[xclratn]

Duke v.s. DRZ400sm
Can anyone out there give me some insite on which is the best bike to go with. It will be used mainly for street use since I have a CRF built for the track. Is there any big things to watch out for when buying a Duke used? It's a 2003 with 1200 km. I can buy a new DRZ for $7200 CAD plus tax or the Duke for $6500. What should I do ?
:hmmm:
Thanks Quinton

 

[nmilne]

Test ride the duke - some cant stomache the vibes, some dont mind. Its definately going to be more motor than the DRZ, and if youre just on the road will be a bit more at home.

 

[GaryMR]

Duke, no question.

 

[Jolly705]

My vote goes to the Duke! It is wayyy faster than the DRZ. Any Dukes made 2003 or newer you are in the clear. They made all the updates after 2002.

 

[Canadian_SMR]

If its just going to be a road bike, Go for the duke defently. The stlying and design is amasing and there alot of fun to ride. But they do vibrate as previously said.

Also its very easy to get alot more HP out of them. This is what we did to our KTM Duke 2, oh and the best part? No messing around with after market junk, this stuff is strait from KTM Hard Parts

First you should buy the new Duke Y pipe wich changes the bend angle alowing for better flow. *this comes with the jetting needed*

Secound, Buy the keihin 41mm carbs from Ktm, wich already comes with the jetting installed for the y pipe.

Third, Gut the stock exhaust pipes, take out the spark arresters and all the other junk in there, / Or buy eather some akrapovic or Racing Carbon Duke Silencers *they look soo nice* ehxuast pipes also from ktm.

And now you have atleast a 10 hp gain. The bike will sound even better then stock *wich is one of the best sounding bikes out there* and your garenteed ever thing will fit with no messing around. Besides there is no denying it, wich bike has the bigger bling factor.

:arsenal hope that helps.

 

[KB1]

For the road, Duke. For a practice/road bike you never want to touch a wrench to, the DRZ. The Duke is limited on suspension travel. Duke will get you down the freeway at a better pace than the top speed of 75mph DRZ. my .02

 

[SMR]

The Duke all around.

 

[Canadian_SMR]

oh id also like to add the duke is great on the road race track too

 

[oscar]

duke, i have a drz and want more power

 

[KB1]

duke, i have a drz and want more power

Build the motor. I know guys who compete at pro levels on a DRZ.
Have no complaints out of mine.

 

[M Dubya]

I have both and they are both good in their own ways. Just as everyone else has said, the Duke has the motor, but it vibrates. Personally I don't mind the vibes, but they are definitely there. The DRZ is jsust unburstable. It is much closer to a true SM, and of course there is a ton of aftermarket stuff to make it rip at a reasonable price.

If I had to have just one...hmmmm... tough choice... :hmmm:

Mike

 

[JRoc]

If its just going to be a road bike, Go for the duke defently. The stlying and design is amasing and there alot of fun to ride. But they do vibrate as previously said.

Also its very easy to get alot more HP out of them. This is what we did to our KTM Duke 2, oh and the best part? No messing around with after market junk, this stuff is strait from KTM Hard Parts

First you should buy the new Duke Y pipe wich changes the bend angle alowing for better flow. *this comes with the jetting needed*

Secound, Buy the keihin 41mm carbs from Ktm, wich already comes with the jetting installed for the y pipe.

Third, Gut the stock exhaust pipes, take out the spark arresters and all the other junk in there, / Or buy eather some akrapovic or Racing Carbon Duke Silencers *they look soo nice* ehxuast pipes also from ktm.

And now you have atleast a 10 hp gain. The bike will sound even better then stock *wich is one of the best sounding bikes out there* and your garenteed ever thing will fit with no messing around. Besides there is no denying it, wich bike has the bigger bling factor.

Or, save yourself a bunch of $$$ and just buy an '04 625smc:

Lighter weight
stronger wheels
already has the carb
Faster...

 

[maverick]

Definitely keep the duke, even if it was just for style points, a hands down winner. A bonus that it's so much fun!!!

 

[KB1]

DRZ. Someone had to say it again. :twofinger

 

[brian]

Duke !

 

[xclratn]

Well I think it's going to be the Duke, it works out to being $1700 cnd cheaper. I have not riden it yet so I'll know on Sunday. When you guys are saying it vibrates quite a bit is it realy that bad? I have riden some custom v-twins in the past and after 30 min my fore-arms would get numb.
Would it be that bad? Also is there any thing to look closely at before I make the purchase? I have herd some people having problems with fork seals, what else may be a concern?
Thanks Quinton

 

[Jolly705]

I owned a Duke and a KTM SMC 625. It does vibrate but I did not mind it, I think the only way is for you to test ride, some guys hate the vibrations and others don't mind.
I never heard of any fork seals to worry about the only thing I know that has been a problem is anything older than 2003 had a main bearing problem. Check out www.ktmtalk.com it has all you will ever need to know about the Duke there under the LC4 section.

 

[Canadian_SMR]

It dosent vibrate that bad, no way near what it sounds like for that custom bike. but if you ride a inline 4, then jump on it. you will notice a diffrence

 

[WLAmoto]

ok....duke=better road./freeway. but soo f---n ugly.
:thumbup: Dr-z......sweet bike ripped mine in santa monica mountains today...yes it needs a bit more top end.....ripped a few bikes in the really tight stuff...still smiling :Funny:

 

[KB1]

Duke vibrates big time through the footpegs. Most guys I know dont mind it once they got used to it. When I test rode one, it was a goofy sensation but wouldnt have kept me from buying one. It was heavy steering and not a whole lot of power for that many more cc'c than my DRZ with a pipe and jet kit. I think the Duke was a better bike for the long hauls for sure, but for riding the tight twisties or versatility, not the right bike.
.....but when you factor in your saving money, funny how that changes the comparisons.