRZ.

[zeRax]

NO

the KLX is not the same!!!!, it has green plastics! ;D

yea it does have suzuki stamped on it :P manufactured by suzuki corp

[Morcs]

Engine Case armour is seriously recommended...

[Devil]

Engine Case armour is seriously recommended...

Only when you're riding it :whistle:

[buggsubique]

or when your name is Zerax and you have to lower your rear susp so much that the stand causes the bike to fall over in the wind...:doh: joking Z.

But yeah, the cases are very thin and the gear lever has very sharp edges worthy of filing into a curve!

[MXNUT]

Ideally youll be getting the FCR rather than the less exhilarating Mikuni which the SMs and I think the 06 onwards E's come with (might be wrong there).

All E models come with the FCR carb.


on stock tank I get about 16km/L. I run the FCR, custom header and barkin loud yoshi pipe with an open airbox and I'm like a schoolboy with the right wrist. Very responsive but thirsty. I did the DB1k on it and carried a 10L jerrycan on the rear rack as I only have a stock 9 or 10L tank. Never sucked it dry but hit reserve at around 135-150km depending on the terrain.

Also I run it on 95 or 98. Makes a real difference in response.

I get between 150 -170 Kms to a tank before reserve.
Am running 15 / 44 gearing which is the standard for the S model.
Minimum fuel octane rating for DRZ is 95.





Mines the Keihin FCR carb and is a tad hungry with the airbox mods, and needle on 5th clip, and a 162 main jet, which I think is still running a bit rich. I think I'll try a 157 next. Factory setting is a 142.5 with no airbox mod, standard pipe.

I am running a 150 main jet with the baffle removed from the standard muffler and the air box rubber snorkel removed. I have owned an older DRZ with a pro circuit pipe on it and the mods to the standard pipe and rejetting of carb etc give the same power gains and can readily be put back to standard if required.


There have been no changes at all since the 2003 Model ( other than graphics/colours ) which had an uprated cam chain tensioner and a better quality rear shock with both high and low speed compression adjustments and different seat foam.

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hey...Haven't had time to read the thread but I'm sure I'm basically gunna say the same as every one else :laugh:

Done over 2,500kms myself on mine... So now done over 3,600kms all up.Mostly on road use but has done off road as well. Awesome bike. One thing is if the speedo is playing up, it could be the battery. We got a 42 degree day here and my speedo went wonky ( wouldn't show my speed unless I was sitting at same kms for 30secs or so) then the whole bike died and wouldn't start... replaced battery and now all is well again :clap:

Getting motard wheels for it this week, so looking forward to being able to lean it over on the road :headbang:

[bart]

Funny about the gearing. I was running 15/41 on standard wheels, and found the engine lugging too much at low revs. The gap between 4th and 5th is just too big. Now running 14/41, but find this a bit low for long road work.

On road wheels, I have run 15/39 without too many problems.

Off road, I can't beat the standard 14/48

[NordieBoy]

There have been no changes at all since the 2003 Model ( other than graphics/colours ) which had an uprated cam chain tensioner and a better quality rear shock with both high and low speed compression adjustments and different seat foam.

They have seat foam?
Since when?

[bart]

They have seat foam?
Since when?

Mine feels like about 5mm of foam wrapped around a 4 by 2 plank of timber. Lucky I've got plenty of padding attached to me.;)

[buggsubique]

I was still scratchin my arse a week after the DB1k, haha

[mazz1972]

Mine feels like about 5mm of foam wrapped around a 4 by 2 plank of timber. Lucky I've got plenty of padding attached to me.;)

If you think the older seats are bad - you want to try an SDG one. Hard as rock. Hubby got one because the brackets on the old one had been fixed one too many times. It's incredibly uncomfortable. On the plus side for SDG they do make a tall seat for giants, and a stepped seat for those with short wheelbases.

There is a place somewhere in the US that sells complete foam inserts and new covers but they cost more than the whole SDG seat and he needed the whole thing.

Hub's DRZ is 2001, nearly 20,000kms on the clock now - prob 3-4,000km's road riding, the rest all trail riding.

Has done bugger all to it apart from servicing, bearings, and the timing chain only recently. The digital speedo went a bit dicky a few years ago from water getting into it, but it was able to be fixed. The clutch casing and radiator were mended last year after a wee incident. I rode (or rather flew) it over a 3m bank and it sustained no damage apart from the rear mudguard flexing and a few scratches here and there. Hub wants to give it a birthday soon - new piston & rings etc.

Fantastic bike all round, and he really enjoyed riding it on the road - apart from the friggin seat!

[zeRax]

or when your name is Zerax and you have to lower your rear susp so much that the stand causes the bike to fall over in the wind...:doh: joking Z.

But yeah, the cases are very thin and the gear lever has very sharp edges worthy of filing into a curve!



lmao :P


i shall at some stage make side stand adjustable, and maybe put a larger foot on it for soft shiz,


more i think about these bikes more i love them, just so bloody good.
seat felt so comfy today too which was odd ;D rock on!, might cut it thou , see if i can get closer to ground and put suspension up a fraction :X, set sag etc,

[bart]

I've got the same 'short bastard' disease. Bike fell over in the wind on the east coast ride also. :whistle: