Drz400

[Andy67]

Hi. All, early days and I like what I am reading but don't really have a clue about adventure riding and available bikes.

I have ridden exclusively on the road for 20 years and I am thinking that I am missing out on some pretty cool stuff, soooooo I'm in nvstigation mode.....Early stages.

I've looked at a few bikes on the web and the DRZ400 seems pretty consistent with respect to off road and getting there and back type rides. They also seem pretty good value.

What do peoples reckon, is it better than its big brother or are here other and better choices out there?

Thanks in advance

[Oscar]

Hi. All, early days and I like what I am reading but don't really have a clue about adventure riding and available bikes.

I have ridden exclusively on the road for 20 years and I am thinking that I am missing out on some pretty cool stuff, soooooo I'm in nvstigation mode.....Early stages.

I've looked at a few bikes on the web and the DRZ400 seems pretty consistent with respect to off road and getting there and back type rides. They also seem pretty good value.

What do peoples reckon, is it better than its big brother or are here other and better choices out there?

Thanks in advance

It's much better off road than the DR650.
With external gear changes, a bigger tank and a sheepskin over what they laughingly refer to as a seat, it's not a bad road bike. I really liked mine.

[Andy67]

Cheers Oscar, mint shot mate, that's what I want to do !

[Crim]

From all accounts a very good steed, some light reading for you........................

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/arti...-adv-build.php

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784942

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779780

enjoy!

[dino3310]

The DRZ is a fantastic steed, a couple years ago there was just the odd one out on our rides well mainly just 1(mxnut) and the ride we had over the weekend i think there was 4 or 5 and they ate gravel roads and when we got to the 42nd traverse they were gone at open road legal speeds there sweet as with enough revs left to over take, they seem to be flavour of the month at the moment. but like oscar said a sheep skin over the 4x2 would go a long way for comfort.
if my budget was a little better i'd pick one up

[Andy67]

From all accounts a very good steed, some light reading for you........................

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/arti...-adv-build.php

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784942

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779780

enjoy!

Champion, thanks mate.

[Andy67]

The DRZ is a fantastic steed, a couple years ago there was just the odd one out on our rides well mainly just 1(mxnut) and the ride we had over the weekend i think there was 4 or 5 and they ate gravel roads and when we got to the 42nd traverse they were gone at open road legal speeds there sweet as with enough revs left to over take, they seem to be flavour of the month at the moment. but like oscar said a sheep skin over the 4x2 would go a long way for comfort.
if my budget was a little better i'd pick one up

Cheers Dino, it's all sounding very positive.

[bart]

I had a DRZ, but I actually find the DR650 better for the riding I do. More planted on the gravel, much better when slabbing it on the road, bit heavy for the knarly stuff, but that's probably only about 5% of what I do.

If it's more trail riding, the DRZ any day.

my 2c

[dmoo1790]

DRZ is better for really tricky off road stuff. Otherwise the DR650 is better for all roads. Also DRZ seat height is way taller which might be an issue. I also found the DRZ tiring on road because it has to rev pretty high at motorway speeds. DR is much more relaxed. Lots of other small diffs which may or may not matter to you, e.g., 95 fuel for DRZ vs 91 for DR. If money is no object consider the KTM 690 which is only ~8 kg heavier than the DRZ.

[Eddieb]

95 fuel for DRZ vs 91 for DR.

In my experience running 91 in a DR650 is a false economy, though there's not much in it. For the $1 more it costs to fill my 18l IMS tank with 95 I get more than $1 worth of extra mileage due to better fuel economy.

[Oscar]

I had a DRZ, but I actually find the DR650 better for the riding I do. More planted on the gravel, much better when slabbing it on the road, bit heavy for the knarly stuff, but that's probably only about 5% of what I do.

If it's more trail riding, the DRZ any day.

my 2c

My DRZ was spectacular in the gravel.
The only bikes I owned that were faster in the gravel was my 640E and 625SXC, but they required a lot more muscle and concentration and things could go wrong very fast...

[Ender EnZed]

In my experience running 91 in a DR650 is a false economy, though there's not much in it. For the $1 more it costs to fill my 18l IMS tank with 95 I get more than $1 worth of extra mileage due to better fuel economy.

Interesting, I can go further on a tank of 91 than 95. Does your DR have an aftermarket pipe/jetting etc that affects the fuel it likes or has it always preferred 95?

[dmoo1790]

In my experience running 91 in a DR650 is a false economy, though there's not much in it. For the $1 more it costs to fill my 18l IMS tank with 95 I get more than $1 worth of extra mileage due to better fuel economy.

Yeah but what I was thinking is the DRZ needs high octane with it's 11 or 12 to 1 compression ratio. On the DR you have no worries with 91 if that's all you can get at some out of the way spot. 95 is available nearly everywhere but not quite. Big tank helps I suppose.

[Andy67]

Awesome information thanks all. If I understand correctly the DRZ is easier to manage off road than the DR but that makes for a less capable road bike.

I need to think about what sort of riding I will be doing. Soooooo with that in mind, I am based in Auckland so would probably ride fairly close to home for the most part, probably do Coromandel and the Waikato mainly. Cold easily get as far as Taranaki and once in a blue moon maybe south island.

I will always have a road bike so I can get that touring buzz. Is the DRZ ok for what I want?

Also, their seems to be a few models around, mortard etc. should I be looking at any particular version, are their any weak model years to avoid and finally, what should I look at paying in the current market and what if any upgrades from standard wold make this a better bike for what I want?

Btw I would stand 6ft2 in boots (6ft 6 in stllettos )90kg, reasonably fit, would the 600 be considered hard to manage for someone of my size?

Any and all responses greatly appreciated.

[Andy67]

I also found the DRZ tiring on road because it has to rev pretty high at motorway speeds. DR is much more relaxed. Lots of other small diffs which may or may not matter to you, Z.

Cool mate, I've read about this too, my concern is not so much fatigue but will the bike take the open road in its stride or is it really bad...? What sort of distances before it becomes a pain?

Cheers Andy