Who out there has a DRZ400S in their stable? Share some stories because it's a real shame more people don't ride bikes like these. If you want to win this bike remember to head over to yammienoob.co and get signed up.
@@flyhigh1768 I sold mine for a CRF450L. I really want one again for the simple maintenance and low cost to run. I'll probably get one again in a couple years when I can save up. I love the 450L and DR but in different ways. The DR will be my leight weight adventure bike this time. Windshield, luggage rack, 5 gallon tank, skid plate.
Lmao @ if you can get it over 100mph, I got chased by a sheriff once .... Last time I looked at the speedo during that I seen 114 ( none of them are accurate, so probably like 110 ish ), he did catch me cause let's face it if you are somewhere you can't get alot of tight corners or off the road you are sadly mistaken if you think your out running them on the road's. He's a rider to so fortunately I didn't get the shit kicked out of me with guns drawn, just a simple speeding ticket which was much much less then it should have been. My lawyer ( also a rider and had the DRZ400K among many other bike's ( 13 to be exact ) couldn't believe it could go that fast either ( flat ground, not going downhill ). Another time I got caught on the Highway going 80mph on DOT knobbies on the back wheel, if that wasn't bad enough .... He was a D.E.C. officer and if none of you ever had the pleasure of dealing with them count yourself lucky, they have alot and I mean alot more free range then even the state troopers. Very expensive day's those two turned out to be, stupid day's ? .... Absolutely, Fun day's !? .... Until you get caught 😆
I own a 1993 Honda 250 2-stroke which is like riding a 212 lb. slingshot, arguably much quicker than the 319 lb. DRZ400 (although I've never ridden a DRZ400) so it all depends on what you're comparing things to! However, i've got to rebuild the engine on my non-street legal Honda constantly haha!
My drz is the perfect bike . It literally brought me back from a fucked up depression i was going threw. Its pretty much my daily driver, my trail bike and occasional long distance vehicle. Cant say enough good things about this bike do yourself a favor and go buy one asap
Have owned cruisers, 600's, two 650 dual sports, a hayabusa, and some old cafe bikes. Drz400 was the last bike i bought and my favorite of all of them. The problem with a drz though is unless you've ridden everything else, you'll wish you had something else. Sport bikes are faster, cruisers look better, touring bikes are more comfortable, and true dirt bikes are better at riding dirt. But, you can use a drz for literally everything, its nimble in traffic, still faster than most cars, offroadable, and most important, dirt cheap and indestructable. I've ridden my drz like i stole it since day 1 (its a used 2003), dropped it more times than i can count, and not once needed to replace a broken part, if you don't want to spend thousands of dollars in repairs, a drz is one of the only bikes that you can take literally everywhere and truly ride to and past it's limit for years.
@ghij347dereg I've had a 400 now for about 4 years and done a fair bit of highway driving with it. Its pretty good on the highway (even just stock). Maxes out around 165km/hr with a rider weight of 185 lbs (Suzuki claims a top speed of around 155km/hr). It has enough acceleration to safely pass and merge. There's a bit of handlebar wobble at times but you can install dampened if it bothers you. Biggest issue is the small tank that only gives you about 200 km of range stock. The bike offers no wind protection stock but a small windscreen can be installed if you don't mind looking dorky. As far as the Dr650 goes. I haven't ridden it but I'm told its only slightly better in highway than the z400 but it is appariently a lot worse off road. So the tradeoff is slightly better on highway for a fair bit worse on the dirt. Its also a fair bit heavier for only slightly more horse power. Power to weight ratio overall is less than the drz. With a jet kit and 3x3 mod, the drz can be made to "feel" about as powerful as the 650 without the extra weight. The DRZ had a higher compression ratio than the DR so even though the displacement is a fair bit less, the horse power is only slightly less stock. If you plan on being on highway with a lot of extra gear more than on the dirt then get the DR. Otherwise, get a DRZ.
@ghij347dereg no problem. Ask me anything you like. The DRZ community is huge and very helpful. Honestly, if you get the 3x3 air box mod and the jet kit mod you probably won't notice a huge difference in power. One other thing is the DRZ has a different power curve than the DR which could take some getting used to. It has a shorter stroke length which means the engine will run at higher RPMs to get the same torque and power than the DR.
It SO deserves a SIXTH gear! How in the world did Suzuki screw that up SO bad?? The DR350 ORIGINAL bike it was derived from had a 6 speed for petes sake!! BLUNDER!
Just bought a DR-Z400SM as my first bike. I’m 6’2” and the seat height and other ergonomics were much better than the small sport bikes, I like the dirt bike frame and suspension, and have no reason to ride on roads over a 55mph limit anyway. Much more fun in and around town than a bigger sport bike.
For cruising at up to 70 mph, it’s enough. But for cruising at 75+, especially for hours and hours, I would prefer a 6th gear. If you’re doing a lot of highway commuting, I’d get a different bike. If you’re only doing a little highway, just a few sprints here and there, you’ll be fine with the DR-Z400
I bought this as my first bike (2019). Its the best thing I ever did. I take it huntin, have my rifle mounted on it, dropped it a couple time, changed the oil(so easy), ride it to work, and take corners on the weekends lol. I love the versatility, its literally awesome.
@@grumpysquid hey man sorry i missed this reply. Id say go with the DRZ400SM model vs the S. If your just using on tarmac you dont need the knobbies, there is also a better gear ratio for road ridin on the SM model.
I purchased a 2002 DRZ400 about 4 months ago after some of my friends started getting into dual sport riding. I am 63 years old, I have ridden motorcycles since I was 16, I took about 20 years off of the dirt bikes until I bought the DRZ. I used to ride and race dirt bikes, When I purchased the DRZ I was not expecting much out of the bike. I just wanted to see if I could still ride off road and if I still liked it doing it without spending a lot of money. At first I was not that impressed, it was just a dual sport bike but the more time in the saddle the more impressed I am with the bike. I just rode my friends 2020 Husqvarna FE350 and to tell you the truth I liked the DRZ better. Yes the suspension was better on the FE but the DRZ had better power and just felt better all around, To tell you the truth I was hesitant to ride the FE, I knew that if I really liked it I would buy one and I didn't want to spend $13,000. A drag race on the street my DRZ will beat the FE by 30ft from zero to 70 MPH. the low end torques is a lot better too, so bottom line I see no reason spend the money on a newer bike , Thanks for listening, stay safe and have fun
I bought a 2002 DRZ400S brand new. Rode the hell out of it for 5 years, but then had kids so it sat for a decade and a half. I just cleaned it all up, added a JD Jetting kit...and the thing is alive and better than ever. I have been on some intense adventures with it ...and hope for many more.
ive had 5 DRZ-400e since they first come out, rock solid choice. ive modded them up, done road trips, MX tracked you name it ive done it on a DRZ. ive done more kms on my DRZ than my super sport and cruiser combined and theyve never let me down.
@@superwilcox9026 the most common one sold in Australia is the E, which here is road legal. so plenty of power to start out with. in saying that i modded mine a lot, suspension, brakes, cams, pistons, the list goes on, 60hp. and its easy and cheap to do it. about $8k new bike chuck another $4k at it, $12k total and i could keep up with or even beat in most cases any of the 450s out there. plus i had a bigger fuel tank and much better reliability. 450s like WR450 are road legeal here too, cost about $13-$14k stock.
@@grumpysquid great on raod as well, i had one for 2 years with no car. did everything on it. i lived on my DRZ, road to work, then a ride through the hills on tarmac then hit trails on the week end. this bike can do it all.
I’m 60 yrs old, could have bought any bike I wanted. Bought a 2019 Drz400sm. These bikes can do it all, all day long Put chino 705 tires on it and a Sargent s seat. Plenty of parts / accessories available. Bike is reasonably priced, dependable and reliable. Best retirement gift I could have bought myself. Wonder why it been around so long. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Thou, EFI, & a 6th gear would be nice
Feel the same way about my 2011 KLR 650. Love it in spite of the small fortune I had to spend remedying its piss poor brakes and suspension. EFI and an extra cog would be ideal.
Very interesting. I’m 59 & buying my first street legal bike. Fair bit of off-road experience. Expecting 50/50 on/off road. Thought I had it boiled down to the SM. But dealer says I’d kill myself cuz tires are street bike tires. But with the tires you swapped to, will it do gravel & hard pack trails? Or do I need to buy the S model instead of the SM? Live in a twisty road mountain area so was aiming for SM, but I also want to hit logging roads, hard pack dry trails, too.
GaretC main reason is for mostly street use. The SM model differs also in that it is a tad lower in height and the gearing may be tuned for its specific function.
Key Takeaways from an S model rider in Colorado. With a few minor mods the bike is actually incredibly capable of extended highway riding! With the 3x3 mod, JD jetting, and Yoshi RS-2 full exhaust system it will cruise at 70mph without working hard or vibrating like a paint shaker. It even has a shocking amount of overtaking power in 5th gear at that speed! Also I didnt have the same issue with braking as Yammie did. Even though my modern bike is a BMW GS with Brembos, the DRZ still has pretty decent stopping power.
