Advice required - DRZ400SM on TradeMe

[Thumper]

A mate is looking at a DRZ400SM on TradeMe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-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.

[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 .

[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 .

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?