DRZ 400SM OWNERS INPUT

[mazzuca21366]

I am considering buying a 400sm since I sold my YZ250F last year. Are these bikes any fun? Can they be ridden on a hard packed dirt road safely?

[garry]

The DRZ400 forum on www.ThumperTalk.com is the best place on the web for DRZ info. I find my DRZ400S to be fun and would love to get some 17" wheels for it. Not particularly fast bikes, but fast enough to have some fun (once uncorked) up to about 65 MPH. They are in their element on a very twisty road with a 35 MPH speed limit. Deals Gap type stuff. Make fine commuting bikes too if you stay off the interstate. 55 MPG. Reliable.

[MuddDawg]

I have an S that I converted to SM and used it for a year commuting 25 miles each way.  15 miles @70-75 and the final 10 @ 40-60 (traffic) I have about 4800 miles on it at this point.  It did it no problem.  It was a bit wound out for my taste, but she did not complain.  Roughly 7500 RPM @70 running 15/41 and 17's.  Never tried it on the dirt with the 17's.  The Death-Wings convinced me to go Knobby for dirt.  With the up-right riding position the wind tends to be an issue.  The S/SM only weighs 290 ish which is light for a street bike, yet heavy for a dirt. Anything bigger that an Honda Accord you will feel the turbulent air.  Below 65 MPH turbulent air was not an issue.  

I am considering buying a 400sm since I sold my YZ250F last year. Are these bikes any fun? Can they be ridden on a hard packed dirt road safely?

How good are you @ Flat Tracking? or Ice Racing?  I think it depends on the tires.  The ones I am running are Street legal Race take-offs.  Avon Distanzas seem to have more tread, better for dirt.  Or I know they make DOT Knobbys for 17s, but have never tried them.  

[MrVvrroomm]

Here's my '06 DR-Z400sm down at Deal's Gap last week.  It's the perfect weapon for roads like this.  I have 5000 miles on mine without a trip back to the dealer.  Change oil, change tires, add gas.  The bike is very choked up from the factory.  Open the airbox, rejet, and install new exhaust and it's a whole new machine.

Off-road?  Never with the tires I run.  

[cal_tony]

I've done quite a bit of dirt with mine. The Distanzias do an adequate job on dirt roads and are probably better than the stock tires on pavement. At 50 mph on a dirt road it takes all your attention because the front end just moves every which way.
Recently, I bought a 21 for the front. It's exceptionally easy to change the front wheels( about 5 min) so now it's really good on dirt roads. With the addition of the 21 for dirt use, I switched the 17s from Distanzias to Pilot Powers. They just feel better.

Tony

[kevrider]

Recently, I bought a 21 for the front. It's exceptionally easy to change the front wheels( about 5 min) so now it's really good on dirt roads.

interesting.  i imagine the added height slows down the steering... what's the handling like in comparison to the stock wheel/height?

[cal_tony]

Kevrider,

As far as the handling goes, it handles pretty much like an S. The 21 is the standard for dirt riding and no brand of tire on a 17 rim would even come close to the 21s ability to hold the front together on dirt.
The biggest problem with dirt riding on a SM is front wheel instability. Today I did about 10 miles of dirt roads with the 21 and a Pilot Power on the back. The Pilot was much better than the Distanzia . The  problem I see with the rear Distanzia is the chevron design. On de-acceleration it gathers loose dirt under the tire and makes it very unstable.

Tony