Going back to a DRZ

[Paper Tiger]

After leaving supermoto a couple of years back I'm shooting for a comeback later this year.

I used to have a DRZ400SM, with full exhaust, 3x3 and what not. I didn't have any suspension work, aftermarket brakes or a carb.

A KTM 625's been on the menu, but mulling it over I've also thought about getting another DRZ. I liked the DRZ because it was simplistic and reliable (even though the rings blew at 15k).

I've never ridden a KTM 625, but I hear it's an appreciably better bike. I like that the KTM 625 has both kick and electric start - not that I'd use the kick start often, but it's a nice thing to have.

I like working on bikes. I like doing little modifications and deciding between this or that to make a bike your own. It seems that you don't do much to the KTM, it's just something you buy and ride. I liked my DRZ because there was some back story to it aside from bringing it home.

I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts are, but I'd like to hear them. I realize that the DRZ will never stack up to the KTM, even after dumping a ridiculous amount of money in to it... but none the less would you consider it an option?

Thanks

[lewis87]

I was pretty much in the exact same situation as you about 3 weeks ago. I had a DRZ with 3x3 mod, yoshi rs2, rejet and loved it but I sold it and got a sports bike.

But I sold the zx6r and I wanted to get another supermoto that was reliable. So I was thinking of getting another DRZ but I got a 625 SMC instead and just looking at it you can tell it's a quality bike. Great build quality, WP suspension, brembo brakes, all braided lines as stock. Once you take the lid off the airbox, remove throttle stop and drill the ends of the stock exhausts out a 625 SMC makes around 55bhp and is about the same weight as a DRZ.

Also don't listen to people complaining about the vibration you get from a 625, when I went to see one for the first time I was expecting it to be really bad from what I had read on the internet but once I got on the thing and rode it I really never noticed much vibration at all, just what you would expect from a big single cylinder bike.

Saying all that, I still think DRZ's are great bikes, thats why they are so popular and have so many aftermarket parts to choose from. But before you make your mind up, you should ride a 625 SMC.

[tdogmason]

I have owned both bikes. The KTM was faster, bigger and better suspension, but call me crazy, I like the DRZ better. The weight might be close but from the seat of the pants feel, the DRZ is much smaller and lighter and easier to manage. I have about every mod you can do to the DRZ other than the 440, and I think it has plenty of pop. I can't really say that I ride around and wish for more power, I just ride and tear up as much earth as I can. The KTM was more maintenance, but you mentioned you had no problem with that. To be honest, I felt like I got over my head a few times on the KTM, and I feel like I own the DRZ, so that is what has made up my mind. A good suggestion posted earlier is to try and find a 625 to ride, just to see what you are getting into. Glad you are getting back into the saddle and what ever you get, it's better than nothing..... T

[Paper Tiger]

That's true, perhaps I should ride a KTM 625 before I set my mental decision in stone.

I'd just posted, but revised this after your post T. I'd been wondering how the DRZ compares in feel to the KTM 625 and if it felt bigger / smaller and flicked as well. I loved that you could toss the DRZ around. It was small, but not too small.

I found the DRZ to be very balanced. It was nice that during stoppies the bike didn't want to suddenly tumble forward.

How's in on the freeway compared to the DRZ? The DRZ seemed to be very happy cruising at ~70mph (~112kph).

How's the power out of a corner? Does it come on smoothly and is it controllable or is it abrupt? All the videos I've seen of the KTM 625 give the impression it's some kind of unnameable beast ready to leap out of corners.

While I wouldn't say that I don't have a problem with maintenance, I didn't find the DRZ to be a lot of work.

Thanks for the feedback lewis and T!

[tdogmason]

The KTM is much Bigger in Stature, Not Flickable. It does come out of Corners very well and very strong. The throttle response is money and very braaapppp and choppy but you will get used to it and will ride it as smooth as the DRZ once you get used to it. One issue I have with the DRZ is riding with bigger cc bikes. I get left coming out of corners and straights. The KTM will hang with anyone. The highway speed are spot on, you can roll 85 with comfort other than wind buffeting. Just to add to your decision, have you considered a 690, I have riding with a few and they are great bikes, very very sweet bikes. There are some good deals to be had these days with economy and maybe you could benefit on someone else's missfortune.