My dad bought a drz 400 when I was 8 years old when he got it I couldn’t see over the engine. He still owns it today and it was the bike I learned to dank wheelies on and is now teaching my brother the ways of power and speed.
MassCityMadman good question the dankedness of a wheelie comes from the distance, angle and speed of the wheelie the more angel speed and distance of the wheelie the more dankness
I have and used extensively my big German adventure bike and just recently added the DRZ as a second bike option because I'm tired of dragging a battleship through the mud. So far (70 miles) the DRZ has everything you need, but the battleship everything you want.
My DRZ400SM was probably my favorite bike that I've ever owned. I rode it DAILY for about 5 years. I even rode it from Biloxi, MS to Nashville, TN, which was a bit of a chore, but that little bike handled it just fine. It did kind of suck riding such a lightweight bike on the highway, though, it got blown all over the road every time a truck passed me. It was perfect for around town duty, and I even took it down some fire trails (it slid all over with those street tires, but it was still a blast). I don't think I've ever owned a bike that got nearly as many smiles per gallon.
I myself own a 2019 drz400s and love the bike. It's got more than enough power and torque even straight from the factory. I'm 185 and my gf around 140 and we had no trouble what so ever taking out on single track enduro trails with scrambles and loose terrain. Not to mention it easily keeping up on the highway with the both of us on it. Great all around on and off road bike no matter what skill level of rider you are. HIGHLY recommend👍
I remember my brother taking me hunting while riding a CB450 twin at ten mph across the prairie with me on the back with my .22 at the age of 12-13. 1974 was great
For the record I've got 1,769,515 views with a primarily DRZ channel as of this very moment. The DRZ for me is the perfect dual sport. I'm tall, over weight and not in particularly great shape. My DRZ has taken me straight up 14,000 ft mountains in Colorado in some of the gnarlyest conditions imaginable. It's taken me on several hundred road mile trips and never once complained. Is it perfect? No. Is it the most fun I've ever had on a vehicle to date? Hell yeah. It starts every time I ask it to and it takes punishment better then any motorcycle I've ever seen. As long as I change her oil, keep her air filter semi clean and tires inflated the thing just goes. I love my DRZ and I'm planning on taking it to my grave with me. Oh, and it'll still turn right over when the next civilization digs me up.
ColoradoDualSport Can it handle highways long distance? Thinking about going to Nv to Utah on it. Would i need to so anything roundtrip or just fluids?
@@lensperspective9753 you could ride it around the world if your butt can handle it lol! I would check the oil occasionally on a trip like that, but the DRZ isn't known to burn oil.
ColoradoDualSport Thank you for your time and consideration, im not one to complain about comfort, so that should do me fine, ill put a pelt on the seat
Do you think I should get the SM or the E model? I wanna have a bike that can do it all, not sure I’ll do A LOT of off-road but I definitely want to be able to whenever I get the chance.
LOVE my DRZ, unofficial state bike here in Colorado, LOL...my favorite thing is it’s 2 bikes in 1. I bought an SM new and before I took delivery, bought a set of 18/21 aluminum dirt bike rims from eBay, got another set of SM spec rotors, and a set of knobbys, allowing me to change my DRZ from an SM to a trail bike in a simple 20 minute wheel swap and a few clicks of the fully adjustable suspension: the aftermarket support is HUGE. I agree this is an awesome 2d bike, it is for me, but would be a great primary bike too with the versatility mentioned. I also have a 1200GS for riding on the super slab and longer days on the pavement but Its probably 50/50 of riding time between the two - complete blast! The only knock for me is that I absolutely hate dialing in carbs, especially here where altitudes can vary so much during the course of a single day’s ride.
I love my DRZ400S. During this Covid 19 pandemic my 20-year-old son came home and started using it so I upgraded to a KTM EXC-f 500 - awsome bike, but when I get tired, I make my son switch off (which he doesn't mind one bit!) and I ride the "couch" home.
Rode all over Vietnam, me on a Honda XR400 and my friend on a DRZ. The DRZ (and the Honda) were reliable, soaked up the crappy roads, dirt and the occasional chicken... whatever you throw at it. Great bike.
Steveo Bauer I have to take a bit of freeway to get to some areas to trail ride and I quickly put the motocross lid away in favor of an adv helmet with a removable peak because it was so damn brutal 🤣
The Drz puts a smile on my face every time I ride it! It actually is my second bike purchase. My first being the Klr 650 a good all around bike. It just can't go deep in the rough and that's where I have the most fun. For longer comfortable rides I take the Klr. For big grins I take the Drz. Both are old school and easy to work on and the a big plus!
From a honest drz owner... Why do you want this bike? If your looking for your first motorcycle, get the SM. It's great beginner bike. That's what I did. If you want a DRZ to experience the "dual sport life" Dirt and road, get the S model. It's a lot of fun. IMHO If you live in flat wet areas I'd look at wr250r first. DRZ is better for rocky inclines. If you want a dirt bike, I'd honestly recommend getting a standalone dirtbike like a Yamaha than getting an E model.... If you want a dirt bike to convert to street legal, SM or duel sport, your going to love the E model. (Far more super than the "SM" trim.) If you want to experience a "super moto", the DRZ SM isn't very super. It's the most popular trim of the DRZ yet dare I say it's lacking. Not as violent as a supper moto should be at least. Buy a husq, KTM, dirt bike conversion for a true SM exp. Mods are neat but won't drive the bike past a modern SM. I guess it's possible, but your spending so much why not get something fast(er), lighter + better resale? Even if you don't like their expensive price tag and maintenance, keep in mind they hold their value better than a new modded DRZ. You can ride for two summers than sell it and there's nothing wrong with that. The purpose of spending money is to buy experiences that make good memories, NOT collect stuff cause "why not". Buy a bike used at 7K sell in two years for 6,690. $310 for 2 year experience owning a beast of bike hmmm sound worth to me. Far better than renting. The drz is a great bike. That being said... I do feel like their slightly over hyped. Look at all your option before spending your hard earned money.
KLR 650, first bike and current. I was so torn between the DRZ and the KLR, but have a Kawasaki shop in town so I went with the KLR because of the local shop support. I really think this class of bike is an OUTSTANDING start for any beginning rider. Get something rugged and simple, that you can learn the ins and outs on without breaking the bank. Edit: I'm also trapped in the Midwest, so not a ton of city driving, I can see how that would have a pretty sizable affect on your choice of bike. I wasn't a mechanical person, I'm an IT tech, but having the KLR has given me an excellent hobby to get away from technology. I'm still nowhere near an expert, but I now have such a huge drive to learn more as mechanical ability is completely lacking in my friend/work groups. I'm now the go-to for my friends to check out their cars/trucks for problems before they head off to the shop. This is a huge point of pride, and I never would have gotten my hands dirty without my KLR. Thank you for this vid, outstanding content as usual.
I paid $4,489.00 for a 2001 drz400 a few scratches and plastic sun fade its perfect. Dropped it 2" and I truly love everything about this! Nothing but love and respect from Brookfield Connecticut for you and your family brother!
I own one (400s) and love it. My favorite bike of my entire lifetime. It's only drawback is the engine is screaming at 55 miles an hour. It needs a 6th Gear. I changed out my sprockets to fix this and I still have plenty of torque to carry my 250 lb tail up pretty steep dirt. I put some Kenda 80 20s on the front and rear and does great on the street and still does very well with dirt and rock.
Dual sports are not ugly. They are the sweetest bike there is. ITS a DIRTBIKE. Who doesn’t think a dirtbike is sick? All kids want a dirtbike and I do too
It's funny how your tastes in motorcycles change when you get older. Never ever considered a dual sport. GSXR 600 to 750 to DR650. It's not so bad growing older....
I out 21", 18" dirt wheels on my DRZ400sm and soften the suspension and it's awesome in the dirt, put the 17" slicks back on which takes 1/2 an hour and rip the twisty roads up.. love it.
2015 Drz400s. I’ve has motocross bikes, UJMs, cafe racer, Harley Davidson, and a DRZ400. I found it too high, too soft, too awkward. Then I did the 3x3 mod, enter pegs, bars, 1” risers, and rode and practiced for a year. I take it off road, sometimes into sand, and feel more comfortable on this bike every minute. Makes me into a 63 yr old hooligan, pulling wheelies for the school buses and buzzing loudly through town. Pure fun.
Just went to the dealership yesterday for my birthday and bought a 2020 Suzuki dr-z400s. I am taking the plunge into dual sport camping and I am so excited to finally start living life.
How was dealing with th 320lb weight? It's sorta heavy for me I weigh 145lbs and am 6'1. I like it so far, only rode it 5 times (got it last week) but it is way heavier than my crf230m which I sold... but a lot faster! I want to let my girlfriend have a try but she's not very strong and she weights like 115lbs... she has ridden a grom and a crf230m I wonder if she can handle the weight?
Love America I’m good with it so far. I can lift it up when it tips over so that’s the most important aspect I guess. I’m sure riding a lighter bike would be a lot more comfortable.
