Bought a Used DRZ 400S

[Mark R.]

I went on an organized ride last fall in southern New Mexico, where about 90 riders showed up for a long weekend of riding some really spectacular areas. I rode down on my Tenere, with my Wolfman saddlebags packed up, and due to the fact I wanted to take my usual complement of flat repair and other off-road accessories and supplies, rode the entire weekend with the saddlebags half full of stuff.

Everyone else, on the other hand, trailered down their dual sports and plated dirt bikes, and rode the area on light and agile bikes. Besides KTM's of all varieties, the bike that really caught my eye was the Suzuki DRZ 400, beefed up with a few choice components, and a 4 gallon Clarke gas tank. Well, I could not get the image of those DRZ's out of my head, and yesterday, found one on Cycle Trader in Minneapolis for $2950, with 3700 miles on the clock.

It already has a skid plate, bark busters, kickstarter, rear rack, and upgraded pegs. I will have it shipped down to me in a couple of weeks, and I am really looking forward to a winter project of stripping it down and going through the whole bike. I plan on checking the valves, checking all the electrical connections, lubing the swingarm and steering head, and performing all the reliability upgrades that are posted on Thumpertalk.

The best part of getting this bike, however, is that my son will now be able to go riding with me in the local forests and mountains, which I have been riding alone for the better part of the past 6 years. I am really excited about getting this machine, as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I think it will complement the Super Tenere in terms of giving me a lighter dual sport option for more difficult terrain, as well as enjoying time with my son in the outdoors.

::018::

 

[patrickg450]

great bike, you wont be disappointed

 

[Buelligan]

Mark,
I am also here in Abq, I owned a DR650 when I bought my Tenere, and thinking since I now had a real adventure bike, sold it and bought a DRZ400. Great bike, I had a blast on it. I fabricated a set of racks, and threw a set of cortech saddlebags on it and started using it for short trips around New Mexico.
After taking my Tenere over every mountain pass in Colorado, and then the BDR, I realized it was just too darn big to be out adventuring by myself. The DRZ is a great bike, lots of fun, but I found it to be small for extended trips into Colorado unless I hauled it up there. After the Ouray Tenere gathering, I sold the DRZ, and bought another DR. I've since upgraded the suspension on the DR, made some performance mods, and am once again loving the torque of the big single.
I'm sure you have heard that the area at the end of southern in rio ranch is being closed down to off-road use. I'm in the SW corner of town and do a lot of riding down in the Pajarita plains, and along the rio peurco. (Yea, I know I spelled that wrong)
If you'd like to get together for a street, or dirt ride, shoot me a PM.
Also, if you have any questions about the DRZ, I have quite a bit of experience with them, and can help if you want to do any mods.

Bart

 

[Mark R.]

Bart, thanks for the info. I was not aware that the riding area at Southern was being shut down. Not good. I'll shoot you a PM for a ride sometime. You should consider subscribing to the thread "Burque Brews" on ADVRider. We meet on Thursdays at Il Vicino Brewery near I-25 and Comanche every once in a while.

Mark R.

 

[Buelligan]

Yea, there is a thread on Advrider in the same area as the 'burque brews.
Apparently it's always been private land, but now the owner is attempting to enforce the no trespassing by posting more signs, handing out flyers on pupils vehicles, and increasing police presence to warn ppl of upcoming of the no trespassing.
I've seen the thread, but used to work nights and couldn't attend. Now I'm on days, I should try stopping by one of these days

 

[Ironhand]

IIRC, A Keihin FCR carb from the "E" model DRZ makes a nice upgrade to the "S."

 

[snakebitten]

Yea, I got the E just for that carb.
Actually I bought it because Kawasaki was heavily discounting their "green" DRZ.

 

[Mark R.]

IIRC, A Keihin FCR carb from the "E" model DRZ makes a nice upgrade to the "S."

I have read that. Given that the bike I bought has a kickstarter, the PO might have done such an upgrade. I will have to wait and see.

 

[scott123007]

I have read that. Given that the bike I bought has a kickstarter, the PO might have done such an upgrade. I will have to wait and see.

Looks like you got a REALLY good deal on that bike! Besides the add-ons you mentioned, that kickstarter upgrade alone, is $250 without labor.

 

[Mark R.]

Looks like you got a REALLY good deal on that bike! Besides the add-ons you mentioned, that kickstarter upgrade alone, is $250 without labor.

Thanks. As long as it has no issues, I think it was a good deal too.

 

[TenRider]

Think the DRZ 400 is a fantastic bike, been looking at them myself in the near future as they are very cheap to run and I can have my fun in the dirt a bit.

 

[Checkswrecks]

It's interesting how many of us with Teneres have decided to add a small dirt bike to go with it. My son moved to Philly and I just picked up a WR250R which he can ride when he now comes to visit.
I'm also hoping to try to stay up with some of the WV rides this spring.

 

[Mark R.]

It's interesting how many of us with Teneres have decided to add a small dirt bike to go with it. My son moved to Philly and I just picked up a WR250R which he can ride when he now comes to visit.
I'm also hoping to try to stay up with some of the WV rides this spring.

I agree. As much as I like my Tenere, there is a place for a lighter dual sport bike in the garage.

 

[nwrider]

I've been riding a 2005 DRZ400S here in AZ for the past 7 years. It really is a great bike with long travel suspension and a surprising amount of low down torque --- I also have a DR650 that, while it's better on the road, it's 50# heavier than the DRZ and doesn't have fully adjustable suspension. The DRZ is a good 80/20 bike (dirt/street) while, for me, the DR is a good 50/50 bike that I choose when there's more road riding involved and the dirt isn't too technical. My Tenere is a 10/90 bike.

All in all the DRZ is a great choice.

 

[Mark R.]

Thanks for the perspective. I am looking forward to getting it here in the next couple of weeks.