Tell me about the DRZ400SM

[Mike Qube]

I've never really ridden a dirt bike type bike until I became a msf instructor and the ones they have are some sort of 200cc, but they're fun as all hell. I've been thinking about buying some sort of dirt bikey type thing. The DRZ400sm had caught my eye. Anyone on here have any experience with them?

[csmutty]

The bike that you rode is the Yamaha TW200. They are great for little street rippers but the suspension is totally inadequate for anything off road.

Never rode a DRZ, but they are reliable as shit in stock form. Jane has one and has rode it at a few track days.

[Mike Qube]

The bike that you rode is the Yamaha TW200. They are great for little street rippers but the suspension is totally inadequate for anything off road.

Never rode a DRZ, but they are reliable as shit in stock form. Jane has one and has rode it at a few track days.

I think it's some sort of Suzuki that we have. The suspension though, I would imagine is very inadaquate for off road use. Ripping around a parking lot though, it's ok. I wish it was a bit stiffer.

Reliable is a good thing. The only complaint that I'm finding on them is the tank capacity, people say they get about 100 miles out of it. I don't have a problem with that though.

[csmutty]

I think it's some sort of Suzuki that we have. The suspension though, I would imagine is very inadaquate for off road use. Ripping around a parking lot though, it's ok. I wish it was a bit stiffer.

Reliable is a good thing. The only complaint that I'm finding on them is the tank capacity, people say they get about 100 miles out of it. I don't have a problem with that though.

Really...I have only seen the TW200 used. Never heard of any sort of Suzuki dual sport used.

And that is actually a pretty big tank capacity for a dual sport or motard. A few of my friends have Husky's and they have to fill up every 75ish miles.

[Mike Qube]

Really...I have only seen the TW200 used. Never heard of any sort of Suzuki dual sport used.

And that is actually a pretty big tank capacity for a dual sport or motard. A few of my friends have Husky's and they have to fill up every 75ish miles.

I think it's a 2.5 gallon tank. I know someone makes bigger tanks for it, there's a 4.5 one out there, but I think it looks funny on that bike.

I could have sworn they were Suzuki's. I'll find out tomorrow, I'm working a double so I'll have a lot of seat time on one as c2.

[csmutty]

Does it look like this?

[Mike Qube]

Does it look like this?

Not at all. What the hell is up with that rear tire? Is it a tiny rim or is that thing huge?

[csmutty]

Not at all. What the hell is up with that rear tire? Is it a tiny rim or is that thing huge?

OMG...so you haven't rode a TW200? I guarantee this thing is more fun than that other dual sport!

Yeah the rear tire is huge, as is the front. Think BW80 style..

[Mike Qube]

OMG...so you haven't rode a TW200? I guarantee this thing is more fun than that other dual sport!

Yeah the rear tire is huge, as is the front. Think BW80 style..

I didn't even notice the front until you mentioned it, wow.

Here's what we have, they are Suzuki's.

[csmutty]

I didn't even notice the front until you mentioned it, wow.

Here's what we have, they are Suzuki's.

Ahh the DR200. I have never rode one of those. But seriously, you have to ride a TW.

[Mike Qube]

It's fun for a student bike, a lot more fun than the Eliminators and Nighthawks. I try to do all my demos on it.

I really want to try out a TW. That thing look like it would be a blast.

[csmutty]

It's fun for a student bike, a lot more fun than the Eliminators and Nighthawks. I try to do all my demos on it.

I really want to try out a TW. That thing look like it would be a blast.

Sorry to get off topic, but have you rode the new Suzuki TU250X? We have a few of them at the ranges and I am seriously going to consider getting one when they start popping up used. They are AWESOME bikes and even make for great range bikes.

[Chippertheripper]

Drz is pretty reliable, bazillions of aftermarket products, but nothing special. Just a fun little scoot.
They can be had fairly cheap too. $1700-whatever.

[Point37]

OMG...so you haven't rode a TW200? I guarantee this thing is more fun than that other dual sport!

