The DR-Z400 thread

[400sm]

I've been told NZ is similar to Canada in the way that if a DRZ was bought from the dealer as a dirt bike, it can never be registered for the life of the bike... Is this correct?

In Aus any DRZ can be reg'd as long as it's not a write off and it meets RWC (Road Worthy Cert.) which is essentially indicators, mirrors, lights etc

Cheers

In 2005 I bought a new dirt only DR-Z 250 and made it road legal.
Added a switch-block, indicators, brake light actuators, a mirror and a rear reflector.
It is/was possible....you just have to talk to the right people.

The right people at the time was: Craig Guy.
You can find him nowadays at: Bike Worx, Napier.

[Dave89]

I got a couple spare

Thats Better

[RMOTO]

Brand new DRZ400 21/18 wheelset for sale:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...953081&ed=true

[JATZ]

Ever been out riding and thought... Man I wish I'd brought some lunch ? Or... I wish I didn't have this big heavy bag on my back, cramping my style ? If so, then Boy have I got a deal for you

I have here a rear rack with a cool bag attached. Big enough to take a sizeable snack and a few other bits n pieces. It has a place to bolt your factory tool kit as well (the one in the pic will be staying with me)
Comes complete with all mounting hardware, but no instructions. Although lets face it... If you cant figure it out you probably shouldn't be in charge of any sort of tools or a bike. All zips work perfectly and there's no rips or tears anywhere. I don't know if it's waterproof as I haven't riden in the rain with it. All this can be yours for less than the cost of getting one sent from over seas and running the gauntlet of customs and N.Z. post.
If it sounds like the sort of thing your after flick me a P.M. and we'll haggle

[Woodman]

Ever been out riding and thought... Man I wish I'd brought some lunch ? Or... I wish I didn't have this big heavy bag on my back, cramping my style ? If so, then Boy have I got a deal for you

I have here a rear rack with a cool bag attached. Big enough to take a sizeable snack and a few other bits n pieces. It has a place to bolt your factory tool kit as well (the one in the pic will be staying with me)
Comes complete with all mounting hardware, but no instructions. Although lets face it... If you cant figure it out you probably shouldn't be in charge of any sort of tools or a bike. All zips work perfectly and there's no rips or tears anywhere. I don't know if it's waterproof as I haven't riden in the rain with it. All this can be yours for less than the cost of getting one sent from over seas and running the gauntlet of customs and N.Z. post.
If it sounds like the sort of thing your after flick me a P.M. and we'll haggle

So what are you using for a rack now?

[JATZ]

So what are you using for a rack now?

I know a guy who knows a guy who's working on knocking something together
It should be good enough to do the job

[neil.]

Hi all, i'm sure this has probably been asked before, but has anybody done any real long distance on their drz? Say 4000km around the south island?

Are they a viable alternative to a dr650/klr650 for a light person, or just too buzzy and uncomfortable for that sort of thing?

Cheers.

[Ocean1]

Hi all, i'm sure this has probably been asked before, but has anybody done any real long distance on their drz? Say 4000km around the south island?

Are they a viable alternative to a dr650/klr650 for a light person, or just too buzzy and uncomfortable for that sort of thing?

Cheers.

I did a couple of trips the length of the North Island, does that count?

I did go to the trouble of changing the front sprocket for one of those trips, can't remember how many teeths but it was up one over standard.

I found with the standard gearing it had a sweet spot just under 100k where it wasn't too buzzy, the taller sprocket helped lift that a bit.

They do let you get a little dirtier, if you get that chance, and with minimal care they're almost bulletproof. Also, if it's the bike you've got then it'll do, y'know?

[neels]

Did a few long days on my DRZ, other than the seat being a plank no real dramas.

As far as I know gearing was standard or pretty close, would sit happily at 100k with the revs at a reasonable number (had an aftermarket hour/rpm meter), still very usable off road or on gravel.

Would be better with a decent seat or a sheepskin on the factory one, but performance wise no issues. Only a 5 speed box which should be a bit limiting, but having said that on one ride the gear lever fell off, obviously top gear works ok as I didn't notice until I went to stop at the end, so plenty of torque to keep you going.

[neil.]

Hmm, I don't actually have one, but now that i have sold my ninja 250, i need to find something to buy, and i'm not sure i want to deal with the weight of the 650's offroad.

Obviously one would need a larger fuel tank

I have ridden a few KLR650's but only on the road, found them not bad to ride, but jeez they are not light.!

[MXNUT]

Did 25 000 km`s on mine in both islands. 4000 KM trip 1 year down to the Dusty and back.

You will defo need to change the gearing though. I went up 1 tooth on the front countershaft sprocket.

Helps keep it a bit less buzzy at 100 Km/h and helps with the economy.

You get used to the seat, have a break every 3 hours or so when you have to gas up.

Keep up the maintenance and they are pretty bullet proof.

[neil.]

I kinda assumed i would have to change the front sprocket on anything i get.

now i just have to find one to have a go on

whats it like to get hold of the larger fuel tanks in NZ?

[neels]

whats it like to get hold of the larger fuel tanks in NZ?

This might help you with almost anything you're considering doing to a DRZ400.....

http://www.remotemoto.com/

[Muzz67]

make sure you get the FCR carb model, big performance advantage over the 'S'(?) model.
Didn;t find the seat too much of a problem, how-ever the 5speed box could be a bit of a pain for on/off road riding.
sprockets can be changed to allow relatively easy 100kph cruising but then its too high for tricky slow speed stuff without serious clutch slippage.

other than that, they're a bloody good, reliable bike with few issues. Google 'loktite fixes' to make them bulletproof.

[JATZ]

I did about 9000k's on mine last month in Oz, seemed to go alright
15t front sprocket/43t rear MOX sprocket(cush drive sprocket). Does a little over 6000rpm @ 100k's and good for 90% of the riding your likely to do
Seat concepts seat, get just the foam and cover (stay away from the gripper cover), its good for 500k+ days
Safari 28l tank, probably overkill for N.Z. but it bolts straight on and is good for 550k's
The RemoteMoto screen worked a treat, if its in your budget get one.
Like Muzz said... Get the E model (fcr carb) and you can't really go wrong