Which dual purpose bike with sooo many choices?

[Oscar]

Most road legal versions I've seen are 'E' models (or SM). Don't think I've even seen an 'S' with the steel tank.

I had an EK6 (2006). Great bike. I'd still have it if I was doing more 'real' offroad. Only let down is the close gearbox.

Oh, and I'm only 5 foot 6, and had mine at full height (well, wound the spring off a wee bit). Easy to lower with the dogbone suspension linkage thing, but you only need one foot on the ground at a time.

Yeah, I haven't seen an "S" since about 02, but I see on Tardme that Holeshot are selling 'em new from $8,400. The latest price on the "E" is $10,100.

[Ocean1]

Three words:
Metal petrol tank.


Edit: and about 5hp

Yeah, a dozen widgets and bracketry too.

But in spite of the supposed HP difference, (34 vs 37?) the two are invariably a lot closer in real life. Surprising, 'cause they feel quite different, but there y'go.

[waynzz7]

Just purchased a 05 DRZ400e

Can touch the ground ok on it...and chose the E over the S model...It felt a bit taller but I can live with that...Am stoked and picking it up on Saturday...will post a few picks when I get it...Bring on the weekend and some good weather!!

The reg is on hold from previous owner and it hasn't been wof'd for a few years...Anyone know of any problems with getting a new wof when it hasn't been done for a few years???

[CrazyFrog]

Good on ya, you'll be happy with the DRZ, suit suit you needs well. Sort the seat out with some better foam, and enjoy.
You should have no problem getting a WOF after a couple of years, just make sure the bike has working indicators, headlight, horn and DOT approved tyres. Y'know the usual WOF regulations.

On the tyres, you'll find a stamp with DOT on it if they are road legal, if they dirt use only, they'll usually have NHS or Off Road use only marked.

[waynzz7]

Well I have had the DRZ a while now and clocked up a few thou K's mainly on the road, one trail ride (another this weekend ) and plenty of time exploring river tracks...My verdict..a little disappointed really

It goes well on the dirt and is fun around town..but the open road it is a shaking vibrating loose goose..Ok I realise there is no perfect road/trail/adventure bike (unless you can convince me otherwise) but I thought it would stack up better than it has...I am however not going to throw all my toys out of my bath tub just yet...So perhaps you can help..

So far I have tightened the steering, replaced rear sprocket with a 41T (now 14/41)removed 2 chain links to fit, adjusted suspension to factory settings, inflated tyres to 28-28psi, replaced front tyre (Dot legal trail type), filter and oil and attached aftermarket exhaust..Now on the open road starting at about 85k's amd going up to 105k's it gets quite a shimmy on..in that it seems to start in the front forks (slight up and down movement) and just seems to vibrate through the bike till it is smooth again for 5 secs and then starts the shimmy again up front,and on it goes again.. it just keeps doing this????

Now I am not an A B or even C grade mechanic..but I do know my rough way round the bike..So if anyone has any thoughts or insights into the matter, please share them and restore my faith in the mighty DRZ?

[Night Falcon]

I am however not going to throw all my toys out of my bath tub just yet...So perhaps you can help..

DRZ is a good trail bike. that said your vibrations could be any number of things (and probably are). Easy fix would be wheel balancing, unequal fork pressures to more expensive fixes like bearing issues or yikes....a twisted frame.

If the bike has been sitting for a while you might like to get your forks dialed in/tuned by a good mechanic and have your front end bearings checked out.

hope this gives you some ideas at least.

[NordieBoy]

Wheels balanced?
Out of round?


Rimlock + no lead?

CrazyFrog's DRZ would bounce the back wheel at 100kph. It felt like it was the front end causing the problems.

I pulled the rimlock off and it was sweet for the Dusty Butt.

[Oscar]

Well I have had the DRZ a while now and clocked up a few thou K's mainly on the road, one trail ride (another this weekend ) and plenty of time exploring river tracks...My verdict..a little disappointed really

It goes well on the dirt and is fun around town..but the open road it is a shaking vibrating loose goose..Ok I realise there is no perfect road/trail/adventure bike (unless you can convince me otherwise) but I thought it would stack up better than it has...I am however not going to throw all my toys out of my bath tub just yet...So perhaps you can help..