[lewis87]

That's true, perhaps I should ride one before I make a set my decision in stone.

Could you give me an idea as to what the bike feels like in comparison to the DRZ? Is it bigger / smaller? Does it flick as well?

I found the DRZ to be very balanced. It was nice that during stoppies the bike didn't want to suddenly tumble forward.

How's in on the freeway compared to the DRZ? The DRZ seemed to be very happy cruising at ~70mph (~112kph).

How's the power out of a corner? Does it come on smoothly and is it controllable or is it abrupt? All the videos I've seen of the KTM 625 give the impression it's some kind of unnameable beast ready to leap out of corners.

Thanks for the feedback lewis and T!

The 625 is a much bigger bike than the DRZ, but it's just as flickable in my opinion, definitely much more than your average street bike. I prefer the size of the 625 though, I felt quite tall for the DRZ. It's very happy cruising at 70mph too, and if you open the throttle at those speeds it still has lots of power.

The 625 feels very punchy and will lift the front wheel off the throttle if you crack it open coming out of most corners.

[Paper Tiger]

The KTM is much Bigger in Stature, Not Flickable. It does come out of Corners very well and very strong. The throttle response is money and very braaapppp and choppy but you will get used to it and will ride it as smooth as the DRZ once you get used to it. One issue I have with the DRZ is riding with bigger cc bikes. I get left coming out of corners and straights. The KTM will hang with anyone. The highway speed are spot on, you can roll 85 with comfort other than wind buffeting. Just to add to your decision, have you considered a 690, I have riding with a few and they are great bikes, very very sweet bikes. There are some good deals to be had these days with economy and maybe you could benefit on someone else's missfortune.

I've thought about and looked over the 690, but it seems to be more of a streetbike than a dirtbike. I want something that I can thrash. I do plan on crashing this. I've also heard that it's quite smooth and I'd prefer something that's more of a brute.

The 625 is a much bigger bike than the DRZ, but it's just as flickable in my opinion, definitely much more than your average street bike. I prefer the size of the 625 though, I felt quite tall for the DRZ. It's very happy cruising at 70mph too, and if you open the throttle at those speeds it still has lots of power.

The 625 feels very punchy and will lift the front wheel off the throttle if you crack it open coming out of most corners.

Interesting note on the flickability. I really liked the DRZ! I'm not looking for anything like a hypermotard.

[lewis87]

I've thought about and looked over the 690, but it seems to be more of a streetbike than a dirtbike. I want something that I can thrash. I do plan on crashing this. I've also heard that it's quite smooth and I'd prefer something that's more of a brute.

You can crash most supermotos and get away with it, the 625 is definitely a brute.

tdogmason posted pics of his bikes, so here is mine too

[lewis87]

Interesting note on the flickability. I really liked the DRZ! I'm not looking for anything like a hypermotard.

It's just as flickable as a DRZ, the 625 is a proper supermoto with great suspension. The hypermotard is more of a streetbike.

[tdogmason]

It's just as flickable as a DRZ, the 625 is a proper supermoto with great suspension. The hypermotard is more of a streetbike.

Totally agree, As supermoto as it gets. I had mentioned that it wasn't flickable, but that was my personal opinion, it always felt heavy to me.

[Paper Tiger]

Totally agree, As supermoto as it gets. I had mentioned that it wasn't flickable, but that was my personal opinion, it always felt heavy to me.

The 625 seems a bit more top heavy from appearances.

[lewis87]

The 625 seems a bit more top heavy from appearances.

They don't feel like it, I think the DRZ is probably more top heavy with its metal tank and the battery is mounted a bit higher.

You gotta ride one, I'm sure you will love it, if not then maybe the softer option is for you hehe