Yeah the rear tire is huge, as is the front. Think BW80 style..

i love my TW!...great little bike to rip around on

[Mike Qube]

Sorry to get off topic, but have you rode the new Suzuki TU250X? We have a few of them at the ranges and I am seriously going to consider getting one when they start popping up used. They are AWESOME bikes and even make for great range bikes.

I rode one of those during my RCP. It was pretty good. For a range bike, it was awesome.

[Mike Qube]

There's a few DRZ's on CL that I've had my eye on.

http://elmira.craigslist.org/mcy/3002151689.html
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/2995447369.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/mcy/3000379034.html

[Point37]

poke around over here...you will find a lot of info...
http://supermotojunkie.com/

[Mike Qube]

poke around over here...you will find a lot of info...
http://supermotojunkie.com/

Thanks! Just registered. The for sale section there has a ton of bikes. Much, much better than CL.

[gregp]

I can tell you about my (former) DRZ400s - They are competent, if uninspiring bikes to ride. They are very reliable (just make sure that you never over-torque the countershaft sprocket nut - Google "DRZ 2nd gear bushing"). The engines make OK power, but again, it is uninspiring. They will not snap up a wheelie like a true enduro or MX machine. They are only slightly better than an old school long-stroke design (read:XR400, DR350). They can, however, be made to pump out good power with some motor work, and there are plenty of aftermarket companies who specialize in the DRZ. The frame and suspension are very good - the SM has inverted forks that have been reviewed as being very good as well - but they are heavy and tall (a bad combination for a newer rider) compared to more dirt worthy bikes.
If you buy a used one - look for cracked cases (the case metal is very thin, and prone to cracks - guards are available), and lift the rear wheel off of the ground and give it a spin. If it has a lot of drag on it, walk away, as this will indicate that the 2nd gear bushing has been crushed. Also check the counter shaft sprocket nut - if it is only hand tight, this is another indication that the owner knows what is going on (leaving it loose will avoid having the drag on the wheel).
The 2nd gear bushing issue is really the only Achilles Heal that I am aware of with these machines. They are good bikes, and there are a million of them out there for this reason. The SM is probably a great street bike, but the 5 speed tranny will make you want to stay off of any highways for any length of time. A short hop is OK, but they don't like it much - my bike, anyway. IIRC -the SM is geared a bit taller, and has a larger front disc.
And the seat,....yea, you will want to replace that right away. The Suzuki gel seat is of no help. A Seat Concepts kit is the least expensive option. I have one on my current DR650, and it works great (cost: $175).

[RGB500]

DRZ400's are bulletproof. Fun bikes for bombing around town and backroad twisties! Not the fastest thing in stock form so they kinda get a bad rap ,but as mentioned above there are plenty of aftermarket performance stuff available to wake them up. The stock seat sucks...like sitting on a 2x4. Seat Concepts make a Low/wide seat foam and cover for $159 that solves the problem.

I built my `07 last year. It actually started as an "S" model, but I converted it to full SM spec (forks, swingarm, ect..). It's making 50hp. with the BB kit,FCR,cams,MRD, and still retains the bulletproof reliability DRZ's are known for.

[maxim_X]

I bought a drz400sm new in 07. I had tons of fun on it and it was a great bike for my second bike. If you want a hardcore, track ready sumo look else where. If your looking for an awesome urban hooligans ride it's a great choice. If
Your over 200 lbs plan to respring it.

[boosten lebaron]

How are they compared to street bikes? Can they hang with say a ninja 250 or 500 on the back roads?

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

How are they compared to street bikes? Can they hang with say a ninja 250 or 500 on the back roads?

Mine would eat R1's on Twisty Back roads.

[9secondsflat]

I owned an 09 drz400sm with full fmf system jetted and alot of bling, also owned at the same time an 08 wr250x and still own a 07 ktm 950sm....

my .02 the front brakes on the wr are superior to the drz.
drz makes more power, more comfy to ride on highway even for a 5-10 mile run.
drz takes bumps better on the roads
more after mkt support for the drz...

at the end of the day the wr and drz have been sold...the ktm 950sm blows both of them away in every aspect

[Chippertheripper]

That's because the 950 is less supermoto and more motorcycle.