New To DRZ's with ?'s

[fc3sna]

Ok so i am about to buy a DRZ400sm and i am not sure if i am going to go new or used yet.

If i go new i have about $2000.00 in parts that i want:
Yoshimura RS-2 Full Exhaust $440.00 Shipped (Ebay)
or
FMF Power Bomb Header $200.00 (Ebay)
FMF Power Core Slip on $255.00 (Ebay)
Twin Air Power Flow Kit $229.95 (Motostrano)
Keihin FCR MX 39MM Carb. $691.00 (Motostrano)
Jet Kit $60.00
Acerbis Dual Road Handguards $125.96 (Motostrano)
Blinker Light kit $26.96
Trail Tech X2 Model Specific Headlight $124.95 (Motostrano)
HID Kit For head light 8000k $125.00 (Ebay)
MOTOLED DRZ400 Edge-2 Tail Light (Red) $61.70 (Motostrano)
Kellerman Micro 1000 Turn Signal $35.10 Each x2 (Motostrano)

OR Go used and hopefully something will already be on the bike like exhaust and what nots but if i go used i will then want to refresh the top end so probly a 434cc big bore kit with hot cams and better valves.

my issue is with the big bore kit what carb would be better in the long run the 39mm or 41mm and how reliable is the bike with the big bore kit.

also is their any other mods that i might want to look into.



im just not sure if i should drop 5800-6500 on a new one than another 2000 for stuff i want or just go used and spend like 3000-4000 and probly another 2000-2500 on parts.

Thanks

[donny662]

First, I think you should look at a completely different model bike, maybe a KTM or Husky SMR.

If you are still set on the DRZ, I think the MRD/SSW exhaust is the best option.

If you get a new DRZ, there will probably not be a need to "refresh" the top end. The engine should go 30,000 miles or more without a rebuild.

[r6mace]

+1. Have you ridden a KTM450SMR? I own a DRZ with a full yoshi exhaust and a FCRMX carb... Very quick and reliable with those mods... Still doesn't hold a candle to my buddy's 450 or my KTM200sm. Once you go to a big bore kit, cams, etc... it usually compromises reliability and at that point it's still producing at best the same HP as a KTM but with a whole lot more weight. $7800 will buy you one HELLUVA bike by the way.


Here's something to shoot for though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xL1w...eature=related

[bdmmotard]

i've owned a lot of motards and i'm very happy with my current drz's. I'm more into handling and reliability than I am horsepower. I'd never sink that kind of money or time into a drz. personally i'd buy a used one with the basic mods done, ie 3x3, jet kit, and a pipe. that might just do it for you. if not, go get a ktm690 and sell the drz for the same amount you bought it for. that's a lot smarter than sinking the money into new parts, only to loose all that cash when you "move up".

funny story. a guy at the dmv with a ktm690 beakster told me how i should buy his bike because it's so much faster than my drz. so i offered to race him for pinks at adams sm track. he didn't take me up on the opportunity.

[txrider]

Some thoughts..

If i go new i have about $2000.00 in parts that i want:
Yoshimura RS-2 Full Exhaust $440.00 Shipped (Ebay)
or
FMF Power Bomb Header $200.00 (Ebay)
FMF Power Core Slip on $255.00 (Ebay)

Go MRD/SSW. Makes significantly more power on built motors.

Twin Air Power Flow Kit $229.95 (Motostrano)

I'd just get a regular Twinair for $20.

Keihin FCR MX 39MM Carb. $691.00 (Motostrano)

Compare w/ TT, may be cheaper.

Jet Kit $60.00

TT kit does not require a jet kit with their set up (EMN needle included).

Acerbis Dual Road Handguards $125.96 (Motostrano)
Blinker Light kit $26.96
Trail Tech X2 Model Specific Headlight $124.95 (Motostrano)
HID Kit For head light 8000k $125.00 (Ebay)

DDM tuning makes much cheaper kits of similar quality. Don't go over 6k, waste of light any higher.

MOTOLED DRZ400 Edge-2 Tail Light (Red) $61.70 (Motostrano)

Kellerman Micro 1000 Turn Signal $35.10 Each x2 (Motostrano)

41mm carb is only necessary when stroking. Do the locktite fixes and O-Ring on that FCR.