Been riding dirt bikes since the 70's and it is my passion. I moved to the Midwest in 2003 where most of the land is farmland and owned. There went my trail riding, until I bought my DRZ. Now I ride from street to trail with a smile thats ear to ear. I bought leftover new 2015 in 2019 for 5 grand out the door. The bike is dead on reliable and has tons of aftermarket parts. The maintenance levels are in thousands of miles instead of hours like the newer dual sports require. So, low cost, low maintenance, bulletproof and is a hoot to ride....It's a no brainer.
Same here just not same years ( 80's kid ), started out on 2 stroke enduro and had a few MX bike's. Trails started to become far and few in my neck of NY as people were buying up our old stomping grounds, switched to street and I've missed the dirt soo much I got one and have both wheel options and I ride to some places people don't know about ( just yet ) off the beaten path.
@@IrnMaiden304 Awesome, I was brought up in the Mojave high desert, it was a dirt bike paradise. Could go on for miles and miles all day riding in the desert and mountains. I literally would ride out of my front driveway and was in open desert in two blocks. Team Honda used to practice there in "Honda Valley" back in the day. Keep riding...
@@imyourhuckleberry357 I plan too, a bunch of us are planning to either hit the dragon this year, or head up towards NH or Maine for the rail trails and check it out. The Power lines is probably one of the longer sections of trails we can / have hit, can literally go just about anywhere in the tri-state region. Have hit a few train tracks but don't dare get caught or worse out my way, they'll want to put you in state prison while the bail reform will let the real threats out free to roam
The DRZ is a can do will do everything motorcycle. Bought mine as a Supermoto. Add warp 9 wheels and a good set of duel purpose tires to the mix and it you just can't beat it. For around town the Supermoto surpasses my R1 for nimbleness and comfortably, providing you have a good aftermarket seat. I added one from seat concepts. Good video Mr. Yammie!
Quick update, I've been up sand hills, on brutally rocky trails and my DRZ has stood up to the challenge. Great bike to get where you need to go...and to the naysayers mine will beat a YZ 250 for top speed all day. So say what you want the DRZ 400 is a great bike.
Have a 2019 Drz400sm, replaced the tires with Shinko 705. This is a 70/30 tires for all my off road adventures. Best decision I made outside replacing the sear
After a few months of research what did for me was how reliable and affordable the bike was👍🏻. I ride with the KTM’S and Honda’s (which are awesome bikes) and I still have as much fun.
I was thinking of doing this, but keep some form of car, preferably a truck if you have it, for getting groceries or in the worst case scenario, something to tow your bike when it goes down. I was going to get rid of my truck but you cant exactly load a 800 lbs round bale of hay on the back of a motorcycle. but it's still nice to know that if I were to sell my truck right now, I'd be able to get four motorcycles out of it.
Jason Cook Haha, Europe and the slow license procedures. Got my theoretical exam done, but due to the ‘winter stop’ I need to wait until April for the mandatory 9hours practical skill lessons. That’s the only reason it’s going slow 😂😂 I want to ride a bike on the streets, now! (Legal of course 😬)
Kalezian I got 3 cars at the moment and I’m keeping just 1 for when I go somewhere with the wife and/or the dog, or like you said groceries. A 800lbs bale of hay on a motorcycle will be hard. At least you should try once 😂 Not sure where you live, but where I live winters can be cold and/or very wet, so a car for the snowy or extreme windy/rainy days is almost a must. Even if you live in warmer climate indeed a car can be handy for many things.
@@juanbugatti490 trust me, I know crappy winters. Optimistic Canadian riding season is 4-6 months. With heated gear, grips and snow tires, some can stretch that to 8 months, but those are the few and the proud
I own a ‘91 DR350 and a ‘94 DR250. The feeling you get riding these bikes brings me back to the first bike I learned to ride, a 1977 Kawasaki ke175. Riding theses bikes is like hopping in a time machine and having fun like s kid again.
Just quietly, I bought and Australian DRZ400E new in 2012, it's now got 80,000 km on it and Just had the first mechanical issue of it's life ever. Which was only a toasted stator. Apart from routine maintenance and a couple of comfort mods, never had a spanner on the old girl. Tractor factor for the win 👌😅
I have the E model. it is way better than the S model, but still needs firmer suspension. I added an ACT wide ratio gear set and a 30L Safari tank plus a small wind screen. It is a very competent Adventure mount , even when things get tough.
After a series of motorcycles i have had the most fun on my 2018 DRZ400SM of any bike. By series of bikes i mean i've owned: 2003 Hayabusa, 2004 Yamaha Vstar650, 2015 Suzuki GSXR 600, 2001 Ninja 250, 1979 Honda CB 750, 2005 Suzuki Katana 750, 2009 Suzuki GS650. Never getting rid of my Dr.Zed
I’m 40 years old, been riding bikes since I was 12 and I just bought a 2020 DRZ400SM. Never enjoyed big heavy motorbikes. I like agile and nimble. Beside , it’s more fun to drive a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow!! Great review.
I have 4 bikes too 🤣😂🤣... You need bikes for everything... 1Retro(purity) 2Sport(spirited riding😎) 3Naked(comfort) 4Scooter(groceries) Now I want a Cruiser, Adventure and an off-roader. 😁 Edit: umm a bobber instead of the cruiser maybe.
Looking at smaller dual sport motorcycles right now and your vid popped up in my playlist...👍 VERY REFRESHING HAVING A CLASSICAL BACKING TRACK TO YOUR VID!👍🤙😉😎
I would love a new drz400 but cannot get one in england so i went out and got myself a honda crf 250l put the yoshimura rs 4 on it and love it . Its got 8300 miles on it now and will do 85mph and i find it as mutch fun as my mt 09 yam ...
I've raced supercross and motocross, ridden trails all over. That was in my 20s and a while ago. Now, nothing beats taking my DRZ out for a cruise through the hills while wearing a pair of short, tee shirt and sun glasses on a warm summer day. DRZs are super quiet, smooth and just a joy to ride. My wife loves to go along and it has foot pegs for her. I would note that trail wing tires (TW) they come with are death. Put some Kenda K270s or the like on, they hook up offroad. I've roughed up my 1st DRZ pretty good but got 40,000 miles of our her with just oil changes and routine maintenance. Thanks to Suzuki. The DRZ was one of the joys in my life... Not to mention a few RMs and RMZs. Just a fabulous, long lasting motocycles.
damn I thought 7000 miles on my 15 drz was a lot!! I got it up to 105mph, almost stock, it is just piped and jetted with a k&n air filter no gears... yet
I got my crf250l completely set up to do a trip like that and I plan on it for sure!!! Big power or speed isn't something that's needed for a trip like that. I bought a second bike to serve as an off road ripper. My wr250f that I have made street legal and dual sported it a bit by installing a seat concepts sea,t rear rack,large tank, pipe, made the gearing taller, and bought a second set of wheels so I could install some k270's on one set and some track master more aggressive tires on another as I do not haul my bikes, and want tires to last as long as possible. I use my crf250l for somewhat light trail riding back roads, commuting to work,trips and adventure. Only problem I have is finding the month or more needed during peak work load to take off work to take on the trail! I was thinking of getting a 650 naked bike to use for commuting as I take the interstate 2 hrs a day on my crf250l and want something that is happier at 75 80 mph and can still get out of its way at those speeds. I was also looking at the old dr650 sumo as a commuter.
@The Prospectors That's awesome man Id love to get mine to that point this year. Did you do any suspension mods for the bike? I'm always on procycle trying to make a list of all thank need. Any recommended mod?
It was my second bike, after the 72 Honda CL100 and since the FJ-09. Taken it on multiple trips, road and dirt, and never has let me down. It just doesn't stop. Nice job!
I think the biggest thing you missed is how many after market parts are available, you can turn the DRZ into whatever you want! I bought a used 06 to ride in the desert, I've beat the hell out it. Upgraded the motor to a 470cc, upgraded the suspension, and turned it into a lightweight adventure bike. I'm probably 90-10 dirt, but I can take it on any where a jeep can go in a national park because it has a plate. I ride with guys with KTM's and Betas, I bring up the rear, but make it down the same trails. It's easy to work on, and the forums are full of info to help. I give it 5 stars for all around workhorse.
I love my DRZ400 k4. So simple. No electric start, just a basic headlight, tail light, and some good tires for all around riding. Damn thing was built when I was still in Jr High and fires up in 3 kicks or less every time.
