The DR-Z400 thread

[buggsubique]

Only some E's are road legal. I think they are predominantly the demo models - although Suki NZ have them listed. You can't road legalize a non-registered E. Although there are also threads on here about how to do it...

[ital916]

Only some E's are road legal. I think they are predominantly the demo models - although Suki NZ have them listed. You can't road legalize a non-registered E. Although there are also threads on here about how to do it...

are there any known problems with the 2001 models?

[Morcs]

I used to get 110kms to a tank on my tard.



As for long distance, 100-120kph cruising on straights is a constant battle against the wind. The seat hurts your arse so bad after just an hour that you want to die.

However, if its long distance riding through nice roads, its great

[Willdat?]

I must have nannaed my SM, 140 was the worst I got to reserve.

[Oscar]

The seat would be your biggest problem for long distance, followed closely by the small range from the standard tank.

Speed wise they will easily do that...

From memory the peak power is quite similar between the DR-Z400E and the DR650SE, but you're missing the Nm.

We don't get the S models in NZ, in the US you'll be able to tell the difference in that the S model is road legal, and the E model is not. The S also has a steel rear subframe for pillion loads.

We did actually get S models in NZ.
The S models are the road legal ones with the metal tank and the diff. carb. - I may be wrong but I have an idea the SM model is based on the S.

I had a road legal E model which are not as common but quite a bit more powerful than the S.

[Woody2]

The seat would be your biggest problem for long distance, followed closely by the small range from the standard tank.

Speed wise they will easily do that...

From memory the peak power is quite similar between the DR-Z400E and the DR650SE, but you're missing the Nm.

We don't get the S models in NZ, in the US you'll be able to tell the difference in that the S model is road legal, and the E model is not. The S also has a steel rear subframe for pillion loads.

Totally agree with willdat, I have a 02 DRZ400E with an aftermarket seat and I put on a 16L tank rather than the standard 10L. Speedwise you would be fine for sitting on 110 and passing 130kph. The only other thing I would take into account is the height of the bike - it's fairly tall so if you are vertically challenged or have short inseam..... From what I have read they are pretty bullet proof as long as they maintained etc.

[ital916]

I used to get 110kms to a tank on my tard.



As for long distance, 100-120kph cruising on straights is a constant battle against the wind. The seat hurts your arse so bad after just an hour that you want to die.

However, if its long distance riding through nice roads, its great

If they brought those back down to 7k then they would be awesome! but at 11k they are waaay to pricey in my opinion.

Heres hoping suzuki summer fests them again.

[ital916]

We did actually get S models in NZ.
The S models are the road legal ones with the metal tank and the diff. carb. - I may be wrong but I have an idea the SM model is based on the S.

I had a road legal E model which are not as common but quite a bit more powerful than the S.

the E has the fcr carby whilst the S has the cv mikuni?

I think I read about differences in the exhaust system as well i.e. header pipes

[Willdat?]

SM is definitely based on the S, I've never seen an S for sale in NZ, but there are plenty of road legal Es available.

But they seem to get snapped up pretty quick if well priced.

Our SM's for 8k must have been a cancelled overseas order..my headlight dipped the wrong way initially (still got it if it's of any use to anyone...)

[bart]

You're in luck. I have one sitting in my shed. Kiehan (how do you spell it) carb. S and SM have Mikuni.

As said previously, Ex NZ Suzuki press bike. They pick out the best ones, and run them in properly.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=237305103

With tall gearing, it'll sit on 120km easy. Just bought a DR650, and it's really not that much more comfortable. 400 is way easier to throw around in the tight stuff.

[buggsubique]

are there any known problems with the 2001 models?

Nah not as such, but the ACCT on 2002 and earlier models was a bit sus apparently. would be a good move to buy in a manual tensioner from Thumper Talk.

I owned mine from 4000km to 14000km and rode it pretty hard (but careful-hard, not arsehole hard if you know what I mean). Never missed a beat. You can upsize the battery on em with a bit of nouse since they dont have a kicker (the 2001 might?). bit of extra piece of mind in the boonies.

Just change oil every 1000km, keep an eye out for any metal frags (bottom end) and consider a midlife top-end rebuild (if you're real picky) at around 20 000. Guys have ridden them for 3 x that though. Great bikes, I'd have one again.

[bart]

Forgot to mention. 175km to reserve road riding with standard tank and pipe. It'd do 200km, but would be wanting to see a gas station real soon after that.

[MXNUT]

are there any known problems with the 2001 models?

Pre 2003 models had problems with the automatic cam chain tensioner failing and doing a lot of engine damage.
It is an easy fix to fit a manual tensioner if you do it before the original fails

I used to get 110kms to a tank on my tard.





As for long distance, 100-120kph cruising on straights is a constant battle against the wind. The seat hurts your arse so bad after just an hour that you want to die.

However, if its long distance riding through nice roads, its great

Even thrashing it hard the worst i ever got was 140 km to a tank. I have now changed the gearing to what the S model runs ( 15/41 ) and get between 160 - 190 kms per tank and its not quite so buzzy on the road.

Now that i am used to the seat / plank i can handle about 400 kms in a day

We did actually get S models in NZ.
The S models are the road legal ones with the metal tank and the diff. carb. - I may be wrong but I have an idea the SM model is based on the S.

All Quite correct

[Tony W]

I used to get 110kms to a tank on my tard.



As for long distance, 100-120kph cruising on straights is a constant battle against the wind. The seat hurts your arse so bad after just an hour that you want to die.

However, if its long distance riding through nice roads, its great

What's wrong with you guys !!!
I got from Te Awamutu to Napier on a tank once ! . . some 280km !
16/41 gearing...mind you, we were trying.

[Morcs]

What's wrong with you guys !!!
I got from Te Awamutu to Napier on a tank once ! . . some 280km !
16/41 gearing...mind you, we were trying.

Mine had stage 3 dynojet kit etc.. stock gearing. Drank gas quicker than a tongan eats a dog. I was at a gas station every 1.5 days when using it to commute...