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so many lost friendships over the debate...
what do I want?
the opposite of the YZ - change oil occasionally, get on it & ride, no fuel range anxiety, can ride local trails, desert, and LAB2V.
the adv/drz guru's all say - don't get an S. Get either an SM (for better brakes/suspension), or better yet get an E model (better cams/carbs) or a 440 kit, you gotta do the 3x3 mod/jet kit/exhaust/seat/the tank with 7.4 gallons and, you know what? buy this $4,400 DRZ because it's had everything done to it
but part of me is all - really? why a souped up DRZ? kinda like putting lipstick on a pig or souping up a corolla "30mpg 250hp"
what I don't like:
-the E models/swaps don't have odometers. everyone says "mileage unknown, but I opened the valve cover and it looked like new" - it's like saying "new top end"
-SM - still have to buy the dirt wheels
-7.4 gallon tank - that's a lot of weight on a 330lb pig...good if you want to ride across Utah on smooth desert roads, but a bit much when going up whopped out rocky hill climbs. the specific bike that has that tank is in AZ...and with 1,700 miles can't be plated in CA until it hits 7,500 miles
I honestly think the newest, lowest mileage -S is what I want. I'm not going to put on a 440 kit, re-jet/exhaust, or anything. Just move my giant loop mojavi bags over (has spare tube, pump, tools, and 1 gallon of gas in a dromedary bag), ride it a few years and sell it at 10k miles. while they do have a reputation for being reliable, they do still blow up over a long enough period of time.
saw a 2011 1,500 mile one in San Diego for $3,500
saw a 2008 2,100 mile one in Huntington Beach for $3500