Newbie Question SM & DS Set-up

[Dos Equis]

I've been shopping for a used Suzuki DRZ which I plan to set-up with DS wheels and an SM set. I'd ride in DS mode probably 60-70% of the time.

Should I get a DRZ-S and look for a set of SM wheels and tires or a DRZ-SM and look for the DS wheels and tires?

What are the differences between the two that I need to consider?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

[GuzziMoto]

Either way will work. I have a DRZ SM that I bought a set of dirt wheels for and ride it both ways. You can usually pick up a set of dirt wheels for a lot less then a set of SuMo wheels, so unless you can get a DS DRZ for a lot less then a SM it is cheaper to get the SM and convert it. You also get the forks and other bits that will work better when in SM mode. Some don't like the bigger front brake disc of the SM for dirt work, but I have no issues with it. When you convert a DS to SM you either end up with a 320mm disc (even bigger then the SM) or you end up swapping back to the stock disc for dual sport use (too much trouble for me). Some say the more flexible front fork on the DS is also better in the dirt, but that makes no sense to me. More rigid forks are more sensitive to set up in the dirt but they are better when set right.
The SM has USD forks, different swing-arm/chain adjusters (includes both a bottom chain guide plus a top chain guide the DS doesn't have), and a larger brake disc. The SM also sits a little lower but much of that is the wheels.
In the end either way will work, it comes down to which version you can get a better price on and whether the forks, swing arm, and other bits are important to you or not.

[emulzhn]

Either way will work. I have a DRZ SM that I bought a set of dirt wheels for and ride it both ways. You can usually pick up a set of dirt wheels for a lot less then a set of SuMo wheels, so unless you can get a DS DRZ for a lot less then a SM it is cheaper to get the SM and convert it. You also get the forks and other bits that will work better when in SM mode. Some don't like the bigger front brake disc of the SM for dirt work, but I have no issues with it. When you convert a DS to SM you either end up with a 320mm disc (even bigger then the SM) or you end up swapping back to the stock disc for dual sport use (too much trouble for me). Some say the more flexible front fork on the DS is also better in the dirt, but that makes no sense to me. More rigid forks are more sensitive to set up in the dirt but they are better when set right.
The SM has USD forks, different swing-arm/chain adjusters (includes both a bottom chain guide plus a top chain guide the DS doesn't have), and a larger brake disc. The SM also sits a little lower but much of that is the wheels.
In the end either way will work, it comes down to which version you can get a better price on and whether the forks, swing arm, and other bits are important to you or not.

I also am interested in converting an SM into D/S. So will the fork's need work to turn the SM into a full working D/s?
Other changes like disc do not bother me but kinda liking the 17's on knobbies.

[GuzziMoto]

So will the fork's need work to turn the SM into a full working D/s?

The forks just need to be setup for your weight and riding style, just as the conventional forks from an DS DRZ do. The difference is that setting them up correctly makes more difference with the USD forks on the SM. But for me I found that the stock springs in the SM fork were fine and it was just a matter of tuning the compression and preload adjusters. No big deal.

[foster]

I have a chance to buy some used 1999 KLX 300 wheels off of a parts bike to mount on my 08 DRZ SM. Does anyone know if they will fit?

Fos