[fc3sna]

thanks for all the replies, i just want a reliable bike that i can drive on a regular basis. im probly just going to go with a used drz between 3000-3500 and if it dosent already have it exhaust, 3x3, intake, the 39mm carb, and down the road work towards stuff related to looks.

Also I was wanting to pick up a used 450 dirt bike to turn into a track bike that might every now and then see the woods. i want to do basics to start, like wheels and tires, and then on to breaks then the suspension. now what i was wondering is what bike would you recomend for this, looking mostly at japanese bikes, but from what i hear honda's are iffy. just wondering what any of the converted racing people think and recomend.

[n2stackin]

If you get a DRZ, go used. 1/3 of the cost and they usually already have some aftermarket parts on them. I've got 13 friends with DRZ's and NONE of them have EVER had their bike in the shop for anything but something they did to the bike (e.g. bent forks, bent rims, etc.).

I know 5 people who with either own a KTM, Husky, Aprilia, and/or a Husaberg and while they LOVE them...
- 2 KTM's have been in the shop non-stop with well over $2k in parts.
- 1 Husky blew a motor within the first 500 miles.
- 1 Aprilia blew a motor and seals.
- 1 Husky had bad clutch issues and was also experiencing a valve problem.

(yes, this CAN happen to a DRZ, but rarely does)

I DO NOT believe you will always have an issue with one of the above bikes, but I think it comes down to few things.....
1.) What will you use it for (racing, fun, commuting, or all of above)?
2.) Do you want power or reliability (may sacrifice one for the other)?
3.) Can you afford the cost of repair should your bike of choice break down? How are the availability of parts? My girl crashed on my bike and I had it repaired with all of the necessary parts 3 days later.

I want an Aprilia, but I couldn't afford the repairs if it ever went down. I think if you evaluate the above you may have a better idea of what you want.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: the above is the author's personal opinion only.

[bdmmotard]

good call on the drz.

now for the track bike: buy masking tape, apply to drz lights, TRACKBIKE!

a good rider on a drz will have no problems getting around a mediocre rider on a crf450. unless you're planning on racing beyond the beginners class, in which you can deal with a track specific bike later anyway.

[dmonmiller59]

'07 KX450F or a YZ250F, don't know enough to suggest a particular year. I'd probably go w/ a 250 if I had it to do over. But the 450 kicks some serious a$$!! Reliability on the street, performance on the track. I may never do any mods to my DRZ.

[Moto_FL]

When I was looking at a bike (DRZ400SM), it was kind of a similar thing; new or used. I think you will be happier with a used bike no matter what. That way, by the time you buy the bike, the parts you want, tools you'll need, new gear and whatever else, you will still be at the mark of what just a new bike would have been.

[pee.dab21]

Here is my 2 cents, for what its worth. I bought a 2006 DRZ S model and converted it, loved it but wanted more power. I added a KTM 560 SMR to the garage, I loved it til the kick start arm fell off twice, ran out of gas twice, had to change oil every 5 hours and adjust the chain every time I rode. So I sold it and kept the DRZ. Figured out that I could ride the DRZ better in the twisties, the KTM's power was much harder to manage in the really tight stuff. The only thing I miss about the KTM is 3rd gear power wheelies. So if your like me and ride on the street 3-5 times a week and don't want to spend every spare minute doing maintence stick with a DRZ. Sorry so long

[fc3sna]

well i am going used on the drz cause i am not going to go crazy and buy a new bike again. plus i want the lower matinace.

the reason i was wanting to get a different bike for track use is in case i mess it up its not my street bike also cause i go to holopaw with my father in law so buying a dirt bike and converting it means i have the stock rims to take it off road in the soft sand and stuff.
would you guys recomend a 450 or 250 for my first track bike. im only 5'6" so i think a 450 is gonna be a little tall and heavy. is their any pros or cons to go either 450 or 250. im not gonna be like an every race junkie just a go to a track and shoot it out maybe some racing and hitting the trails as often as possible.

ohh and thanks for all the input.

[r6mace]

250's and 450's are almost exactly the same height.

[fc3sna]

im meaning as in ride ability, how they handle on the track, and so on....

[Moto_FL]

I'd start with a 250. Once you're comfortable and are really wringing it out, then you would be more ready with moving up to a 450 rather than just starting out with the 450. Plus, although it may cost more in the end, you'll learn a lot more during the process IMO.