So far I have tightened the steering, replaced rear sprocket with a 41T (now 14/41)removed 2 chain links to fit, adjusted suspension to factory settings, inflated tyres to 28-28psi, replaced front tyre (Dot legal trail type), filter and oil and attached aftermarket exhaust..Now on the open road starting at about 85k's amd going up to 105k's it gets quite a shimmy on..in that it seems to start in the front forks (slight up and down movement) and just seems to vibrate through the bike till it is smooth again for 5 secs and then starts the shimmy again up front,and on it goes again.. it just keeps doing this????

Now I am not an A B or even C grade mechanic..but I do know my rough way round the bike..So if anyone has any thoughts or insights into the matter, please share them and restore my faith in the mighty DRZ?

In respect of the shimmy:
Did you slide the forks up/down at all?
Have you bled the air out of the forks?
Has the front wheel got a rim lock?
And this may sound basic, but is the rear wheel in straight?

For the engine vibration - check the engine mounts.

I've got a Haynes manual for a DRZ somewhere, so I'll dig it out and get the forks settings and torque values for the engine mounts.

[bart]

Sounds strange. Mine was stable at 100km, even with the rimlocks in, just engine vibe started driving me crazy over long distance. As said, check out the suspension settings.

[waynzz7]

DRZ is a good trail bike. that said your vibrations could be any number of things (and probably are). Easy fix would be wheel balancing, unequal fork pressures to more expensive fixes like bearing issues or yikes....a twisted frame.

If the bike has been sitting for a while you might like to get your forks dialed in/tuned by a good mechanic and have your front end bearings checked out.

hope this gives you some ideas at least.

Cheers Falcon, I am whippin in to the bike shop tomorrow for a balance check on the rims..I have noticed a slight ding on one side of the front wheel rim...Thanks u just reminded me I did need to equal the air pressure in the forks..fingers crossed it's nothing worse..

[waynzz7]

Wheels balanced?
Out of round?


Rimlock + no lead?

CrazyFrog's DRZ would bounce the back wheel at 100kph. It felt like it was the front end causing the problems.

I pulled the rimlock off and it was sweet for the Dusty Butt.

Rimlock with no lead?..Sorry Nordie Boy I am a nubbie newbie to offroad bikes..Pretty sure my bike has rim locks (extra bolt sticking out of rim?) maybe I need to get my shiney new tools out of the packet, to make it at least look like I know what I am doing, and pull the tyre off to see what you mean..

[waynzz7]

In respect of the shimmy:
Did you slide the forks up/down at all?
Have you bled the air out of the forks?
Has the front wheel got a rim lock?
And this may sound basic, but is the rear wheel in straight?

For the engine vibration - check the engine mounts.

I've got a Haynes manual for a DRZ somewhere, so I'll dig it out and get the forks settings and torque values for the engine mounts.

Hi OScar, forks are slid pretty much right out..bleeding the air from front forks is my job before work tomorrow and I have double and triple checked the back wheel alignment..The engine mount torque settings n fork setting you have would be much appreciated, Cheers..

Sounds strange. Mine was stable at 100km, even with the rimlocks in, just engine vibe started driving me crazy over long distance. As said, check out the suspension settings.

I have heard they can sit on 100k shimmy-less a few ttimes from a few different people I have spoken to about it so am holding out hope I will get to the bottom of it soon..Cheers Bart

[waynzz7]

I was just checking the chain and it has 3 linking bits in it..Would this be a problem??

[NordieBoy]

Rimlock with no lead?..Sorry Nordie Boy I am a nubbie newbie to offroad bikes..Pretty sure my bike has rim locks (extra bolt sticking out of rim?) maybe I need to get my shiney new tools out of the packet, to make it at least look like I know what I am doing, and pull the tyre off to see what you mean..

I mean a rimlock with no balancing lead on 'tother side of the wheel.

[waynzz7]

Well I think I have sussed the problem with the DRZ 'shimmy' , Not sure which one worked but from the great advice offered (cheers) I rechecked suspension settings and adjusted, tightened most bolts I could find, checked all bearings for movement (seemed to be none) moved the rim lock opposite the valve (were right next to each other) replaced the electrical tape with rim tape, had the front wheel balanced and banged out a ding in the front rim and tightened steering head....

Now it rides alot smoother at 60k...@ 100k it still has some vibes but no where near as bad..Next year I will replace the knobblie tyres for some less agressive dual sport tyres and get the rear wheel balanced, which will hopefully eliminate the dreaded shimmy completely...or just get a 650 instead haha..it never ends

Thanks for your help..