Hear, HEAR! I love my TWs, they're just so simple and functional and easy to ride, and they'll effortlessly go absolutely anywhere (with a couple much-needed suspension upgrades), plus they're small and light enough to fit almost anywhere (mine live on my screened-in porch) and be towed by any vehicle on a lightweight trailer. Greatest starter bike in history as long as you don't want to ride on the interstate, which no beginner should do anyway, and I still love to ride them despite being pretty far from being a beginner. I have two. One's a fairly stock one with just jets, modded airbox, and an auto clutch that serves as a loaner/girlfriend bike. Mine has intake, jets, a cam, exhaust, pretty much all the useful ProCycle stuff (suspension, brakes, etc.), a Clarke XT350 tank, a Cyclerack, ATV fatbar on risers, and a bigger countershaft and smaller rear sprocket. It'll do about 75, but you wouldn't want to. That makes it quite comfortable at 55, though, so a long trip on 2-lane highway is totally doable. I also have a CB500X with all the Rally Raid stuff on it, and a KTM 390 Duke. My TW sees far and away the most riding time, and in fact I'll probably sell my CB pretty soon. They're just awesome in a way nothing else really is.
I ride my DRZ from 65-75 mph everyday 35 miles each way on the highway. It handles it well. Still has power to get around people trying to merge or pass a slow vehicle. In the city it’s unbeatable in my Opinion. There’s been plenty of times I’ve taken stair cases and other hoon shit to avoid being pulled over and if I was on my old CBR It wouldn’t have been that easy
I have lived overseas, and they dominate (wealthy people). Have never understood the attraction. All Japanese brands have something equal to their models. Even if you wrench yourself, the parts and maintenance items are brutally priced!!!
Rock a 1986 XL250R everyday. I got nice duo tires on it and it’s honestly my favorite bike, good on gas. Plenty of torque, red white and blue. Can’t beat it.
YES SIR , the xl & xr series from the 1980s are the best ... First bike was a 1982 xl 80 and currently have a 1986 xr 600. best bikes are bikes like yours
I bought 2, ten years apart from the same guy. I use one for dirt roads only and the other for the street. They are just FUN! I’m 67 by the way and whatevvvverrrr👍
Yammie, I would really love to see you test ride a big Harley like a road king or a street/road glide and hear your impressions. I think it would be a lot of fun.
Bought an 01 new & rode it for 6 years, prox 7,000 miles, in dual sport events, poker runs, on general trail rides but very little in the street. It was heavy, had brittle engine cases, & needed a 6th gear. The engine sounded great, it shifted flawlessly, and it was bulletproof. Geared for the woods, it was then slow on the road sections. It was replaced by a KTM 450 EXC with the last year of the easy maintenance RFS engine. The KTM was high strung, handled great, fun to race, and almost to powerful for the tight NW Oregon woods. It would grunt down on the tight trails and hit 94 on the road. Didn’t sound as cool as the DRZ, but was 2x the bike for 50% more. Wish I’d have kept it.
I have a DR650. After watching this video...I desperately want a DRZ400. By the way...probably one of the best narrated videos I've ever seen. Very articulate and informative....no extra fluff.
That’s why I wish other makes would start selling old school technology and styled bikes, air cooled, drum brakes, whatever it takes to sell a new bike for $3000
Deborah chesser Im in my early 20s, i agree, its a real shame that motorcycle are gonna be only for elite one day. 2 strokes used to give reliabilty and good price, but EPA laws dont allow them, because they hate freedom
Jimena Gulla Theyre not reliable, the csc and ghost rider prolly the only decent ones. Id rather pay the 500-1,000 extra to get a used quality Suzuki tu250x, which is my goal.
the DRZ400 is great. i bought one a few months ago. HOWEVER, you do need to mod it. 3x3 rejet is necessary, new exhaust for so more umph and a bigger gas tank. maybe change sprocket size for highway gearing. its light and its great for commuting and some offroading. is it fast? not as fast as a 650 of course but its a great bike just for getting around, being able to handle highways etc etc
@@Aaron-ej1de they aren't taking over the market in australia it's a posers bike a go to the cafe for a latte bike. not a ride across the desert without breaking down bike. meanwhile the two best selling bikes are the dr650 and the drz400e
I love my DRZ400S.. its evolved into a fire spitting supermoto track bike (still slow, just a quicker form of slow). I've put way too much money into it to squeak out another 5hp, but its just such an animal where ever I take it. Until it runs out of revs, its the quickest slow bike on the planet. When the motor blows up in another 5k, I'll slap a chonkin' 440cc kit in it keep on keepin' on. And blow it up again another 5-10k.
Bought one new as my first bike in 2007. I am a snowmobiler (Northern Wisconsin and U.P.) and wanted to ride the snomo trails in the summer. It was my gateway to motorcycles. I now own a Honda VTX1300C and a Suzuki VStrom 1000Adv. The DRZ400S does everything I ask it to do. I can ride the street for 150 miles before my ass hurts and I can ride a single track 150 miles, all in the same day.
Who out there has a DRZ400S in their stable? Share some stories because it's a real shame more people don't ride bikes like these. If you want to win this bike remember to head over to yammienoob.co and get signed up.
I have a drz 125. Maybe just as good?
I've got a dr650. The mega goat
@@flyhigh1768 I sold mine for a CRF450L. I really want one again for the simple maintenance and low cost to run. I'll probably get one again in a couple years when I can save up. I love the 450L and DR but in different ways. The DR will be my leight weight adventure bike this time. Windshield, luggage rack, 5 gallon tank, skid plate.
Lmao @ if you can get it over 100mph, I got chased by a sheriff once .... Last time I looked at the speedo during that I seen 114 ( none of them are accurate, so probably like 110 ish ), he did catch me cause let's face it if you are somewhere you can't get alot of tight corners or off the road you are sadly mistaken if you think your out running them on the road's. He's a rider to so fortunately I didn't get the shit kicked out of me with guns drawn, just a simple speeding ticket which was much much less then it should have been. My lawyer ( also a rider and had the DRZ400K among many other bike's ( 13 to be exact ) couldn't believe it could go that fast either ( flat ground, not going downhill ). Another time I got caught on the Highway going 80mph on DOT knobbies on the back wheel, if that wasn't bad enough .... He was a D.E.C. officer and if none of you ever had the pleasure of dealing with them count yourself lucky, they have alot and I mean alot more free range then even the state troopers. Very expensive day's those two turned out to be, stupid day's ? .... Absolutely, Fun day's !? .... Until you get caught 😆
My daily is a 18 Drz400s shes a ripper and I'll never give her up
The best bit of DRZ ownership, it doesn't matter how old it is, your always on the latest model
Same with the DR650😂
@@austinsuman4090 Same goes for the Honda XR650L & Yamaha TW 200.
@@Imightberiding I hear ya on that one😂 if it ain't broke don't fix it
Just like a Hayabusa....same frame, same swingarm, same motor from '99-23 lol...basic changes to plastics over years.
I must have a really bad taste in motorcycles because I think the DRZ looks awesome. Its got a cool rugged look imo.
They look alright i think. But the one ive ridden felt like a pig maybe im just to used to my 2 strokes.
not really, look at the engine , love it how it looks , clean lines
I own a 1993 Honda 250 2-stroke which is like riding a 212 lb. slingshot, arguably much quicker than the 319 lb. DRZ400 (although I've never ridden a DRZ400) so it all depends on what you're comparing things to! However, i've got to rebuild the engine on my non-street legal Honda constantly haha!
The older utilitarian look gives off a mad max vibe. I dig it
I think it’s hot
My drz is the perfect bike . It literally brought me back from a fucked up depression i was going threw. Its pretty much my daily driver, my trail bike and occasional long distance vehicle. Cant say enough good things about this bike do yourself a favor and go buy one asap
I'm glad it pulled you through man. I'm looking to buy one asap for similar reason.
Glad to hear your doing better.
I heartily agree! You can even put panniers on it by SWMotech from TwistedThrottle to hold 2 large bags of groceries!
deadndrumming do it man, it gives you something to look foward to and gets you out of the house. Without my crf450l id probs be down in the ditch
@@danielschurr6817 hell yeh brother, nothing smoothes ya out like a little wind therapy 👍
Have owned cruisers, 600's, two 650 dual sports, a hayabusa, and some old cafe bikes. Drz400 was the last bike i bought and my favorite of all of them. The problem with a drz though is unless you've ridden everything else, you'll wish you had something else. Sport bikes are faster, cruisers look better, touring bikes are more comfortable, and true dirt bikes are better at riding dirt. But, you can use a drz for literally everything, its nimble in traffic, still faster than most cars, offroadable, and most important, dirt cheap and indestructable. I've ridden my drz like i stole it since day 1 (its a used 2003), dropped it more times than i can count, and not once needed to replace a broken part, if you don't want to spend thousands of dollars in repairs, a drz is one of the only bikes that you can take literally everywhere and truly ride to and past it's limit for years.
@ghij347dereg I've had a 400 now for about 4 years and done a fair bit of highway driving with it. Its pretty good on the highway (even just stock). Maxes out around 165km/hr with a rider weight of 185 lbs (Suzuki claims a top speed of around 155km/hr). It has enough acceleration to safely pass and merge. There's a bit of handlebar wobble at times but you can install dampened if it bothers you. Biggest issue is the small tank that only gives you about 200 km of range stock. The bike offers no wind protection stock but a small windscreen can be installed if you don't mind looking dorky.
