Disappointed with my DRZ - where next?

[merv]

wr450? maybe to tall?

Cripes two up!! The WR's are not built for it.

Two up one of the best options even for us little guys is a DR650, but then it is a bit heavy on the trail but it isn't tall like a DRZ.

I have an XR250L but the rear footpeg position on that is just too high and its too cramped for Mrs merv to ride on the back - legs bent, too much cramping at the knees and she is about 170cm. She has the DR650 and an XT250 (the 225) and both are reasonably comfortable for space but the XT is a bit short of power for two up weight on the highway.

So we solve our problems by having five bikes all slightly different.

[warewolf]

In my perfect world, i would have such a bike just to jump tree roots, a KTM LC4 for exploring, and a road bike like a Street Triple for fun.

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[buggsubique]

Mate, I reckon the DR-Z is the pick for the type of riding you describe, but agree it is heavy and tall. Buy a winning lotto ticket and get a WR 250 and a second street / touring bike.

I'm a stingy bastard though so I demand that my 400E does 160 on the way to the trail, or climbs a mountain after I chuck a MX tyre and low ratio sprockets on. I reckon its the best balance I could find, but just takes a bit of effort to be all those bikes on different days.

[bart]

Mate, I reckon the DR-Z is the pick for the type of riding you describe, but agree it is heavy and tall. Buy a winning lotto ticket and get a WR 250 and a second street / touring bike.

I'm a stingy bastard though so I demand that my 400E does 160 on the way to the trail, or climbs a mountain after I chuck a MX tyre and low ratio sprockets on. I reckon its the best balance I could find, but just takes a bit of effort to be all those bikes on different days.

I'm the same. I have a huge selection of wheels, tyres, and sprockets, and try to do everything on the mighty DRZ. It gets me to work and back for sweet FA, and is still reasonable offroad. For the money, I think its great.

[marks]

Hey! I resemble that remark!

very sensibly too.

woods bike/gravel blaster/adventure tourer is a logical combination

I'll take your exc200 add my wr450 and buy a buel ulysses and be a happy happy man...

[Coyote]

Bit of a tangent here; One of my dream bikes is a Gas Gas FSE450, though I'm also interested in a WR450, CRF450X, etc. Just wondering how expensive they are to run on the road? I know they're motocross based engines and I know they have to get regular and expensive maintenence i.e. piston, rings and valves. Would I expect to have to spend several grand on the motor every few months?

[marks]

Would I expect to have to spend several grand on the motor every few months?

Feck - I hope not - if that is the case I have an road legal 06 wr450 you can have real cheap

I was budgeting on a new piston every 100 hours (60 hours if ridden in competition - the book says) - at $800 or so a pop according to the local bike shop. Its taken 3 months and 1000km to do 28hrs of engine running. Doing Oil and Filter at 8-10 hours - costs about $30 a change

[limbimtimwim]

The DR-Z400SM has pillion pegs.

But then you'd have to get some offroad wheels and tyres. And the engine is strangled on the SM model.

I always find it funny when people call the DR-Z400 heavy. Coming from riding sportsbikes, it is like a feather. Yes I know a a modern MX bike is less than 100kg though.

[Skinny_Birdman]

Hey! I resemble that remark!

I guess I do too, I would say that all that is left for my continuing happiness is that I come down one morning and find that the Transalp Fairy has come and taken D's Tranny away and left a KTM 640. Oh, and a 325 overbore kit for the TT250R.
The TT has pillion pegs, but they are neither use nor ornament, so mine are on a shelf in the garage. On the plus side of the account, the TT has a ride height adjuster, which few (DR250 only??) of its competitors can match, so that it is tall enough for D (190cm) but can be lowered quite substantially.

[mazz1972]

I'm with Buggsubique and Bart on this one. Hubby had has a DRZ400E for quite a few years for trail riding. When he decided to get his bike licence he put all the road gear back on it, changed a sprocket and absolutely loved riding it as much onroad as on the trail....aside from the 4x2 that Suzuki install as "seat".

The bike is now back on the trail and has done 19,000km's of mostly trail riding (maybe 4,000 on road) and hubby is looking at doing the piston & rings for the first time shortly. It's been a relatively trouble free bike and he is meticulous with oil changes etc.

CRM your height is perhaps the main problem with finding the DRZ too big & heavy, and they are not designed for pillions. Those of us with a "short wheel base" can find it difficult to find an offroad bike to suit. I am sure a road legal TTR250 has pillion pegs and would cope will 2-up for short distances.

I'd agree with many of the other comments that anything light enough to flick about on the trail is not going to suit 2-up road riding.

[CRM]

Well I did swap for a Gas Gas Pampera 250. neat little bike - light as. Did the swap at Picton then trailered it back up from Wellington. Stopped at Ashhurst (by the wind farm) and went for a ride up the river - choice! Ideal bike for exploring & 'soft-trials' riding; rivers, banks -it just goes everywhere - who knows any other good places where you can do that sort of riding for free (in the Nth Island)?

[Ocean1]

It reminded me of my old XL175

Orange and black one?
My first brandspankingnew store-bought bike.
Loved it, most forgiving ride I think I've ever owned. Needed to be.

Well I did swap for a Gas Gas Pampera 250. neat little bike - light as. Did the swap at Picton then trailered it back up from Wellington. Stopped at Ashhurst (by the wind farm) and went for a ride up the river - choice! Ideal bike for exploring & 'soft-trials' riding; rivers, banks -it just goes everywhere - who knows any other good places where you can do that sort of riding for free (in the Nth Island)?

Good choice, enjoy, and good luck.

[warewolf]

Well I did swap for a Gas Gas Pampera 250. neat little bike - light as.

Nice choice!

[avgas]

bmw gs 1150thingie
then fit turbo and NOS stickers

[Transalper]

Well I did swap for a Gas Gas Pampera 250. ....

Now this sounds familiar, I believe I know the man you swapped with, him was asking about a trip to Picton in my Van. He was after more road legs so will be interesting to see how well the 400 fits. Hope you continue to enjoy the Gas Gas.