Thinking about adv...

[carver]

hey guys, been thinking about doing the adv/motard thing again..
what bike/s should i consider..DRZ400SM is 8k at the mo...

[clint640]

Motards are sick fun on twisty tar, but I've never liked the combo of a tall bike & small/wide wheels for gravel or offroad.

If it's the Adv side you're leaning towards, & you want to buy new, there may still be a few DR650s around at the $8K price. It's usually easier to convert dirt - motard than vice versa if you want to run a couple of sets of wheels.

Cheers
Clint

[buggsubique]

Go for an E model with the FCR carb rather than the Mikuni. Just means either doing a Hooligan mod with some trispokes, or vice versa get the SM but then gin around trying to get the most power from it. Get a full exhaust system too. Check out ThumperTalk - there is a DR-Z forum and heaps of dudes with modded DR-Z E's & SM's.

[carver]

Motards are sick fun on twisty tar, but I've never liked the combo of a tall bike & small/wide wheels for gravel or offroad.

If it's the Adv side you're leaning towards, & you want to buy new, there may still be a few DR650s around at the $8K price. It's usually easier to convert dirt - motard than vice versa if you want to run a couple of sets of wheels.

Cheers
Clint

had one....
im looking for something better and jap..no one mention the KLR!

[clint640]

had one....
im looking for something better and jap..no one mention the KLR!

Nah, but I could suggest another K word

The japs don't make much in the way of grunty, non-porky, nicely suspended Adv/SM rigs at present. The DRZ might be the pick of the jap SM's but if you could stretch out another grand or so there's a couple of KTM's on trademe at the mo that would blow a DRZ into the weeds.

(although the guy bragging about the 'aftermarket' WP shock on his 05 should probably be informed that they actually come standard )

Clint

[Tony W]

Hello there. The 400SM is a good way to go esp at the price they are at the mo. I have a K5, for which I bought 2nd hand 18"& 21" wheels for only $500 pr. Upping the hp and fuel economy is no problem and CHEAP.
You may wish to check out the Suzuki Owners Club UK site where I have posted the mods I have made to mine.(sorry I'm only a two-finger typist so would take me an hour to replicate!)

I have owned the bike since new and have done 25000 km on it, mostly adventure riding.

[GaZBur]

So do you want to be competitive on the track and have a pain in the arse adventure bike or be less competitive and have a good adventure bike. First choice would be the DRZ but the actual SM model is down a couple of horses from a 450 I believe but easier to sort for tarmac of coarse, the traction and brakes are fantastic. If you like me and just like cheap racing and a damn good road adv/commuter the DR650. We are going to run them head to head tomorrow at Teretonga so will see how big the difference is. I got to admit that I do like KTM's as I am regularly up against a lot of 525's and they look like a great all rounder especially if you want to go off road too, but a heap heavier on the maintainance - well they are almost a full second faster in the standing quarter mile. The DR650 requires almost no maintainace in comparrison to most Motard type bikes. If you are rich - god those Vtwin Apprillias are nice!

EDIT: KLR is an adventure bike but not Motard, the KLX450 (=DRZ450Suzuki) is a great Motard/Dirt bike but would be a pain as a Adv bike I am guessing.

[pete376403]

This thread on KLR650.net
http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=38320
details one persons conversion of an '08KLR (into a motard style). So far it's looking pretty good. He gives reasoned, non-emotive descriptions of what he is doing and why.
Incidentally this same person owns a 950 KTM which he is currently parting out (wrecking) as he can't sell it, and no dealer wanted to take it as a trade-in. He said the KTM was great at what it did, but was too expensive to own, and maintain, and most of what it did could be done by the KLR at a fraction of the cost. Go read and form your own opinions

[kevfromcoro]

hey guys, been thinking about doing the adv/motard thing again..
what bike/s should i consider..DRZ400SM is 8k at the mo...

GOOD on ya...i just bought a 600r..and love it..
totally different to sports bikes and cruisers..if that your style.
what about a Honda 650r.can pick one up for around 5k..few mods and they are good for nearlly 60hp..
KTM are bringing out some good stuff too.mates got a 540..goes like shit and handles well.
dont know much about the DR...but they seem to be quite popular..

[MXNUT]

GO FOR THE NEW SM AT $8K AND YOU WONT GO WRONG.
THESE BIKES ARE INDESTRUCTABLE AND MAINTENANCE IS WAY LESS THAN AT KTM.
POWER CAN EASILY BE RESTORED BY REMOVING BAFFLE FROM STANDARD REAR MUFFLER, REMOVING RUBBER FLAP FROM TOP OF AIR BOX AND CHANGING MAIN JET IN CARBY TO 1.55mm. THESE MODS WILL ALL TAKE LESS THAN 2 HOURS AND CAN BE DONE YOURSELF.
PICK UP A SECOND SET OF WHEELS FOR ADVENTURE RIDING AND YOU WILL BE AWAY.

[carver]

GO FOR THE NEW SM AT $8K AND YOU WONT GO WRONG.
THESE BIKES ARE INDESTRUCTABLE AND MAINTENANCE IS WAY LESS THAN AT KTM.
POWER CAN EASILY BE RESTORED BY REMOVING BAFFLE FROM STANDARD REAR MUFFLER, REMOVING RUBBER FLAP FROM TOP OF AIR BOX AND CHANGING MAIN JET IN CARBY TO 1.55mm. THESE MODS WILL ALL TAKE LESS THAN 2 HOURS AND CAN BE DONE YOURSELF.
PICK UP A SECOND SET OF WHEELS FOR ADVENTURE RIDING AND YOU WILL BE AWAY.

thanks dude, your in H town too...
rode the sm in the rain today, did a few wheeelies and stoppies and slides, i think i will get it!