As far as the Dr650 goes. I haven't ridden it but I'm told its only slightly better in highway than the z400 but it is appariently a lot worse off road. So the tradeoff is slightly better on highway for a fair bit worse on the dirt. Its also a fair bit heavier for only slightly more horse power. Power to weight ratio overall is less than the drz. With a jet kit and 3x3 mod, the drz can be made to "feel" about as powerful as the 650 without the extra weight. The DRZ had a higher compression ratio than the DR so even though the displacement is a fair bit less, the horse power is only slightly less stock.
If you plan on being on highway with a lot of extra gear more than on the dirt then get the DR. Otherwise, get a DRZ.
@ghij347dereg no problem. Ask me anything you like. The DRZ community is huge and very helpful.
Honestly, if you get the 3x3 air box mod and the jet kit mod you probably won't notice a huge difference in power. One other thing is the DRZ has a different power curve than the DR which could take some getting used to. It has a shorter stroke length which means the engine will run at higher RPMs to get the same torque and power than the DR.
It SO deserves a SIXTH gear! How in the world did Suzuki screw that up SO bad?? The DR350 ORIGINAL bike it was derived from had a 6 speed for petes sake!! BLUNDER!
Shakespeare could not have put it better.
Just bought a DR-Z400SM as my first bike. I’m 6’2” and the seat height and other ergonomics were much better than the small sport bikes, I like the dirt bike frame and suspension, and have no reason to ride on roads over a 55mph limit anyway. Much more fun in and around town than a bigger sport bike.
How do you like the 5 speed for highway use im looking into one for my first bike
For cruising at up to 70 mph, it’s enough. But for cruising at 75+, especially for hours and hours, I would prefer a 6th gear.
If you’re doing a lot of highway commuting, I’d get a different bike. If you’re only doing a little highway, just a few sprints here and there, you’ll be fine with the DR-Z400
I bought this as my first bike (2019). Its the best thing I ever did. I take it huntin, have my rifle mounted on it, dropped it a couple time, changed the oil(so easy), ride it to work, and take corners on the weekends lol. I love the versatility, its literally awesome.
How is this bike for beginners on 100% tarmac? Will not see-off road action.
@@grumpysquid hey man sorry i missed this reply. Id say go with the DRZ400SM model vs the S. If your just using on tarmac you dont need the knobbies, there is also a better gear ratio for road ridin on the SM model.
I purchased a 2002 DRZ400 about 4 months ago after some of my friends started getting into dual sport riding. I am 63 years old, I have ridden motorcycles since I was 16, I took about 20 years off of the dirt bikes until I bought the DRZ. I used to ride and race dirt bikes, When I purchased the DRZ I was not expecting much out of the bike. I just wanted to see if I could still ride off road and if I still liked it doing it without spending a lot of money. At first I was not that impressed, it was just a dual sport bike but the more time in the saddle the more impressed I am with the bike. I just rode my friends 2020 Husqvarna FE350 and to tell you the truth I liked the DRZ better. Yes the suspension was better on the FE but the DRZ had better power and just felt better all around, To tell you the truth I was hesitant to ride the FE, I knew that if I really liked it I would buy one and I didn't want to spend $13,000. A drag race on the street my DRZ will beat the FE by 30ft from zero to 70 MPH. the low end torques is a lot better too, so bottom line I see no reason spend the money on a newer bike , Thanks for listening, stay safe and have fun
I bought a 2002 DRZ400S brand new. Rode the hell out of it for 5 years, but then had kids so it sat for a decade and a half. I just cleaned it all up, added a JD Jetting kit...and the thing is alive and better than ever. I have been on some intense adventures with it ...and hope for many more.
ive had 5 DRZ-400e since they first come out, rock solid choice. ive modded them up, done road trips, MX tracked you name it ive done it on a DRZ. ive done more kms on my DRZ than my super sport and cruiser combined and theyve never let me down.
2000 Drz400Y. Kickstart only. Lowest weight of the drzs. Much better power than the sm or s
@@superwilcox9026 the most common one sold in Australia is the E, which here is road legal. so plenty of power to start out with. in saying that i modded mine a lot, suspension, brakes, cams, pistons, the list goes on, 60hp. and its easy and cheap to do it. about $8k new bike chuck another $4k at it, $12k total and i could keep up with or even beat in most cases any of the 450s out there. plus i had a bigger fuel tank and much better reliability. 450s like WR450 are road legeal here too, cost about $13-$14k stock.
How is this bike for beginners on 100% tarmac? Will not see-off road action.
@@grumpysquid great on raod as well, i had one for 2 years with no car. did everything on it. i lived on my DRZ, road to work, then a ride through the hills on tarmac then hit trails on the week end. this bike can do it all.
I’m 60 yrs old, could have bought any bike I wanted. Bought a 2019 Drz400sm. These bikes can do it all, all day long
Put chino 705 tires on it and a Sargent s seat. Plenty of parts / accessories available. Bike is reasonably priced, dependable and reliable. Best retirement gift I could have bought myself. Wonder why it been around so long. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Thou, EFI, & a 6th gear would be nice
Feel the same way about my 2011 KLR 650. Love it in spite of the small fortune I had to spend remedying its piss poor brakes and suspension. EFI and an extra cog would be ideal.
Very interesting. I’m 59 & buying my first street legal bike. Fair bit of off-road experience. Expecting 50/50 on/off road. Thought I had it boiled down to the SM. But dealer says I’d kill myself cuz tires are street bike tires. But with the tires you swapped to, will it do gravel & hard pack trails? Or do I need to buy the S model instead of the SM? Live in a twisty road mountain area so was aiming for SM, but I also want to hit logging roads, hard pack dry trails, too.
How is this bike for beginners on 100% tarmac? Will not see-off road action.
Quick question why buy a sm model instead of the offroad one?
GaretC main reason is for mostly street use. The SM model differs also in that it is a tad lower in height and the gearing may be tuned for its specific function.
Key Takeaways from an S model rider in Colorado. With a few minor mods the bike is actually incredibly capable of extended highway riding! With the 3x3 mod, JD jetting, and Yoshi RS-2 full exhaust system it will cruise at 70mph without working hard or vibrating like a paint shaker. It even has a shocking amount of overtaking power in 5th gear at that speed! Also I didnt have the same issue with braking as Yammie did. Even though my modern bike is a BMW GS with Brembos, the DRZ still has pretty decent stopping power.
My dad bought a drz 400 when I was 8 years old when he got it I couldn’t see over the engine. He still owns it today and it was the bike I learned to dank wheelies on and is now teaching my brother the ways of power and speed.
MassCityMadman good question the dankedness of a wheelie comes from the distance, angle and speed of the wheelie the more angel speed and distance of the wheelie the more dankness
@MassCityMadman I think shit like that depends on what generation you were born in.
I have and used extensively my big German adventure bike and just recently added the DRZ as a second bike option because I'm tired of dragging a battleship through the mud. So far (70 miles) the DRZ has everything you need, but the battleship everything you want.
My DRZ400SM was probably my favorite bike that I've ever owned. I rode it DAILY for about 5 years. I even rode it from Biloxi, MS to Nashville, TN, which was a bit of a chore, but that little bike handled it just fine. It did kind of suck riding such a lightweight bike on the highway, though, it got blown all over the road every time a truck passed me. It was perfect for around town duty, and I even took it down some fire trails (it slid all over with those street tires, but it was still a blast). I don't think I've ever owned a bike that got nearly as many smiles per gallon.
I myself own a 2019 drz400s and love the bike. It's got more than enough power and torque even straight from the factory. I'm 185 and my gf around 140 and we had no trouble what so ever taking out on single track enduro trails with scrambles and loose terrain. Not to mention it easily keeping up on the highway with the both of us on it. Great all around on and off road bike no matter what skill level of rider you are. HIGHLY recommend👍
The old school feel and solidness is exactly what I’m looking for, I can’t wait until summer. It’ll flick plenty good enough to suit me.
I remember my brother taking me hunting while riding a CB450 twin at ten mph across the prairie with me on the back with my
.22 at the age of 12-13.
1974 was great
Hey I commute on a cb450 from 73 👍
For the record I've got 1,769,515 views with a primarily DRZ channel as of this very moment. The DRZ for me is the perfect dual sport. I'm tall, over weight and not in particularly great shape. My DRZ has taken me straight up 14,000 ft mountains in Colorado in some of the gnarlyest conditions imaginable. It's taken me on several hundred road mile trips and never once complained. Is it perfect? No. Is it the most fun I've ever had on a vehicle to date? Hell yeah. It starts every time I ask it to and it takes punishment better then any motorcycle I've ever seen. As long as I change her oil, keep her air filter semi clean and tires inflated the thing just goes. I love my DRZ and I'm planning on taking it to my grave with me. Oh, and it'll still turn right over when the next civilization digs me up.
ColoradoDualSport Can it handle highways long distance? Thinking about going to Nv to Utah on it. Would i need to so anything roundtrip or just fluids?
@@lensperspective9753 you could ride it around the world if your butt can handle it lol! I would check the oil occasionally on a trip like that, but the DRZ isn't known to burn oil.
