[ronnie simpson]

hi,

this is my first post on this website. i just got back from iraq, and purchased an 05 zx-6r. (should be in any day now). while i was there, i asked the guys at the shop about building a supermoto bike that was street legal. i was thinking about a crf or a yz, but after getting wheels/ tires/ brakes/ dual sport kit/ and new stator, it would be about as expensive as the DR-Z 400 SM. the advantage of the DR-Z would be that it is brand new, easier to register, as it is made for street use, comes with warranty, electric start, etc. would you guys recommend this bike? ive never ridden a dr-z before, so i really don't know anything about it. are dr-z's really slow? on the suzuki website, it says the bike weighs 295 lbs, so i'm wondering if the bike is too heavy, also.

does anyone know approximately how much power a dr-z makes, and how much can be gained through some headwork, exhaust, and cams? any help would be appreciated.

thanks,
lcpl ronnie simpson, usmc

 

[mountainrider]

Welcome back from Irag. :thumbup: The DRZ will be a good bike but it is on the heavy side and will not have much power.But it is a Jap bike so it will be dependable.The bike is only as good as the rider.A lot of people pay big money for a bike that will make them faster but after getting their butts kicked by lesser bikes they realize that the bike is only a small part of being fast.

 

[crashmw]

Welcome back jarhead.
With that said, I will tell you that I have both. A street legal (somewhat) CRF 450 and now a DRZ400.
I have had the CRF since Aug 2003, and I bought the DRZ less than a month ago.
What all this means is that the CRF is a riot on the street, but far from practical. For instance, this bike can be rolled away from where you may have left it, or worse yet, kicked over and riden off by someone.
Next, it can be lifted by a couple of guys and tossed into the back of a truck. I doubt that would happen with a DRZ as readily since it will not likely be a perfect MX or race bike. Or even parts bike like a full on MX bike.
Finally, the bike is made to be flogged not run sustained high revs on the open road. Use it on the tracks where it is in it's element and you cannot go wrong...SM or MX.
I bought the DRZ to build as a street SM/hooligan stunt bike/commuter special/trail bike. The bike is perfectly suited to all of those. It may not be the best at any one of them, but all of them together, I doubt that you can find a better bike.
Of course, if you can get the Husky450 on the street, that would make me change my mind since it has e-Start and a ripping motor and suspension. But sometimes, you just get tired of working so hard to get something past the DMV that it stops being worth the effort. If it is a non-issue for you, I would plate an E model, but then you do not have the steering lock of the S but you have the right carb (FCR flatslide).

-MW

 

[Chrome-CRF]

DRZ is about 36hp/290lbs........CRF is about 49hp/225lbs

 

[ronnie simpson]

thanks

the dr-z i am referring to is neither the E or the S model, it is a new model called the DR-Z 400SM. it comes stock with inverted forks, bigger front brake, and 17 inch wheels/tires. thanks for all of your replies. you all brought up some good points, and i believe i will go with the dr-z based on the fact that i don't want my bike stolen/ kicked over, and that i don't want to get caught up in a bunch of red tape while trying to register it. thanks for the replies. also, does anyone know how much hp you can gain with cams/ jetting/ pipe/ head work?
thanks again
lcpl ronnie simpson

 

[crashmw]

You can do a lot to the bike. It all depends upon you.
The best bang for the buck is an FCR carb ($500), then a pipe. Those alone should net you healthy 40+ hp. But most importantly, give the bike the throttle response that the S bikes so desperately need. (S meaning street).
Next would be hot cams for less than $500, followed by the ME 436 kit for under $500 as well.
These would put you closer to a stock CRF, and if you did the compression (13:1 which is race gas territory), would put you in the 50s.

The bike is admittedly a money pit. But then so is my CRF, only it does not take as much to get the CRF to where I want it since I MX it more than anything else, and 50+ hp simply is overkill for MX. Even on pavement, I am rarely hurting for power, as my limitations are in corner speed, much more so than twisting the throttle down the straights.

If the DRZ-SM is half the fun that my DRZ-S is with stock wheels, you will have a lot of fun. Stoppies and wheelies for days if you like.
MW

 

[bdmmotard]

don't worry about the speed. i have a 29hp xr400 and can keep up with my buddies on crf450's on our track. you could go drz400, or if you want a little more performance many dealers can sell you a husky sm450 street legal right out the door. it'll have more maintenace though...

