Drz400

[Ender EnZed]

Given that you'll still have the big Beemer for road riding I'd suggest a DRZ would probably suit you better. When you get to trickier off road stuff you'll be wishing you had a lighter bike more than you'll regret its shortcomings on road.

The DRZ400 comes in E, S, and SM models. The SM is the motard, a bit pointless when you're looking for an adventure bike. The E and S have been around longer but there are far more E models. The S is supposedly more road oriented (though not a motard) but the important differences are it has more weight and less power. I forget what any advantages are but you probably want the E, which most of them are.

Upgrades that I'd consider near essential for getting the best from it would be a bigger tank, lever guards and some sort of carrying system (if you can tie bags on fine then you don't really need a rack). You'll get by without a sump guard until you need one, then you're fucked.

Here's what's probably the most awesome DRZ400 in the country.

[Andy67]

Given that you'll still have the big Beemer for road riding I'd suggest a DRZ would probably suit you better. When you get to trickier off road stuff you'll be wishing you had a lighter bike more than you'll regret its shortcomings on road.

The DRZ400 comes in E, S, and SM models. The SM is the motard, a bit pointless when you're looking for an adventure bike. The E and S have been around longer but there are far more E models. The S is supposedly more road oriented (though not a motard) but the important differences are it has more weight and less power. I forget what any advantages are but you probably want the E, which most of them are.

Upgrades that I'd consider near essential for getting the best from it would be a bigger tank, lever guards and some sort of carrying system (if you can tie bags on fine then you don't really need a rack). You'll get by without a sump guard until you need one, then you're fucked.

Here's what's probably the most awesome DRZ400 in the country.

Fantastic advice mate and that's where my thinking is too re road vs trail. I'm fairly hardy road guy and don't mind a bit of discomfort provided the bike doesn't either by ringing it for extended periods....if need be....but....I am virtually a noob given I haven't ridden off road for decades, pretty much starting from scratch I guess tho i did own a procession of chook chasers in my late teens including a XR500 and then its bigger brother 600 until it got stolled of me.

So thinking off road capabilities are more important to me cause that's the whole point for me, to get off road then have fun. The Beemer gives me all the on road smiles I need.

Cool guys, I like you adventure types, less b.s it wold seem over this side.

Andy

[Andy67]

Given that you'll still have the big Beemer for road riding I'd suggest a DRZ would probably suit you better. When you get to trickier off road stuff you'll be wishing you had a lighter bike more than you'll regret its shortcomings on road.

The DRZ400 comes in E, S, and SM models. The SM is the motard, a bit pointless when you're looking for an adventure bike. The E and S have been around longer but there are far more E models. The S is supposedly more road oriented (though not a motard) but the important differences are it has more weight and less power. I forget what any advantages are but you probably want the E, which most of them are.

Upgrades that I'd consider near essential for getting the best from it would be a bigger tank, lever guards and some sort of carrying system (if you can tie bags on fine then you don't really need a rack). You'll get by without a sump guard until you need one, then you're fucked.

Here's what's probably the most awesome DRZ400 in the country.

Fantastic advice mate and that's where my thinking is too re road vs trail. I'm fairly hardy road guy and don't mind a bit of discomfort provided the bike doesn't either by ringing it for extended periods....if need be....but....I am virtually a noob given I haven't ridden off road for decades, pretty much starting from scratch I guess tho i did own a procession of chook chasers in my late teens including a XR500 and then its bigger brother 600 until it got stolled off me.

So thinking off road capabilities are more important to me cause that's the whole point for me, to get off road then have fun. The Beemer gives me all the on road smiles I need.

Cool guys, I like you adventure types, less b.s it wold seem over this side.

Andy

[Andy67]

Given that you'll still have the big Beemer for road riding I'd suggest a DRZ would probably suit you better. When you get to trickier off road stuff you'll be wishing you had a lighter bike more than you'll regret its shortcomings on road.

The DRZ400 comes in E, S, and SM models. The SM is the motard, a bit pointless when you're looking for an adventure bike. The E and S have been around longer but there are far more E models. The S is supposedly more road oriented (though not a motard) but the important differences are it has more weight and less power. I forget what any advantages are but you probably want the E, which most of them are.

Upgrades that I'd consider near essential for getting the best from it would be a bigger tank, lever guards and some sort of carrying system (if you can tie bags on fine then you don't really need a rack). You'll get by without a sump guard until you need one, then you're fucked.

Here's what's probably the most awesome DRZ400 in the country.

Given that you'll still have the big Beemer for road riding I'd suggest a DRZ would probably suit you better. When you get to trickier off road stuff you'll be wishing you had a lighter bike more than you'll regret its shortcomings on road.

The DRZ400 comes in E, S, and SM models. The SM is the motard, a bit pointless when you're looking for an adventure bike. The E and S have been around longer but there are far more E models. The S is supposedly more road oriented (though not a motard) but the important differences are it has more weight and less power. I forget what any advantages are but you probably want the E, which most of them are.

Upgrades that I'd consider near essential for getting the best from it would be a bigger tank, lever guards and some sort of carrying system (if you can tie bags on fine then you don't really need a rack). You'll get by without a sump guard until you need one, then you're fucked.

Here's what's probably the most awesome DRZ400 in the country.