ColoradoDualSport Thank you for your time and consideration, im not one to complain about comfort, so that should do me fine, ill put a pelt on the seat
CDS, so glad to hear you’re still out there loving the DRZ! I too love this machine!
@@royjmcc7 Thanks man!
DRZ is simply immortal...I am the third owner of my SM which has 100,000 km on the dashboard and I only changed one piston when it had 70,000 km
Grande! Spero di arrivarci pure io col DRZ che sto per comprare 😂
@@maxpower6188 Daje! Se sei in cerca il mio è in vendita
DRZ owner here. Best bike I've ever had, and I'll have it for life.
John Visier Yep, my primary bike will go way before my DRZ ever will - it stays put 👍
Do you think I should get the SM or the E model? I wanna have a bike that can do it all, not sure I’ll do A LOT of off-road but I definitely want to be able to whenever I get the chance.
Good mileage?
Getting a 2017 soon as my first bike! Going to pick it up in 2 weeks. Cant wait
LOVE my DRZ, unofficial state bike here in Colorado, LOL...my favorite thing is it’s 2 bikes in 1. I bought an SM new and before I took delivery, bought a set of 18/21 aluminum dirt bike rims from eBay, got another set of SM spec rotors, and a set of knobbys, allowing me to change my DRZ from an SM to a trail bike in a simple 20 minute wheel swap and a few clicks of the fully adjustable suspension: the aftermarket support is HUGE. I agree this is an awesome 2d bike, it is for me, but would be a great primary bike too with the versatility mentioned. I also have a 1200GS for riding on the super slab and longer days on the pavement but Its probably 50/50 of riding time between the two - complete blast! The only knock for me is that I absolutely hate dialing in carbs, especially here where altitudes can vary so much during the course of a single day’s ride.
Hey would you think I’d be a good first bike
I love my DRZ400S. During this Covid 19 pandemic my 20-year-old son came home and started using it so I upgraded to a KTM EXC-f 500 - awsome bike, but when I get tired, I make my son switch off (which he doesn't mind one bit!) and I ride the "couch" home.
Rode all over Vietnam, me on a Honda XR400 and my friend on a DRZ. The DRZ (and the Honda) were reliable, soaked up the crappy roads, dirt and the occasional chicken... whatever you throw at it. Great bike.
I have a DRZ400 and she’s 20 years old and still runs.
I just bought one thats 19 and she's like new
I just picked up me up one this weekend ,love it. My motocross helmet was not fun over 70mph.
Steveo Bauer I have to take a bit of freeway to get to some areas to trail ride and I quickly put the motocross lid away in favor of an adv helmet with a removable peak because it was so damn brutal 🤣
Take the visor off your motocross helmet and you’ll be fine at high speeds
The Drz puts a smile on my face every time I ride it! It actually is my second bike purchase. My first being the Klr 650 a good all around bike. It just can't go deep in the rough and that's where I have the most fun. For longer comfortable rides I take the Klr. For big grins I take the Drz. Both are old school and easy to work on and the a big plus!
I have a klr and I was looking at a drz for this exact reason, this comment made up my mind, thanks :)
From a honest drz owner... Why do you want this bike?
If your looking for your first motorcycle, get the SM. It's great beginner bike. That's what I did.
If you want a DRZ to experience the "dual sport life" Dirt and road, get the S model. It's a lot of fun. IMHO If you live in flat wet areas I'd look at wr250r first. DRZ is better for rocky inclines.
If you want a dirt bike, I'd honestly recommend getting a standalone dirtbike like a Yamaha than getting an E model....
If you want a dirt bike to convert to street legal, SM or duel sport, your going to love the E model. (Far more super than the "SM" trim.)
If you want to experience a "super moto", the DRZ SM isn't very super. It's the most popular trim of the DRZ yet dare I say it's lacking. Not as violent as a supper moto should be at least. Buy a husq, KTM, dirt bike conversion for a true SM exp. Mods are neat but won't drive the bike past a modern SM. I guess it's possible, but your spending so much why not get something fast(er), lighter + better resale? Even if you don't like their expensive price tag and maintenance, keep in mind they hold their value better than a new modded DRZ. You can ride for two summers than sell it and there's nothing wrong with that. The purpose of spending money is to buy experiences that make good memories, NOT collect stuff cause "why not".
Buy a bike used at 7K sell in two years for 6,690. $310 for 2 year experience owning a beast of bike hmmm sound worth to me. Far better than renting.
The drz is a great bike. That being said... I do feel like their slightly over hyped. Look at all your option before spending your hard earned money.
KLR 650, first bike and current. I was so torn between the DRZ and the KLR, but have a Kawasaki shop in town so I went with the KLR because of the local shop support. I really think this class of bike is an OUTSTANDING start for any beginning rider. Get something rugged and simple, that you can learn the ins and outs on without breaking the bank. Edit: I'm also trapped in the Midwest, so not a ton of city driving, I can see how that would have a pretty sizable affect on your choice of bike.
I wasn't a mechanical person, I'm an IT tech, but having the KLR has given me an excellent hobby to get away from technology. I'm still nowhere near an expert, but I now have such a huge drive to learn more as mechanical ability is completely lacking in my friend/work groups. I'm now the go-to for my friends to check out their cars/trucks for problems before they head off to the shop. This is a huge point of pride, and I never would have gotten my hands dirty without my KLR.
Thank you for this vid, outstanding content as usual.
Yeah, the KLRs are really cool bikes, and so reliable and indestructible they could probably survive a nuclear strike and still run.
I just bought one last year as a secondary bike to my Honda Hornet 900. I love my Honda but the DRZ is just so much fun....
I've absolutely thrashed on my DRZ400SM for the last 7 years. It's the only bike that's remained in my revolving cycle of motorcycles.
I paid $4,489.00 for a 2001 drz400 a few scratches and plastic sun fade its perfect. Dropped it 2" and I truly love everything about this! Nothing but love and respect from Brookfield Connecticut for you and your family brother!
I own one (400s) and love it. My favorite bike of my entire lifetime. It's only drawback is the engine is screaming at 55 miles an hour. It needs a 6th Gear. I changed out my sprockets to fix this and I still have plenty of torque to carry my 250 lb tail up pretty steep dirt. I put some Kenda 80 20s on the front and rear and does great on the street and still does very well with dirt and rock.
screaming at 55? try to ride 75 :)
I bought a brand new DR400 in New Zealand 40 yrs ago for $2200.oo. Air cooled, steel tank, kick start wheelie monster, loved it.
Yammie Noob: cracks joke about KTM's alphabet soup.
Me working for Harley-Davidson: 😶
Dual sports are not ugly. They are the sweetest bike there is. ITS a DIRTBIKE. Who doesn’t think a dirtbike is sick? All kids want a dirtbike and I do too
Buying my first motorcycle 🏍 and falling in love with the drz400sm
I ride a 91 dr350s. It was made before I was born and never skips a beat. It is my first bike and I love it 👍
It's funny how your tastes in motorcycles change when you get older. Never ever considered a dual sport. GSXR 600 to 750 to DR650. It's not so bad growing older....
R6 , R1, now looking at this 😂
I out 21", 18" dirt wheels on my DRZ400sm and soften the suspension and it's awesome in the dirt, put the 17" slicks back on which takes 1/2 an hour and rip the twisty roads up.. love it.
10:10 : "Tractor Factor". The absolute BEST colloquialism for torque I think I've ever heard! Thank you, Yammie: I needed that
it has been around, that term.
A dyno graph should be called a *Yeet Sheet* change my mind
2015 Drz400s. I’ve has motocross bikes, UJMs, cafe racer, Harley Davidson, and a DRZ400. I found it too high, too soft, too awkward. Then I did the 3x3 mod, enter pegs, bars, 1” risers, and rode and practiced for a year. I take it off road, sometimes into sand, and feel more comfortable on this bike every minute. Makes me into a 63 yr old hooligan, pulling wheelies for the school buses and buzzing loudly through town. Pure fun.
15:43 FINALLY he says something we all care about in this video
Just went to the dealership yesterday for my birthday and bought a 2020 Suzuki dr-z400s. I am taking the plunge into dual sport camping and I am so excited to finally start living life.
I bought a 2016 DRZ for my first motorcycle!
K
How was dealing with th 320lb weight?
It's sorta heavy for me I weigh 145lbs and am 6'1.
I like it so far, only rode it 5 times (got it last week) but it is way heavier than my crf230m which I sold... but a lot faster!
I want to let my girlfriend have a try but she's not very strong and she weights like 115lbs... she has ridden a grom and a crf230m I wonder if she can handle the weight?
Love America I’m good with it so far. I can lift it up when it tips over so that’s the most important aspect I guess. I’m sure riding a lighter bike would be a lot more comfortable.
when the first wheelie ?
....yer a keeper Kristen.......
