[Lok47]

Well, I'm new here so I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Andrew and I've been riding street bikes for around 2 years now. I'm on a 2000 ZX6-R and have done trackdays everyone for a while now and I'm having a blast.

Anyway, I'm thinking about replacing the ZX6-R with the DRZ400SM as daily rider/track toy. I've heard alot of good things, but alot of bad things from my searches here and at Thumper Talk. So, these questions are directed to the owners of the SM version who do street and/or trackdays.

First off, I've never EVER ridden a dirtbike. The closest thing to that would be riding small off track excursions on the Kawi. I'm worried about being to short to ride this thing on a daily basis. I sat on one today and only the tips of my toes touch on either side (i'm 5'6"). Anyone have any opinoins on this? Also, how hard is it to ride a tard around a race track (all asphault)? Does anyone think this will help improve my track riding?

edit: I'd possibly get this bike before the MotoGP race at Laguna, so I would possibly be doing 600+ miles from Phoenix - San Jose in one day. Would there be any reliability issues? Bad idea? Good idea? No idea?

I guess my whole idea of swapping the 600 for the DRZ400SM is because I'd like to try something different, improve my riding ability on the race track and most importantly have fun! Any and all opinions welcomed, thanks.

 

[Canadian_SMR]

Well that would defnetly be a fun swap, i havent riden the drz yet but from what i hear its a pritty good powerban and not much worrie about fraging it on long street rides. From my time in a sadel of a ktm lc4, 600 miles is gona give you a serious case of monkey butt, but for riding around town, too work and back and joy riding there is nothing better. Iv riden a zx6r at the california superbike school taking the first 3 levels of the corse and i loved the bike. it was a blast non stop. but i think id rather have my SM in the end, if you get out on longer track the DRZ shouldent be half as bad as a crf would. but you will find that the same lines you took on your 600 will be so much tighter on the track and you will be able to blow by almost ever bike in a cornor *watch out for 125 and 250 gp bikes * but 1000cc's pff there nothing. your lines will be tight and you can also ride motard tracks as well, plus the most pleasing thing i found with riding a motard on the street *besides the wheelies, being able to have fun at the speed limit, not like a surging 600 heh,* and when your driving and you hit a dirt road were you would turn around becouse of the paint on your fairring before, now you can jsut twist the throttle and grin . these things are so much fun. But you will find so many diffrences betwen sport bikes and supermotos,

And dont worry about your height, lower if good *to a certen extent* combined with the wide handlebars you will be able to flip that thing on a dime, as well. Also im 6' and i ride a bike about the same height as that *my crf* and i dont find any problems at all, infact it helps wehn your sliding all over the bike in mid air or in cornors. Any ways bottem line is there a blast and way better for stunts. My advice would be to take it for a test spin from the dealer if you can and it will be weird at first but soon you will be rocken off the bars.

Good luck

 

[mountainrider]

The having fun part fits nicely. :thumbup: