Drz400 Mega Thread

[Bearcat]

Long gone, but here's a picture that I used in the Testing thread. It was a 2011, if memory serves correct. At one point it was my only do it all bike with work commutes and trail riding, jack of all trades master of none. Probably the closest I'll ever get to that elusive unicorn! It falls into the seller's regret category, even with the 5 speed and carburetor. It got the job done and loads better than my old KLR!

 

[Gravelcruiser]

a word of caution about tusk air filters. Seam was letting go, caught it in time. Oil I was using was yamalube air filter oil. I've had this happen before with a uni filter using bio filter oil ,( which I hate). Uni filters work well with conventional air filter oil. I won't be buying tusk consumables anymore.

 

[RedDirt]

We're off to Colorado! All told, we had 5 guys--4 on motorcycles, and our good buddy who was headed to Farmington, NM to go ride mountain bikes. He was eventually an important evac driver...

Starting in Trinidad, CO, we eventually made it to the first real look at the stunning San Juans (this is east of Lake City).

Apologies for the slightly disturbing pic here. My half-paralyzed face makes for some, um, very pirate-y pics at times. I was giddy because I had just made it up a very loose and sketchy California Pass with a bike that was very poorly jetted and with a slipping clutch (all on me, the bike was a trooper).

Many gaps in the pics here. We're now trying to figure out how to extract our buddy's disabled Triumph after he perfed the oilpan east of Stony Pass off the Alpine Loop.

Disabled Triumph loaded. From here, we took driving shifts to make it all the way home to OKC.

All told, it was an incredible trip. We covered around 500 miles of our planned 850. The remaining miles would have been very easy ones--my buddy damaged his bike (and broke his ribs) on what I think would've been the last mile or so of nasty trail for the whole trip.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

Looks like an awesome trip, I too have unfinished business in Colorado.

 

[MVI]

I too have unfinished business in Colorado.

We all do...

 

[Jimador]

My 2010

 

[DJ_MI]

A good friend of mine just got a DRZ recently. I got a chance to ride with him yesterday. Our first of what I'm sure is going to be many rides and adventures together.

 

[Shinyribs]

I've never ridden a DRZ 400. Went to the dealership with cash to buy a new one about 6 years ago but they refused a test drive first. Fews years ago I sold a XR 400 that was slightly warmed over. A guy came on a DRZ to test ride it and was blown away by how powerful the XR was compared to his DRZ. That shocked me.

Recently, my Dad bought a KFX 400 quad and the engine looked really familiar to me. Turns out it's a DRZ 400 engine ( with reverse!) and it absolutely stomps! What's up with the KFX engine setup vs the road going DRZ? I'm thinking a DRZ with a hopped up motor could be a lot of fun, and this might be a cheap/proven option to get there.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

S versions are slightly neutered, all of which can be remedied fairly easy. They're quite good machines with very good reliability and actually have adjustable suspension though slightly under spring for most.

 

[DJ_MI]

I would have a DRZ right now if they were available last year. The KLX was hard enough to find. They seem like great bikes and the fact that they’ve remained unchanged for so long means that the aftermarket support and parts availability is huge.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

The KLX is a solid performer anywhere. I'd take one long before I bought a CRF. Not a Honda hater, just the KLX offers more for the dollar.

 

[Shinyribs]

S versions are slightly neutered, all of which can be remedied fairly easy. They're quite good machines with very good reliability and actually have adjustable suspension though slightly under spring for most.

I wonder what the changes were? Something as simple as a different CDI? Or more complex like different head, cams?

 

[Gravelcruiser]

CV carb, less compression, different cam profile, smaller head pipe from the "E" version. A simple opening of the air box, jet kit, and a free flowing exhaust wakes the old girl right up. If you want to get a little more ambitious, add a pumper carb, then cams. Then if you haven't hit the bottom of your pocket, go ahead and go big bore and even stroke it. It's a machine that responds well from mild to wild. You could do most of this for less than a fancy ECU and exhaust on the latest fire breathers.

 

[CTG]

My first DRZ was a 2007 E purchased new while I was in Austrralia. S made about 33hp, my E made 40hp with restrictors and 48hp derestricted. It was rebuilt in 2017 to 449cc and 55hp and wide ratio gearbox for not too much money.

 

[MVI]

My first DRZ was a 2007 E purchased new while I was in Austrralia. S made about 33hp, my E made 40hp with restrictors and 48hp derestricted. It was rebuilt in 2017 to 449cc and 55hp and wide ratio gearbox for not too much money.

You still have the bike ? If so, how was the export process ?

 

[CTG]

No. I sold it and another two to a friend who still has them.

Edit: It spent the years between in storage.

 

[TwinheadlightErnie]

Here's a picture of mine somewhere out in CO.

Here it is somewhere out in SD.

 

[Gravelcruiser]

I don't do recommendations often, but when a company delivers a solid product, and great service at a fair price, I feel I should give a shout out.

I was needing a mounting solution for a USB outlet and needed to relocate my key switch. I found exactly what I needed at MOTODASHinc. Com.

Excellent communication, and the USB socket looks to be well made.

 

[neil w]

Not sure if the US or anywhere else in the world got this one , a drz 400e (unrestricted Australian spec 48 bhp motor) with FCR carb , WP front and rear suspension , electronic instrument panel , competition built frame, various pattern plastics from Yamaha and Honda range . Also has Brembo brakes, AJP hubs and Morad rims, stainless spokes etc etc

Bit of a bitsa but sold well until the builders went bust again in 2005 !

The CCM 404E , only thing wrong is the lack of a 6 speed gearbox

 

[Gravelcruiser]

The proverbial unicorn!!!