Dirty's Playbike -- The DRZ 400 SM
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Hmmmm. No cush on the rear hub. How long is that bike going to last on the street before you're replacing the transmission? Even my 1971 SL100 had a cushioned rear sprocket.
That's the problem with converted dirt bikes. They're REALLY hard on the drive train. MO should make this a long term test, beating the crap out of this thing. My guess is Suzuki figures that it will last past warranty, so it's no problem. However, i'd be careful spending my own $$$.
That's the problem with converted dirt bikes. They're REALLY hard on the drive train. MO should make this a long term test, beating the crap out of this thing. My guess is Suzuki figures that it will last past warranty, so it's no problem. However, i'd be careful spending my own $$$.
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138 Posts
I've had no problem riding my DRZ400S hard off or on road and I'm not gentle with the shifting. The knobs are your 'cush' when you drop gears quickly on the street. Plus it's fun to lock up the rear a bit going around corners. Probably shortens chain life a bit though.
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3,874 Posts
Dirt bikes are a hoot on the street. I modified a KTM 620 with 17" wheels and updated plastic. It's got much more power than the DRZ and cruises easily on the highway, yet is still extremely agile. Oh, and, yes, it does have a cush drive.
If you really want a good supermoto, build one yourself.
If you really want a good supermoto, build one yourself.
That bike was built for the roads where I live: paved mountain roads, plenty of sharp up-hill and down-hill turns with a goodly mixed of pavement irregularities. I do think the lack of cush drive would tear the zook a new one pretty soon though. I used to have a spare set of wheels with road tires mounted on them for my klr650 and it worked just great, if a little slowly. It, however, had cush drive and took all the abuse I could throw at it.
Since it is getting harder and harder to get a converted dirt bike past DMV staffers, the street legal DRZ ain't a bad way to go. It may not be fast but, when you're riding roads where 60mph will get you killed, speed isn't that important. But acceleration sure is fun to have. Now if we could just drop KX or CR motor in there...Better yet, just go buy a KTM.
Since it is getting harder and harder to get a converted dirt bike past DMV staffers, the street legal DRZ ain't a bad way to go. It may not be fast but, when you're riding roads where 60mph will get you killed, speed isn't that important. But acceleration sure is fun to have. Now if we could just drop KX or CR motor in there...Better yet, just go buy a KTM.
Well, I bought one about a month ago, and it's one of the funest(sp?) bikes I've ever owned! Sean's article is spot-on. I've added an Akrapovic exhaust, jetted it, modded the airbox, installed Pro-Tapers, a GPR stabilizer, and a trick Baja Designs LED tail light. The wet weight is now at 294 - full of fuel. This machine simply flat-out RAILS!!!!!! BUY ONE NOW!!!!
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5,447 Posts
Well it's about time Suzuki.
Now if I could just get a license plate for the mighty CR500....
That would be some kinda streetbike brutha. Kinda like my plated YZ490 but only better, cause I wouldn't have to carry around a pocketfull of B8ES' everywhere I went.
Now if I could just get a license plate for the mighty CR500....
That would be some kinda streetbike brutha. Kinda like my plated YZ490 but only better, cause I wouldn't have to carry around a pocketfull of B8ES' everywhere I went.
"Say your final prayers, buddy, because this is it, the motorcycle accident everyone always warned you about."
Buy a Suzuki DRZ 400 SM to avoid this accident situation - or keep your current bike and slow down a little!!
$6099 - way too expensive. I agree it should have 6 speeds and aluminum frame, but would add, it should be a 600 and weigh the same 300lbs.
Buy a Suzuki DRZ 400 SM to avoid this accident situation - or keep your current bike and slow down a little!!
$6099 - way too expensive. I agree it should have 6 speeds and aluminum frame, but would add, it should be a 600 and weigh the same 300lbs.
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8 Posts
A Very Good General Purpose SM Bike
It's about time one of the big Japanese manufacturers came out with this type of SM bike for the masses. It might not have the most HP or bling bits but the price is right and it's a great all around SM bike for most any rider. New riders should feel comfortable with its character and experienced riders can still rip in the city/canyons. A few mods can add a few HP and there are probably some brake/suspension upgrades.
The Honda FMX650 could maybe hit the US market one of these days to give Suzuki some competition in the street SM market.
It would be fun to see Suzuki put a RMZ450 motor in a DRMZ450 bike one of these days for the power hungry racing folks.
It's about time one of the big Japanese manufacturers came out with this type of SM bike for the masses. It might not have the most HP or bling bits but the price is right and it's a great all around SM bike for most any rider. New riders should feel comfortable with its character and experienced riders can still rip in the city/canyons. A few mods can add a few HP and there are probably some brake/suspension upgrades.
The Honda FMX650 could maybe hit the US market one of these days to give Suzuki some competition in the street SM market.
It would be fun to see Suzuki put a RMZ450 motor in a DRMZ450 bike one of these days for the power hungry racing folks.
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1,538 Posts
Re: He's going *EAST* not west!
The story has me making a U-Turn in the middle of the trail and heading back in the other direction. By the way, the directions involved are North/South (in that order)
The story has me making a U-Turn in the middle of the trail and heading back in the other direction. By the way, the directions involved are North/South (in that order)
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57 Posts
great, finally as I have been begging for this review forever. I have an F650CS which is pretty much an old man's SM, but I am wanting a second bike that is a little more light and hooligan than the BMW and this one is looking very good, lack of cush drive is worrisome, but I think it could serve me well as an all weather LA commuter.
Sean should have taken this thing out at 5pm on the on some LA freeways to show off it's lane splitting prowess which I am sure it better than just about anything out there.
Sean should have taken this thing out at 5pm on the on some LA freeways to show off it's lane splitting prowess which I am sure it better than just about anything out there.
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134 Posts
I'd like to get one of these to hang on the rack on the back of my Winnebago View -- once I get a Winnebago View, that is.
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