Been riding dirt bikes since the 70's and it is my passion. I moved to the Midwest in 2003 where most of the land is farmland and owned. There went my trail riding, until I bought my DRZ. Now I ride from street to trail with a smile thats ear to ear. I bought leftover new 2015 in 2019 for 5 grand out the door. The bike is dead on reliable and has tons of aftermarket parts. The maintenance levels are in thousands of miles instead of hours like the newer dual sports require. So, low cost, low maintenance, bulletproof and is a hoot to ride....It's a no brainer.
Same here just not same years ( 80's kid ), started out on 2 stroke enduro and had a few MX bike's. Trails started to become far and few in my neck of NY as people were buying up our old stomping grounds, switched to street and I've missed the dirt soo much I got one and have both wheel options and I ride to some places people don't know about ( just yet ) off the beaten path.
@@IrnMaiden304 Awesome, I was brought up in the Mojave high desert, it was a dirt bike paradise. Could go on for miles and miles all day riding in the desert and mountains. I literally would ride out of my front driveway and was in open desert in two blocks. Team Honda used to practice there in "Honda Valley" back in the day. Keep riding...
@@imyourhuckleberry357 I plan too, a bunch of us are planning to either hit the dragon this year, or head up towards NH or Maine for the rail trails and check it out. The Power lines is probably one of the longer sections of trails we can / have hit, can literally go just about anywhere in the tri-state region. Have hit a few train tracks but don't dare get caught or worse out my way, they'll want to put you in state prison while the bail reform will let the real threats out free to roam
@@IrnMaiden304 Yeah, keep off those tracks... I'm a locomotive engineer for BNSF railway and I know it can be dangerous around those tracks.....
I disagree, I love the look of dual sports, trail, and motocross bikes, much more than the others bikes.
The DRZ is a can do will do everything motorcycle. Bought mine as a Supermoto. Add warp 9 wheels and a good set of duel purpose tires to the mix and it you just can't beat it. For around town the Supermoto surpasses my R1 for nimbleness and comfortably, providing you have a good aftermarket seat. I added one from seat concepts. Good video Mr. Yammie!
I disagree, I love the look of dual sports
The success of the DRZ400 is proof that simplicity is still important to the average motorcycle buyer.
Quick update, I've been up sand hills, on brutally rocky trails and my DRZ has stood up to the challenge. Great bike to get where you need to go...and to the naysayers mine will beat a YZ 250 for top speed all day. So say what you want the DRZ 400 is a great bike.
Have a 2019 Drz400sm, replaced the tires with Shinko 705. This is a 70/30 tires for all my off road adventures.
Best decision I made outside replacing the sear
9:30 Off road, "it will do more than I am capable of" I wish more riders would confront that fact. (I'm looking at you 1200GS owners)
Those pigs are a joke, a goldwing with semi- knobby tires LOL.
@@hemisuperzee1287 But the riders "feel" like they are off-road. ha,ha!
@@Redmenace96 Just like new Jeep owners in the burbs. Never even see gravel.
@@hemisuperzee1287 Yep.
After a few months of research what did for me was how reliable and affordable the bike was👍🏻. I ride with the KTM’S and Honda’s (which are awesome bikes) and I still have as much fun.
You are slowly pulling me into the motorcycle-hole! I’m selling all my cars and going daily motorcycle rider -ish.
Don't go slow and don't fight it. Bike Life is so worth it!!
I was thinking of doing this, but keep some form of car, preferably a truck if you have it, for getting groceries or in the worst case scenario, something to tow your bike when it goes down.
I was going to get rid of my truck but you cant exactly load a 800 lbs round bale of hay on the back of a motorcycle. but it's still nice to know that if I were to sell my truck right now, I'd be able to get four motorcycles out of it.
Jason Cook Haha, Europe and the slow license procedures. Got my theoretical exam done, but due to the ‘winter stop’ I need to wait until April for the mandatory 9hours practical skill lessons. That’s the only reason it’s going slow 😂😂 I want to ride a bike on the streets, now! (Legal of course 😬)
Kalezian I got 3 cars at the moment and I’m keeping just 1 for when I go somewhere with the wife and/or the dog, or like you said groceries.
A 800lbs bale of hay on a motorcycle will be hard. At least you should try once 😂 Not sure where you live, but where I live winters can be cold and/or very wet, so a car for the snowy or extreme windy/rainy days is almost a must. Even if you live in warmer climate indeed a car can be handy for many things.
@@juanbugatti490 trust me, I know crappy winters. Optimistic Canadian riding season is 4-6 months. With heated gear, grips and snow tires, some can stretch that to 8 months, but those are the few and the proud
I own a ‘91 DR350 and a ‘94 DR250. The feeling you get riding these bikes brings me back to the first bike I learned to ride, a 1977 Kawasaki ke175. Riding theses bikes is like hopping in a time machine and having fun like s kid again.
Just quietly, I bought and Australian DRZ400E new in 2012, it's now got 80,000 km on it and Just had the first mechanical issue of it's life ever. Which was only a toasted stator.
Apart from routine maintenance and a couple of comfort mods, never had a spanner on the old girl. Tractor factor for the win 👌😅
I have the E model. it is way better than the S model, but still needs firmer suspension. I added an ACT wide ratio gear set and a 30L Safari tank plus a small wind screen. It is a very competent Adventure mount , even when things get tough.
After a series of motorcycles i have had the most fun on my 2018 DRZ400SM of any bike. By series of bikes i mean i've owned: 2003 Hayabusa, 2004 Yamaha Vstar650, 2015 Suzuki GSXR 600, 2001 Ninja 250, 1979 Honda CB 750, 2005 Suzuki Katana 750, 2009 Suzuki GS650. Never getting rid of my Dr.Zed
Still liking it?
I’m 40 years old, been riding bikes since I was 12 and I just bought a 2020 DRZ400SM. Never enjoyed big heavy motorbikes. I like agile and nimble. Beside , it’s more fun to drive a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow!! Great review.
I have 4 bikes too 🤣😂🤣...
You need bikes for everything...
1Retro(purity)
2Sport(spirited riding😎)
3Naked(comfort)
4Scooter(groceries)
Now I want a Cruiser, Adventure and an off-roader. 😁
Edit: umm a bobber instead of the cruiser maybe.
Have owned my DRZ400SMK5 for 16 years and 90,000km. Great times. Best bike on the Planet !
Last month I bought a GSXR750 as a second bike :-))
"Best 2nd bike to purchase"
Was the first bike I bought🤔
Is it good for a first bike
RS Ghøst if you’ve rode dirtbikes, its a hreat bike.. if not, i’d suggest a Ninja 400 or 650
@@gamerguy2746 I did ok fresh on the road with my 400E. Goes hard wherever its pointed, dirt or road. Easy to maintain as well.
Same
Looking at smaller dual sport motorcycles right now and your vid popped up in my playlist...👍
VERY REFRESHING HAVING A CLASSICAL BACKING TRACK TO YOUR VID!👍🤙😉😎
I would love a new drz400 but cannot get one in england so i went out and got myself a honda crf 250l put the yoshimura rs 4 on it and love it . Its got 8300 miles on it now and will do 85mph and i find it as mutch fun as my mt 09 yam ...
I've raced supercross and motocross, ridden trails all over. That was in my 20s and a while ago. Now, nothing beats taking my DRZ out for a cruise through the hills while wearing a pair of short, tee shirt and sun glasses on a warm summer day. DRZs are super quiet, smooth and just a joy to ride. My wife loves to go along and it has foot pegs for her. I would note that trail wing tires (TW) they come with are death. Put some Kenda K270s or the like on, they hook up offroad. I've roughed up my 1st DRZ pretty good but got 40,000 miles of our her with just oil changes and routine maintenance. Thanks to Suzuki. The DRZ was one of the joys in my life... Not to mention a few RMs and RMZs. Just a fabulous, long lasting motocycles.
I have the E model,lighter and quicker than the S,love it
Just bought one two days ago!!!! So happy to have my first bike, happier its a DRZ400SM
Back in '16 I bought the S brand new. Was the only one to do the class on their own bike. It's still my only bike today.
damn I thought 7000 miles on my 15 drz was a lot!! I got it up to 105mph, almost stock, it is just piped and jetted with a k&n air filter no gears... yet
I love my 2017 drz400sm. It definitely isn’t ugly. Just gotta mod her a little and she looks way better.
I love the DRZ400. I mean, is there a better dual sport than the DRZ? I don't think so. LOVE IT!
Lol. There is way better.
@@Chrispbacon99 yep the dr800😂
I bought my '09 DRZSM on Black Friday of '08 (Just shy of 40,000 miles on the clock) and I still have it.
I ride a dr650. It's my first bike and I've had it for about 2 years. Plan to turn it into an Adv bike and do the Trans American Trail
I got my crf250l completely set up to do a trip like that and I plan on it for sure!!! Big power or speed isn't something that's needed for a trip like that. I bought a second bike to serve as an off road ripper. My wr250f that I have made street legal and dual sported it a bit by installing a seat concepts sea,t rear rack,large tank, pipe, made the gearing taller, and bought a second set of wheels so I could install some k270's on one set and some track master more aggressive tires on another as I do not haul my bikes, and want tires to last as long as possible. I use my crf250l for somewhat light trail riding back roads, commuting to work,trips and adventure. Only problem I have is finding the month or more needed during peak work load to take off work to take on the trail! I was thinking of getting a 650 naked bike to use for commuting as I take the interstate 2 hrs a day on my crf250l and want something that is happier at 75 80 mph and can still get out of its way at those speeds. I was also looking at the old dr650 sumo as a commuter.