 

[imprezawd]

Ronnie,
I am on the same boat as you. I currently own a 2004 GSXR 750. Really sick and love to wheelie and ride. But The Traffic, The people, the insurance, is pretty bad. SO I have always wanted a Dual sport. And one that i can take serious tarmac turns in. And i think this is the bike. I am concerned as well of the power but those mods seem to keep me happy.
That Husky 450 sounds cool but how expensive is that? How hard is it to find a part for that bike?
I really think the SM is gonna be a blast!!
Take care guys,
Richie

 

[PowerFiend]

2005 DR-Z400SM
Dry Weight: 134kg (295 lbs.)
MSRP: $6,099.00

2005 CRF450X
Dry Weight 255 pounds
MSRP: $6,999

2005 WR450F
Dry Weight 244 Lbs.
MSRP: $6,599

Price: The CRF and WRF need an additional $2000+ to convert to street legal dual sport: Front Brake, 17" wheels & Tires, and a full dual sport kit. They also don't come street legal and depending on state, may not be able to be streetable. (Minus maybe $400-500 for the sale of stock MX wheels.)

Weight: The DRZ has a full sized battery, smog equipment, a steel tank, steel exhaust, full lighting, tool kit, and heavier motard wheels. Swap some of the heavier things out, and or adding some of these things to the CRF/WRF will get their weights closer together.

 

[imprezawd]

Nice reply! Makes me want my SM ASAP!!

 

[imprezawd]

You cant jump and take the SM off road with those tires can u ?? Im sure u can do anything but will it even hook up and be safe to tear up trails on those tires?

 

[Jolly705]

20% of SM racing is in the dirt, but going through the trails can be slippery. I took my dale through the trails it was a bit slippery but it had hard compound race tires on it.

 

[RichieB]

Suzuki didn't even have a DRZ400SM at the Motorcycle Show this weekend.

 

[TLO03]

how about a ktm. i love my exc. factory sm parts. open title. both sets on wheels for about the price of a crf..

 

[imprezawd]

well. What about it being Street legal? I still have not seen a US KTM except the DUKE street legal?? I live in VA so i bet getting a off road bike to a street bike will be near impossoble. Va sucks!!
Thanks for the help. I know 20% SM is dirt but do they use street tires. I swear they have a half and half compound tread. :thumbup:

Thanks again guys,
RIchie

 

[Jolly705]

In NY there are tons of KTM's plated, it is fairly easy here since the title is not stamped.

 

[imprezawd]

I doubt VA is gonna be easy! If it is I am gonna SM a CRF 450x!!

 

[SMR]

well. What about it being Street legal? I still have not seen a US KTM except the DUKE street legal?? I live in VA so i bet getting a off road bike to a street bike will be near impossoble. Va sucks!!
Thanks for the help. I know 20% SM is dirt but do they use street tires. I swear they have a half and half compound tread. :thumbup:

Thanks again guys,
RIchie

They are running cut slicks, but seem to manage in the dirt section...if only just barely. Somehow you look like a guy that likes to do nutty things on a bike, so I'm guessing it's all right up your alley.

If I can get my Husqvarna on the road out here in CA, the land of the fuits and nuts, you can certainly get that bike on the road in VA. The real trick is having a dealer in you corner, but for the life of me I can't think of a really good dealer there in Northern VA. Coleman Powersport was the only place I remember from when I lived in that area, but they were kind of a big clearing house for bikes. You need a small specialty shop. Or better yet, do what I've done and suggested before...

Get a AAA membership, as you can do all DMV transaction at their offices. Then try and get the title switched over to street there. Or just call them and ask what forms you'll need to get the job done.

Oh...and forget the Honda for a streetbike. You'll be happier on the KTM.

 

[imprezawd]

SMR
I really think my hearts set on that 400SM. Do all the tag work right their and then ride home on the bike if i want to. Plus having a battery, fan, speedo, etc It will be cool untill honda comes out with a Bad Arse SM!! Watch! For now I am still buying the DRZ 400 SM
Thanks again guys,
Richie
Ride hard live for ever!

 

[Eric Landstrom]

I'm in the market for my first motard as well. I've settled on the Husky SM510R. I was going to buy a SM450R last month until I heard rumors of the 510. Because my plan was to slap in a big-bore kit into the 450 and in Minnesota we're at the end of our riding season, waiting for the 510 made sense to me.

In no particular order my reasons for my coming down on the Husky over other makes:

1) I can get a plate for it.
2) It has electric start and because my L4 and L5 are fused from my motorcycling past, e-start is a big deal to me.
3) The 450 had plenty of power, but I wanted a larger engine for street duty.
4) The seat is not made by KTM.
5) The suspension works better out of the box than the KTMs I've riden.
6) The bike tossed into corners faster than the KTMs I've riden (4.5" rear hoop).
7) I don't have to spend a lot of money making the bike into a 'tard or street legal.
8) Track time has taught me that light is always right and the Husky is light enough.