Tales from the Emporium

[NordieBoy]

Seriously though, Nordie, howd you find the 400 on the ride compared to your 650? bit of a different beast? Good and bad in different areas? I see another 650 has come up on trade me ... kinda considering stepping up to the tractor...

Not enough low end stomp for me but a good top end and light and chuckable with a better front end than my 650. I could see how it could be adventurised quite successfully for a shorter person but would need far to much modding for me to get the correct ergos to be comfortable.

The way it was set up was fine for seated riding (apart from the seat) but crap for standing. Needs a way taller seat (seat to pegs increasing) and way taller bars. I could only stand for 20-30s at a time.

It went well though and if I could have more bikes one would be a DRZ400.

[buggsubique]

Yep, agree with all that about the bike. I struggle with the cockpit, but love throwing it round. gotta keep my knees bent standing up. prob should get a set of risers / bigger bend bar... Knees took a hiding after 20 hours on it all cramped up. Good fun bike though.

[CrazyFrog]

The 30mm bar risers I ordered for the DRZ arrived in the post yesterday, too late for the Dusty. I never had problems standing for long-ish periods, just a bit hunched over, hence the purchase of the risers. I do like the chuck-ability of it tho, nice and light, great in the lumpy stuff.

[cave weta]

Not enough low end stomp for me but a good top end and light and chuckable with a better front end than my 650. I could see how it could be adventurised quite successfully for a shorter person but would need far to much modding for me to get the correct ergos to be comfortable.

The way it was set up was fine for seated riding (apart from the seat) but crap for standing. Needs a way taller seat (seat to pegs increasing) and way taller bars. I could only stand for 20-30s at a time.

It went well though and if I could have more bikes one would be a DRZ400.

I had a guy on one of my rides last week with a DRZ400. He was 6'4"
his bike had bar risers that Ive never seen before , they were a 30mm lift and a 60mm step forward. they were on the bike when he bought it and he just loves em.
Also I have to say that my own DRZ400 with the pro circuit pipe and jetting kit is all the bike most people need on the trail. In fact, on the road it will beat my mates CB600R to 140kmh everytime and will also just toutch 167kmh with my chubby little body on it (closed road of course)!

[Willdat?]

Just bought my first proper bike, a DRZ400 SM, although I can't legally ride it, went for a wee ride around a school yesterday, was grand fun, going to be a long 3 and a bit months till I can go on an actual ride!

Anyone know what the 1000km service is going to cost?

[buggsubique]

1000km service? likely $15 for the oil filter, get a 4L container of 4 stroke oil for about $36, will last two changes. Not sure if you get the valve spaces checked at the 1000km mark...?

I have a 14 meg pdf of the service manual, can burn you a copy if you want. It's all piss easy really for the basic stuff. Ride it over here and we can go through it!

PM me for any further info / queries.

Buggs

[Woodman]

[QUOTE=cave weta;1877206]I had a guy on one of my rides last week with a DRZ400. He was 6'4"
his bike had bar risers that Ive never seen before , they were a 30mm lift and a 60mm step forward. they were on the bike when he bought it and he just loves em.
Also I have to say that my own DRZ400 with the pro circuit pipe and jetting kit is all the bike most people need on the trail. In fact, on the road it will beat my mates CB600R to 140kmh everytime and will also just toutch 167kmh with my chubby little body on it (closed road of course)![/QUOTE

Bloody hell its faster than me KLR , which um also has a crap seat. But its heavier so better value.

[pete376403]

Bloody hell its faster than me KLR , which um also has a crap seat. But its heavier so better value.

My bro in law has a drz400 and, even with a rattly piston that moves almost as far sideways as up and down, it still hoses my KLR.

But yeah, if you price your bike by weight, the KLR comes out tops for value.
KLRs are currently $57/kilo)
And the '08 has an excellent seat

[talbertnz]

you're a scrap metal man ???

[NordieBoy]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

[marks]

Also I have to say that my own DRZ400 with the pro circuit pipe and jetting kit is all the bike most people need on the trail. In fact, on the road it will beat my mates CB600R to 140kmh everytime and will also just toutch 167kmh with my chubby little body on it (closed road of course)!

The DRZ suspension is pretty ordinary - horsepower is no use on the trail if you cant use it

My bro in law has a drz400 and, even with a rattly piston that moves almost as far sideways as up and down, it still hoses my KLR.

My DT230 will totally hose my KLR up to 120-130

but I'd far rather be on my KLR 99.9% of the time

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

thats feck all use if the thing you attach it to has to be pushed everywhere

[Squiggles]

thats feck all use if the thing you attach it to has to be pushed everywhere

Yep, i reckon he should onsell it

[NordieBoy]

The DRZ suspension is pretty ordinary - horsepower is no use on the trail if you cant use it

But still a lot better than the DR and KLR.

thats feck all use if the thing you attach it to has to be pushed everywhere

But it'll help when pulling the engine

[Willdat?]

1000km service? likely $15 for the oil filter, get a 4L container of 4 stroke oil for about $36, will last two changes. Not sure if you get the valve spaces checked at the 1000km mark...?

Thanks for the offer!

With a newish bike though do you have to keep the servicing with Suzuki to keep the warranty? It has 24 Months/unlimited kms and was new in May 2008.

Nelson Motorcycle Centre told me $130-150 over the phone which seems a mighty pricey oil change, and to check that nothing has fallen off, the valve spaces don't need to be checked according to the user guide.

[NordieBoy]

Getting it done...



And testing the centrestand...





The springs are at the wrong angle to hold the stand up but that can be corrected or just use a bungy on the left side to the passenger peg mount. It's rock solid when it's down though.