Fantastic advice mate and that's where my thinking is too re road vs trail. I'm fairly hardy road guy and don't mind a bit of discomfort provided the bike doesn't either by ringing it for extended periods....if need be....but....I am virtually a noob given I haven't ridden off road for decades, pretty much starting from scratch I guess tho i did own a procession of chook chasers in my late teens including a XR500 and then its bigger brother 600 until it got stolled off me.

So thinking off road capabilities are more important to me cause that's the whole point for me, to get off road then have fun. The Beemer gives me all the on road smiles I need.

Cool guys, I like you adventure types, less b.s it wold seem over this side.

Andy

[Andy67]

Apologies for the multi multi posting debacle above, iPad have brain freeze, maybe mod would care to delete the second one and this for that matter ....

[bart]

Apologies for the multi multi posting debacle above, iPad have brain freeze, maybe mod would care to delete the second one and this for that matter ....

Man, that's one mean stutter.

Biggest issue I had with the DRZ was the close ratio gearbox. I tried all sorts of sprockets and was never happy. If trailering to a trail ride or offroad area, brilliant bike. If riding anything over 100km to get there, suck.

You can carry multiple front sprockets and change them out when you get there, but who can be f'd with that.

[Woodman]

Get a KLR ..........











Someone had to say it.

[Ender EnZed]

Or you could just put knoblies on your K1200.

[Andy67]

Get a KLR ..........











Someone had to say it.

Must admit was influenced a little by big Dave review of his kwaka, plead you case mate, why cause I'm here to learn.

Cheers Andy

[Ocean1]

Also, their seems to be a few models around, mortard etc. should I be looking at any particular version, are their any weak model years to avoid and finally, what should I look at paying in the current market and what if any upgrades from standard wold make this a better bike for what I want?.

Based on your intended use I'd go for one of the road legal E models. Some early machines didn't have the electric leg, don't buy one of them if you plan on stalling on cliff faces much.

I had a green one, (Kawasaki KLX400, same machine, Kawasaki engine / Suzuki frame) and it did well, accepting the slight niggle re the close ratio box. Just meant a choice between touring/adv riding gearing or straight trail riding gearing.

You can get almost every farkle you can imagine for them.

[Andy67]

Or you could just put knoblies on your K1200.

I did the forgotten highway not that long ago and it's a modest stretch....the K did it easy and is not actually that bad on gravel....to a point...love the way you think mate, she would be a handful for sure....actually now I think about it, but for ground clearance she is possible better behaved than her GS cousin on marbles...weird aye

[Padmei]

I've got a DRZ well it's a KLX400 - kawasaki & the ghey brand got together & made the same bike in different colours.

1. See if you can borrow one to ride. They are buzzy on the open road. If they came out with a 6th speed they would prob be the most popular bike made. I can't stand the thought of doing long distances on mine however if it was my only bike I would build a bridge.

2. See if there are any for sale around you. I looked for about a year & got a good one for $4k. It would be too much work to road reg an offroad one.

3. The easiest way to see if they're roadworthy is if they've got the 'lunchbox' on the rear guard.

4. You will need case savers -check out Thumpertalk DRZ thread. About $50ish, bash plate $150ish, large tank $5-800 - the stock tank is minimal for anyt type of adv ride (not trailride).

5. Suspension is reasonably soft for us heavyweights but by God they wheelie wheelie real.

[Andy67]

Based on your intended use I'd go for one of the road legal E models. Some early machines didn't have the electric leg, don't buy one of them if you plan on stalling on cliff faces much.

I had a green one, (Kawasaki KLX400, same machine, Kawasaki engine / Suzuki frame) and it did well, accepting the slight niggle re the close ratio box. Just meant a choice between touring/adv riding gearing or straight trail riding gearing.

You can get almost every farkle you can imagine for them.

Cheers Ocean, didn't realise the japs co operated so closely but then again not surprising I guess. Good for parts too.

Close ratio, you mean I have to change gears on these things, crickey thats different !

[Andy67]

I've got a DRZ well it's a KLX400 - kawasaki & the ghey brand got together & made the same bike in different colours.

1. See if you can borrow one to ride. They are buzzy on the open road. If they came out with a 6th speed they would prob be the most popular bike made. I can't stand the thought of doing long distances on mine however if it was my only bike I would build a bridge.

2. See if there are any for sale around you. I looked for about a year & got a good one for $4k. It would be too much work to road reg an offroad one.

3. The easiest way to see if they're roadworthy is if they've got the 'lunchbox' on the rear guard.

4. You will need case savers -check out Thumpertalk DRZ thread. About $50ish, bash plate $150ish, large tank $5-800 - the stock tank is minimal for anyt type of adv ride (not trailride).

5. Suspension is reasonably soft for us heavyweights but by God they wheelie wheelie real.

Cool and yes I think I can build a bridge too but will certainly have to eyeball one up close, goodntomknow the DRZ has an identical twin...

I am still a wee way away from greeting one so time on my side, I am determined to do this and all this feedback is great.

Cheers Andy

[Woodman]

Must admit was influenced a little by big Dave review of his kwaka, plead you case mate, why cause I'm here to learn.

Cheers Andy

Sounds like the DRZ is more for you, the KLR is even more roady than a dr650.

Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot take the 650s in the knarly shit though.