DRZ 400

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

I'm thinking about buying one of these as a second bike to do some light greenlaning and occasional road use.
I know the DRZ400E is the race spec one with higher power and more servicing. But i'm also seeing other models listed such as DRZ400SM (Supermoto ?), DRZ400SY, and DRZ400SX.
Anyone know the difference in these models and advantages and disadvantages between them ??

ben_wheely · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

DRZ 400 S - dual sport model

Advantages : rear pegs, usually come with lights and indicators, less maintanence.

Disadvantages : Heavier, slower but an 'ok' all round bike.

DRZ 400 E - a more off road biased model.

Advantages: Lighter, quicker, plastic petrol tank, different carb and cams so a little more bhp.

Disadvantages: More maintenece required (not that regular though), no on road goodies such as pillion pegs, indicators ect.

SM - Yea its the supermoto version, i believe it has the same engine as the S model.

If your getting one as a second bike, i would personally reccomend something else. They are a bit heavy and lumpy on the lanes, and the suspension isn't too good. I didn't get on to well with it on the lanes. But i do know a guy who rides one, and thinks its the best bike ever Rolling Eyes

I went from my drz 400 s (but with an e model engine) to a yamaha wr 250 and it was the best upgrade ever. The wr is required to have a lot more maintanence then the drz, but its worth it Wink

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Rides: '05 Yammy WR290-F

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

Cheers for that.
Really wondered if the SY and SX were any different, but i guess they're both classed as an S model.
I'm not bothered about it being too off road focused as i'll only be doing light green laning occasionally. I also want one to use as a hack when its wet or there's salt on the roads in the winter, so as not to use my main bike.

Azonicben · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Karma :

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

Yeah good point Mr. Green

But i like Zuki's..... even if they do use water colours to paint em.

ben_wheely · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

DRZ's suffer quiet bad from carb icing in the winter.

Mine did, and if you look on thumpertalk its a common problem with them.
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Rides: '05 Yammy WR290-F

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

Never heard of a SY or SX model, they did do a K model for a while which was the 'kicker' version. Believe it had the same engine as the E model but no leccy start.

They then fitted the E with a kicker and electric start so scrapped the K model.
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

feckless · Derestricted Danger Joined: 25 May 2009 Karma :

I had a drz400sy for a couple of years.
i agree with wheely other than my bike never suffered carb icing
and i used it everyday during winter for work.
i also now have a wr 250 yam and the difference is night an day between the two bikes.
the yam is so much lighter. its powerband is also like a 2 stroke as it really kicks in at the top end.
the mid range is pretty crap at the moment, but i have just ordered an FMF Q4 and a powerbomb, so when they arrive i will rejet the bike to suit the new pipes.
cant wait Very Happy

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

When I asked about it, I was told the DRZ-E engine is just as reliable as the S; it is only a few horsepower more, so that makes sense.
The lower weight definitely makes sense on the lanes.
The DRZ engine is far from a 'race' one by the way; don't be expecting a superfast bike - the lump is your typical high revving 4 stroke plodder.

The E model is more reasonably a 'dual sport' bike I'd say; it isn't considered as one in the US because it's a lot harder to get it road legal in many states, while the S model comes street-ready. (It's much harder to get enduro bikes 'plated' there, but there are a lot more places you can ride them without being road legal, which is nice.)

ben_wheely · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

Oll · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Karma :

Drz in my opinion is one of the best SM ever made.
I have one from year 2006, it goes to power wheelie at 70km/h
Twisted Evil

Only two bad thing to mention, in the screen it doesn't show when are you running low on petrol, it just stops you have to turn it on reserve and the petrol tank is too small, well in the way I drive it is really small.
Here is a pic of my drz
https://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/Ollu1993/Auto24kuulutused004.jpg

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Oll · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Karma :

I've driven
Ktm 450smr, aprilia sxv 450, some kawasaki competition sm and honda crm 450, which is the best looking sm ever.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Odd that you find it better than the much more powerful and lighter ones you've listed. Most people that have tried both only really praise the reliability of the DRZ, considering it otherwise a bit of a pig.

Oh and you ride, not drive bikes Wink

.

Oll · L Plate Warrior Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Karma :

Sorry about that, not English or American

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Were it me, I'd go for a SM610 - it's got the suspension, similar reliability, similiar weight, but a decent chunk more power.
The majority of people that have got the DRZ for road use that I know end up wanting more power (while the power is fine for off-road, but most want less weight!) So, might as well have it from the start; suspension should be a bit better too.

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

FlyBri · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Karma :

I've got the S model and I have to say it's surprisingly unreliable for a jap bike. My bonnie never goes wrong but the DRZ seems to stumble from one prob to the other at the moment. And yes, they are fecking heavy so bear that in mind. Next trail bike will be something smaller and lighter.

Bri