Dr650 is super sticky zombie bike.
same, got my 650 last year
@The Prospectors That's awesome man Id love to get mine to that point this year. Did you do any suspension mods for the bike? I'm always on procycle trying to make a list of all thank need. Any recommended mod?
I’ve had my 2003 Kawasaki KLX400R which is essentially a green DRZ400E since new. I absolutely love it.
I'm calling it right now, this is the beginning of Yammie's offroad glory days.
Lol
It was my second bike, after the 72 Honda CL100 and since the FJ-09. Taken it on multiple trips, road and dirt, and never has let me down. It just doesn't stop. Nice job!
men I used to hate this kind of bikes. Years later after reading a bit about the KLR.. i was like these bikes make sense.
The drz is sick. It's not ugly.
10:09 Oye! Sardarji what a wheelie!!
I think the biggest thing you missed is how many after market parts are available, you can turn the DRZ into whatever you want! I bought a used 06 to ride in the desert, I've beat the hell out it. Upgraded the motor to a 470cc, upgraded the suspension, and turned it into a lightweight adventure bike. I'm probably 90-10 dirt, but I can take it on any where a jeep can go in a national park because it has a plate. I ride with guys with KTM's and Betas, I bring up the rear, but make it down the same trails. It's easy to work on, and the forums are full of info to help. I give it 5 stars for all around workhorse.
I love my DRZ400 k4. So simple. No electric start, just a basic headlight, tail light, and some good tires for all around riding. Damn thing was built when I was still in Jr High and fires up in 3 kicks or less every time.
You should do a video on the TW200
Yes they totally need to
Hear, HEAR! I love my TWs, they're just so simple and functional and easy to ride, and they'll effortlessly go absolutely anywhere (with a couple much-needed suspension upgrades), plus they're small and light enough to fit almost anywhere (mine live on my screened-in porch) and be towed by any vehicle on a lightweight trailer.
Greatest starter bike in history as long as you don't want to ride on the interstate, which no beginner should do anyway, and I still love to ride them despite being pretty far from being a beginner.
I have two. One's a fairly stock one with just jets, modded airbox, and an auto clutch that serves as a loaner/girlfriend bike. Mine has intake, jets, a cam, exhaust, pretty much all the useful ProCycle stuff (suspension, brakes, etc.), a Clarke XT350 tank, a Cyclerack, ATV fatbar on risers, and a bigger countershaft and smaller rear sprocket. It'll do about 75, but you wouldn't want to. That makes it quite comfortable at 55, though, so a long trip on 2-lane highway is totally doable.
I also have a CB500X with all the Rally Raid stuff on it, and a KTM 390 Duke. My TW sees far and away the most riding time, and in fact I'll probably sell my CB pretty soon. They're just awesome in a way nothing else really is.
Haven't ridden one, but I heard they go anywhere like a mountain goat
Second that!
Almost everything said about DRZ in the video applies to my TW-225.
Old tech, just works, crap brakes, tons of fun!
Its just an old school XT200 with fatter tires....XT or TW highly recommend!!!
I ride my DRZ from 65-75 mph everyday 35 miles each way on the highway.
It handles it well. Still has power to get around people trying to merge or pass a slow vehicle.
In the city it’s unbeatable in my
Opinion. There’s been plenty of times I’ve taken stair cases and other hoon shit to avoid being pulled over and if I was on my old CBR It wouldn’t have been that easy
KTM costs way to much for the common man.
Edit: not saying they aren't good bikes because they are, just crazy $$$$$
But u pay for what u get the ktm 500 worth every penny
KTM
Keep the Money
I have lived overseas, and they dominate (wealthy people). Have never understood the attraction. All Japanese brands have something equal to their models. Even if you wrench yourself, the parts and maintenance items are brutally priced!!!
Engine rebuild every 40 hours. No thanks
Snapping frames on adv bikes. Yeah, good bikes!
Rock a 1986 XL250R everyday. I got nice duo tires on it and it’s honestly my favorite bike, good on gas. Plenty of torque, red white and blue. Can’t beat it.
YES SIR , the xl & xr series from the 1980s are the best ... First bike was a 1982 xl 80 and currently have a 1986 xr 600. best bikes are bikes like yours
DRZ400 makes a great lightweight adventure bike! It does require essential mods to do it though.
Like what mods would you do first?
I bought 2, ten years apart from the same guy.
I use one for dirt roads only and the other for the street.
They are just FUN!
I’m 67 by the way and whatevvvverrrr👍
Yammie, I would really love to see you test ride a big Harley like a road king or a street/road glide and hear your impressions. I think it would be a lot of fun.
Bought an 01 new & rode it for 6 years, prox 7,000 miles, in dual sport events, poker runs, on general trail rides but very little in the street. It was heavy, had brittle engine cases, & needed a 6th gear. The engine sounded great, it shifted flawlessly, and it was bulletproof. Geared for the woods, it was then slow on the road sections. It was replaced by a KTM 450 EXC with the last year of the easy maintenance RFS engine. The KTM was high strung, handled great, fun to race, and almost to powerful for the tight NW Oregon woods. It would grunt down on the tight trails and hit 94 on the road. Didn’t sound as cool as the DRZ, but was 2x the bike for 50% more. Wish I’d have kept it.
New subscriber dude , keep up the cracking videos !! 🤙🏻
I have a DR650. After watching this video...I desperately want a DRZ400.
By the way...probably one of the best narrated videos I've ever seen. Very articulate and informative....no extra fluff.
I want that drz400 more than any of the others lol
I only ride Honda but i love this DRZ, i think its gorgeous
That’s why I wish other makes would start selling old school technology and styled bikes, air cooled, drum brakes, whatever it takes to sell a new bike for $3000
Deborah chesser Im in my early 20s, i agree, its a real shame that motorcycle are gonna be only for elite one day. 2 strokes used to give reliabilty and good price, but EPA laws dont allow them, because they hate freedom
Buy one of them Chinese bikes, they only cost 1,500 dollars.
Jimena Gulla Theyre not reliable, the csc and ghost rider prolly the only decent ones. Id rather pay the 500-1,000 extra to get a used quality Suzuki tu250x, which is my goal.
Consider an AJP PR4
the DRZ400 is great. i bought one a few months ago. HOWEVER, you do need to mod it. 3x3 rejet is necessary, new exhaust for so more umph and a bigger gas tank. maybe change sprocket size for highway gearing. its light and its great for commuting and some offroading. is it fast? not as fast as a 650 of course but its a great bike just for getting around, being able to handle highways etc etc
"KTM is not investing in a dual sport bike"
How about the KTM 690 Enduro R? It's exactly how they market it. New model launched last year
The ktm 690 is taking over the market. Best bike on the road
@@Aaron-ej1de they aren't taking over the market in australia it's a posers bike a go to the cafe for a latte bike. not a ride across the desert without breaking down bike. meanwhile the two best selling bikes are the dr650 and the drz400e
michael close wrong, the ktm 690 is top dog in its class.
@@MrJasonfromcanada lol keep dreamng
I love my DRZ400S.. its evolved into a fire spitting supermoto track bike (still slow, just a quicker form of slow). I've put way too much money into it to squeak out another 5hp, but its just such an animal where ever I take it. Until it runs out of revs, its the quickest slow bike on the planet. When the motor blows up in another 5k, I'll slap a chonkin' 440cc kit in it keep on keepin' on. And blow it up again another 5-10k.
I ride a Yamaha R6 yet I have never rode a duel sport bike before nor have I ever done any motocross.
Two completely different worlds, my poor ZX6 doesn't do much these days
Good for you. Back to the kitchen.
Acut Abovetherest, what’s wrong with girl bikers?
@@LisaKeskitalo Love them! I sure wish there were more of you!!! I would love for the girl I settle down with to be my partner in riding as well.
@@LisaKeskitalo Don't mind the idiot, he probably got shown up by a female rider and never fully recovered.
I had a 2006 drz400sm, brilliant bike. I toured France, Italy and Ireland on it... Super fun bike.
Yammie Noob: "KTM isn't investing in a dual sport motorcycle"
KTM 690 ENDURO R: "Am I a joke to you?"
Yeah he forgot about allot of way better dual sport bikes. Husky 701, FE501, CRF450L and plenty more.
Bought one new as my first bike in 2007. I am a snowmobiler (Northern Wisconsin and U.P.) and wanted to ride the snomo trails in the summer. It was my gateway to motorcycles. I now own a Honda VTX1300C and a Suzuki VStrom 1000Adv. The DRZ400S does everything I ask it to do. I can ride the street for 150 miles before my ass hurts and I can ride a single track 150 miles, all in the same day.