DRZ400sm Info!

[Kempz44]

Alright lads i have a few questions about the drz400sm, i have looked through the forum but only found old info.
1) Do any of you ride the drz on a daily basis? how is it?
2) Is there anything such as a motard 'kit' that allows you to convert a normal drz400 road legal too a sweet motard? If not, how would you go about modding(exhaust and looks is a start) it etc?
Im looking at buying a motard cuz road bikes just seem a bit boring


Chur boys.

[haydes55]

Can't help with your first question but as for your second question, there is no set 'kit' that I've heard of, You would need to buy a new set of wheels, spacers, tyres and then there is the hassle of getting a licence plate holder with a light to wire in. It would work out much cheaper to get a Motard rather than convert one, and cheaper as well.

Look at DR650's as well, they will be in a higher insurance and ACC pay bracket but the extra power might be more fun

Don't look past KTM as well, they have a big range of Motards.

[Tard]

Hey,

Had a DRZ400SM for 4+ years and ride daily to work...

DRZ is a good option if you're using daily, it's not a highly tuned motard like some of the others, so maintenance is easy etc.
Anywhere between 120-140kms before hitting reserve and how you ride.
Alos done plenty of day rides, anything up to 600kms in a day - stopping for gas and a bit of relief on the a** when doing those distances though...

Ot's be cheaper to buy a used SM off Tardme...a conversion will probably cost a bit...and the SM has better USD forks as standard.

[nzkaosnz]

Woohoo - first KB post.

I have a 2008 DRZ400SM, 3x3, Full Yoshi Pipe + Jetting, DIY rack, done 26k km - its a fantastic bike!

Daily ridden when fine, ridden home if looked fine in morning, bucketing down in arvo.
Used in auckland traffic - its amazing - great visibility.


Things that I have learnt over the last year:
Pros:
- DRZ motard makes a hooligan out of most.
- Nimble and fun around town - loves lifting wheel.
- Great all-round visibility - handlebars only an issue with toyota Hilux/Hiace wingmirrors.
- Bugger all Gas usage - consistantly getting 170km/tank before reserve - irrespective of riding (i.e. 100km cruising, 50k cruising, 50k hooliganism) $16 to fill.

Cons:
- Average at speeds - needs 6th or something for that little bit more.
- Seat could be improved (short range fuel tank lasts about as long as my ass does - so maybe the tank was designed that size?

[dilz]

sory to use your thread mate but i got a question and sounds like it could be of use to you as well...
SO,ive just done the 3x3 and jetting kit mod (stage 2) to my 2010 drz400sm,also done the pipe,pretty much a 2" straight through with a pro circuit muffler (LOUD).

It definately goes better but it still feels like it may be restricted in 1st and second but it didnt have the solenoid on the carb that ive read about on the net that restricts full power in these gears?
Does any one know if the 09/10 model restricts it in sum other way that can be changed?? Its a Mikuni carb btw.

I race an r6 and this is my only road bike and first motard,i really enjoy it on the streets and ive taken it on a few gravel roads out west which is choice fun too! id recomend them for the price,cheap fun! Has any1 ever taken the sm on beache roads like 90mile etc and if yup howd it go?

cheers

[Box of riddles]

The biggest issue I have is the headlights fucking awful, other then that it's awesome.

[haydes55]

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Just a little curiosity question. Have you ridden the 650? Would you prefer having the extra power even if it meant a bit less economy?

[timmehpwr]

Just a little curiosity question. Have you ridden the 650? Would you prefer having the extra power even if it meant a bit less economy?

pretty sure the dr650 isnt more powerful, just lower down torque. i have ridden stock dr650, stock drz400sm and own a stock drz400e.. in my experience the 650 is a spungy couch with wheels, the sm is smooth fun power, and drz400e is most aggressive hooligan power of the three.

buy a drz400e and either relace the rims or buy a set second hand. otherwise you will just end up spending $$ trying to get more ponies from the other two.

[haydes55]

pretty sure the dr650 isnt more powerful, just lower down torque. i have ridden stock dr650, stock drz400sm and own a stock drz400e.. in my experience the 650 is a spungy couch with wheels, the sm is smooth fun power, and drz400e is most aggressive hooligan power of the three.

buy a drz400e and either relace the rims or buy a set second hand. otherwise you will just end up spending $$ trying to get more ponies from the other two.

Just looked up the specs and google tells me the 650 only has 3hp more, and a bit more torque. I just presumed there would of been more of a difference, cheers. The 400 is about 10kg lighter as well.

[humphrt]

Just looked up the specs and google tells me the 650 only has 3hp more, and a bit more torque. I just presumed there would of been more of a difference, cheers. The 400 is about 10kg lighter as well.

Yes both bike are similar. 400 is lighter but less powerful(only slightly), I imagine that the 400 is quicker as standard, but it's all speculation as I only own a 650. 650 has more torque which makes up for extra 10kgs. Good thing I find about the 650 is the 6 speed box makes it less buzzy at highway speeds. All depends what you want. Horses for courses or something like that.

[strandedinnz]

I ride my DR-Z400SM to work and back most days, you'll want to replace the stock seat otherwise you won't be having children! :-)

Apart from that works great, mine had every mod conceivable pre-done on it and the wider bars means I have to pay more attention when "filtering" otherwise peoples wing mirrors fall off as I go past ;-)

Range is about 170km before it hits reserve.

I think you could do a cheapish conversion of a DR-Z400 off-road to a motard by buying some 17" rims and re-lacing them to the existing hubs, you'd still have the smaller discs though.
(I want to find some DR-Z400SM hubs so I can put some off-road rims on them for weekends :-)